5 Big Things: Everything we learned in Rep Round

Rugby league fans rejoiced the tremendous return of Rep Round, with a collection of terrific state and international games dominating the weekend news cycle and offering different glimpses into the future. Here are 5 Big Things we learned in Rep Round.

The future is in safe hands

NSW’s under-19s men’s and women’s sides both came away with comprehensive victories on Thursday night at Leichhardt, as fans were offered a glimpse into what the future may look like for the state. The Blues’ under-19s women finished with a 22-6 victory over a spirited Queensland side led by centre Andie Robinson’s hat-trick, whilst fullback Jada Taylor’s double helped earn her Player of the Match honours. Meanwhile, the Blues’ under-19s men’s side came away with a decisive 32-4 win against an outmatched Queensland team, led by Player of the Match Jonah Pezet’s four try assists. His halves partner Thomas Weaver slotted all six of his shots at goal and scored a try of his own as the Blues pulled off a five-tries-to-one romp of the Maroons. The last men’s junior Origin fixture was played in 2019 and showcased at least 19 future NRL debutants, including NSW’s Bradman Best, Josh Schuster, and Will Penisini and Queensland’s Xavier Coates, Sam Walker, and Reece Walsh. It will be hardly surprising if the likes of Michael Asomua, Paul Alamoti, Xavier Va’a and Jack Howarth are leaving their mark on the NRL in the near future.

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Women’s Origin deserving of three matches

Friday night’s Women’s State of Origin clash in Canberra was unsurprisingly a belter, coming down to the final moments as NSW held on for a 20-14 victory to regain the Origin Shield. Centre Isabelle Kelly was superb for NSW, running for a game-high 190 metres from 18 carries to go along with an absurd 13 tackle breaks as well as a try, whilst fullback Emma Tonegato ran for 163 metres from 15 carries, made three line breaks, scored a try and assisted on one. Simaima Taufa was the pick of the forwards, playing 65 minutes in the middle to finish with 144 metres from 14 carries, five tackle breaks, and 32 tackles, whilst debutant Caitlan Johnston ran from 99 metres and broke six tackles off the bench. Queensland were led by outside backs Evania Pelite and Julia Robinson, who combined for 239 metres and 15 tackle breaks, whilst five-eighth Tarryn Aiken did her best to break the game open, scoring a brilliant try, breaking three tackles, and kicking for 118 metres. Few will argue that the clash should be converted into a best-of-three series. The NRL is set to extend the fixture from one game to two games next year, which seems an odd move on the surface, but will provide fans with more Origin football.

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Kiwis successful homecoming

The first top-flight rugby league game played in New Zealand since the beginning of the pandemic saw the Kiwis come away with an impressive 20-point victory over a gallant Mate Ma’a Tonga side in Auckland. A sea of red and white filled Mount Smart Stadium as Joseph Manu and Jahrome Hughes steered the Kiwis to victory in an emotional homecoming. Manu took 32 carries for 402 metres – which the NRL declared a record – in what was a sensational effort from the stand-in fullback. Hughes, meanwhile, ran for 132 metres, broke five tackles, made two line breaks and scored a try, whilst starting middles Joseph Tapine and James Fisher-Harris combined for 325 metres from 27 carries and made 62 tackles. All of New Zealand’s outside backs surpassed the 100 metre mark as the Kiwis dominated the possession and yardage battle for much of the evening. Debutant Christian Tuipulotu was a standout for Tonga, running for a team-high 163 metres from 15 carries and breaking five tackles, whilst starting props Siosiua Taukei’aho and Addin Fonua-Blake combined for 275 metres and made 56 tackles. The difference in the spines was vital, with New Zealand’s star-studded spine proving too classy for an inexperienced Tongan spine. As disappointing as the result was for Tonga, writing them off come World Cup may prove unwise. With the likes of Daniel Tupou, Siosifa Talakai, and Tuimoala Lolohea unavailable, there is a fair amount of power and experience still to return.

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Emotional Schuster spurs on Sāmoan victory

Toa Sāmoa kicked off Saturday night’s Campbelltown double-header with a 42-12 win over a noble Cook Islands outfit thanks in large part to a Josh Schuster masterclass on the left edge. After being brought to tears during a stirring rendition of the Sāmoan national anthem, Schuster put together a stellar 80-minute display which consisted of 129 run metres, three try assists, two line breaks, 29 tackles and four tackle breaks as Sāmoa went away with it late. David Nofoaluma, meanwhile, became the first Sāmoan international ever to cross for four tries in a Test match, whilst also running for 222 metres and breaking 15 tackles. Penrith duo Taylan May and Izack Tago ran rampant down Sāmoa’s left edge, combining for three tries, four line breaks, 15 tackle breaks and 354 run metres. Starting props Marty Taupau and Francis Molo did a terrific job laying a platform for their playmakers, combining for 341 metres from 31 carries and 40 tackles. For the Kukis, Davvy Moale and Steven Marsters were the try-scorers, as all of their outside backs crossed the 100 metre barrier. After Sāmoa threatened to run away with things in the first half, the Kukis wrestled back momentum and probably put up a tighter contest than the score suggested. 21-year-old fullback Kayal Iro led the side with 185 metres from 19 carries and eight tackle breaks, whilst Makahesi Makatoa ran for 146 metres and made 22 tackles off the bench.

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A memorable night for the Kumuls

A beautiful weekend of international rugby league was capped off with a brilliant tussle between Fiji and Papua New Guinea, with the Kumuls coming out 24-14 winners to send departing skipper David Mead off a victor. Fiji drew first blood through skipper Kevin Naiqama before Roosters teammate Lachlan Lam answered with a four-pointer of his own. McKenzie Yei then crossed again to give the Kumuls a lead heading into the sheds. A pair of brilliant second half tries to Mead and Lam helped seal the deal as the Kumuls outlasted a strong Fijian side in front of a collection of passionate supporters. Lam was arguably the best on ground, scoring two tries, assisting on another, and kicking well for a majority of the night, whilst winger Solo Wane ran for a team-high 176 metres from 17 carries. Papua New Guinea’s back-row tackled their backsides off all night with Dan Russell, Nixon Putt, and Jacob Alick combining for 135 tackles. Stars Alex Johnston and Justin Olam both had their moments; Johnston ran for 175 metres and broke eight tackles, whilst Olam ran for 155 metres and iced the game with a brilliant grubber for Lam to pounce on. For Fiji, Penrith’s Sunia Turuva was everywhere, running for a game-high 275 metres from 25 carries and scoring two tries, whilst wingers Maika Sivo and Mikaele Ravalawa combined for 424 metres from 35 carries and eight tackle breaks. Tui Kamikamica ran for 192 metres from 19 carries, whilst hooker Penioni Tagituimua made an absurd 60 tackles.

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