It was a week of firsts in Round 9 with a number of players debuting and making their names known. The Dragons continued their strong form with a huge 34-14 win over the Storm while the Warriors and Rabbitohs also stood up.
The usual suspects all impressed with some others gaining accolades for their efforts. Here is the NRL team of the week for Round 9.
Fullback: Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Johnston had a role to play in setting up the Rabbitohs’ deadly left-hand attack from fullback. He took his game up a notch setting up two tries, breaking four tackles and making three line breaks. He was also secure under the high ball with South Sydney making themselves known as genuine contenders.
Winger: Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm)
Scoring three tries on the left edge, Josh Addo-Carr was just about the only thing positive in the Storm’s dour loss at the hands of the Dragons at Kogarah. He combined well with debutant Justin Olam, running for 198 metres off the back of an impressive six tackle busts and five line breaks. Addo-Carr continues to press his claims for State of Origin selection.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Centre: Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Aitken went to another level in attack against the Storm, scoring two tries for the Red V as they improved to an 8-1 record. The Scotsman made 15 tackles in defence with his two tries coming off the back of some impressive attacking play that saw him tally up six tackle busts, two line breaks and 110 metres.
Centre: Sione Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights)
Mata’utia was at the heart of the Knights’ attack, scoring a try and setting up two others. He nearly went in for a double, pulled down close to the line after a strong run from the other end of the field. His presence was felt in defence as well with 24 tackles.
Winger: Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Newcastle Knights)
Kenny-Dowall tore through South Sydney scoring two tries on the wing in a phenomenal display. The former New Zealand international ran for over 200 metres with four tackle busts and three line breaks, combining well with fullback Kalyn Ponga.
Five-eighth: Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
It was an emotional night for Cody Walker against the Newcastle Knights, but the Rabbitohs’ half put his demons behind him to deliver a brilliant performance. Walker scored early in the match after some game-breaking runs with three tackle breaks and a line break. He combined well with Adam Reynolds as South Sydney upset the Knights.
Halfback: Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
The Warriors could be in trouble after Shaun Johnson came off injured in the 70th minute. The New Zealand international played out of his skin against the Tigers, combining well with David Fusitu’a, who he helped score a try, with another potential try overturned for obstruction. Johnson even scored a try of his own, slicing through the Wests defensive line to score in classic Warriors fashion.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Prop: Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)
With the Sharks’ forward pack slowly falling apart to injury and illness, Andrew Fifita did what was required of him and more as Cronulla lambasted the Eels in a 22-20 thriller. The Tongan international was enormous up the middle, helping the home side to win the battle up front with 154 metres made and an enormous 41 tackles. His contributions in attack were nothing short of outstanding with eight tackle busts, six offloads and a line break.
Hooker: Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
The battle for the Blues’ No.9 still remains one of the biggest questions ahead of State of Origin and Damien Cook is creating further headaches for Brad Fittler after another great game for Souths. Cook was at his damaging best out of acting half scooting for 119 metres, evading four tackles and making 39 tackles. He scored a try in the Rabbitohs’ win, sparking their attack.
Prop: Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles)
If anyone doubted Martin Taupau wasn’t a workhorse, they were proven wrong in Sunday afternoon’s clash between the Roosters and Sea Eagles. The prop forward had 26 touches, averaging over ten metres with each run to make a total of 290 metres. He was helped by seven tackle breaks and also created second phase play with three offloads. Taupau also squared up on defence to make 26 tackles.
Back-rower: Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers)
Viliame Kikau was Herculean in Bathurst, making an appearance in nearly every play as the Panthers went down to North Queensland. The Fijian international broke through seven tackles, running for a total of 165 metres and making 28 tackles. His efforts were a much-needed morale boost as Penrith battle with injuries.
Back-rower: Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Newcastle Knights)
Fitzgibbon has proven to be one of the most underrated forwards in the competition so far in 2018, continuing to play his role on the left edge for the Novocastrians. He ran all his lines, resulting in 104 running metres, four tackle busts, a line break and a try courtesy of Kalyn Ponga. He led the way defensively with 37 tackles.
Lock: Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
Taumalolo was inspirational and the Cowboys missed him dearly during his 15-minute breather. The Panthers’ gritty pack struggled to contain him as the Tongan international ran for a massive 233 metres from 19 runs with seven tackle breaks and two line breaks to his name. In addition, he helped out when needed in defence to make 26 tackles.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Interchange: Karl Lawton (Warriors)
Lawton made a fantastic first impression, coming off the bench to cover Issac Luke and making an immediate impact. He silenced the Wests Tigers, scoring two tries late in the game and nearly breaking through for a third. The joint venture found him too hot to handle with nine tackle breaks. Should Issac Luke be sidelined for an extended period of time, Stephen Kearney needn’t worry.
Interchange: Shannon Boyd (Canberra Raiders)
Who knew anyone could make such an impact off the bench? There was a fire under Shannon Boyd as he brushed the Gold Coast Titans away with his heroics. The former Kangaroos representative ran for 142 metres off the back of five tackle busts, and made 19 tackles himself. He grabbed a meat pie and looked to have another, only to be stopped by a scrambling Titans defence.
Interchange: Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans)
The Titans were battered and bruised with Jai Arrow, Jarrod Wallace, Keegan Hipgrave and Ryan Simpkins all injured, leaving Ryan James to pick up the crumbs and take charge. He had no problems as he made containing the Raiders’ big forward pack look easy with 50 tackles. He scored a try, made three tackle breaks and gained 100 metres in attack.
Interchange: Coen Hess (North Queensland Cowboys)
Hess was inspirational during the Cowboys’ win over the injury-plagued Panthers. He was lethal in attack busting five tackles and coming close to scoring on numerous occasions. The right-edge backrower was most effective in defence however, making 39 tackles.
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