Key posts
Vote now – who will win?
Almost … almost … almost
So much for that early praise for Isaiah Iongi. He’s just spilled the ball with the line open. It wasn’t an easy pass to catch, but it should have been reeled in and the scores should be level.
There was some great work from Dylan Brown and Josh Addo-Carr in the lead-up to Iongi’s fumble.
Also, let’s be clear, Iongi’s mess-up was nowhere near as bad as Jaydn S’uA’s effort at Magic Round. Dolphins lead 6-0 after 24 minutes
Tupou’s raw honesty
No, not Roosters winger Daniel Tupou. It’s the hulking Waratahs and Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou we’re talking about here. For those not up to speed with rugby, the big fella hasn’t been in the best of form of late. He sat down with the Herald’s Jonathan Drennan this week and delivered some of the most honest self-appraisal you’re likely to come across. Even if you aren’t a Wallabies fan, give this a read and I’m sure you’ll become a Taniela Tupou fan.
Waratahs prop Taniela Tupou.
Katoa stumps Eels as Bostock scores
Excellent work there from Isaiya Katoa. He got the entire Eels right-edge defence out of kilter by faking an inside pass and then getting the ball to the outside. With Parra out of alignment, a crisp few passes ends with Jack Boston getting an unimpeded run to the line. Dolphins lead 6-0 after 13 minutes
Jack Bostock takes on the Eels defence.Credit: Getty Images
Penisini off for a HIA
After getting his head into the wrong spot when attempting a tackle and copping the hip of Herbie Farnworth, Eels centre Will Penisini is off for a HIA. Whether he returns will be determined by medical staff. 0-0 after 11 minutes
Strong work from Iongi
The Eels fullback has been imperious in the way he dealt with a couple of early bombs from the Dolphins kicker. The ex-Panther will be feeling good about himself. 0-0 after five minutes
Excitement over the Bears was evident on both coasts
Red v Blue: with not as much on the line
The red side of Australian politics (Labor) dished out a hiding to the team in blue (Liberal/National) last Saturday. Will tonight’s red team show the blue-tones Eels as little mercy?
Game time nears
Rival coaches Jason Ryles and Kristian Woolf have supplied their final instructions, the players have told each other that tonight is going to be their night and all is at the ready. We aren’t expecting a bumper crowd, so maybe the Eels will have to create some atmosphere of their own. While everyone is so down on them, a win tonight will put them above the Dolphins on the ladder.
Watch out for Mitchell Moses as he tries to play his way into a NSW jersey for the upcoming Origin series.
Ageing warriors still pack a punch
The rival No.10s in tonight’s match have enjoyed wonderful careers in the NRL. Between them, Junior Paulo and Felise Kaufusi have played 461 NRL matches. In those matches, there have been thousands of hit-ups, just as many tackles and many a bruise dished out and received. Here’s hoping both men finish their fine careers on their own terms. It’s the least they deserve.
Junior Paulo in action for the Eels at Magic Round.Credit: Getty Images
Katoa proves it’s hip to be square
Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa is becoming a top-line NRL halfback before our very eyes. His skills, and smarts, are developing so quickly, that Andrew Johns has already labelled him a NSW halfback in the making. Katoa’s ability to play square to the line (where the halfback runs straight ahead rather than drifting across the field) is key to his success. Johns had the following to say last month:
You’re attracting defenders to hit you, and it’s usually big forwards, to make space for your outside men. You’re encouraging those big boys to come and get you, but Isaiya Katoa plays squarer than any playmaker in the game.
Isaiya Katoa in action for the Dolphins.Credit: Getty Images
