Whatever your views on the recent representative round and its impact on the NRL, the rugby league played on the weekend will have some effect on how the rest of the NRL season and State of Origin pans out.

We had a total of six games featuring NRL stars across the board, plus more if you include the Jillaroos and Silver Ferns along with the minor internationals featuring the likes of Niue, South Africa, Malta and Lebanon.

We had some fantastic performances by players whose form may be indifferent or worse in the NRL, along with a coach’s worse nightmare: dreaded injuries.

Like all NRL rounds, representative round is not free from this scourge of players getting injured in a contact sport. There may be a day where we are free of injuries and clubs can get through a season with a squad of 20 but it is not this day and alas we must suffer through having players out through injury.

I will discuss what the rep round means for your club, looking at form, injury or suspension looking at you Greg Bird.

I’ll start alphabetically, with the leaders of the NRL competition and everyone’s second team, the Brisbane Broncos.

Brisbane Broncos:
Red Hill had a total of five players in the Junior Kangaroos including one who has played regular first grade with Brisbane, Joe Ofahengaue lined up in the front row and had a solid game for the junior Roos.

Daniel Vidot and Josh McGuire lined up for Toa Samoa in their thrilling win over Tonga. Both players scored a try. McGuire scored playing in his natural position of hooker, which will keep Andrew McCullough honest as he fights of both McGuire and Kodi Nikorima for the spot.

In all seriousness this is positive for the Broncos as both these players (especially McGuire) played important roles in Samoa’s victory.

The Broncos also had a couple of players in the Queensland Residents Vs. New South Wales Residents game.

Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker both played in Sunday’s Test for the Kangaroos, with Thaiday getting over for the first try and Parker one of the more damaging Australian forwards. Thaiday may miss a week for massaging Martin Tapau’s neck, which the Kiwi responded to with a gesture suggesting he accepted it was an honest mistake and he took Sam’s apology.

Verdict: C+
The Broncos may miss Sam for a week and didn’t have a heap of troops playing. However Brisbane have shown they have some great forwards with Parker, Thaiday and McGuire continuing their good form.

Canberra Raiders:
The new silvertails of the NRL had just one player in the internationals played over the weekend.

Luke Page lined up alongside his Papua New Guinea brethren against Fiji. Page had a mixed game with a few errors and good runs, but as he does not have a main role at the Raiders yet, this has little bearing on Canberra’s season.

However Wagga Wagga was graced with the appearance of four Raiders stars, and I have to say they all had very good games. The Country centres Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker both crossed the stripe and had a line-break each to add to their stats. They completely dominated the City centres.

Paul Vaughan had some good carries off the bench and finished the game with 121 metres, the most of Country’s forwards.

Blake Austin came from nowhere to show he might be a NSW bolter with a fantastic game, while his six was busy tripping somewhere. Austin scored a hat-trick and saved a certain try by putting his body on the line, something he has shown he can do in the past.

Verdict: B+
Canberra’s prospects were focused on one game on the weekend; all their players had stellar performances with Blake Austin the stand out. The Raiders suffer no injuries and will look to exploit the Birdless Titans this weekend.

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs:
The Doggies had plenty of players in action across the weekend.

The Gold Coast saw Frank Pritchard and Sam Kasiano star for Samoa, where the latter literally put his body on the actual line to prevent Tonga from stealing the game.

It was one of the greatest and most bizarre try savers you will ever see. If big Sam can replicate even half of this form in the NRL then the Bulldogs are suddenly a pack with more bite. Frank ‘The Tank’ Pritchard led his Samoan team from the front with some great carries and a telling try in the second half.

The City/Country clash yielded mixed results for Canterbury. Josh Jackson and David Klemmer both had solid games without being brilliant, and Josh Reynolds will probably miss a week due to Tariq Sims purposefully running into his outstretched foot.

Apart from this event, Reynolds tried to keep himself busy with mixed results. He may have played himself out of Origin selection, with his main rival for the spot James Maloney named man of the match.

This means the Bulldogs may get more use out of him, but with Moses Mbye in better form is this necessarily a good thing?

