Five Metre Gap: Round 3 Wrap
Like the way of the five metre gap in defence, looking at the points you may have missed from the third round of the NRL.
Not many sides will get as close to scoring two tries in the space of six minutes against reigning premiers South Sydney this season as the Wests Tigers did on Sunday. On either side of the field Pat Richards (ruled out offside) then Kevin Naiqama (bundled into touch) both went close before the Tigers opened the scoring via Robbie Farah after half an hour. The visitors didn’t score again as the Rabbitohs ran in four tries with the early phase of the match in an odd way deciding the encounter. sides will need to score more than three tries to beat Souths in most games so teams must take their chances.
Recently we have spoken a lot about missing tackles but after an 0-3 start it’s the workload of Ben Barba in defence that would be of concern to Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan. The pivot has had to make 58 tackles over the first three rounds, missing seven in that period. Whilst that figure is not unusual for halves Barba is used to making less than half that amount of tackles most weekends as a fullback so his body isn’t conditioned to the amount of hits. For example the most tackles of any fullback this weekend was Greg Inglis with 12 tackles (Kurt Gidley named at #1 for Newcastle made 28 but was playing at dummy half for a large part of the game.) A tired Barba is less incisive on attack, and that’s even before we consider his experience as a first receiver. His pending suspension from the weekend could be a blessing in disguise with regards to the Sharks halves combination.
Speaking of players who have played fullback Gidley’s use has given the Knights a further attacking angle in been able to utilise Sione Mata’utia as well as the rest of Newcastle’s talented starting backline. Notably with two wins away from home, both in Queensland, to start the season makes it probably one of the most impressive 3-0 starts to a season for some time, even if they rode their luck on Sunday. The one element that will need work is the communication at the back after the first Aidan Sezer try made both Mata’utia and Akuila Uate look a bit daft. Time in the role for 18 year-old Mata’utia and more work with his back three teammates should see that aspect improve.
Normally it’s the week after matches played in heavy rain or extreme heat which can have a negative impact on sides in terms of fatigue but how will the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs go after the match on Brookvale Golf Course.. errrr Oval. Playing at ANZ Stadium and WIN Stadium respectively in round four it will be interesting to note the fantasy numbers for the forwards for both sides in particular as they may be able to run with more confidence. On Friday night two Bulldogs players, bookends Aiden Tolman and James Graham, made over 100 running metres (117 and 114 respectively) but they were topped by the Sea Eagles Luke Burgess who ran for 119 metres. By way of comparison four Bulldogs player clocked up over 100 running metres in their 32-12 demolition of the Eels the week prior.
Despite an eight-point loss Penrith fullback Matt Moylan was impressive all round. In the period just before the break the 23 year-old made a great tackle on Aidan Guerra far enough away from the line that the Roosters forward was forced into a double-movement. A short time later with quick presence of mind Moylan dashed forward to take a quick tap and zipped passed the inattentive Roosters defenders to race over halfway. The play was ultimately crucial in setting up the phase of tackles which lead to the Jamal Idris try. He also laid on the try for James Segeyaro which gave the Panthers a chance late in the encounter. Notably NSW coach Laurie Daley, speaking on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast Weekend on Sunday, said Moylan was one of three players (along with Josh Dugan and Brett Stewart) in line to play full back for NSW and a lot of aspects about Moylan’s Monday effort would have impressed Daley.
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Hamish Neal
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