Our writers have a look at some of the talking points out of round 2 of this year’s National Rugby League Premiership.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH TAUMALOLO
Dan White questions whether Jason Taumalolo should have been in hot water for the shoulder charge during their golden point win over the Broncos. ย North Queensland are defending the charge laid by the Match Review Committee
“The shoulder charge should be for contact to the head and neck area, shoulder to shoulder contact happens, especially when the player being tackled starts spinning into the contact.”
KNIGHT A WIN IS A WIN FOR THE GAME
Titans fans may not agree, but a lot of people who follow the game are pleased Newcastle’s losing streak which was closing in on a calendar year is over. ย Brandon Lee says it well:
“Knights win a victory for all Rugby League.”
PANTHERS BOUNCED BACK
Penrith after being thrashed in round 1 looked more like premiership contenders in week 2 with victory over Wests Tigers. ย A more direct forwards approach and shutting down key playmakers in Tedesco, Brooks and Moses helped get their for and against back in the black.
HAYNE PLANE DRAMAS
Pre-game the talk was about Jarryd Hayne’s future on the coast and they’ll be more questions this week as he sits on the sideline through injury, says Shannon Meyer:
“Would he dare use this latest injury to plan an escape to French Rugby.”
JAYDEN BRAILEY A STAR IN THE MAKING
The Sharks might have lost Michael Ennis post-Grand Final, but there’s a rookie on the rise, according to Sam Dasey:
“Brailey is a superstar in the making. The 19 year old completely outshone his opposite number in English international Hodgson in a classy performance beyond his two game experience.”
STORM SET HIGH BENCHMARK
James Morgan says the Melbourne Storm franchise run the best, most smoothest ship in the National Rugby League after their great win in wet Auckland last Friday.
“No club in Australia is consummate and professional like the Storm are. They’ve games that they have played so far have been polar opposites yet they’ve never looked challenged or out of their comfort zone”
