NRL 2023: Talking Points, Round 23, NRL send off, Kalyn Ponga, Penrith Panthers, Nathan Cleary, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Reece Walsh, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels, rugby league news

Round 23 saw a sharp uptick in send offs but the NRL have stressed there has been no crackdown enforced.

The Panthers once again flex their premiership muscles with a “statement” win with one rugby league great labelling them “ruthless in all areas.”

Meanwhile, Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen made a successful return from a serious knee injury and he could solve a halves headache at the club

Read on for all the key NRL Talking Points in Round 23.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >>>

FOX LEAGUE PODCAST – YVONNE SAMPSON

Fox League presenter Yvonne Sampson joins the podcast this week to celebrate Women in League Round. ‘Vonny’ looks back over her journey in media — from covering pigeon races in rural Queensland to hosting the coverage of some of the biggest events in Australian sport.Listen NOW >

NRL CRACKDOWN EVIDENT AFTER DUAL SEND OFFS AS CONSISTENCY QUESTIONED

It’s been a banner week for send offs in the NRL after two players were ejected for high shots.

When Roosters enforcer Nathan Brown was sent off after a shot on Sea Eagles young gun Ben Trbojevic on Thursday night, it was the first one since Knights prop Jacob Saifiti was given his marching orders back in Round 2 for a high tackle.

Gorden Tallis and Nathan Hindmarsh had differing opinions on the decision to send Brown off.

“I know he has just come to the club. It was probably a silly play. He was third man out and comes in and I love aggression, but get your target right,” Tallis said.

“He hits him in the head and he races out to get him.”

“I don’t think it was a send-off,” Hindmarsh said.

“Yeah he got his target wrong, but I don’t think it was a send-off.

“His arm wraps around. I know it hits him in the head, but I don’t think it is a send-off.”

Remarkably, there would be two in two nights, when Titans star Mo Fotuaika was sent off for a high shot on Warriors fullback Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad on Friday night.

“I think it was a send off, they got it right,” Matty Johns said on the Fotuaika tackle on Sunday Night with Matty Johns.

You’d think send offs would result in substantial time on the sideline through suspension, however Brown and Fotuaika were only given one game bans.

Interestingly, Rabbitohs forward Tom Burgess was only sin binned for a similar-looking shot on Sharks reserve Tom Hazelton but was given a three-game suspension.

It caused Fox League commentator Warren Smith to question the lack of consistency from the on-field referees and the Bunker.

“3 game suspension for Tom Burgess with an early plea for the tackle on Hazelton,” a tweet from Smith read.

“So, with two direct comparisons in the preceding 48 hours, both of which were sent off, what happened in the bunker in the Souths-Sharks game that made them decide Burgess was a sin bin only?”

Despite the sharp uptick in send offs in Round 23, the NRL stressed there has been no crackdown enforced, with football boss Graham Annesley blaming the players’ lack of discipline.

“There has been no instructions given to the referees that are different to any other week.” Annesley told The Daily Telegraph.

“While I can’t talk about the players that have been charged, certainly the game on Thursday night and the Titans and Warriors game they were extremely difficult to referee,” Annesley said.

“There was an intense lack of discipline by the teams involved and that is going to require the intervention of the referee more than normal. It was a consequence of the way those games unfolded.”

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!

PAPENHUYZEN COULD SOLVE STORM SELECTION HEADACHE

Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen could return to the NRL as soon as Sunday to solve Craig Bellamy’s injury headache ahead of finals.

Papenhuyzen played his first game in over 12 months on Saturday, returning from a fractured kneecap in the Queensland Cup for the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

The 25-year-old fullback got through unscathed, playing 60 minutes and looking dangerous with the ball in hand.

Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was a late scratching against the Panthers last Friday night and could be out for several weeks with an ankle injury.

Xavier Coates was also ruled out late against Penrith with illness and George Jennings filled in for him but went down in the game with an MCL injury.

It means Bellamy has at least one hole to fill in his backline and potentially two after young gun Jonah Pezet struggled in Hughes’ shoes.