Greg Eastwood suffered quite the head knock in after a mixed game, and although he was on the winning side his impact was much less than other Kiwi forwards. I would say, however, that this is no cause for alarm.

Verdict: B
The Samoan brotherhood of Pritchard and Kasiano are good indicators of the depth of the Bulldogs’ pack, with solid performances from Klemmer and Jackson.

However Reynolds’ form carries a big question mark, on one hand he may not get picked for Origin, thus being able to play more games for the Bulldogs, but on the other Moses Mbye is in better form, meaning Reynolds’s role at the Bulldogs is diminished. Greg Eastwood’s concussion also drags the verdict down a tad.

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks:
Cronulla had players representing seven sides on the weekend starting, with young gun Valentine Holmes scoring either a miracle try or a fluke depending on who was on your multi.

Jason Bukuya led his country for the first time against Papua New Guinea, scoring his side’s first try in a great captain’s knock. He was ineffective at the Warriors but his performance for Fiji could reignite his form. It worked for Jarryd Hayne a couple of years ago.

Ricky Leutele and Sosaia Feki went up against each other representing Samoa and Tonga respectively. Leutele had a great game in the centres for the winning side, however Feki suffered the commentators’ curse after Andrew Voss spent the first few minutes rapping him. He dropped two very important balls, which led to Samoan tries, but had a better second half with some good carries.

Now to the City-Country where Jack Bird was given his first rep jumper after he’s played just ten first grade games. He stood up well in Wagga at number seven with a try and line-break assist. Wade Graham had a solid game for Country, playing 80 minutes with some solid stats.

Andrew Fifita played one of his best games in recent times, playing 64 minutes and gaining 166 metres with 18 carries and 33 tackles. If he can bring this form to Cronulla, the Sharks’ pack, just like the Bulldogs, can dominate all before them. That is until they come across Canterbury, of course, against whom they would seem a little lacking in size.

Luke Lewis had a so-so game for Australia, with the game arguably lost by the time he came on. He could have had a try seagulling on the wing but it was ruled out due to referees hating when forwards do that.

Verdict: B+
With all their players surviving rep weekend intact the Shire Boys have earned a high rating. The most important performance on the weekend was Andrew Fifita’s. His runs and dominance showed he is up there with the most devastating front rowers in the NRL. Unfortunately, as the weekend showed, most of them are not for Australia.

Gold Coast Titans:
The club with the most history of not really doing anything had plenty on the line on Sunday, with three players in the City-Country, and fan favourites Greg Bird and Nate Myles lining up for the Kangaroos.

To say the two Kangaroo forwards Myles and Bird were ineffective would be an understatement, their stats where very underwhelming. Greg Bird further showcased this by dumping Jason Nightingale on his head thus earning an eight-week holiday, and a break from Origin.

David Mead had a great game for Country scoring a try and breaking ten tackles. Ryan James also had a solid game from the bench, and his form in club land has shown he might be a NSW bolter. James Roberts had an okay game, but was shown up by the superior and more experienced Jarrod Croker.

Verdict: D+
With some so-so form to take from the City-Country match it is the lacklustre performances from Myles and everyone’s second favourite Bird in the Anzac Test which is most alarming for the Titans. Bird being suspended for eight matches will no doubt hurt.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles:
Manly are one of the few sides who really needed the break in competition as they struggle to get more troops on deck.

Saturday night at the Gold Coast saw three Sea Eagles playing for three different nations; Brayden Williams played in the centre for Fiji while Dunamis Lui and Jorge Taufua locked horns for Samoa and Tonga respectively. All three played well with Taufua scoring two tries and almost having the match winner, if not for Kasiano’s rig.

Keiran Foran and Peta Hiku lined up for the victorious Kiwis, and while Foran was overshadowed by Magic Johnson, Hiku dominated Will Chambers despite suffering what looked like a serious leg injury. Both players will be better off winning a Test against Australia but Hiku’s leg may be a slight cause for concern.

Verdict: C-
Manly needed this break badly to recover, and there were some excellent performances from their players over the weekend. Hopefully Hiku’s injury doesn’t surface again but I won’t hold my breath. Kieran Foran has been sidelined for a month from a hamstring injury, pushing Manly’s rating down to C-.

