Rugby league wingers have come a long way in the last thirty years. Gone are the days of diminutive speedsters who did little more than take the odd pressure-relieving run.
As true professionalism crept into the game in the late 80s and early 90s, wingers began to play a key role in the game plans of the modern coach.
What emerged from the tactical changes was a demand for powerful, hard running 2s and 5s; capable of denting defensive lines. It bred a wave of brilliant attacking players.
If you can, cast your mind back to the work of Ken Nagas and Noa Nadruku in Canberra or Michael Hancock’s bustling runs and bucking Bronco approach to the play the ball.
Reflect for a moment on the powerful thighs of Rod Wishart at the Steelers and the freakish skill of Nathan Blacklock on the end of the St George Illawarra back line.
Skip ahead to the recent past. Names like Hazem El-Masri, Manu Vatuvei and Brett Morris spring to mind as setting the standard for 21st Century wingers.
Despite the successes, premierships and representative honours of the aforementioned, their skill sets fall well short of the archetypal modern winger Suliasi Vunivalu.
Suliasi Vunivalu of the Storm (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
The history books will suggest that the Melbourne Storm defeated the Canberra Raiders in a tight contest in Round 2 of the 2019 NRL competition.
In truth, it was done and dusted at the break on the back of three Vunivalu tries that silenced the crowd in the nation’s capital.
As the Raiders stood like the proverbial deer in the headlights, the visitors carved their wide defence to pieces, with Vunivalu the scorer of a trio of first-half tries.
The 23-year-old from Suva crossed in the eighth, 18th and 30th minutes to provide the bulk of the Storm’s 14-0 half time lead.
With the whistle well and truly in the pockets of the referees in the first 40 minutes, the tempo suited the Storm to a tee.
Their utter dominance in the ruck and a Raiders’ team that barely made a sound after the cringe-worthy Viking clap, resulted in a clinical and typical Bellamy driven first half.
Whilst the Raiders found some comfort in two second-half tries to Jarod Croker, the second scariest member of the Storm outfit, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, crossed the try line in the 60th minute, splitting the Croker tries and securing the victory for the visitors.
Not only was Vunivalu the most dangerous attacking weapon on the park, but his defensive catches to diffuse high balls launched into his corner were also elite. Vunivalu is flat out frightening as a modern-day wingman.
Equally as frightening is Tevita Pangai. The Broncos big man took to the field with the sole intention of coming face to face with the NRL’s best player Jason Taumalolo as the Broncos fronted the Cowboys in Brisbane.
Off the back of 300+ metres against the Dragons in Round 1 and the entire competition coming to a rather sobering realisation that the 25-year-old might be an even better version of his already impressive self in 2019, Pangai took Taumalolo on.
As much as the one on one confrontation between the two impacted the game, as Taumalolo picked up a ligament strain to his right knee, it was Pangai’s brutal hits around the ruck in the opening 17 minutes that set the tone for the Broncos.
In simple terms, they jumped the Cowboys, caught them off guard and attacked them precociously with daring play from the back on kick returns.
With Taumalolo on the pine as the second half began and Nene MacDonald judged unfit to return to the field after a failed HIA, the Cowboys faced a mountain to work themselves back into the match.
In the end, there was little work done and not much of a match, as the Broncos put the depleted Cowboys to the sword and completed a comfortable 29-10 victory in front of a raucous home crowd.
Doing his best Vunivalu impersonation, Corey Oates reinforced the value of the athletic and powerful modern winger with a double and Brisbane’s try in the 48th minute, as Pangai waltzed past a rather pathetic Gavin Cooper defensive effort, confirmed the identity of the more committed team on the night.
Tevita Pangai. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
The Cowboys fumbled and bumbled their way through the final twenty minutes and the final scoreline was an accurate and somewhat embarrassing reflection of the contest for them.
After a less than convincing performance against the Storm in Round 1, Anthony Seibold will be relieved that his side has finally bared its teeth and reminded everyone that the Broncos are never to be taken lightly, nor written off.
As for the Cowboys and Raiders? Well, Ricky Stuart will undoubtedly be heading straight for the drawing board, knowing full well that a season devoid of finals play will see his employment terminated.
Paul Green’s men will live to fight another day and injuries certainly played a role in the Cowboy’s defeat.
However, the Broncos were the better side from the get-go and as lauded as North Queensland’s pack has been in media circles, they failed to live up to their reputations on a forgettable night against the Broncos.
ANGUS MCCASKILL
Roar Rookie
Hmmm...you must experience a massive headache after every game you watch as ALL teams use the same wrestling tactics...BUT, the Storm does it so much better!!!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Billy Slater was saying on the Footy Show on Sunday how the tries on the right edge were rehearsed over and over again at training. Still have to execute though and the Raiders left edge could have done better in shutting them down. Can imagine Billy would make a very useful assistant coach somewhere (if he isn't already).
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
You're right Dirk - you know what to expect from the Storm so if you get blown away early part of it is down to your own poor preparation - not giving up on the Raiders just yet - they had the Storm a bit worried during that second half so there were some positive signs
Dirk Diggler
Roar Rookie
Your right Geoff the topic has been done to death by people who's teams lose to the Storm week in and week out. I see plenty of other teams deploying tactics that are designed to give them an advantage so guess what it's all part what makes the Storm the most consistently successful club of the past 15 years and the Raiders.........there's always next year based on Friday's performance.
RoryStorm
Guest
Cry me a river. A bit jealous your team don't do it half as well are you ya big sook.
PaulC
Roar Rookie
Bazza, I take your point about wrestling coaches at most clubs but the Storm are so professional at holding the tackled player down that they have time to set their ruck defence. Other teams, at times are free kicked for holding the player down against the Storm (using simular tactics). The season will be long & you will see the Storm strangle the opposition with these tactics that only they are allowed to get away with.
