The Synopsis - NRL Round 14

Friday Night: Tigers vs Rabbitohs

Wests Tigers gave league followers a demonstration (if one was needed) that good preparation, coupled with a whole lot of perspiration and a touch of inspiration, can overwhelm any opponent, even reigning premiers who are supposed to be a superior team. On a Sunday afternoon back in March, Coach Taylor's team of youngsters (Brooks, Moses and Tedesco) and hard boiled types (Farrah, Galloway and Halatau) took 30 minutes of the first half to bust South Sydney's defence and then were forced to watch almost helpless as the home team scored twice before half time and twice thereafter to win the match 20 - 6. I wrote then that, "These two teams play again in Round 14 and the Rabbitohs will need to bring their ‘A' game on that day".

Last night's match was nothing like that Sunday afternoon 12 weeks ago. This time the Tigers steam-rolled the Rabbitohs with Martin Taupau, Keith Galloway and Sauaso Sue ripping up and barging through South's defence, while Luke Brooks and James Tedesco used their silky skills to both set up others to score and to score themselves. The Tigers crossed in the 7th and 10th minutes and despite their best efforts were not able to get passed the visitors again before half time. But the huge defensive effort took a toll on the South Sydney line. In the second stanza, tries in the 44th, 64th, 68th and 79th minutes left the boys in Cardinal and Myrtle exhausted and overwhelmed. The final score Wests Tigers 34 - South Sydney 6 was a total reversal of the outcome back in March.

James Tedesco was the last to score and together with Martin Taupau (who stood out as forward leader) he has a huge long term future in Rugby League, hopefully with the Tigers, who have developed him and stood by him when his 2012 and 2014 seasons were disrupted by awful injuries.

Saturday: Warriors vs Roosters

Saturday evening's match in New Zealand was an opportunity for the Warriors (minus Ryan Hoffman - NSW) to prove to their fans (and themselves) that they can concentrate for a full 80 minutes and win - especially when their opponents are under-strength. The Roosters were without five first grade regulars; Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Injury), Michael Jennings, Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner (NSW) and Aidan Guerra (QLD).

The first half saw wave after wave of Warriors jerseys charging into the Roosters defensive line and for 39 minutes they were able to score three tries themselves and keep the Roosters at bay. They led 14-nil, and so they should have with 65% of the possession and 60% of the field position. Then 50 seconds from half time on the last tackle in the set, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck kicked through the goal line defence and his team-mate Shaun Kenny-Dowall scored the try, with the conversion 14-6 became the half time score.

Three minutes into the second half Warriors centre Solomone Kata scored for the home team and they led 20 - 6. The Roosters fight back started with a converted try in the 50th minute and a penalty goal 5 minutes later. James Maloney crossed for a try in the 70th minute and with his own conversion, the scores were locked 20-20. Maloney lifted his team into the lead with a field goal in 75th minute but Warriors opponent Shaun Johnson hit back with a field goal of his own two minutes later. In the 80th minute with Roosters in possession, extra time loomed unless the tri-colours could kick another goal. The Warriors protected against that possibility but in doing so left their edges vulnerable and Blake Ferguson, playing his first full match in two months crossed for a try in the corner. Roosters win 25 - 21.

Sunday: Titans vs Bulldogs

The Gold Coast Titans defeated the Canterbury Bulldogs 28 - 14 in this Sunday afternoon match on the Queensland coast. Despite being short six first team regulars the Bulldogs managed to stretch the home team. But, as any Coach will tell you, his team only has to play the opponents who turn up on the day and it doesn't really matter who they are. That's what the Titans did today.

The first half was an entertaining affair that saw both teams score two tries. The Bulldog winger Curtis Rona scored his 15th try for the season (5th minute) and prolific Gold Coast winger James Roberts scored his 13th to even up the score at the 8th Minute. Bulldog forward Sam Kasiano scored a rare try (28th minute) and a 40/20 kick by Titan Aidan Sezer led to his winger Kevin Gordon scoring right on half time to make the score 10 - 10.

Given the circumstances this match was always for the Gold Coast to lose but at the 52nd Minute centre Brad Tighe crossed for his first try in 2015 and despite giving the Bulldogs chances they didn't deserve, the Titans were never headed. But in the 55th minute the Bulldogs defence laid on 5 tackles that kept the Titans inside their own 10m line and commentators were congratulating the ‘dogs' and wondering out loud what kind of kick would get the Titans out of trouble. James Roberts changed the script and ran the ball instead. He broke through and (at speed) passed 30 metres to Brad Tighe who stormed down the touch line to (it seemed) score in the corner. But, Bulldog star of the future, Moses Mbye had started chasing from behind Roberts and running diagonally down the field he caught Tighe and crashed him into touch as he got to the goal line. It was an extra ordinary covering tackle, but that last play had moved the game into the Bulldogs ‘red zone'. The Bulldogs obligingly dropped the ball and Titans Fullback Josh Hoffman scored three minutes later. The converted try put the Titans ahead 22 - 12. Curtis Rona scored his 16th try for the season at the 71st minute but it was all too late. James Roberts topped off a fantastic match with a try in the 78th minute.

On the back of this win, the Gold Coast find themselves in 8th place on the ladder, equal with five other teams on 14 points.

Monday Night: Storm vs Eels

After last Monday night's embarrassing loss to the Cowboys and mid-week controversy surrounding the role of playmaker Chris Sandow, the Eels went to Melbourne to take on the home team minus their four stars (Smith, Slater and Chambers who will play for QLD on Wednesday while Cooper Cronk is out injured). Parramatta centre Will Hopoate was also selected to play for NSW in the same match. So like the Titans (yesterday), the Eels were installed as favourites and expected to be too strong for the depleted Storm. Melbourne, having provided the spine for QLD over the last 5 years had coped well with ‘Origin Season', year after year. They never liked it but it always provided opportunities for youngsters and journeymen to show their wares. Ben Hampton and Cameron Munster were playing their first ever match as starting half and fullback (in the same match) and experienced forward Ryan Hinchcliffe stood in for Smith at hooker. Parramatta on the other hand were forced (by poor salary cap management) to ignore Sandow's comments and play him at halfback. He did not let them down. He was responsible for the first two tries to Semi Radradra with a great pass and then a deft kick. So a match that had started with Melbourne racing out to a 12 - 0 lead went to half time at 12 - 10 instead.

The 2nd half was a see saw affair with Eels 5/8 Corey Norman grabbing a try after just three minutes. Melbourne hit back to score in the 49th and 66th minutes. The Eels were behind 16 - 22 and needed a lift. At the 69th minute, Ryan Morgan scored a try to put Parramatta within striking distance and former schoolboy rugby player Tepai Moeroa crossed almost untouched with three just minutes to go.

Leading 26 - 22 Parramatta gave Melbourne one more chance to win by dropping the ball 25 metres out from their own line. On the last tackle of the set winger Mahe Fonua tried to barge over from one metre out and claimed success (as players always do!!) But, on-field ref Ash Klein ruled NO-TRY and the video refs agreed. Final score Parramatta 26 - Melbourne 22