The Tigers' 'huge price' in Luai call; Broncos stars who have to 'get out' of Walsh's way
The Tigers' spiral has continued and it has prompted some uncomfortable questions in the wake of Jarome Luai’s impending exit. The Tigers' handling of Luai's contract situation has been questioned by former coaches and players, with some suggesting the club has 'only got themselves to blame' for the disruption caused. The uncertainty surrounding Luai's future has created an unwanted distraction among the playing group, with the Tigers currently on a five-game losing streak. The club's decision to include a clause in Luai's contract allowing him to depart mid-season has been criticized as a mistake, with some arguing it should have been resolved before the start of the season.
Elsewhere, a big Broncos move sparked a stunning victory — and it has to stay. The Broncos have found the formula to ignite a late-season surge towards the finals, with Reece Walsh handed the keys in attack. Walsh's performance has been impressive, with 86 possessions, three try assists, one line break, three line break assists, and 467 kicking metres. The Broncos' success has been attributed to Walsh's constant involvement with the ball and his ability to take control of the game.
The Roosters' halves, Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans, have also been under scrutiny. Their performance against the Storm was described as 'poor' and 'a pale imitation of their best'. The absence of James Tedesco and the annual Origin hangover have been cited as factors affecting the Roosters' performance. However, Michael Ennis remains convinced the Roosters can go deep into September, despite the mixed performance.
The Sharks have kept their foot on the gas amid a continued winning streak. They pressed firmly against the firewall with a resilient 20-18 win against the Knights. The Sharks' defense has been praised, with Sione Katoa's outstanding performance and Mawene Hiroti's try save. The team is now firmly in the NRL's top four, but captain Cam McInnes warns against complacency.
The Storm's season is in the balance, with next week's game against South Sydney described as 'do-or-die'. The club is still without Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster, and the depth of the team has been questioned. The Storm's performance against the Roosters was criticized, and the team is now four points outside of the eight. The club's lack of consistency on the edges and inexperienced players' lack of minutes have been cited as factors affecting their performance.
The Canberra Raiders have rediscovered their style of football with the emergence of rookie dummy-half Owen Pattie. He has taken his game to another level and emerged as one of the NRL’s most promising No.9s. The Raiders' resurgence has been attributed to Pattie's stellar back-to-back showings and the team's patient approach with the young hooker. However, they will have to do it without star representative back-rower Hudson Young, who sustained a season-ending Achilles injury.
The Rabbitohs have found their long-term No.7 in Ashton Ward. His composure and ability to take the space on offer close to the line have been praised. Ward's performance has earned the praise of Tigers' legend Steve Roach and opposing coach Ricky Stuart, who described him as 'a really good job'. The Rabbitohs' recruitment decision to keep Ward for another two seasons has been justified by his performance and the team's affection for him.