Bazza
Roar Rookie
PaulC, just about all teams employ professional wrestling coaches these days, as I mentioned above. How many times have you heard the pundits say: every team does it, the Storm just do it better than everyone else. And that's about the size of it. The other thing to take into consideration, love him or hate him, is they have the master of controlling the speed of the game leading their team around. They have one of the greatest coaches in the game drilling them, so only when these two retire will you probably see a different Storm. But then again, you never know with them.
Bazza
Roar Rookie
Hodgson is a great player, but I think his only problem on Friday night, was he allowed himself to get frustrated so he couldn't play as calming and calculating as he normally would. But I personally think they have a much better year ahead of them this year. I don't think Ricky's a bad coach, but I do think he's a bit tired these days. Let's hope I'm wrong, love to see them finish in the 8.
PaulC
Roar Rookie
I am pleased to see that there has been debate/comment about Melbourne's tackling/wrestling technique. This season after watching Storm in the Broncos & Raiders games, I have come to the conclusion that the Referees have been instructed to let the game flow on & the Storms wrestling technique is so professional "so don't penalise them?" The Storm in the first 40 minutes in both Broncos & Raiders games held the tackled players down long enough for them to set their forward defensive line & they completely strangled both teams & reduced their go forward in the rucks. The Broncos & raiders were both penalised for holding down in tackles as they were not using the same professional wrestling technique of Storm. The Broncos V Cowboys was a very open game with very little wrestling & this resulted in quick play the balls. Round 1, Rabbitohs V Roosters was also a very open game. We will have unfortunately, a Season of the Storm dominating with their "professional wrestling/slowing in the play the ball" that will cruel the game for the 15 other teams & the viewing public.
3 R M
Guest
In the trial against Melbourne we looked equally flat on that side but when clifford came on in the second half things started to happen because he will pass or kick the ball early enough for it to work or dent the line if its not on . You are spot on with the kicking its a flaw that leaves Morgan open to injury if he gets targeted on every play every game. Ive always liked the idea of morgan and clifford rotating being first reciever and running off each other as then you would get the most out of both. Your other comment about support is right as well Jimmmy some one else had to provide an option even if it was as a runner to take on the broken line. I dont think Cooper is match fit as well as it was not his best game. Opacic did a repeat of his game in the ISC interstate final i reckon, he got turned around a few times then. There is hope for bowen as he can play centre and was the best back imo but tuala or hampton should come in as it looked especially brittle on that edge.
Doug
Guest
Broncos were outstanding Where's Hindmarsh lol now Broncos pack is overrated Cowboys will roll all over them lol him and Gordy bagging them non stop can't wait for the excuses Hindu ain't all there in the head but Gordy needs to get over his being benched in 04 still bitter about it benny is gone and he's still hating
Mark
Guest
Stop talking your lowering your IQ with every word
Rellum
Roar Guru
Green doesn't believe in the youth it looks like to me. Big experienced bodies only. I think he might be the coach who is under the most pressure at the end of the year. They looked completely disinterested last night.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Spot on Joe. I wish Jake could pass like Smith or Cook but alas that’s never going to happen. He has never learnt to pass in front of the runner and it frustrates me no end. Jakes go is to run and when he does it he looks good. Pangai is great but he often goes early and really third man in when a guy is held by two others is not that tough. I hate the third man in.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree with a few points RN. My take is Bowen and Opacic are not up to top grade standard and ONeil has been low on confidence for quite a while. Hampton and Tuala have to come in. Maybe GGM on the wing. Morgs had a tough time last night but he had very little help. Clifford is a must. Green says he is not there yet. So play him and let him improve . He is not going to improve playing Q Cup. Morgs is a superior runner of the ball . To use him exclusively as a ball player is a waste. He needs to be the number two ball player and the number one runner of the footy. As for our attack. Well with 15 to go we started to offload. Surprise surprise we looked heaps better. Green need to give them a license to offload not just when we are 20 behind.
Nat
Roar Guru
Oh, dusty but happy jimmmy. Big noisy crowd and entertaining game - for us at least. No dishwater to be seen.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Gone are the days of a winger getting the ball and you expecting a magic run of beating three or four players with speed and footwork in a 50 meter finish on a regular basis.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Teams need to play a different style to force change in the way teams like Melbourne and the Roosters defend. Everyone playing one out hit ups with a set play on the fifth tackle just plays into their hands. I would be working on patterns the move the ball and get their defense tiring out whilst looking to as much as possible to get players into one on ones, force them to tackle low, then you can get offloads and broken field play happening. They thrive on getting multiple people into tackles, you need to not play into that.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I mentioned in another thread the great thing about Sulis tries were they were pretty well worked with both Hughes and Croft involved. The right edge for the Storm were right off the pace last year after the highs of 2017 so it was good to see them start to click. I think the center switch is part of why they're working well. Scott is much better playing next to Suli. Hughes also is doing very well at fullback. He has a great passing game which he is using to great effect on that right edge.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Pangai Jnr was immense but the way he was charging around will surely not end well. I also think the poor service is what allowed his style to be effective. By the time the ball reached the player, Pangai was right on them. In some cases like Mguiire, all he could do was tap it on because catching it above his head he would have been crushed. What was also great for the Broncos was the other forwards and bench forwards. Flegler was outstanding off the bench. Fifita will likely keep the starting spot as will Pangai. And Lodge and Haas will return pretty soon. Andrew Johns had rated this pack the best Broncos pack and after the first round I thought he was mistaken. It looks like he might have been right on the money. The only thing is whether they can consistently put out these performances.