All eyes had been on Sam Walker, who performed his first sport in New South Wales Cup since Round 3 2021 after being sensationally dropped from the Roosters’ NRL facet.
But it was his opposing halfback that got here out on prime with Jayden Sullivan establishing 4 tries to ship the Dragons the win.
Tim Sheens wished to get a very good have a look at Daine Laurie within the halves and the versatile Tiger gave the coach loads to consider after a dominant sport for the Magpies.
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Meanwhile, David Nofoaluma returned from a foot damage and Shawn Blore made probably the most of his full sport within the second row.
Manly prodigy Latu Fainu made his NSW Cup debut, the Bears’ outdoors backs carved up, an up-and-coming Panther was an absolute powerhouse and a Titans ahead produced a near-perfect efficiency.
In some feel-good news additionally, Billy Smith performed his first sport since struggling his third ACL damage final July.
Read on for the newest Reserve Grade Wrap.
Tigers nonetheless winless regardless of late lead! | 02:04
ALL EYES WERE ON
Sam Walker was dropped again to order grade to work on some components of his sport. He delivered a efficiency that Trent Robinson summed up as “pretty good.”
Walker slotted in at halfback and received concerned early with a bomb kick resulting in the Roosters’ first attempt within the second minute.
The 20-year-old completed the sport with a linebreak help, 4 sort out busts and 133 operating metres. He additionally made 22 sort out with three misses.
His opposition halfback Jayden Sullivan stole the present although with 4 attempt assists, two linebreaks, a linebreak help and 120 operating metres. Two weeks in the past Sullivan advised Fox League he was assured he may get again into the Dragons’ NRL facet and with a efficiency like that it’ll be arduous for Anthony Griffin to maintain him in reserve grade for for much longer.
Speaking of assertion performances, Daine Laurie confirmed Tim Sheens what he can provide within the halves with fairly dominant show for the Magpies. Laurie, who was barking orders all through the 80 minutes, arrange two tries, received two linebreaks, two linebreak assists, 5 sort out busts and ran for 204 metres. He additionally made 20 tackles with three misses.
That got here after Sheens stated a sport within the halves will “open up another option” for Laurie.
“With Adam (Doueihi) down we do need another pivot so Dane will get the chance to show that… It’s a good chance to have a look at him play in that position in a full game,” Sheens advised reporters final Saturday.
“He’s played wing for the All Stars but he’s not a winger — it’s not his best position. He needs a hand on the ball and a little bit of passing. You can’t do much better than six so I’m pretty comfortable that he’ll handle that and in doing so that will open up another option for him.”
Saab and Sea Eagles break Tiger hearts | 00:35
Shawn Blore was additionally dropped again to NSW Cup with the purpose of getting extra sport time into his legs. Blore performed 80 minutes and completed with a attempt, a linebreak, three sort out busts and ran for 153 metres, whereas making 29 tackles with two misses.
In the identical sport veteran winger David Nofoaluma returned from a foot damage, ending the sport with 132 metres and three sort out busts.
On the opposite facet of the sphere was Kaeo Weekes, who was disregarded of Manly’s 17 and as a substitute performed fullback for feeder facet Blacktown Workers. Weekes was busy, getting a linebreak, 5 sort out busts and 182 operating metres.
Meanwhile, Manly followers received their first have a look at Latu Fainu in NSW Cup. Fainu inked a profitable four-year deal again in 2021 at simply 16-years outdated. He’s been enjoying Jersey Flegg for Manly however received his debut for Blacktown on the weekend in what was a blended efficiency for {the teenager} — 72 operating metres and 22 tackles with six misses.
Luckless Roosters centre Billy Smith returned to the sphere from an ACL damage within the Bears’ win over the Knights. Smith solely performed the primary 40 minutes as a part of his return plan and produced a efficiency that ought to fill him with loads of confidence — 105 operating metres, 5 sort out busts and 12 tackles with zero misses.
