I always have a particular match, trend, team, or player in mind to focus on heading into each round of the NRL season. This week, I’ve found 19 things that make Round 16 interesting.
These are meant to be short and sharp articles to introduce the weekend, but they can sometimes become full features. If you like what you see, pass it on.
Recent:
- How one tackle can have a big impact
- A round of opportunity
- Breaking down simple yardage sets
- Getting nerdy over scrums
Unfortunately, most of the loudest voices in the NRL media landscape don’t actually like rugby league. Sure, a State of Origin impacted and reduced round isn’t for everybody. It’s a week off footy for some. Still, there is plenty to like about the round ahead.
1. There is footy on
What are we doing here…?
A stand-alone State of Origin weekend would be great. I think it’s what I want in an ideal world. But I know I’d get to Friday night and be itching for footy. It might not be the highest quality nor the best advertisement for the competition, but we’ve still got five games to enjoy over the weekend.
2. More Trai Fuller
Trai Fuller quickly became a fan favourite within NRL circles when replacing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow earlier in the year. He’s electric on his feet, seems to pop up in all the right places, and is a reliable player for a week or two at a time.
Fuller is older, which is something I like in late roster spots. He’s one Wayne Bennett can rely on this week with the Dolphins under some pressure in the selection meeting.
3. Isaiya Katoa is playing
I think we’re in the development stages of a superstar.
Isaiya Katoa is years ahead in his footy IQ, deception and tempo. It goes largely unnoticed because he doesn’t put up big SuperCoach numbers, but he’s already a very good NRL halfback.
As I mentioned on Monday, keep an eye on who throws the pass before the pass for the Dolphins.
4. Tevita Pangai Jr. is back in the NRL
He isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. Some people won’t like that he swanned off to try his hand at boxing before returning to footy a year later. However, at his best, Pangai Jr. is must-watch television.
One thing Pangai Jr. won’t have lost his his physicality. Harnessed in the right way, it’s of match-winning potential on both sides of the ball. With a few games under his belt, he will put his name in the mix as the top offloader in the competition.
The 28-year-old will need some time to get going. His match-fitness will be something to watch closely as the Dolphins coaching staff make sure to nail their rotation. But returning to the NRL in what are roughly the prime years of a prop forwards career, we might still see the best of Pangai Jr.
5. Ryan Papenhuyzen returns
Plenty will be disappointed to see Sua Fa’alogo moved to the wing, but Ryan Papenhuyzen is the best fullback for the Storm right now. Where Fa’alogo will produce the highlight reel moment, Papenhuyzen’s line organisation is far superior. He’s a better link-man for the attack on the edges, too.
With his push support through the middle and speed out the back of shape on the edges, I don’t think it will be long before Pappy is spoken about as a top-tier fullback in the NRL again.
I’m particularly keen to see how he can play on the back of Eli Katoa’s rise up the backrower ranks while sitting on the sideline. They played havoc with the Broncos’ two and three-man to produce a beauty in Round 10:
6. Eli Katoa
If Eli Katoa was eligible for either team in State of Origin, we’d be talking about him as one of the best back-rowers in the competition.
He always profiled as a perfect Craig Bellamy reclamation project, so it’s no surprise to see him hitting his straps 18 months after landing at the Melbourne Storm. The 24-year-old played some great footy at the Warriors but was only new to the sport when he made his debut in 2020. Now with 80 games of NRL experience, it’s all becoming clear for Katoa.
He’s destructive, runs a brutal line at the defender’s inside shoulder, is underrated in the air, and works hard defensively within Melbourne’s system on the edge. Katoa is among the top of the ‘most underrated players in the game’ list at the moment.
7. Exciting Titans
The Gold Coast Titans take years off their fans’ lives every season, but they’re great to watch as a neutral.
Chaos is all you can rely on. Expect the unexpected anytime you tune in.
They’re fast and play an exciting brand of footy when the ball is sticking. Whether they’re winning by 20 or losing by 20, the game isn’t over until the siren sounds with this group.
The forecast is for sun and running rugby league on Saturday afternoon. I’ll forecast an early shift from a kickoff, too.
8. Cbus Super Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors fever has exploded in New Zealand over the last 18 months and I expect that to continue on the Gold Coast this weekend.
Kiwis always flock to Cbus Super Stadium. They outnumbered Titans fans last year and will likely do so again on Saturday. I’ll never forget the chants circulating the stadium as Isaac Luke walked around the field and back to the bench after kicking a conversion in the 74th minute back in Round 14, 2019.
9. Metre Eater
Dylan Edwards leads the NRL in yardage with 237.9 metres per game. Nobody will be surprised by that anymore.
