NRL 2023: Talking Points, Round 2, Tigers Tim Sheens, Broncos, Reece Walsh, Dolphins, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Eels
There are no signs of the Tigers’ attacking revolution they trumpeted before the season after their horror 14-12 loss to the Knights.
Meanwhile, Reece Walsh took the Broncos to another level with a big win over the Cowboys and the Dolphins rolled on there merry way taking down the Raiders.
Read on for all the key NRL Talking Points in Round 2.
Tigers Press Conference | 03:20
TOOTHLESS TIGERS IMPLODE AS KNIGHTS PRODUCE GUTSIEST EVER WIN
The Tigers’ revival is on ice after their second straight loss at Leichhardt Oval, with Tim Sheens’s side failing to beat a Knights side plagued by injuries and reduced to 12 men for 25 minutes.
The 14-12 result was one of the gutsiest wins in Knights history, but the Tigers looked like they couldn’t score at training for most of the match, despite their numerical advantage.
Braith Anasta lauded the Knights for their toughness in an epic back to the wall victory.
“An absolute nail-biter at Leichhardt and what a courageous win from the Newcastle Knights,” Anasta said.
“Dom Young 10 minutes in the bin. Jacob Saifiti sent off. Kalyn Ponga and Jayden Brailey gone with HIA’s not to return early on in the game. Frizell off with injury.
“Still with their backs against the wall against all odds they hang on to beat the Tigers at Leichhardt.”
Greg Alexander praised the Knights but couldn’t ignore role the horrible Tigers attack played in the result after the managed just one try in each half and only when the Knights were reduced to 12 men on both occasions.
“If nothing else but Ponga leaving the field in the first minute of the game happened to the Knights they would have had an excuse to go on and lose the game,” Alexander said.
“But to play with 12 men for the 10 minutes of the first half and 12 men for the last 15 minutes of the second half and come up with a win is extraordinary.
“And while we praise the Knights and say it was one of their best, you can’t help but be critical of the Tigers.”
Michael Ennis labelled it the worst performance from the Tigers in recent memory.
“One of the most disappointing performances from the Tigers in recent history,” Ennis said.
“Their attack was absolutely diabolical.”
Former Tigers halfback Jackson Hastings couldn’t resist digging the knife into the coach and the club that let him go after the game.
“He said he loved being coached by Adam O’Brien and Michael Maguire,” Anasta said.
“There was a couple of little backhanders in there.”
“That’s a little backhander to Tim Sheens,” Alexander said.
“Put yourself in his position. He was shown the door and released by the Tigers. They didn’t want him.
“They won the game. He can say what he wants. Winners are grinners.”
There was drama after the game after Hastings was involved in a scuffle with Tommy Talau and David Klemmer after his high shot that broke the nose of the Tigers centre.
“Emotions are high because of the extreme conditions the Knights were under,” Ennis said.
“Emotions are high for Jackson Hastings. He obviously had a big week going into the game. The Tigers let him go over the summer and he led his side to victory today.
“That’s why Jackson is the way that he is, but you don’t see that often. A player fronts someone after a game. He shirt fronted him after a game.”
However, Alexander questioned whether Hastings was trying to apologise.
“Has Hastings gone up to apologise about the incident or has he had a crack at him?” Alexander asked.
“We don’t know.”
What we do now is the Tigers are 0-2 in 2023 and their attacking revolution under Sheens and Benji Marshall looks a long way off coming to fruition.
Saifiti sent off for BRASH tackle! | 01:14
DRAGONS SILENCE THE CRITICS
Following an off-season from hell, plenty of pundits had the Dragons collecting the 2023 wooden spoon and Anthony Griffin’s days as coach numbered.
Griffin was roasted over the club’s culture following a summer which featured several police charges and teammates fighting in Mudgee following their Charity Shield thumping.
But the veteran coach brushed away the criticism in the same uninterested manner he’s maintained in over a decade of coaching in the NRL.
Griffin said to judge his side on their results in the season proper and after enjoying the bye in Round 1 they started with a bang, thumping the Titans 32-18 on Sunday night.
“Except for one day in Mudgee we had a really good off-season and we were really confident in where we were going as a group,” Griffin said.
“You could tell at training yesterday the guys were really looking forward to getting your season started.”
Dragons captain Ben Hunt said his belief in the group never wavered despite their turbulent summer.
“There’s been belief all pre-season. We had a bad day in Mudgee but there’s just been a really great feel around the group all pre-season,” Hunt said.
“We’ve got that belief and I feel like we’re building a bit of confidence and the boys are getting to know their roles so you can start to have more confidence in yourself.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do but the belief is definitely starting to grow.”
Dragons Press Conference | 07:31
PANTHERS SIMPLIFY GAME TO CONTINUE DOMINANCE OF SOUTHS
The Panthers showed they will still be a very hard football team to beat this year by continuing their dominance over Souths in a 16-10 win.