It means Nick Meaney will likely move from fullback to the wing, or into the halves, which opens the door for Papenhuyzen to slot back into his No. 1 jersey against the Raiders on Sunday.

“There’s no pressure for Papenhuyzen to come back and play for the Melbourne Storm at the moment,” Corey Parker said on Fox League.

“But mark my words if he comes back against the Ipswich Jets and gets through that unscathed and is able to play again next week and all of a sudden he’s got two or three games under his belt before playing for the Melbourne Storm, with no Xavier Coates, and if he’s in good form he’s go straight back into the fullback jersey and Nick Meaney probably slots out onto the wing,”

“But Jahrome Hughes is the key, if he’s not able to play over the next few weeks. Pezet does a job but he’s no Jahrome Hughes and he is a few weeks out with that ankle injury – they could be in a spot of bother.”

But Storm legend Cooper Cronk believes the club will take the conservative approach with Papenhuyzen.

“He’s moving well, for a guy that hasn’t played in over 12 months, he looked like the Papenhuyzen of old,” Cronk said.

“He blew off some of the rust and it’s great for the Melbourne Storm. Let’s see what he can do because I imagine the Melbourne Storm will put a program of another couple of games (in the Queensland Cup) before even considering it.”

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga thinks Papenhuyzen has “put a bit of weight” and wants to see the gun No. 1 back in the NRL as soon as possible.

“It’s great for the game, we all want to see our heroes get back on the footy field,” Meninga said.

“He’s gone through a tough time so I just hope that he continues to build and then gets an opportunity to play in the NRL again soon because he’s an excitement machine and everyone loves him.”

MORE NRL NEWS

HEADED WEST: State of Origin set to return to Perth in 2025 and 2028

WHISPERS: Tigers set to sign Dragons half on $2.2m four-year deal pending medical

‘DECISION TIME’: JD throws down gauntlet after shock loss derails Souths’ finals tilt

PANTHERS ‘JUGGERNAUT’ ROLLS ON

It just feels repetitive to say now, but the Panthers may have fired their most dangerous warning shot to rivals this season on Friday night, dismantling the Storm 26-6.

For a team boasting the likes of Harry Grant and Cam Munster, the Storm weren’t able to fire a shot at Penrith’s suffocating defence.

On top of their excellent defence, the Panthers attack is going from strength to strength since the return of Nathan Cleary three weeks ago, averaging over 34 points in that span.

As Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson noted, the Panthers have had one defeat in the past four months and that was a golden point loss at the hands of the Cowboys despite missing their Origin stars.

“Defensively they are elite, the attack can be loud or in your face or it can be quiet like an assassin,” Sampson said.

“There is more light and shade to these Panthers than in the previous two years which ended with a trophy in their leagues club.”

Michael Ennis gushed about the “brilliant” Panthers and was unable to find a fault.

“There are just so ruthless in all areas of the game, but defensively it has just been phenomenal. Sides cannot break them down,” Ennis said.

“They are such a brilliant side to watch… they are so well connected.”

We’ve seen it a number of times over the past few seasons, but in 2023, plenty of Penrith’s second string players have had to stand up when thrust into starting roles.

Corey Parker said they’ll only get stronger with the likes of the injured Izack Tago and Spencer Leniu still to return.

“You go through their team, Zac Hosking was playing in the centres, Lindsay Smith was starting prop, Scott Sorensen is in the back row, Matt Eisenhuth, Jaeman Salmon,” Parker said.

“These are names that aren’t jumping off the page however they all have great accountability for their own role, they all have pride in what they are doing, systematically the system stands up under pressure and that’s the key there.

“It doesn’t matter who comes into the role…the juggernaut keeps going.

James Graham added: “You talk about their impressively stats lately, let’s not forget they are impacted by Origin more than any other team in this competition.”

NO REYNOLDS, NO PROBLEM FOR BRONCOS

The Broncos lost their skipper and “the smartest player in the competition” but it mattered little as they all but locked up a top-two finish with a statement victory over the Cowboys.

Adam Reynolds was scratched following the captain’s run on Friday due to groin tightness, but Brisbane still piled on five tries without their star halfback in the 30-14 win.

