In this article I will be rating my top five players of Round 1 and explain why I have them there.
The factors I will take into account are metres, tries, tackle breaks, try assists, line breaks and tackles. I will also name my one-to-13 side after Round 1 with a few notable mentions.
1. Payne Haas
Haas played 80 minutes on Friday night in the Queensland derby where the Broncos won 28-21 with a marvellous 70-metre run from David Fifita. Payne had 19 runs for 213 metres, 86 post-contact metres, seven tackle breaks and made 33 tackles. Payne can be one of the best props in the game if he keeps his form and can make the NSW Origin side if he keeps up his form.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
2. Api Koroisau
His first game for the Panthers in 2020 started on a high note, beating the premiers 20-14 with an exciting finish. Koroisau had ten runs for 110 metres, six tackle breaks, missed one tackle and made 59 tackles in the middle, where he played the full 80 minutes. Koroisau’s running game proved a handful for the Roosters and seems to be a good signing for the Panthers.
3. David Fifita
Fifita played 80 minutes on edge with nine runs for 150 metres, eight tackle breaks, one line break, 31 tackles and scored the match-winning try after breaking through two tackles and stepping Valentine Holmes to score the matching-winning try after running 70 metres. Fifita is always a work horse and if you believe it or not he’s still off-contract this season after multiple contract offers from other clubs.
4. Benji Marshall
At 35 years of age Marshall showed he still has it in the Tigers’ 24-14 win over the Dragons, who should’ve won with all the chances they had but blew it multiple times. Marshall played 80 minutes with one try, 13 runs for 84 metres, two tackle breaks, one line break, 11 tackles, 13 kicks for 325 metres, four forced drop-outs and two try assists. With Luke Brooks being out for at least a month with a calf injury, Marshall has to really step up and showed what he can do on Sunday night against the Dragons.
5. Kalyn Ponga
Ponga’s performance against the Warriors was incredible with one try, 26 runs for 234 metres, four tackle breaks in the Knights’ 20-0 win over NZ. The Ponga-Mitchell Pearce combo showed itself when Pearce put a kick through for a try assist for Ponga. Ponga will be in a fight for the one jersey for the Maroons with Val Holmes but it’s likely Ponga will get the one jersey.
(AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)
Notable mentions
Shaun Johnson produced two try assists, 19 runs for 112 metres, one tackle break, two line break assists and nine kicks for 284 metres.
Jason Taumalolo came up with 73 minutes, 15 runs for 183 metres, four tackle breaks and 32 tackles.
Jack Wighton tallied two tries, six runs for 76 metres, five tackle breaks, two line breaks and 17 tackles.
Here is my one-to-13 side after Round 1.
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Curtis Scott
5. Suliasi Vunivalu
6. Benji Marshall
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Api Koroisau
10. Payne Haas
11. David Fifita
12. Viliame Kikau
13. Jason Taumalolo
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Good article. All 5 deserve the wrap. Benji just grows in stature the older he gets, but it was Ponga sticking his head up above the fence that piqued my interest. He has such potential that lad; I would like to see it met.
Josh
Roar Rookie
great article, also very dominant from weekend from the islands, samoan, fijian, tongan followed by two maoris. the week 1 13, 9 pacific islanders, 2 maoris, 1 aboriginal.
The Barry
Roar Guru
API’s not really a POD though. Every man and his dog has him in their team
Fraser
Roar Rookie
I liked how Macca was passing wide of the ruck instead of one off, which clearly Seibold learned is required to win games. But, he also slowed the whole thing down and ruined momentum. Turpin is a gun.
Steven Main
Guest
I'm surprised Nathan Cleary doesn't get a mention. IMO he had a very good game. I doubt he will miss J Maloney. It was there for everyone to see last season when Maloney was absent. I think when Maloney was running the show, Nathan seemed to doubt himself a little bit. I know we all have been saying each year he has the potential to be a great half but I believe this is going to be the year where he announces himself as Penrith's go to man and takes them deep into the finals. That's if the season goes long enough to have finals.
Rob E
Guest
I take it Cameron Smith had a quiet game and did very little. I couldn't find his name mentioned in this article.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I'm with you steveng ! Hughes is massively underrated except by Bellamy & Smith. He doesn't make errors and reads the game as well as Smith. He won the game for the Storm with two smart kicks for tries within that 5 minute period , made 30 tackles ( one miss) and completely controlled Manly's left side attack ( Turbo's favourite side). The other overlooked halfback was Nathan Cleary who controlled things just as well for the Panthers to upset the premiers.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Marsters was as good as any this weekend, Jimmmy. I might have had Will Hopoate just in front of him or Kotoni Staggs, but he was heavily involved with the ball 23 hit ups / 221 metres, though defence is his homework chore ( 7 tackles / 3 missed tackles).
Albo
Roar Rookie
I had Api ! 97 big ones !
Nat
Roar Guru
I am a Macca fan but I can see he is a step behind Turpin now. Unfortunately for Macca I don't think he has enough utility value/strike to be #14. Fortunately I think Seibold needs his experience right now. He could be used as a pseudo middle in rotation until Glenn, Lodge and Joey O return but the team seemed to slow down when he replaced Turpin on Friday. For SOO, I like both him and Mahoney and hope one of them comes through so we can ditch Hunt. However Grant will surpass them both when he gets his turn.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't like to be the one trying to stop Fifita , I can tell you that. Val was rusty but if I told people he would score a try and set one up in his first game back they would have laughed . He will be just fine. As for the Broncs. I said they have the makings of a dominant pack and they do. It will be interesting when they meet say the Storm or Canberra who both have good packs. I think the Broncs pack is better but it's not as experienced. I know you are a Macca fan but Turpin is a breath of fresh air at nine for you guys. He will play Origin one day IMO.
Nat
Roar Guru
It's safe to assume that was his intention from the outset by having one middle, rookie edge player a hooker and an outside back on his bench. Only for the fact Staggs got cramps did he have a functional reason to use Farnworth. Let's hope it's a short term thing with Lodge and Joey O out.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Kikau was playing 80 mins. last year has much more recent game experience at doing that than any of your guys. Unfit second rowers don’t sprint 90 meters to score in a pre season NRL 9s tournament. So, it’s more a matter of them keeping up with him.
Nat
Roar Guru
To be fair, there's not too many (if any) who can stop Fifita in open spaces like that. I can't think of the last backrower so confident in the back field (maybe SBW?). Great try but not sure I'd have him in my top 5 players though. Agree about Val, a few rusty mistakes but I like the 1,6,7 combo brewing there.
Andrew
Guest
I personally thought Hughes put in one decent kick all day. Cameron Smith was far and away the best player for the Storm yesterday although I thought NAS and the two centres had good games as well.
Andrew
Guest
Kikau would never get the ball. Haas Fafita and JT13 are too fit. Talented as he may be, Kikau wouldn’t be able to keep up.
Big Daddy
Guest
Goosebumps: I'm having nightmares.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I predict I’m going to sound like a broken record on this but just because Haas can play 80 minutes, doesn’t mean he should every week There were signs last year that Haas was being driven into the ground and a couple of games where he made tired mistakes late in games Please Siebold don’t destroy this kid!!!
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Jack was mine..he was a wicked 90 odd at half time then went backwards..already planning how to get Yeo and Guhler in..
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Yeo is my Supercoach POD but if he does that again everyone will be onto him.