The Panthers have now won 10 of their last 11 games against Souths and Matty Johns believes they did on the back of a simplified power game.
“The Panthers were dominant for most of the match, but South Sydney they can score points in a flurry, but Penrith just simplified their game,” Johns said on The Late Show with Matty Johns.
“They got back to that power game.
“I think everyone played to their strengths. Jarome Luai instead of trying to advance the ball sideways was just taking them on with his running game.
“Nathan Cleary crucially got more first receiver football rather than sitting on the back of sweeps all the time. They went back to their winning formula.”
Gorden Tallis believes the Panthers built their win over Souths on their defence and their attack flowed off the back of it.
“Everyone was talking about the players the Panthers have lost in attack, but I thought it was their defence tonight that was the difference,” Tallis said.
“They missed 36 tackles last week. Tonight they missed 10 tackles in the first half and just 18 by the end of the game.
“I think their focus was on defence, play tough and win yardage and get to their kick and it worked.
“They had a bit of luck in a couple of their tries, but it was a better performance from the Panthers.”
It was a crucial win to get the Panthers on the board as they have the bye in Round 3, which will help Cleary recover from his ankle injury in time for a blockbuster clash with the Eels to open Round 4.
Panthers dominate Souths in Penrith | 02:32
EELS’ NIGHTMARE EMERGES AMID GRAND FINAL HANGOVER
Consecutive close defeats have caused the Eels to drop to 0-2, but coach Brad Arthur isn’t panicking just yet.
Eight days after losing in golden point against the Storm in the NRL season opener, the Eels went down to the Sharks 30-26 at Commbank Stadium, in an exciting contest that saw six lead changes.
And it’s not going to get any easier. They face the Sea Eagles, Panthers and Roosters in upcoming matches and face the prospect of being 0-5.
Arthur admitted the upcoming schedule “isn’t ideal” but believes the next few games will be a great test for his side.
“It’s a good challenge for us because over the past few seasons, we’ve started the season well so we’ll learn a bit about our group over the next few weeks,” he said.
Arthur did praise his players’ effort against the Sharks but lamented the poor defence that resulted in several “soft tries”.
“Our effort was good and we were there till the death but you can’t have five tries put on you and be happy with the performance,” Arthur said.
“We had our opportunities; we controlled the game and field position well but there were a couple of moments we would like back.
“Some of the tries they scored were soft really and they didn’t have to work too hard for a lot of them.”
On a bright note Eels recruit J’maine Hopgood continued his hot start to the season, racking up 43 tackles at 142 running metres to go with two try assists, with Arthur believing he is only going to improve the more starts the former Panther gets under his belt.
“He was good again tonight,” Arthur said.
“As I said in the pre-season, he just needed an opportunity to get out on the field and I still think once he’s played 10-15 games straight, he’ll be better for us again.
“He does some good things with the ball, works hard defensively and although there’s a couple of things he needs to tidy up, but he’s going really well.”
Sharks shock Eels to take first win | 02:24
BRONCOS ARE THE REAL DEAL WITH WALSH AT NO. 1 MAN
Reece Walsh left Brisbane a boy in 2021 and on Friday night he returned a man.
The lightning-fast fullback delivered the best Broncos debut in many years.
Walsh finished with 111 metres from 11 carries, a try, a try assist and four linebreak assists, while he was narrowly denied both a second try and assist.
The 20-year-old, who returned to Red Hill on a three-year deal worth around $1.35 million, was simply everywhere as the best player on the park in the convincing 28-16 win over the Cowboys in the Queensland derby.
“He was really good wasn’t he? If that’s his first game there’s a lot to look forward to, without putting too much pressure on him,” Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said.
“Defensively he held us together with the way he organised the team.
“It was a very proud moment for him and we’re all very proud of him. There was a fair bit of pressure on him and he delivered.
“Small steps for him at the moment. Keep him grounded, let him enjoy tonight. He’s got a great mentor in Adam (Reynolds).”
Reynolds revealed the dedication behind Walsh’s standout performance.
“He studies the game, he loves the game, he watches every game. He comes to me with questions and plays all the time,” Reynolds said.
“He trains hard and puts his best foot forward every day to improve as a person and as a player.
“I have to work out ways to get him into space so my job is easy. His speed and toughness are his best attributes.”
Broncos great Corey Parker gave further insight into Walsh’s development.
“Great story Reece Walsh, he came through the journey systems, came into the first-grade system then took a step and went and played some first-grade at the Warriors but he’s come back a completely different person, he’s come back a more mature person,” Parker said.
“We got a good taste of it in the trial game, then out on the big stage under the bright lights in his debut he was electric.
“Some of the plays and some of the movements, but more importantly the speed he was able to beat players both off left and right and just being able to create on the edges, he is a real X-factor for the Brisbane Broncos which at this point in time are in very good shape.”
