Those injury woes continued across the NRL this week, along with huge news on the contract front. Meanwhile, excitement is building as Magic Round looms and the Women’s and Mens Origin series both promise to deliver high intensity clashes.
David Fifita
David Fifita’s playing future has been the story of this week in Rugby League, with multiple Sydney clubs offering arguably excessive amounts in hopes of securing the Origin forward’s signature.
After the Titans confirmed Fifita’s departure, the Roosters announced that they had signed the edge forward to a four year $825,000 a year deal, commencing in 2025.
David Fifita
Despite the upcoming loss of Jared Warea-Hargreaves, the Roosters will still boast a strong pack, and Fifita will ensure it will be one of the best in the NRL.
It will be no surprise to many if David’s partner, Titans NRLW second rower Shaylee Bent, joins him in Sydney.
Storm Take A Big Hit
There was tough news for the Melbourne Storm following their hard fought victory over the Titans.
In yet another cruel setback, Ryan Papenhuyzen is back in the casualty ward after sustaining a leg injury, and the news got worse with Jahrome Hughes will be joining him on the sidelines.
Papenhuyzen
The unlucky Papenhuyzen confirmed post-game that he suffered a fracture to the bone above the plate in his already injured right ankle. Young gun Sua Fa’alogo will take over the custodian role.
Melbourne have looked to minimise the disruption to their spine from Jahrome Hughes’ minor hamstring injury by naming the versatile Tyran Wishart.
We wish Ryan Papenhuyzen all the best with his current rehab.
Leniu Returns
Sunday afternoon marks Spencer Leniu’s first match for over two months following the completion of his eight week suspension. The racial slur incident involving Ezra Mam happened in the round zero clash in Las Vegas.
Leniu
Leniu was heavily criticised for his behaviour in the NRL’s season opener, and did himself no favours in a later confrontation with Broncos players at the team hotel.
It will be interesting to watch the temperament of the Roosters’ enforcer when he takes on a Warriors pack determined to turn their season around.
Women’s Origin Teams
The NSW and QLD NRLW State of Origin sides have been named for Game One of the 2024 series. The interstate series takes on a three game format for the first time, and it all kicks off next week.
Suncorp Stadium hosts the first instalment of the series in what will be a huge lead in to Magic Round.
Maroons:
Maroons coach Tahnee Norris has named a fierce and gritty side, containing some of the leagues toughest and quickest players.
Names like Tamika Upton, Tarryn Aiken, Zahara Temara and Ali Brigginshaw headline the side, bringing plenty of strike power to the Maroons. Titans fullback and fan favourite Evania Pelite is one to watch and she’s joined the squad by club mates Emily Bass, Lauren Brown, Shannon Mato, Jessika Elliston and Sienna Lofipo.
Sky Blues:
Kyle Hilder has turned heads by naming a new-look blues squad, with the biggest news being her triple omission of back to back premiership winning halfback Jesse Southwell, her sister Hannah and Eels captain Kennedy Cherrington.
Pearson
Eels halfback Rachael Pearson makes her return to the Origin stage, partnering Corban Baxter in the halves, with Rachael revealing she remained at camp for news of her selection, refusing to wait one more day for the phone call.
The Sky Blues boast more experience than their Queensland counterparts in what will be a fascinating contest.
Game of the Week
My selection for the match of the week is tonight’s clash between the Eels and the Broncos at CommBank Stadium.
Injuries to Clint Gutherson and Adam Reynolds will impact the immediate fortunes of both teams and rob this game of some star power. The loss of Reynolds means that the Eels and the Broncos will be trying to prove themselves without their first choice number 7s.
Gutherson
Adam Reynolds has been replaced by the 27 year old Josh Rogers whilst Mitchell Moses’ absence in the halves will continue to be filled by Ethan Sanders.
Rising star Blaize Talagi deputises for Gutherson, with Dylan Brown appointed as co-captain alongside Junior Paulo in a huge show of confidence from Brad Arthur.
Currently sitting at three wins and five losses in 2024, and yet to achieve success away from home this season, the Eels will be glad to be back at CommBank Stadium.
Parra will be hoping that the loss of Adam Reynolds, Jock Madden and Jesse Arthars, along with some wet weather, will slow Brisbane up in what will still be a monumental challenge on Friday night.
Bring it on!
Nat
Roosters sign a marquee player 😯
They don’t muck around
Roosters signing a marquee nrl player and then also sign their sibling (in dom young’s case) or partner (likely in David fifita case) is a tactic they will continually use to toy with salary cap rules. Who knows what fifita, dom young, leniu etc are all promised by way of side benefits but it must be material. It’s a joke how when they sign players it’s supposedly “for less” but when those same players come off contract it’s supposedly “look how much we had to pay them – we pay people on book and now we have so much free cap space”. Doesn’t make sense when you look at how much the people that come off contract were purportedly on and how much that left to assemble their star studded roster
Also makes Robinson abject failures over last few years all the more concerning. Sure he has won some comps in past but those teams practically coaches themselves. This year he has another chance to distract people from the fact he is only as good as his troops. He is not Bennett or Bellamy who unlike most coaches generally can push their teams beyond the sum total of its parts.
Given his rosters over the years, it’s amazing that he’s rarely questioned about the failures.
Looked back at some teams the Roosters have fielded in the past 6/7 years and they have had 15 internationals and rep players in the 17, and the non reps were not at all shabby.
The journos spend so much time around Fox HQ which is also where the Roosters are, they tend to be more friendly than questioning.
Surprised Roosters (and Penrith) made a play for David Fifita. At $800k+ a year the player should be scoring or setting up a try every game. David certainly is not that and imo doesn’t even fit into their systems, ie high intensity, high impact and high defensive involvement. Next on Roosters hit list will be Blaize and I await the announcement shortly.