Kiwi NRL Stocks Round 18
Stocks Up
Jordan Rapana - It remains to be seen whether Rapana will hold his wing spot with Joey Leilua now a Raider, but with Leilua unable to play against his former team, Rapana once again made a strong case to Ricky Stuart with another impressive display. With six tackle busts, 101 metres made and a try assist against the Knights, Rapana continues to be one of the most underrated kiwis in the NRL.
Joseph Tapine - Moving into the starting side and playing 80 minutes, Tapine put together his best display in the NRL as his Knights were blown away by the Raiders. Tapine didn't miss a tackle, made 42 tackles and had the most one on one tackles of any Knight with three, he also ran for 100 metres and broke three tackles while also getting what appears to be a mandatory offload out as well. With the Knights' hopes of success this season quickly diminishing, Tapine could find himself getting more and more game time.
Elijah Taylor - I don't think there is a better kiwi workhorse than Taylor and in a loosing effort against the Roosters Taylor made 55 tackles. He didn't do much else but 55 tackles is a reasonably contribution.
Lewis Brown - Coming off the bench and playing 57 minutes, making six tackle busts, running for 107 metres off 10 carries while also managing and offload and a line break is what Lewis Brown does.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - He didn't pass the 200 metre mark but it was another stellar performance from RTS in the Roosters win over the Panthers. He ran for 177 metres, broke four tackles, had a line break as well as a line break assist, if you're still unsure about the quality of RTS, you're crazy.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - Up and down could describe JWH's season so far but he put in a barnstorming effort against the Panthers with 144 metres, four tackle busts and three offloads as well as a rare offload.
Siosiua Taukeiaho - I don't think there has been a rookie who has seen his stocks rise as much as Taukeiaho's. Moved to the starting line up, Taukeiaho got through plenty of work on defence with 42 tackles while also managing 125 metres which came at an average of 11.36 metres per carry. Throw in two tackle busts and two offloads and boom goes the dynamite.
Adam Blair - Stepping up when needed, Blair put in his best game of the season against the Bulldogs which was reflecting by his Broncos team mates. He's not a noted carrier of the footy with much of his work coming in the little details that coaches love, but Blair got through 138 metres carrying the footy as well as a tackle bust, offload and line break.
Shaun Johnson - I wasn't sure whether Johnson could find the balance of dazzling ball running and controlling half-play, but we're starting to see Johnson put together complete performances. His kicking game against the Storm was composed while with the ball in hand he ran for 137 metres and broke six tackles along with a try assist, line break assist and two line breaks. He's starting to rival the game's premier halves.
Bodene Thompson - A low key but consistent player on the Warriors' right edge, Thompson was strong carrying the footy and had five tackle busts while also making 42 tackles. The gap between his best and worst games is minimal which is perfectly suited to the needs of the Warriors.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona - Kiwis got a nice close look at this behemoth from Wellington and in 30 minutes against the Warriors he was nothing short of destructive.
Sosaia Feki - After a few weeks which saw Feki make way for Ben Barba, Feki this week showed that he more than deserves to play each and every game on the wing for the Sharks. Feki ran for 141 metres, broke five tackles had a try assist while also chucking an offload and a line break in there for good measure. We're hoping that Michael Gordon will again make way for Barba this week against the Raiders.
Nathaniel Peteru - On debut with the Gold Coast Titans, Peteru scored a try and looked solid carting the ball forward. He's been named on the bench again this week and we could see an improvement on his 22 minutes from Monday night.
Eddy Pettybourne - When you're the only forward in your team who runs for more than 100 metres (154 metres) you generally stand out.
Steve Matai - Anyone who thought Matai's production would fall away as he gets on in age was foolish - Matai's still one of the best in the business. Running for 130 metres against the Titans, Matai filled out the stat-sheet with a try assist, three tackle busts, an offload and a line break.
Ligi Sao - Starting at lock was something a bit different for Sao but he showed that he's mobile enough to do so, which could come in handy should Dunamis Lui get injured or leave Manly. He only played 34 minutes, but had eight carries for 90 metres and got through his defensive duties admirably.
Stocks Down
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - Just a blip on the radar for DWZ as he was overshadowed by his opposite RTS.
Sika Manu - Consistent playing time isn't coming Manu's way and there's an offer from the Cronulla Sharks to consider as well. The Sharks have a long list of forwards so I don't really see how a move there would help him, but that may be all he has.
Greg Eastwood - At some stage the Doggies are going to need more from Eastwood and against the Broncos he was only able to touch the ball seven times in 42 minutes while not doing much in the way of offering a threat.
Mark Ioane - In 37 minutes some players get close or pass 100 metres and it looks like the honeymoon stage is over for Ioane at the Dragons. He only had three carries and with the Dragons getting a few forwards back, Ioane could find himself in the NSW Cup.
Agnatius Paasi - Having been shifted out to the edge recently, Paasi wasn't quite at his best against Manly and missed four tackles in 55 minutes. Greg Bird and Dave Taylor's return to the starting line up this weekend push Paasi back to the bench which could be a blessing in disguise.