Melbourne Storm:
Unlike the Sea Eagles the Storm may have preferred to continue on with the season before they are inevitably pillaged of their spine for the mid-season. It was imperative Melbourne chalk up as much wins as they possibly can for this period.

Now to the players, Marika Koroibete chalked up two tries and a couple of bruising hits for the Fijians on Saturday, once again showcasing he is one of the best wingers in the game. Victorian rugby league prospect Mahe Fonua also had a devastating game for Tonga.

Dale Finucane was a bit out of his depth for Country compared with the other forwards, and Ryan Hinchcliffe has shown he is still Mr. Reliable and may claim a bench spot for New South Wales. He led the Country pack around well and showed his experience.

Cooper Cronk was outplayed in every facet of the game by Shaun Johnson with only three runs and two critical errors. Cameron Smith was a lot more consistent, but wasn’t able to dominate the ruck as he has done in the past. Will Chambers scored a try on debut but was outplayed by Hiku and had to deal with big Manu as well.

Some good news for the Storm however, Jesse Bromwich showcased why he is considered the best prop in the game at the moment, denting the Roos defensive line in the first half to lay a platform for the Kiwis to amass points and then making some critical tackles in the second half to protect their lead. Kevin Proctor and Tohu Harris also had outstanding games.

Verdict: B+
There were no injuries for the Melbourne Storm and their best performers were players who will not or may not be picked for State of Origin. These players may be able to hold the Alamo (AAMI Park) until relief in the form of Smith, Cronk and Slater and Chambers return.

New Zealand Warriors:
Arguably the club which may benefit the most from this rep round, the Warriors have done so far this season what they do best, be inconsistent.

What the Warriors will really take from this round is the potential their squad has when it all comes together. Shaun Johnson showed everyone why he won the 2014 Golden Boot with an outstanding and mature performance for the Kiwis.

Captain Simon Mannering made some very important tackles while Australia were looking dangerous. Thomas Lueluai provided good cover when Issac Luke went off and Ben Matulino partnered well with Jesse Bromwich.

But what about the Beast? Manu Vatuvei is in career-best form, and for a winger to win man of the match award in a Test is something special. If these players alone can replicate this further the Warriors may have a mid-season run, hopefully for their sake they can go on with it rather than falling short.

With six players in the Samoa versus Tonga Test, all Warriors players stood up and made their impact. Solomone Kata had spiders on him and the Hurrelicane made some devastating runs in the second half.

But it was Dominique Peyroux who had the last laugh as he broke through some tired Tongan defence, showed some great footwork to get past fellow Warrior Lolohea and score what was to be the match winner.

Verdict: A-
A head knock to Hurrell was the only blip for the Warrior’s players over the weekend but he has been recalled to first grade this week. If these players can play for their club with the same passion they play for their respective nations then look out NRL.

Newcastle Knights:
After a stale month of footy before the rep round the knights are looking for something, anything to kick start their season again.

The Sims brothers went their respective ways with Korbin lining up for Fiji and Tariq for Country. Both played well in their respective jumpers with Tariq scoring the match-sealing try for Country via a loose boot from Josh Reynolds. Newcastle fans will hope they can replicate these performances for the rest of the season.

Joey Leilua once again was devastating with ball in hand proving a nightmare for the Tongans to deal with, however his defence is still suspect and the opposition will continue to note this discrepancy.

Carlos Tuimavave has yet to play first grade with the Knights but showed on Saturday he can be an able replacement in the halves as he lead the Samoan attack.

Kade Snowden, James McManus and Akuila Uate played well for Country despite them all appearing for different nations in the past. With four players in the victorious Country side and three in the Samoan side maybe these Novocastrians have got that winning taste once again, and the confidence which comes with it.

Verdict: B+
Newcastle need all the confidence they can get to get them out of this slump, maybe being part of winning representative sides is the answer.

North Queensland Cowboys:
Johnathan Thurston has been crowned King in the North in recent times (by me) as the Cowboys are on a five-match winning streak, with three of those away from home.

Their captain and star player has been in red hot form recently as the Cowboys went from cellar dwellers to premiership threats over a month of football and this rep round may have taken its toll from that.

