[ad_1]
The Tigers’ two major issues reared their ugly head in their convincing 34-18 loss to the Dragons, which showed Benji Marshall still has plenty of work to do.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs spine failed to click with a club legend not sold on their spine and choice of halfback in drew Hutchison.
And a fit and aggressive Dragons side gave hope to their long-suffering fans with a strong finish to their pre-season.
Read below for all the big talking points from the second week of the pre-season challenge!
The only place to watch both games of the Las Vegas opening double-header live is Fox League, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Panthers cop BRUTAL calls against Wigan | 01:21
ROOSTERS FLYER’S STUNNING DISPLAY
James Tedesco who? The Roosters have a new No. 1 in town and he goes by the name of Callum Gromek.
The 22-year-old joined the Tricolours in pre-season, having been recruited from the local Wollongong competition after plying his trade for Collegians.
He won the Paul McGregor Medal for the Player of the Year in that competition and delivered in his first televised game on Friday night.
Gromek set Belmore alight, scoring two tries while also assisting three more to go with four line break assists.
“Callum Gromek, fantastic story, was playing for Collegians in the local Wollongong competition last year, was the player of the year, the Paul McGregor Medal,” Greg Alexander said.
“The Roosters have got him and he looked very competent at the back, a great mover.”
“He was pretty special wasn’t he,” Braith Anasta added.
“He was, he did exactly what you’re expecting someone to do who is on show, he’s come from the Wollongong local competition and starred in his first game on TV.
“You don’t have to score two tries to be noticed, when he got the ball you knew he was a very good mover… a great showing from the young man.”
Gromek is yet to make a NSW Cup appearance and will likely ply his trade for the Roosters reserve grade side at some point in 2024.
While he has several players in front of him in the fullback role, Gromek could be a fullback prospect in years to come for Trent Robinson.
Meanwhile, fellow rookie Corey Ross also had a night to remember, scoring a try and making his mark with several big hits labelled “courageous” by Alexander.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!
Young Roosters run riot over Rabbitohs | 01:40
THE DOGS ATTACKING STRUGGLES EXPOSED… AGAIN
The Bulldogs scored the second-least points of any team in 2023, and their final pre-season hit out left much to be desired.
Cameron Ciraldo’s side were clunky when attacking Cronulla’s tryline, and league legend Braith Anasta posed some big questions regarding their spine.
Roosters recruit Drew Hutchison has started at halfback in both pre-season challenge games ahead of former Titan Toby Sexton.
The veteran utility looks like he could get the nod at halfback, but Anasta isn’t sold after they only scored six points at Belmore Stadium.
“We’ve addressed it a couple of times tonight, if you look at the Sharks, they have Nicho Hynes to come in and he makes a hell of a difference,” Anasta said.
“They are going to be a completely different team… but the Dogs in attack struggled. Their defence was good yes, because they were last in the competition last year for it.
“But still they didn’t look in sync (in attack) and I’m not sold on Hutchison, I’m not sold on him.”
“Drew Hutchison was a little bit off last night and Toby Sexton came on late,” Cooper Cronk said.
Ciraldo will have to make a huge decision ahead of Round 1, but Hutchison’s performance against the Sharks did him no favours.
Meanwhile, Blake Taaffe’s performance also came under the microscope after making four errors including one uncontested drop in the second half.
Taaffe, alongside Hutchison is a new face at the Bulldogs, but the pair are yet to fully gel with spine members Matt Burton and Reed Mahoney.
Ciraldo will be hoping his spine can sort their combinations before the season’s start, otherwise Dogs fans could be in for another long season.
“What about Blake Taaffe, he made three errors in five minutes. It is a new spine… The Dogs, it’s young. Hutchison and Taaffe, they are new to the club,” Alexander said.
Critta chats captaincy | 01:03
RTS SIZZLES TO GIVE WARRIORS NEW DIMENSION
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck showed he could be the signing of the season after inspiring the Warriors to a 34-22 victory over the Dolphins.
The question mark coming into 2024 was could Tuivasa-Sheck dominate in the NRL in the third position of his career at centre after starring on the wing for the Roosters and at fullback for the Warriors.
The 30-year-old answered that question in emphatic style showcasing all his speed, strength and skill against the Dolphins.
