NRL Notepad: Round 10 (Sunday)
From now through to October, I’ll look back at my notes from the prior round and highlight an area of each team to keep a close eye on from your couch.
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New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Warriors
Their start to the game made it more frustrating. After getting Roger Tuivasa-Sheck one-on-one off a scrum to score, the Warriors soon crafted another very nice rugby league try.
On the back of an Adam Blair hit up along the right tram line, Blake Green shapes left before feeding Tuivasa-Sheck down the right side.
Seeing that there is nothing on, Tuivasa-Sheck cuts back before hitting Jamayne Taunua-Brown on the left post. He gets Keegan Hipgrave involved in the tackle which forces an adjustment in the defensive line.
With a long pass out of dummy half taking the A defender out of the picture while Tohu Harris acts as the ball-player and Karl Lawton runs a lead line, the pair put Jamal Fogarty in his seat to create a three-on-two on the outside.
Let’s see more of this - Green shifting the ball, Tuivasa-Sheck thinking to run first, and Harris ball-playing - and less of whatever it was they dished up in the following 70 minutes.
Sharks
How long can John Morris put up with this?
Penrith Panthers v North Queensland Cowboys
Panthers
Oscar highlighted the improvements of the Panthers right-side attack earlier in the week.
“What was most impressive was the variety with which Penrith’s right edge attacked, as Nathan Cleary linked beautifully with fullback Dylan Edwards in particular, who displayed some superb touches throughout the game.”
But I’m still dialling into their left edge. Jarome Luai is learning how to get the most out of Viliame Kikau. Sometimes, as was the case in Round 8, less is more. With the big fella needing a little love after a 6-touch 80 minutes, Luai doubled his touches in Round 9.
I’m focused on how the Panthers use Kikau against an awful Cowboys right edge this week.
Cowboys
After highlighting the Cowboys’ NRL-worst right-side defence last week, their left-side allowed Matt Ikuvalu to score five tries in Round 9.
This double block, albeit by the Roosters, shouldn’t look so easy:
Paul Green is in trouble if he can’t fix things up on the edges.
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