The Broncos have locked in their first top-four finish since 2017 and will finish the regular season against the Eels, bye, Raiders and Storm.

“Huge performance from the Brisbane Broncos, Penrith made a statement on Friday night with their win over the Melbourne Storm and the Broncos have done exactly the same thing,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.

“No Adam Reynolds but they go up there and give away a lot of penalties, a lot of errors and attacking ball to the Cowboys, who should have won the game, but their goal line stood strong.

“They were resilient then they still had the energy to go down the other end and have the hammer blow score points.

“Kevin Walters knows he’s got a very, very good team on his hands. Powerful, strong, athletic, swagger and confidence.

“And they did this without the smartest player in the competition in Adam Reynolds. He would just be sitting back saying this is a great team that I can just add the cherries on top with.

“When Kevin Walters asked his players to stand up – they absolutely did that. As usual the best one-two punch in the game, Haas and Carrigan, did their thing.”

Mal Meninga added: “And a fit side, Cooper. To withstand all those errors and tackles under pressure, particularly in the second half, I feel they’re right up the top and are going to push for a grand final appearance this year. Their back five were excellent, their forwards were excellent, they all ran over 100 metres.”

OFT-INJURED CENTRE STARS AS ROOSTERS ATTEMPT LATE FINALS CHARGE

The Roosters kept their slim finals hopes alive with a 26-16 win over Manly, building their victory on a starring display from their back five.

Much-maligned winger Joseph Suaalii was terrific for the Roosters (205 metres), with plenty of tough hit up from his own half to get his side on the front foot.

Centre Billy Smith also handed in his best performance of the season, and is repaying the club’s faith in him after a tough period with injury.

Smith scored his second try in as many weeks, but helped his side in many ways against Manly.

Smith ran for 123 metres off 11 runs, recorded six tackle busts, three offloads, two line break assists and a try assist. He was strong defensively as well.

“I thought Billy Smith was really strong,” Fletcher said.

“That was Billy Smith’s best game for a couple of seasons,” Johns agreed.

“He has had a wretched run with injury, but he was very good.”

Fletcher believes Manly are fading at the wrong end of the year, while the Roosters can emulate their run to the finals last season with a late charge for September.

“The score probably flattered the Sea Eagles because they weren’t in this contest at all,” Fletcher said.

“They look a bit flat for my liking Manly the last couple of weeks. They fell away in the second half against the Sharks.

“But the Chooks are still alive. Four more games by my calculations gets them on 32 points and with a good for and against they maybe sneak into the finals.”

“If they go three from three guess who they have got last round? The Bunnies.” Johns said.

PONGA STARS AS KNIGHTS SURGE INTO TOP EIGHT WITH FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN

The Knights are one of the form teams in the competition after storming home to their fifth win in a row in a 30-28 thriller over the Dolphins and Kalyn Ponga was again the key man.

Ponga is in the midst of one of the best patches of form in his career at club level and finished with 149 metres, five tackle busts, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists, two try assists, a try and five goals in a 14-point haul.

Cooper Cronk believes the game could have gone either way until Ponga stepped up to ice the contest with a try assist for Greg Marzhew out of nowhere.

“The Knights were winning 24-22 and with 10 minutes to go Greg Marzhew scores, but have a look at the work of Kalyn Ponga,” Cronk said.

“The gun player he just targets Valynce Te Whare, who misses the tackle and Ponga gets through the back field and puts big Marzhew over.

“That was absolutely the turning point because it was up and back, to-and-fro and Kalyn Ponga the best player on the field just went bang and put the game out of reach.”

The Dolphins missed out on making Ponga their marquee signing and Mal Meninga believes Ponga’s class was the difference as he haunted the team he snubbed to re-sign with Newcastle.

“The Knights had to work for their pay tonight, they were down at halftime and I think again Kalyn was the difference,” Meninga said.

“Every time he touched the ball he was dangerous. I think Jackson Hastings had another good game and they are into the top eight now.”