Johnathan Thurston had his own red wedding on Sunday as the Kangaroos fell to the Kiwis; he was well below his best as was Matt Scott and James Tamou who were both dominated by a superior Kiwi park.

The Cowboys had three players featuring in the Pacific Tests but with the exception of John Asiata none have featured for North Queensland this year.

Verdict: C-
Not a lot on the line for the Cowboys on the weekend with the exception of the three Test players who were below par, the North should remember the form they were in before the break and hopefully this round hasn’t stalled that.

For the Cowboys Winter is coming, and that means suddenly all their away games become a lot harder to win, they need to keep winning at home for any hope at a decent finals spot, and I’m all out of Game of Thrones references.

Parramatta Eels:
Like Manly, the Eels will get good use out of the break, and while they haven’t been terrible this year they are languishing near the bottom of the table. However they shouldn’t be too troubled by Origin commitments, quite the opposite in fact.

Parramatta play three matches against Origin depleted sides this season. To the players.

Tepai Moeroa was man of the match for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis and even scored the matchwinning try, he is a future star of the game.

Four Parramatta players lined up for Tonga, and yes Richie Fa’aoso finished the game able to remember where he was, so that’s a good sign. He also played very well.

The other Eels players will get good XP points from playing in this match and will hopefully build on their representative jumpers.

Nathan Peats was good without being brilliant for City, but no doubt the experience of wearing a rep jumper may help his game.

Verdict: C+
The Eels weren’t wholly represented over the weekend and Brad Arthur has no doubt used the weekend to help the Eels get back to winning ways.

If Richie Fa’aoso can remain fit, he can be a breath of fresh air for Parramatta and having Semi Radrardra back will also help the Eels chances as they, like the Warriors, will look to benefit from the midseason shuffle.

Penrith Panthers:
The mountain men have a casualty ward which looks like St Vincents on a Saturday night, and no doubt Ivan Cleary will have cringed ahead of some of the weekend’s games.

Penrith featured in all games on the Gold Coast on Saturday, the Albert brothers played with pure passion for Papua New Guinea. Panthers fans would be pleased and might get to see them play in first grade in the near future.

Sika Manu captained the Tonga side and played one of his better games in recent years, scoring a try for Mate’Ma. Ben Murdoch Masila was injured at the end of the game but as he was the only Penrith player injured. Perhaps this might be a positive?

It was the City-Country game in Wagga where four players found themselves in a City jersey. Matt Moylan played well and had some good touches in attack, but as a defensive fullback he is well down the pecking order. This may change as he gets older and a little bigger.

Waqa Blake and Reagan Campbell-Gillard played their first rep game after only a handful of first grade games. Blake was well out of his depth facing off against an experienced Country centre in Wighton. Peachey was solid without being brilliant.

Verdict: C+
With an injury to Murdoch Masila, Penrith’s casualty ward grows larger. There were some solid performances on the weekend and it was important for the Young Panthers players to get a bit more experience, Moylan may need another season before he is ready for Origin.

South Sydney Rabbitohs:
It wasn’t long ago the Rabbitohs were seen as this unstoppable force sweeping aside all those who dare show to play them. The bubble has long since burst and Souths are struggling, most of this has to do with injuries especially Adam Reynolds but most Bunny supporters will admit ‘we’ve been poor’.

Greg Inglis has copped a lot of criticism for his performance in the Test so I won’t sink the dagger further, his club form has been below best and he needs a little push in the right direction, otherwise that goanna is goin’ nowhere.

Johnston was solid in his Test debut but his performance was overshadowed by the Kiwi wingers. Issac Luke suffered after a run in with GI but was otherwise at his annoying best.

Darryl Millard had a good showing playing in the halves for Fiji and like Lote Tuqiri in the past may be able to provide good cover as an experienced player. While the exciting and unpredictable Jason Clark by contrast had a standard and predictable game for City.

Verdict: C+
Only GI’s performance over the weekend could be described as poor, however he is currently the most important player for Souths at the moment. Issac Luke’s concussion is only a small concern. GI is looking tired and with a tough Origin period coming up he might need some extra rest.

St George Illawarra Dragons:
While Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall were given a rest over the weekend the Dragons had plenty at stake over the weekend.

