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Finally, the last weekend of club football affected by State of Origin… barring any long-term injuries to key players from Wednesday night. Here come your NRL Round 20 preview talking points.
Coverage of the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations between the RLPA and NRL have just been embarrassing.
The anti-player rhetoric, boosted by those with huge platforms and carried by those with obvious financial interests in the outcome, is also borderline offensive.
For a sport built on sticking it to the establishment it’s surprising to see the number of key rugby league figures falling in behind NRL HQ, even when it’s obvious they’ve got no idea what they’re yelling about (case in point, Gorden Tallis).
So many are outing themselves as not having a clue about the situation, and when they’re told they just don’t want to hear it. Classic rugby league.
Parramatta and South Sydney wouldn’t be too thrilled after being beaten by New Zealand and Canterbury respectively, with key players missing for Origin camp.
You’d have to wonder too how the Gold Coast might have gone against the Dolphins with David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui available, particularly with the Titans chasing a finals spot.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Sides up the ladder still expect to take care of business against a lower team, but trying to do it with one hand tied behind your back isn’t easy.
Those losses have put the Eels, Bunnies and Titans in a real pickle around the bottom of the eight, and there’s no real solution for how it might work into the future.
The usual State of Origin caveat applies here – a fixture will only be as good as its Origin players who can back up and/or avoid injury.
No Thursday game, so we commence Friday with Newcastle and Wests Tigers. Maybe go wash your hair for that one.
Saturday has a potentially interesting clash when Canterbury host Brisbane, who’ll have some choices to make about who backs up from rep duty. The Bulldogs have already pinched a win against an Origin-weakened Rabbitohs, why not do it again?
Manly and North Queensland play the twilight Saturday game and it’s a genuine four-pointer. Whoever wins is right in the finals mix, whoever loses is in all sorts. The Cowboys are undefeated in six weeks (four wins, two byes) while the Sea Eagles have been all over the shop, smashing teams or disappearing altogether.
Saturday primetime is the Roosters and the Storm at the SCG, a game which usually holds prestige but right now is a death sentence for the Chooks. A loss will see them two games and almost 200 points away from the lower reaches of the finals.
A loss will also see the pressure on coach Trent Robinson soar. He’s under the pump, whether you think that’s fair or not.
Sunday’s games start with a belter as Cronulla head across the ditch to tackle New Zealand. The Warriors are really showing good things this season under new coach Andrew Webster while Cronulla have that ‘we fold against top-eight sides’ reputation to shake.
Penrith head to Redcliffe for the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon and you’d think they can keep rolling, Origin players in or not.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The round ends with Parramatta and the Gold Coast on Sunday night, a game both teams will need to win after their aforementioned disastrous Round 19 results.
Canberra, South Sydney and St George Illawarra have the bye, the last time this season more than one team gets a week off. Believe it or not, if Melbourne or Cronulla lose the Raiders will sit in the top four… with a points differential of -55.
What’s got you talking ahead of Round 20, Roarers?