The Dolphins were brave in defeat as they have been all year, but Cronk believes Ponga made their right edge pay for some poor defensive lapses and Newcastle are now on track for a stunning finals berth.

“Both teams had opportunities to win it, but ultimately it came down to the star power of Kalyn Ponga,” Cronk said.

“The right edge of the Dolphins cost them dearly. Ponga’s footwork and speed again just hit the scoreboard with two try assists and one try himself.

“That is five wins in a row for the Newcastle Knights. They weren’t at their best but they got the job done and they are into sixth. That’s a hell of a performance.”

SOUTHS’ SEASON AT CROSSROADS AS ATTITUDE QUESTIONED

The Rabbitohs are in danger of missing the finals after a poor attitude all but ended their top four hopes in a convincing 26-16 loss to the Sharks.

Mal Meninga believes Souths were out-enthused by the Sharks and called on their spine to step up in order to save their season.

“I just think it is an attitude thing to be brutally honest,” Meninga said.

“They were outworked in the first half by the Sharks. Cronulla had a better temperament. They were more composed. They just played better football.

“Souths’ big four in their spine didn’t quite get into the game. Latrell was OK, but Cody Walker made no runs in the first half. Damien Cook made one run.

“Lachlan Ilias made a lot of missed tackles tonight. That spine didn’t function well enough, particularly in the first half. They have got a fair bit of work to do.”

Cooper Cronk believes Souths need to get back to showing more commitment in defence, which had them at the top of the ladder before the Origin period.

“I think it is more a mindset thing that needs to shift for Souths because 10 weeks ago they were top of the ladder and absolutely flying,” Cronk said.

“A few things have happened. They lost Latrell for a period of time through injury through Origin and that has played its part.

“But playing football is like riding a bike and sometimes you forget how to play.

“Their senior players and Jason Demetriou need to work out the best way to get back to doing the things that help South Sydney play their best.

“From an outsider looking in it has got to be defence because when they are eager to tackle and scratching and clawing and fighting for everything, it seems their attack falls into place off the back of that.

“But when they start shifting the ball and looking for points, they lose that killer instinct that it takes to defend their line for long periods of time, so that is where it starts.”

Souths face the Dragons and the in-form Knights before a bye and their Round 27 clash with arch rivals the Roosters could decide which of the two clubs are going to the finals.

EELS ‘NEED TO BE BETTER’ TO NAB TOP EIGHT SPOT

A couple of rugby league greats believe the Eels have got to be better if they are any chance to sneak into the top eight and play finals footy.

Parramatta scored a much needed win against the Dragons on Sunday, despite some controversy, and now find themselves in ninth position on the ladder, tied on 26 points with the eighth-placed Rabbitohs and tenth-placed Cowboys.

With four rounds left, 30 points may be enough to finish in the eight, but it would be tempting fate whereas 32 points should ensure a team a spot in the finals.

That means the Eels will need to win two of their last three games before a final round bye.

Unfortunately, Parramatta have a stiff run home, with games against the top two sides in Brisbane and Penrith as well as a date with the talented Roosters, who will need to win out to be any hope.

While earning a win against the 16th-placed Dragons, it was much closer than most anticipated, and they needed to come back from 10 points down in the second half.

Braith Anasta and Greg Alexander says simply put, the Eels will need to improve sharply on their current form.

“They’ll need to be better. That’s a win, you tick it, move on and they remain in the hunt, their season is still alive which is the main thing but they still need to be better,” Anasta said post-game.

“They’ve got a bye coming up but if they play that way they won’t beat the Broncos, they might not beat the Roosters and they won’t beat the Panthers away either,” Alexander said.

“That’s what they face. They have the toughest draw out of any of the sides trying to find a spot in the bottom half of the eight.”

Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh also has his doubts on his former side, but was pleased to see them get the two points.

“They have a hard run home…so this is the one they needed to get,” Hindmarsh said.

“I would have liked them to score more points as for and against will be an issue for them at the back end of the season.

“They were up 10-0 early, they got a little bit comfortable, a little bit complacent, Dragons put a little bit of pressure on them, and they crumbled under that pressure but found a way.”