Josh Dugan’s underwhelming debut showed one thing and one thing only; he is never to play on the wing again. Period.

To add insult he was injured in a sickening clash between Greg Eastwood’s head and his knee, Greg’s head won in a split decision. Trent Merrin made little impact off the bench but on a bright note Jason Nightingale had a stellar game on the wing setting up a try on halftime.

Welsh international Tyson Frizell and Joel Thompson partnered up in the second row for country, with Frizell having a superior game he might just earn an Origin spot.

Etu Nabuli dropped a whole lot of ball for Fiji against Papua New Guinea he could have had a couple of tries in his first international appearance. Leeson Ah Mau played an important role for Samoa gaining consistent yardage for the Pacific Nation.

Verdict: C+
Some mixed performances from the Red V on the weekend with the most crucial blow being Josh Dugan and his knee. Tyson Frizell has continued his form after serving his suspension and may find himself in a Blues jersey.
Hopefully this weekend doesn’t halt the Dragons’ momentum.

Sydney Roosters:
Somehow after losing all their April matches the Chooks are still premiership favourites and it was the rep weekend where the whole Roosters backline was on show, with the exception of Mitchell Pearce.

The Anzac Test featured Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who put in his best performance in a black jersey. The man they call Skidsi was all over fellow Rooster Michael Jennings, who was not content with just playing in the centres. Jennings went looking for the ball and had 19 carries, but with only two tackle breaks.

Warriors-bound Roger Tuivasa-Sheck showed he could be a long term option for the Kiwis at fullback with 20 carries for 180 metres. Sam Moa provided good cover off the bench for the Kiwis.

James Maloney had a slow start with Country but directed the Country attack well with good short passes and kicking earning himself man of the match. Daniel Tupou provided a miracle flick for City’s first try and will no doubt star for the Blues, while Kane Evans came off the bench.

Nene McDonald played his first international for the Kumuls and made a few tackle breaks while three roosters up and comers took part in Samoa versus Tonga.

Samisoni Langi showed he might be able to provide cover if Pearce and Maloney are selected in the Blues side, while fellow Tongan Siosiua Taukeiaho had a good game. Isaac Liu starred for the Samoans and had some good carries.

Verdict: A
The Roosters players who starred in the Kiwis win over the Kangaroos will no doubt be better off for it, especially Shaun Kenny-Dowall. James Maloney will be a lot more confident with controlling a game after directing Country to victory in Wagga Wagga. The Pacific players will also gain something from their respective matches and with no injuries the Roosters will come out better off in the representative round.

Wests Tigers:
The Tigers have been hot and cold this season and need to string some good performances together to be considered premiership material. They are a young side and will only get better.

The most concerning factor for the Tigers over the weekend is the injury to Tim Simona which will see him miss a month of football. The Tigers centre had just re-signed with the joint venture.

The best performance for the Tigers over the weekend came from all round nice guy Martin Tapau, who dominated and intimidated the Australian pack. Tapau ran for 135 metres with three tackle breaks and two offloads. Despite being in a beaten pack Aaron Woods still ran for 115 metres and was one of the few consistent forwards for the Kangaroos.

James Tedesco may be an option on the wing for the Blues as he scored a try for City and broke five tackles and broke the line twice. The Italian international is getting better each game and this is fantastic news for Tigers fans. Curtis Sironen also played for City but only touched the ball five times.

Kevin Naiqama played at fullback for the Fijians and showcased his playmaking talent setting up a couple of tries for the Bati, his cover defence was also impeccable.

Sauauso Sue played with Simona in the Samoan Tongan match, while Joel Luani played at halfback for Tonga. It’s matches like these which are good for the Tigers cubs to continue learning and developing their games.

Verdict: B+
Tim Simona’s injury is a huge blow for the Wests Tigers as he was a huge part of their attack; however the Tigers have enough options to cover him. The form of Tapau and Woods indicates the Tigers pack are very capable of getting over the opposition allowing their young guns to fire.

The representative round is done for another year and for the next two months Origin will dominate the headlines. As some clubs brace for its impact other clubs will look to exploit this period to catch up while the competition is transformed.