The veteran of 195 NRL games finished with 159 metres, six tackle busts, two offloads, two linebreak assists, a try assist and seven tackles without a miss.
Tuivasa-Sheck showed he can dominate the game in a variety of ways from the centre position in a manner similar to Cowboys star Valentine Holmes.
The fleet-footed star’s assist was astounding in that he created a try for Ali Leiataua despite the Dolphins having an extra man in the defensive line.
“He is doing it all RTS,” Matt Russell said on Fox League.
“Defensively. In attack and in the try assist mode as well.”
James Graham believes Tuivasa-Sheck gives the Warriors the strike centre they have been looking for and adds a new dimension to their attack.
“I said the Warriors were out of ideas, but sometimes when you don’t know what to do you go to your most important and damaging players,” Graham said.
“That player for the Warriors is Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. It is a four on three and Tuivasa-Sheck somehow manages to manufacture a try.
“It was three on four with advantage to the defence and the footwork of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck somehow creates an opportunity.
“Magnificent to see him back playing our great game of rugby league after a two-year stint with rugby union and a couple of games for the All Blacks.
“He certainly looks back at home here with the Warriors.”
Wahs get up as Phins cop hefty injuries | 01:15
DRAGONS’ FITNESS ADDS NEW STEEL TO DEFENCE
Shane Flanagan has added a real steel to the Dragons and improved their fitness dramatically after their 34-18 win over the Tigers.
The battle of the two bottom teams last year saw the Dragons come out more impressive after they led 24-0 at one stage and their aggression and physical fitness caught the eye of Corey Parker.
“I like their effort areas particularly defensively,” Parker said.
“Last year they were poor in that area. On their day they can score points and we have seen that.
“They have some wonderful players in their team who can score points but defensively when the blowtorch is put to them they have come up with nothing.
“They were physical and there was an intensity about what they were doing. They were going after the play.”
Flanagan based his premiership team at the Sharks around fitness and defence and it appears he is trying to instil a similar work ethic at the Dragons.
“There is no secret to be able to defend for long periods you need to be supremely fit,” Parker said.
“They obviously identified they weren’t in that space last year and then they need to train at an intensity day in and day out that then prepares you for game day when you are under the pump.
“You can’t just turn up on game day and think it is going to happen if you haven’t done the work Monday to Friday.”
However, Cooper Cronk warned the Dragons were playing the Tigers and will need to maintain that level of aggression when they face the top teams in the NRL.
“The Dragons had to reset a few things in terms of mental toughness, physical readiness and having better defensive systems,” Cronk said.
“They were a couple of things they had to change.
“The Dragons’ destiny will be can they beat the teams who are well seasoned and well prepared and mentally and physically tough just as Shane Flanagan wants their team.”
Dragons put Tigers away in Mudgee | 02:05
TIGERS STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO AMID SKIPPER’S CLAIM
Tigers skipper Api Koroisau believes the Tigers just need to flick the intensity switch, but some legends warned it is not that easy amid their 34-18 trial loss to the Dragons.
Given the second worst team last year dominated the Tigers to lead 24-0 it appears Benji Marshall still has a lot of work to do to avoid a third straight wooden spoon for the club.
Corey Parker warned the Tigers can’t just expect things to click once the season starts.
“It is interesting to hear the captain say it is just a matter of picking up the intensity because you can’t just suddenly on game day find an intensity if you haven’t trained at a level that holds you in good stead come game day,” Parker said.
“I’m not saying they haven’t but from what we have seen over the first two weeks of the pre-season one would suggest that is the case.
“It was 24-6 at halftime and it was Jahream Bula’s solo individual effort that actually got them on the scoreboard so it could have been 24-0.
“There was some players missing for the Dragons late in the second half, so does that play a part in the closer scoreline?
“There is no hiding for the Tigers. They let in some pretty ordinary tries at different points. There was a period in the first half where the Dragons really opened them up through the middle with some nice hard direct running and they just blew the play-the-ball apart.
“Offensively they had ample opportunity with 53 tackles inside 20 and they came up with two tries in that period, so they have a lot to work on.”
Cooper Cronk believes the Tigers’ two biggest issues from last season reared their ugly head in the trials, namely their defence and inability to convert pressure into points.
“They have had a bad couple of years the Tigers,” Cronk said.
“They made some changes off the field that is going to help them on the field. Benji has taken over and all the other off-field changes.
