With all the stories in the media revolving around the Fifita twins, the sacking of coaches, the banning of fans from leagues clubs and the like, it’s hard to focus on the eight games of football that were played over the weekend.
Given the quality of games on show, that might be a good thing.
Origin affected rounds aside, is round 20 of the 2015 NRL season THE worst round of all time?
I’m sure there are worse, but stay with me on this one.
We had six absolute shut outs, a game that although close was like pulling teeth for 78 minutes, and one entertaining Sunday afternoon clash.
NRL tipsters who had been struggling in recent weeks would have licked their lips and locked in at least six certainties this week, at least.
I of course got the minimum of six, but that is because I’m a horrible tipster, but that’s another story.
The Sea Eagles victory over the Warriors was a genuine upset, and the Sharks victory over the Dogs could be seen as a bit of a turn up, but neither game was much of a spectacle.
Only the Sunday afternoon clash between the Raiders and Panthers was a fun-to-watch contest for 80 minutes.
The last two minutes of the Sharks/Dogs game was tight and had me watching closely, but there were far too many mistakes to consider it a brilliant game.
I hate being negative about the game I love, but it’s hard to be enthralled by Friday Night scorelines of 34-nil and 33-8.
Saturday’s games weren’t much closer at 32-12, 22-4 and the absolute blow out of the weekend when the Rabbits put a 52-6 flogging on the Knights.
Saturday’s performance was so bad that Rick Stone lost his job as Newcastle coach.
Last night’s 46-4 victory by the Cowboys looked like it could have been far worse. The Eels were brave, for the first half, but the Cowboys never, EVER looked in any sort of trouble.
Of course if you’re a fan of one of the sides who were on the winning end of things, I’m sure you enjoyed it plenty.
A good old fashioned 40-point hammering is good fun to watch every now and then, but a near-entire round of contests that are over just minutes after kick off? Not so much.
Taupau out for three weeks
I have to say I’m happy with the NRL’s decision to hand Marty Taupau a three-week ban after his cheap shot on James Maloney on Friday night.
Taupau is one of my favourite players in the competition and is one of the real show men, but his shot on the downed Maloney was not what the game is about.
It was no doubt an act of frustration by a player whose side was on the end of a whopping, but there is no justification for attacking the head of a downed opponent.
Marty is a fearsome forward and will be better for the break. Hopefully he can focus that aggression on legal hits in the future.
Stone sacked by Newcastle (again)
Rick Stone has paid a hefty price for his side’s awful form this season after being sacked by the Newcastle side yesterday.
After their performance on Saturday evening, I can’t say I’m shocked with the decision, however I do think he was up against it from the second he returned to the club.
Wayne Bennett left a job half-done in the Hunter, and left Stone little time to shape his squad.
Even the biggest Knights fan will surely admit that the squad is horribly unbalanced right now between players who are no longer up to it, and youngsters who have not yet found their feet.
That being said, I still cannot believe Stone’s insistence on relying on Kurt Gidley as mr fix it, rather than looking to his younger players.
Sione Mata’utia has regressed massively this season after not being able to hold down a regular position in the Knights side.
He has played at fullback, wing, centre and off the bench, and has not been allowed to settle into a position.
As a young player who is still finding his feet in first grade, it’s hardly the best thing for his development.
This to accommodate a horribly out of form Tyrone Roberts, and a departing Kurt Gidley.
Stone’s decision to overlook the young and in form Tapine in favour of Chris Houston also raised plenty of eyebrows.
Someone had to be held accountable for the horrible for of the Knights and unfortunately Stone stepped into a tough situation.
Fifita comments
It seems as though literally everyone has had plenty to say about the Fifita situation, so here are my thoughts.
How about we wait for the process to run its course before hanging them out to dry?
Fans calling for them to be suspended for 10 weeks, six months or even fired from the Sharks can do so, should the twins be found guilty.
Reports on Saturday, which have certain members of the media calling for them to be hung, have proven to be incorrect.
Fifita’s “I’ll smash you” comment is now reported to have never happened, the referee’s recording of the incident doesn’t exist, and plenty are coming out to tell the other side of the story.
I’m not saying they’re not guilty, or guilty for that matter, but how about letting the process run its course rather than convicting on an early, and as it turns out incorrect report?
I’d LOVE to see people’s reactions should their family members be trialled via media and punished before the process was complete. I genuinely hope no one ever has to experience this.