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STANDOUTS
Blake Taaffe’s boot proved to be the distinction for the Rabbitohs of their 18-16 win over the Panthers. Taaffe arrange a attempt, received two linebreak assists, 5 sort out busts and ran for 104 operating metres, however he additionally kicked two conversions from three makes an attempt and a penalty objective whereas Penrith missed all 4 of theirs.
For a dropping facet, Jake Cole was spectacular within the halves, establishing two tries, getting a linebreak, a linebreak help and operating for 102 metres. He additionally made 20 tackles with only one miss.
Workhorse Liam Henry was as soon as once more an absolute beast at prop, getting via 80 minutes and ending with 214 operating metres and 55 tackles — zero misses. The 21-year-old, who was locked in till 2026 in March, is averaging 152 metres and 43 tackles a sport this season.
Connor Tracey was nearly in all places for Newtown of their win over the Bulldogs. The versatile Tracey performed fullback and completed with two tries, two linebreaks, 13 sort out busts and 166 metres.
The Warriors are flying in NSW Cup and their 48-4 win over the Eels has pushed them to the highest of the desk. Playmaker Ronald Volkman scored 24 of these factors alone with two tries and eight targets. Volkman additionally arrange a attempt, received a linebreak, a linebreak help, two sort out busts and ran for 87 metres.
Phins pull off comeback from 26 nil down | 02:10
Hooker Paul Roache — the youthful brother of Nathaniel Roache — was additionally integral to the wing, establishing two tries and making 40 tackles with zero misses.
Brandon Mansfield bagged a double within the Magpies’ win over Blacktown. The 21-year-old second-rower additionally received two linebreaks, seven sort out busts, two offloads and 121 operating metres, whereas additionally making 30 tackles with two misses.
Bears centre Toa Mata’afa arrange 4 tries in his facet’s win — three of them had been for his winger Junior Pauga — whereas he caught a brief kick-off try from the Knights and offloaded to Reuben Porter. Mata’afa additionally notched up 128 operating metres and made 17 tackles with one miss.
Pauga and Tui Katoa each received over 200 operating metres, whereas Ben Thomas was huge off the bench with 141 operating metres and 24 tackles with no misses in 37 minutes.
The Roosters might not have gotten the win however centre Ethan Clark-Wood produced one in all his finest video games towards his former membership. The 22-year-old scored a attempt, arrange one other, received two linebreaks, three sort out busts and ran for 178 metres.
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Meanwhile, winger Alex Lobb bagged a hat-trick for the Dragons, he additionally received a linebreak, 4 sort out busts and ran for 185 metres.
Ryan Couchman — twin brother of Toby — is edging nearer to a debut and confirmed why together with his 177 operating metres, seven sort out busts and 19 tackles — one miss.
The reigning Queensland Cup Halfback of the Year, Guy Hamilton, had the ball on a string in Burleigh’s 48-20 win over the PNG Hunters. Hamilton scored a attempt to arrange three extra, whereas second-rower Jacob Alick, who’s signed on a Top 30 take care of the Titans, produced a efficiency for the ages. Alick bagged two tries, he arrange one other one, received two linebreaks, 9 sort out busts and 168 operating metres. He additionally made 18 tackles with zero misses and wasn’t afraid to place in some grubbers.
Wynnum Manly fullback Matthew Milson scored a double, received a linebreak, a linebreak help and ran for a game-high of 219 metres, whereas Dolphins halfback Cody Hunter scored 20 of their 40 factors with two tries and 6 conversions.
Townsville winger Robert Derby was a handful, scoring his facet’s first and final attempt of their two-point loss to Tweed and getting eight sort out busts to go together with his 253 metres.
Five-eighth Will Brimson — brother to Titans star AJ — steered Tweed to the win with a attempt to a attempt help.
Sunshine Coast fullback Luke Polselli delivered the products in his facet’s 34-16 win over Souths Logan, scoring their first attempt, establishing one other, getting two linebreaks, a linebreak help and operating for 243 metres.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au