I totally understand Wayne's very unusual display in the box (everyone in the area now knows for sure which team I support after those Roberts and Isaako tries). That was as unexpected as elating, and a welcome bit of pressure relief for the coach.
That extraordinary win came out of nowhere, and was built on tremendous individual displays, rather than on a collective performance, aided by some boneheaded mistakes and soft defense from the opposition, but I'll take it.
We do need to tighten the ruck better (wasn't as bad as last week against the scum from Brookvale), and our defense on the right side is a bit of a nightmare. Kodi is a massive liability, whether he's being a turnstile or forcing his mates inside and outside of him to compress towards him (Roberts got caught a few times doing this, as did Su'a) and open up space for the opposition to run around. This is magnified by a positionally practically non-existing fullback.
The ***** had a field day out there on their left side attack exploiting holes inside Su'a and outside Roberts, and had this been the other way around, we would justifiably be pissed at the many opportunities gone begging.
Boyd - 3
He's the captain, and as such, has a higher burden of performance. I'm not going to keep repeating myself, but after his first run I though... "yes, that's what I want to see from you!". Then he just went mostly back to the usual apathetic stuff with a little flash here and there, was nowhere to be found on Cordner's try, and made my blood boil with that Cartwrightesque effort on Keary's second try.
Oates - 7.5
Invaluable making meters from our line and doing what great wingers do... scoring tries with almost every opportunity.
Opacic - -
No score for obvious reasons.
Roberts - 7
Was headed for a score of 3 after the initial 40, but more than redeemed himself in the second stanza, ending up on top of his duel with his opposition centre.
Isaako - 8
Not much to blame him for defensively this time. He still gets caught out in no man's land, but there wasn't a lot he could do about the rampage inside him. No one can ever take that glorious Lockyeresque try from him, just fantastic!
Milford - 6
He's working so hard to do both halves jobs, is tough, and has massively improved his defense. I don't think he was particularly good yesterday while in possession, and his kicking was barely on par, often straight into Tedesco's lap, which is probably the one thing you want to avoid.
Kodi - 2
I normally don't take too much heed of a half's defense (Locky is my favourite player by far, and was little more than a speed bump), as long as he brings what we require from a half. Kodi was nowhere to be seen in possession (except knocking the **** out of Matterson with a kick and a great one on one tackle on Keary), and is making life incredibly hard for Milford in attack, as well as Roberts and Su'a in defense. The latter doesn't have Gillo's experience and defensive steel to be able to mind Nikorima.
Lodge - 7.5
Probably one of the best games he has played in the last weeks. Does the job, and does it well.
Macca - 6
His miss on Liu costs him, but he was still the winner of the hookers clash last night.
Thaiday - 5
Given how bare the cupboard is, starting him is a necessity. He didn't do too bad this time, not great either, and shares responsibility with Macca on Liu's try.
TPJ - 9.5
Too bad about that one silly offload. One of the most dominant performances by a backrower I can remember. I am in true awe of this magnificent bastard!
Su'a - 7
Mixed bag due to a few mistakes, but also forcing them on the opposition with stinging defense and running with purpose. I think a try was taken off him, as he was pushed before taking possession of the ball. Should've been a penalty, not a 7 tackles set for the *****.
Ofahengaue - 8.5
Needs to start alongside Lodge. He's a middle forward that thrives with minutes and won't let anyone down. Awesome work rate, not error prone and very solid overal.
Tagataese - 6
Not too many minutes, but did his job.
Sims - 5
Was his usual not so good self, until he wasn't. He's ugly, but trying to reconstruct his head with elbow and head-butts is probably taking it a bit too far. That image of Napa's cranium straight up his noggin is a shocker!
Mago - 4
Saw too little of him to really evaluate.
Staggs - 9
Welcome to the NRL young buck! Excellent work in defense and attack, but let's see whether you can keep this up. Up there in terms of debut quality and it was awesome to see how deservedly proud your family was of your work.
Coach - 5
As long as Boyd is fullback, and Kodi the 7, while performing as they are, this will be the maximum score. If that dig at the young forwards from last week was meant to make them go another level, it definitely worked. Can you please do the same for the older experienced heads... because they really are the ones needing it!
Refs - 6
I honestly don't think Napa's action was a deliberate head knock, but it certainly was a penalty and reportable act. Whether it warranted a sin bin is questionable though...
As mentioned before, I think Su'a was deliberately pushed while trying to reach for the ball. It should have been a penalty, but there was only a fraction of a second involved and I won't crucify the refs for it. ***** got a few easy piggyback penalties which could've been costly, but overal far from the worst reffing display I've seen.