“But as of now it is all about winning and losing and performance and conceding 34 points and being ineffective when you are in the attacking zone near the opponents try line is the thing Benji is going to have to improve because all that off-field stuff is now taken care of.
“Now it comes down to coaching and Robbie Farah and Chris Heighington and John Morris have joined Benji.
“They have gone back to that crew that brought them success in 2005 and that is a long, long time ago.
“But they have the history now to turn that club around and they have got to start from a low base because 34 points and ineffective in attack is a pretty big part of the game in terms of winning football games.”
RICKY FORECASTS YOUNG GUNS MAY PLAY TOGETHER IN 2024
Canberra’s final trial game was in part billed as a battle for the Jack Wighton’s vacant number six jersey between new recruit Kaeo Weekes and teen sensation Ethan Strange.
If the two were neck and neck to partner Jamal Fogarty in the halves, well Strange’s performance against the Cowboys should have undoubtedly put him in the box seat to start at five eighth against the Knights in two weeks.
The 19-year-old was impressive across in both attack and defence, cutting down Cowboys back rower Heilum Luki with three textbook tackles close to the line. Two of those were try-savers.
With the ball in hand, he directed the Raiders around the park beautifully, even scoring one himself when chasing down a grubber he put in himself to open the account for Canberra.
Weekes wasn’t as effective, but had some nice moments, including a kick into the sun which was dropped by Kyle Feldt and directly led to a Xavier Savage try.
Pre game, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart sung the praises of both players.
“Kaeo’s really warmed into the role. I wanted him to be more vocal, more dominant around receiving the football and his contribution,” Stuart told Fox League’s Matt Russell.
“Ethan’s been more on the ball. Jamal did his hamstring and was out for a couple of weeks and I think it really progressed both halves a lot quicker because they got a lot more reps football
What will work against Strange though is the fact he was put on report for a dangerous tackle which sent him to the sin bin. You’d think he’ll miss at least a game for that.
That would mean Weekes will start against the Knights alongside Fogarty.
Whatever happens in Round 1, Strange should be in contention for a spot in the NRL side whenever he returns.
The teenager cannot only play in the halves, but in the centres as well. He scored three tries at right centre for the NSW under 19 side last season.
Stuart told Fox League that even with Fogarty steering the ship at halfback, he envisages a situation where the talented youngsters play together this season.
“They are both going to be playing NRL this season and they are both very good football players so I’m fortunate there,” Stuart said.
“It’s a fight for the number six spot with Jamal having a spell today. Both those boys will be playing NRL and probably playing together at some stage.”
PENRITH’S ATTACK STAGNANT AT TIMES WITHOUT STARS
Despite the scoreboard reading a 16-12 win to Wigan in Sunday morning’s World Club Challenge, the Panthers will leave England a bit hard done by after some referee howlers marred the result.
With that said, Wigan played good enough to win the match, with some inspired defence stopping a couple of Panthers’ tries.
This in part limited Penrith to just 12 points, with the back-to-back-to-back NRL premiers missing a few key players against Wigan.
Star centre Stephen Crichton is now a Bulldog while Spencer Leniu is in Las Vegas preparing with his new team the Roosters.
Jarome Luai, who will be a Tiger from 2025, was out with a shoulder injury with the inexperienced Jack Cole starting in the No. 6 jersey.
James Graham said the Panthers clearly missed the departed players and Luai’s attacking flare.
“Luai’s a top class player so of course he’s going to be missed so Penrith will plan accordingly for 2025 but this year he will be back,” Graham said.
“If you are coach Cleary, you are looking to address those defensive issues on that left edge.
“Obviously not having Spencer Leniu, coming off the bench, who brought so much so excitement and was so damaging, they don’t have that style of player now.”
Braith Anasta noted that the Panthers were caught too often with the ball on fifth tackle.
“Their fifth tackle options, it took almost 25 minutes before they put an attacking kick in,” he said.
“Certainly, I think Ivan Cleary will be wanting the Nathan Cleary to take the ball on the fifth tackle and put in a good attacking kick,” Graham added.
Of course, this early in 2024, it’s nothing to be concerned about. Penrith have responded well to star players departing via free agency in the past, and they’ll continue to do so.
Champion teams figure it out.
[ad_2]
Source link