The Synopsis - NRL Round 11

Parramatta had (easily) defeated South Sydney in Round 4, and in doing so had shown all the other teams that the Bunnies were vulnerable. Souths' (it seemed) were not the unbeatable team painted by the press. Since that Friday night back on March 27 the team in Cardinal and Myrtle had stumbled more than a few times, winning only twice in 6 matches. Coming into this rematch South Sydney and Parramatta had contributed one player each to the representative teams (Rabbitohs Greg Inglis and the Eels, Will Hopoate) and were, except for injuries at full strength.

The match was a straight forward, unspectacular affair with neither team being able to deliver a knock-out punch nor willing to give up too easily.

Parramatta it must be said (for the fourth week running) showed much more enthusiasm, especially in defence, while Souths, it seemed, had hoped to win the match without too much effort. Given their relative places on the league ladder as they approach the half way mark for the season, South's fans and their Coach (if the half time haranguing reported by the press, is to be believed) had expected the reverse. The final score South Sydney 14 Parramatta 12, left Eels fans wondering how different their season could be if more of their tries were converted. At 52% the Eels conversion rate is lowest in the NRL and is directly linked, both, to this loss and Round 10 loss to New Zealand

Saturday

The Wests Tigers and Nth Queensland Cowboys were short on significant personnel because of absentees who will instead be playing for their State on Wednesday night. Tonight's figures for penalties conceded, tackles missed and handling errors coupled with the potential for injuries to star players highlights for many c.e.o.'s , club coaches and fans alike, why they ‘dislike' these representative games. No doubt the administrators recognise that, working with rep coaches and senior players develops skills and strategies that improve all concerned, but, they also know that club matches are diminished and highly valued assets are put at risk. No doubt the Cowboys who won 8 - 0 will be happy that the NRL got the balance right. Wests Tigers' Coach Jason Taylor, might not be so philosophical, as his team suffered (not the biggest) but surely its worst loss for the season.

Sunday.

After 16 minutes the Bulldogs having scored four tries against a back peddling Raiders defence led 24 - nil. Two minutes later, as they stopped to catch their breath, their goal kicker Moses Mbye, potted a penalty goal and no one (except diehard Raiders fans and perhaps their optimistic, passionate coach, Ricky Stuart) could see a way back for Canberra. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs had rolled into town and steam rolled the home team, with a 20 minute demolition job. With 75% of the possession and 92% completions the Bulldogs were cruising. What their coach could not have wanted was his team to move into cruise control, but that's what they did.

Over the next 22 minutes, with possession and momentum, the home team stormed back into contention. At the 31st minute, Sisa Waqa squeezed over in the corner. Five minutes later, Shaun Fensome ran onto a cross-field kick meant for ‘Alan Anyone' and scored beside the posts. In 5 minutes, 26 - 0 had become 26 - 10, but Canberra weren't finished yet. With just 15 seconds on the clock before half time, a bomb was caught by forward, Josh Papalii, who crossed for a try. The successful conversion giving fans of the "green machine" a real reason to look forward to the second half. Bulldog Coach, Des Hasler, who had watched his team of forwards run out of puff in both of the previous two lost games, must have been worried about how to restart his teams ‘engine' for the second 40 minutes.

The ebb and flow of possession in the second half, resulted in Canterbury scoring in the 57th and 63rd minutes, with Canberra scoring tries in the 52nd, 60th and 74th minutes. The last converted try, locking up the scores at 34 - 34. Commentators, who had all selected the Bulldogs (based on a "beware the injured Bulldog" rationale), had all, by this stage, ‘jumped ship' and were confidently predicting that Canberra would score again, with 'Ricky's Boys' assuming the mantle of a team to be feared for their attacking prowess and ability to chase down their opponents. Josh Reynolds silenced them, and the Raiders crowd, when he kicked a field goal in the 78th minute. Then in an effort to secure possession Canberra started with a short kick off, but it was seized by Canterbury's Frank Pritchard, who passed the ball to young utility Moses Mbye who ran 50 metres untouched to seal the win. Bulldogs 41 - Raiders 34.

With a bye in round 12, it was a 4 point result for the Bulldogs, who like fellow Grand Finalists South Sydney are still around the bottom half of a crowded top 8.

Monday.

Last night's game was proof, if any were needed, that the modern NRL team must have an experienced, knowledgeable and settled spine (Nos. 1, 6, 7 and 9). Crucial to this is the halfback, (7) who leads the team around the park, decides on attack strategies and organises each set with the ball. Most importantly they decide, and usually implement, the end of set kicking strategy, thus readying the team for their up-coming defensive effort.

Brisbane, despite having 6 players absent at Origin were able to rely on their settled and highly capable spine, in a match that Newcastle were expected to win. Talk of ‘baby broncos', describing the 17 left behind by their Queensland team-mates, ignored the quality and settled spine at work in Brisbane. Andrew McCullough (9) Ben Hunt (7), and Anthony Milford (6) were superb in their respective rolls. On the other side, Newcastle (without Jarrod Mullen, their key man) at times seemed disorganised and when the pressure was on, unsure of what came next. While Kurt Gidley is a true professional, Newcastle haven't really decided where and how to use their utility captain, and injuries have seen him bob up in positions from hooker to half to fullback - sometimes all three in the one match.

The final score Brisbane 31 Newcastle 18 reflected both, the Bronco's domination of the second half and their coolness under pressure. More importantly, with byes in rounds 14 and 17, Brisbane has cemented its place in the top half of the ladder and ensured that (barring injury) the matches they do have to play between round 12 and round 18, will be with a full complement of players and their ‘rep stars' will come back (after each SOO camp) and fit in around a spine that is working to plan. Eleven weeks into season 2015, it's now unblinkingly clear why current Shark, Ben Barba, for all his skills and game breaking ability, wasn't part of Wayne Bennett's plans for the Broncos.