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Matt Orford for the Canberra Raiders (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)
First up, round four of the NRL showed us that not all returning NRL stars are able to stroll through defences upon their return. Matt Orford is the talking point as his Canberra Raiders side struggles and he condemned the Raiders with a clumsy knock-on to gift possession away.
Buyer beware when it comes to former NRL stars
Former Penrith halfback Craig Gower says he wants to return to the NRL, but given what we’ve seen from Matt Orford so far, is it worth the risk?
Orford is struggling to make an impact in Canberra and calls for him to be dropped are growing louder by the day. In Orford’s defence, coming into a new team, off a limited pre-season was never going to be easy, but he’s a mile off the pace at the moment.
How many clubs will think the same is possible when it comes to Craig Gower? Yes, he’s a dual international, but this dual international is 32 and unlike Orford, who came off a stint in the English Super League, has been playing rugby union in Europe.
Gower is probably a better player than Orford, but the warning is there.
Money trumps momentum
Just what is the price of momentum? The Sharks played the Warriors in the North Island city of Taupo in New Zealand yesterday.
You may think it was a great initiative from the Warriors as they continue to grow their brand in the rugby mad country, especially in a year where New Zealand is hosting the Rugby World Cup.
But, that’s where you’d be wrong.
This was the Sharks home game. A healthy, and much needed, financial incentive was behind the move. While they’ll come home with a big bag of money, two competition points were lost. They went down 26 – 18.
Players and club officials did a fair bit of promotional work in the community in the lead up to the game, but was it worth it from a football perspective?
This was a Sharks side coming off wins over the Dragons and Penrith. Would they have lost to the Warriors at Toyota Stadium?
You can never say for sure, but they would’ve stood a far better chance than they did in Taupo.
Being tackled and taken out in the air isn’t the same thing
The whistleblowers usually do a pretty good job when it comes to protecting players who’ve been tacked in the air, but yesterday wasn’t one of their best days. The game had its fair share of contentious calls; none more so than the opening try of the game.
Newcastle winger Wes Naiqama caught the ball near his own try line, but spilled the pill while in the air after St George Illawarra’s Jason Nightingale had ploughed into him. Soon to be ex-Dragons fullback Darius Boyd reacted quickest and grounded the ball.
Newcastle went on to lose 20 – 18 and coach Rick Stone raised a fair point after the match. “I’m a little bit bemused by it to be honest,” he said. “I thought Wes was put in a dangerous position. I’m not sure whether that should have been a penalty as far as protecting the player’s safety is concerned”. It should have been.
Sandow is proving the doubters wrong
Chris Sandow isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s developing into a dependable halfback. The little number seven was involved in everything the Bunnies did in their win over Manly on Friday night. The biggest indicator of his maturity was the quality of his kicking game.
Yes, it helps when the likes of Roy Asotasi, David Taylor, David Tyrrell and Ben Ross are rolling forward, but Sandow capitalised on their grunt work.
It raises the question, do we judge young halfbacks too early in their career?
Sandow has been much maligned since making his debut against the Warriors in round 13, 2008, but he’s only 22-years-old. His good performances could be due to the fact that he now feels at home playing in the NRL.
His talent was never in doubt, just his ability to produce on a consistent basis. Those doubts are being erased with every passing game in 2011. The Rabbitohs switching off at the 70-minute mark almost every week is another issue.
Blake Ferguson should be a Blues bolter
OK, first, forget the fact he dropped the ball without any help from a Titans player in the Raiders golden point extra time loss on Saturday night.
Blake Ferguson is star and NSW State of Origin selectors should be watching closely. The Raiders winger is capable of consistently creating something out of nothing.
Ferguson had turned in another fine display before his brain snap that led to a Greg Bird drop goal sealing the Gold Coast’s first win of the season. He’s more comfortable on the wing, but filled in well for Josh Dugan when the fullback limped off early in the match.
So, will he be in sky blue if this form continues? Brett Morris and Akuila Uate will also be in the mix, but at the moment, Ferguson must have his nose in front. Blues coach Ricky Stuart is also a huge fan of Ferguson following their time together at Cronulla.
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