Kiwi NRL Stocks Round 16
Stocks Up
Steve Matai - A typically brutish hit on David Tyrell, but Matai was also one of Manly's best against the Rabbitohs. He scored a try, ran for 163 metres and broke four tackles, don't sleep on Matai despite his age.
Joseph Tapine - Playing 66 minutes, Tapine showed what his ceiling could be with the big backrower looking comfortable out on the right edge against the Broncos. A big fend, some footwork and offloading ability to set up his outside me, Tapine looks the goods.
Adam Blair - Anytime Adam Blair gets close to 100 metres, let alone surpasses 100 metres is reason to rejoice. 140 bangers from Blair along with a couple offloads, nice.
Daniel Levi - Another Newcastle youngster with the kiwi connection who looks like he could be a key lad moving forward. He once again shared hooker duties with Tyler Randell but was once again one of the better players for the Knights and also got a meat pie.
Shaun Johnson - Despite scoring a try, setting one up and breaking eight tackles/ankles, Johnson's running metres makes for the best reading. 103 metres from a half is great work, especially when you're as good at running the footy as Johnson is.
Ben Matulino - 199 metres and four offloads, standard.
Charlie Gubb - Impact, Gubb definitely made an impact off the bench not only with a bunch of gritty tackles. He almost crossed the 100 metre mark with 94 running metres in only 27 minutes of action.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner - Oh you want efficiency? Three carries, nine minutes, three tackle busts and 53 metres.
Sam Tagataese - You could argue that Tagatese was responsible for the Sharks turning around their game against the Cowboys. In 31 minutes on the field he broke seven tackles and gave the Sharks a huge boost through the middle. Great signs from Tagatese who has had a quiet season to this point.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - 201 metres, eight tackles broke and a try assist, standard.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall - One of the best low key kiwi performers this season has been SKD and he ran for 159 metres from the wing, breaking as many tackles as RTS in the process.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - 169 metres, six tackle busts, one try assist, two offloads, one line break and two line break assists. Could DWZ find himself as the Panthers fullback long term if Matt Moylan can fill a halves spot? He's definitely good enough.
Dean Whare - In making Kyle Lovett look like a mug, Whare showed attributes of his that we probably overlook at times. He's quick and he's got great footwork.
Sam McKendry - 121 metres off the bench, I'd take that.
Jesse Bromwich - 180 metres against the Bulldogs is no easy task, only five Storm players passed 100 metres and only Felise Kaufusi did so as a forward. Bromwich and Matulino as the Kiwis props continues to look amazing.
Stocks Down
Issac Luke - He had a whole bunch of touches with 115 but only managed to run for 46 metres, albeit off four carries. Throw in 42 tackles and it's a great effort from Luke, but Souths need him to be running a lot more.
Jordan Kahu - You wouldn't have had the blame put on you if you didn't notice Kahu's presence on the field, he was strangely quiet with only five carries. He showed us a glimpse of his class though with a nice pass to Corey Oates along with an offload in those five carries.
Frank Paul-Nuuausala - Unlike his opponents, FPN couldn't add much impact off the bench for the Warriors and as has been the case all season, Raiders fans must surely want a bit more from FPN.
Jordan Rapana - Another injury and the appearance of Joey Leilua, things don't look too good for Rapana.
Sosaia Feki - It looks like the plan to bring Ben Barba on for Feki will continue, as it did against the Cowboys, putting Feki in a tough spot. Especially when he's running for 86 metres in 46 minutes, he deserves to be on the field.
Benji Marshall - Three errors and another relatively poor effort from Benji, will this be a constant or is it just a phase?
Sam Moa - He's doing his job for the Roosters, but I'd love to see more from Moa than 32 minutes and 48 running metres.
Martin Taupau - When you're breaking five tackles in 64 minutes of footy, you should be running for more than 74 metres with more touches of the ball. Only Aaron Woods passed 100 running metres and against a Panthers forward pack who aren't renowned as being beastly, Taupau needed to put his pack on his back.
Lewis Brown - Rumours have been swirling about a move to the Sea Eagles and it's hard to see where Brown's niche is with the Panthers. He only got through 30 minutes and with Tyrone Peachey probably possessing more talent, Brown's future is uncertain.
Curtis Rona - He didn't score!? Wtf, terrible.
Sam Kasiano - Another confusing game for Kasiano, only 30 odd minutes and nine touches. He's a beast and undoubtedly he's doing what Des Hasler requires of him, but damn.
Tohu Harris + Kevin Proctor - The Storm's kiwi backrowers were outplayed by their backrower opponents Shaun Lane and Frank Pritchard for the Bulldogs.