A Queensland derby thriller, the return of a star and perhaps the greatest comeback of all time? All that and more in the Wrap.
Easter Monday Miracle
Melbourne led Cronulla 34-6 at half time on Monday afternoon. Full time score? Cronulla 48, Melbourne 40. The Storm looked like putting a cricket score on the Sharks at half time with six tries to six different players. After what must’ve been an outstanding half time talk by Sharks’ coach John Morris, the boys from the Shire ran in 42 second half points to Melbourne’s six. In the 75th munute, halfback Jack Williams scored the try that tied the game for Cronulla before Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga kicked the goal to give them their first lead of the game. The comeback complete, winger Sione Katoa scored in the 80th minute to seal a famous Holden Cup victory for the Sharks. It was the second time this season that the Storm scored 40 points in a game and still managed to lose.
Great Friday
Ok, it may not have been a 28-point comeback but South Sydney did well on Friday to overcome their six point half time deficit, keeping Canterbury scoreless in the second half while they ran in 24 unanswered points. Winger Neihana Walters completed his hat trick, with Maia Sands and Chad O’Donnell adding tries to give the Rabbitohs their second win of the season. The Bulldogs on the other hand have now dropped three straight after their impressive Round 1 victory.
Queensland Derby
While the Cowboys and Broncos had an all-time classic in the NRL later that night, their NYC sides played out a close contest themselves beforehand. North Queensland went into half time leading by 6 and a try after the break to Enari Tuala would push their lead to 10. Brisbane fought back with tries to Corey Allan and Haydyn O’Hara to tie the game with 12 minutes to play. Unlike that night’s first grade game, the Cowboys won by a point after halfback Cooper Bambling kicked the winning field goal in the 76th minute. It was their 3rd straight win but came at a cost with an injury to Gideon Gela-Mosby, which will see him miss significant time.
Happy Homecoming
Raider-turned-Titan Morgan Boyle returned to Canberra on Saturday afternoon and led his new club to a big victory at his old stomping ground. The second rower ran for 157 metres, broke 4 tackles and made 21 in his side’s 22 point win. His team mate Greg Leleisiuao was the standout in the match. The bustling centre scored two tries, ran for 225 metres and broke 12 tackles in a dominant performance by the Gold Coast boys.
Outpointed
Manly five-eighth Nicho Hynes made a smart decision just before half time in his side’s game against the Roosters on Saturday afternoon. Kicking a field goal in the 39th minute to give his side a one point lead heading into the break. Unfortunately for him, the Sea Eagles conceded 26 points in the second half, rendering the extra point useless. The Roosters scored 5 tries, including a double to winger Bernard Lewis, to secure the 42-23 victory. A nice bounce back after a tough loss in Round 3, while Manly are still looking for a win in 2016.
Juggernaut Rolls On
It was another strong performance by Penrith in their win over the Dragons on Sunday. The best attacking and defensive side so far in 2016, the Panthers kept the Dragons scoreless in the second half and scored three tries themselves in the 28-12 win. Fullback Dylan Edwards was superb again, running for 271 metres in his team’s win.
Smash and Grab
Newcastle flew to Auckland on Sunday to face the Warriors, who traditionally are quite tough at home. On the back of impressive performances from forwards Tyrone Amey, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Eddy Tuilotolava, the Knights ran out 26-12 winners. Hooker Joey Morris scored two tries from dummy half as Newcastle headed back home with two points in hand.
French Return
Bevan French, breakout star of February’s Auckland Nines, returned to the Holden Cup on Monday afternoon and continued to score tries. A late inclusion in the side, the Tingha Tigers junior was influential in the Eels’ victory, scoring a hat trick and running for 189 metres in the 40-4 win over the Wests Tigers. Prop Alex Twal led from the front, running for 212 metres and making 31 tackles.
Round 5’s Televised Game
Melbourne v Newcastle – AAMI Park – Saturday, April 2
12:30pm (AEDT) – FOX Sports 1
Canberra’s streak of televised games comes to an end this round as we get our second looks at Melbourne and Newcastle for 2016. It’s a rare NYC game at AAMI Park this season, with the Storm’s NYC side now based out of the Sunshine Coast.
Team of the Week
As it’s impossible to watch every Holden Cup game of the round, the team of the week is chosen statistically.
1 Dylan Edwards (PEN) [1 try, 271m, 1 try assist, 17 tackle busts, 4 offloads, 1 linebreak]
2 Bernard Lewis (SYD) [2 tries, 129m, 3 tackle busts, 1 offload, 3 linebreaks]
3 Greg Leleisiuao (GLD) [2 tries, 225m, 12 tackle busts, 4 tackles, 1 offload, 2 linebreaks]
4 Siosifa Talakai (SOU) [209m, 3 try assists, 6 tackle busts, 12 tackles, 2 linebreaks, 1 linebreak assist]
5 Neihana Walters (SOU) [3 tries, 134m, 2 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks]
6 Michael Doolan (PAR) [1 try, 60m, 2 try assists, 5 tackle busts, 18 tackles, 1 offload, 1 linebreak, 2 linebreak assists]
7 Cooper Bambling (NQL) [1 try, 1 field goal, 80m, 1 try assist, 1 tackle busts, 21 tackles, 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak assist]
8 Alex Twal (PAR) [212m, 31 tackles, 1 offload]
9 Brandon Smith (NQL) [145m, 1 try assist, 7 tackle busts, 29 tackles, 1 offload, 1 linebreak assist]
10 Nick Brown (NQL) [135m, 1 try assist, 3 tackle busts, 22 tackles, 2 offloads, 1 linebreak assist]
11 Morgan Boyle (GLD) [157m, 1 try assist, 4 tackle busts, 21 tackles, 2 offloads, 1 linebreak]
12 Corey Waddell (PEN) [1 try, 105m, 1 try assist, 4 tackle busts, 32 tackles, 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak assist]
13 Jordan Kenworthy (NQL) [2 tries, 183m, 8 tackle busts, 28 tackles, 4 offloads, 2 linebreaks]
14 Bevan French (PAR) [3 tries, 189m, 1 try assist, 4 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 2 linebreaks, 1 linebreak assist]
15 Nat Butcher (SYD) [194m, 8 tackle busts, 35 tackles, 2 offloads]
16 Joey Morris (NEW) [2 tries, 53m, 4 tackle busts, 30 tackles, 2 linebreaks]
17 Jayden Brailey (CRO) [1 try, 98m, 2 try assists, 8 tackle busts, 26 tackles, 3 linebreaks, 1 linebreak assist]
Player of the Week
Greg Leleisiuao (Gold Coast)
The Mangere junior was unstoppable for the Titans on Saturday afternoon against Canberra. 225 metres gained from 14 runs at 16 metres per run, Leleisiuao also scored 2 tries, broke 12 tackles and made 2 linebreaks in a great individual performance.
That’s it for the Wrap this week. Be sure to keep an eye out for Round 5’s Match Previews, which should be up by tomorrow. Enjoy this weekend’s games.
18TH MAN 