But going relatively unnoticed averaging 236.3 metres per game in his eight appearances as a fullback – Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. He’s a beast and will thrive on the dry track on the Gold Coast after a couple of wet ones across the ditch.
10. Skelton Returns
Jeral Skelton is back for his first game in the NRL for 2024.
He has been dominating NSW Cup with the ball to average 216 running metres with nine tries in 11 games.
He’s a destructive ball carrier and will provide the Bulldogs with plenty in yardage. There are concerns defensively, but I’m curious to see how he performs in first grade after a solid start to the year at Cup level.
11. Roosters Halves
The Sydney Roosters have lost a few players to State of Origin, but their spine remains intact with Brandon Smith returning.
I’ll be focused on Luke Keary and Sam Walker, in particular. They’ve adjusted things in 2024, and if they provide the goods, I want to paint a clearer picture of that on Monday.
Walker’s running numbers have dropped significantly from 54 metres per game to only 37 metres. However, he has 11 try assists in 12 games after managing only four in 10 games last season.
12. Are the Rabbitohs back?
Short answer: No.
Are they back to playing half-decent and entertaining football: Yes.
Their best players are back playing well, but losing Latrell Mitchell is huge this week. He has been fantastic and led a lot of the resurgence over the last month. Still, Jye Gray is fit and slots into fullback. I’m not settled on him being regular first grade ready yet, but he can spot up for a week or two when Cody Walker, Damien Cook and Keaon Koloamatagi are playing this well with the ball in hand.
13. Le Blanc on debut
“Liam Le Blanc will crown a rollercoaster 12 months, which included being diagnosed with a rare condition that led to heart surgery, when he makes his debut for South Sydney on Saturday night.” – Sydney Morning Herald
Liam Le Blanc is one of only a few reserve grade players I don’t have a read on at all. His name came out of nowhere for me on Tuesday.
At just 19 years old and with only six games of NSW Cup experience to his name, I’m excited to see how he goes with the jump.
14. James & Schoupp getting a crack
He’s 23 years old and has played only five NRL games for the Wests Tigers in 2023, but I think Aitasi James has a future in first grade.
A versatile forward, he’s a big unit at 188 cm and 110 kg. It translates into a strong running game while also having the skill to move the ball wide as a middle forward.
Meanwhile, Aaron Schoupp has been there and done it, but fell out of the NRL group with the Gold Coast Titans this year.
Things didn’t work out for him after leaving the Bulldogs. The Titans tinkered with him as a backrower and he never hit the form I, for one, expected to see following his move up north. Back in Sydney and in what I’m guessing is his favourite position, he’s one to watch this week.
15. Welcome to the NRL, Caleb Navale
I really like the look of Caleb Navale.
He’s 21 years old and has featured only seven times for the Blacktown Workers this season, but he looks ready for a role at the NRL level.
I’d imagine it will be kept simple to start. He has fast feet, pushes through contact, and does well to find his front and promote a quick play-the-ball. However, with more confidence, he has a nice pass, which suits the Sea Eagles’ attack particularly well.
We caught a glimpse of those fast feet and tackle-breaking ability in the try he laid on for Lehi Hopoate in Round 10 here:
16. Doueihii Watch
Adam Doueihii made his return from another ACL injury for the Western Suburbs Magpies last week and stood out in a well-beaten side. He ran the ball well, kicked the Magpies up the field, and didn’t shy away from contact defensively.
You often see players ease their way back in following a lengthy injury layoff (he did come off after 65 minutes), but Doueihii didn’t miss a beat.
He has been named in the reserves list this week. However, I’d imagine Brett Naden’s centre position is up for grabs given recent rumours around him being shopped to Super League clubs. If not this week, Doueihii must be a chance in Round 17 against the Roosters.
17. Lauilii off the bench
Kit Lauilii is only 19 years old and playing in just his second NRL match, but he profiles as a key piece to Wests Tigers future.
He’s a long way off Spencer Leniu status, but it’s who I’d have him mould his game on at the moment. Lauilii has more potential as a ball-player. However, for the time being, he’s a pocket rocket through the middle, capable of generating a quick play-the-ball on the back of a destructive carry, having a big impact in limited minutes.
18. Zac Woolford
Zac Woolford played 38 games across the 2022 and 2023 NRL seasons but has yet to feature in 2024.
He’s always looked the part out there. While he’s not going to burst out from dummy half like Harry Grant or manipulate defenders like Api Koroisau, Woolford doesn’t overplay his hand and still handed out 12 try assists across those 38 games.
With Tom Starling unavailable, he gets his chance to impress on Sunday.
19. State of Origin Chat
The round wouldn’t be complete without some discussion around State of Origin.
I wrote about what the New South Wales Blues might do with the ball for NRL.com earlier in the week.
