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What did we learn from round ten of the 2012 NRL Season? Here’s the five big points, starting with the Cronulla Sharks.
The Sharks are the real deal
Despite their best start to a season in a number of years – missing inspirational leader Paul Gallen and playing the undefeated Melbourne Storm seemed like a terrible combination for the Cronulla Sharks at Toyota Park on Sunday. But the Sharks didn’t miss a beat, defeating the Storm 12-10.
In the absence of Gallen the entire Sharks forward pack lifted, especially second-rower Jeremy Smith who produced his best performance since leaving the Dragons to head to the Shire at the end of 2010.
In the form of Colin Best and Ben Pomeroy, the Sharks enjoy the most improved centre pairing in the NRL. They are rock solid in defence and since the acquisition of playmaker Todd Carney both players look far more potent in attack. They run good hard straight lines, possess a great pair of hands and have added regular offloads to their game.
The Sharks have impressed most with their defence, which is a by-product of their improved attitude. The Sharks of old would’ve conceded a late try, but on Sunday they held firm in defence against the three of the best attacking players in the NRL in Slater, Cronk and Smith.
Get used to attack, attack…and more attack
There were 74 points scored in the Canberra Raiders 40-34 victory over Parramatta on Sunday afternoon. The try fest –13 scored in all – produced some scintillating ball movement from both teams, but it also highlighted some terrible defensive habits.
Both the Raiders and the Eels are packed with players who have come through the Toyota Cup (NRL’s official national youth competition for players aged 17-19) – such as exciting first year NRL players Matt Ryan (Eels) and Jack Wighton (Raiders).
Since the NRL introduced the Toyota Cup in 2008 it has become very noticeable the emphasis that coaches have placed on attack, while defence seems to have taken a backseat. This has led to an astounding amount of points being scored in the Toyota Cup – scorelines from last week included 52-36, 52-6 and 62-30.
If this continues then we might have to get used to 40-34 type scorelines in the NRL.
Hayne earns points decision
Despite the impending selection of Brett Stewart, the Josh Dugan v Jarryd Hayne fullback battle was billed by many as a play-off for the New South Wales fullback spot, and this one-on-one contest did not disappoint.
Dugan and Hayne have had injury affected 2012 seasons, but both players were outstanding on Sunday. Dugan was everywhere on the field making try saving tackles, setting up tries and scoring one himself. He was named man of the match, but had the Eels won Hayne would have rightfully stolen the award. Hayne produced an incredible four try assists, five line-break assists and four off-loads.
Hasler can reproduce the goods
As we saw on Friday night against the Gold Coast Titans, the Bulldogs are still very much a work in progress for coach Des Hasler. Hasler is trying to work in a new style of play, which includes far greater shifting of the ball in attack, and his team hasn’t gelled consistently yet.
Prior to defecting to the Bulldogs this season, Hasler spent eight years at Manly and despite his extremely successful coaching resume it is important to note that in 2004 – Hasler’s first season in charge – the Sea Eagles finished 13th, 4 points outside the top eight. Here is a confidence building stat for Dogs fans: Manly then went on to make the next seven finals series, played in three grand finals and won two Premierships.
The Bulldogs management will allow the coach to stamp his style of play on the side, even if this leads to some unfavourable results this season. After the addition of a few new faces next season Dessies’ Dogs will be right up there with the top NRL teams in 2013.
Big hits a hit with fans
NRL fans experienced a taste of State of Origin on Saturday night as two big forward packs, and not much smaller backlines (how hard is Konrad Hurrell to stop!), went at each other in one of the most physical games of the season.
While the quality of play wasn’t always brilliant and the players regularly let themselves down when it came to basic skills (19 errors and 62 missed tackles), the intensity and the contact between the two teams was great to watch. Players lined up their opposition in attack and defence and the hits were as hard in the 80th minute as they were in the first.
Individual performance of the round: Jarryd Hayne
Match of the round: Warriors v Roosters
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