Even Cowboys skipper JasonTaumalolo had praise for the Broncos young gun.
“He got them the two points today, the kid can play footy. He’s definitely added a different dimension to their footy side and it makes them play some great footy,” he said.
Broncos put Cowboys on the sword | 02:54
ROBBO CALLS ON SUAALII TO NAIL ROLE
Roosters coach Trent Robinson called on Joseph Suaalii to step up and nail his assignments after a mixed bag in the 20-12 win over the Warriors.
Suaalii ran for 197 metres to go with eight tackle busts, two linebreaks and a try assist, but he also missed four tackles and had two errors.
Robinson was impressed with parts of Suaalii’s involvement, but still wants to see more from his new centre.
“I thought he showed more nous this week, but I also think he can do better,” Robinson said.
“He is not here to be the young kid developing anymore. He is here to nail his role and nail it well and execute well.
“I thought he got himself into positions to do that better this week and now it is time to execute. It is time to nail the big moments.”
The Roosters were guilty of several bombed tries against the Warriors and Suaalii was a culprit at times and they need to be better against the Rabbitohs next week.
It sets up a mouth-watering battle between Joey Manu and Suaalii and in form Souths centre pairing Campbell Graham and Isaiah Tass next week.
“I’d say we were OK in that circumstance today, but I would be pushing that left edge for more,” Robinson said.
“They did a good job today. Egan Butcher is still learning his role in starting there, but between Luke Keary, Suaalii and Daniel Tupou they had good games and I am expecting them to improve week on week.”
Late hit from Roosters star 'not on' | 00:31
TEEN THE REAL DEAL AS HAMMER LANDS KILLER BLOW
Wayne Bennet shocked the rugby league world when he dropped veteran Anthony Milford for Isaiya Katoa - but the teenager showed exactly why against the Raiders.
With the game on the line and the Dolphins halfback Sean O’Sullivan in the sin bin, Katoa stepped up to the plate.
The scores were locked at 14-14 with under three minutes to play and instead of setting up for a field goal, Katoa set up his backline.
The 18-year-old took on the line then threw the game-winning pass for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to score in the 78th minute.
“Young Katoa comes up with the big play in a big moment, so early on in his career,” Shane Flanagan said on Fox League.
“He goes deep into the line, double pumps and goes out the back to his full back. Cool, calm and collected by the No. 6.
“When they needed him to stand up with his halfback in the sin bin, he comes out with a big play.
“He calls for the football, he runs the winning play and sets up the winning try.”
Dan Ginnane added: “Isaiya Katoa, he proved as a junior that he could handle the big moments. Last week in front of 32,000 in his first-grade debut, he had an early error but he recovered and he was wonderful. And now when it matters…and when the play had to be made, it is Isiaya Katoa that stands up, the youngest player in the NRL.”
Tabuai-Fidow also enjoyed a night out, finishing with two tries, one linebreak and 141 metres from 14 carries.
“We built plenty of trust between all of us boys over the pre-season and you see that on the field
“We stuck to what we needed to do and everyone fought hard for each other.
“He (Isaiya) told me to come out the back and he put it on a platter for me and when I saw the winger jam and the gap open up, I put my head down and found the line.”
The Hammer puts final nail in Raiders | 00:39
STORM MISS MUNSTER AMID DEPTH CRISIS
Mal Meninga believes “it could be a long year” for the Melbourne Storm as the club deals with some key outs and a mounting injury list.
The Storm were thoroughly outplayed on Saturday night, going down 26-12 against the Bulldogs at AAMI Park.
With star five-eighth Cameron Munster out for a few weeks with a finger injury, on top of Justin Olam, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tariq Sims and Xavier Coates, enforcer Nelson Asofa-Salomona is also under an injury cloud, leaving the clash early with a knee injury.
Meninga believes the side’s depth could be tested this season, adding that the absence of Munster on Saturday was very evident.
“I’m not quite sure about their depth this year,” Meninga said in studio post-game.
“I’m not sure about them going forward if they keep sustaining injuries and their best players aren’t on the park.
“They missed him (Munster) tonight. The side lacked the confidence he brings to a footy team.
“Obviously he is the X-factor and he can create opportunities out of nothing but his mere presence I think brings a lot of confidence to those around him, particularly Jahrome (Hughes), Harry (Grant) and Nick Meaney.”
Former Storm halfback Cooper Cronk says his former club are in for a “tough review this week” after an underwhelming defensive display against the Bulldogs.
“The players will be doing some hard work on the training field this week but those players that played tonight, will get the chance to show Craig Bellamy what their character is like against the Titans next week,” Cronk said.
“Bellamy doesn’t care if you can score tries or run the length of the field, he wants tough, defensive-minded players.
“He’ll want the team to win 4-0 against the Titans next week.”
Melbourne Storm Press Conference | 07:38
