Kiwi NRL Stocks Round 20
Stocks Up
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - Besides his standard plethora of run metres and tackle busts (196m, four tackle busts, one offload and one line break) I'm gonna give RTS' stocks a rise thanks to the fact that he didn't make a tackle! Good effort.
Siosiua Taukeiaho - Another barnstorming effort from one of my top five favourite players of 2015. In 40 minutes, Taukeiaho ran for 175 metres which is more than any Tigers player, this guy goes good.
Broncos Kiwi Crew - This crew is going so well that they all deserve a raise in stocks - Alex Glenn, Kodi Nikorima, Jordan Kahu and Adam Blair have been instrumental in the success of the Broncos this season and they were all at it again in a big win over the Tigers. Nikorima and Glenn both got tries, so big up big up to them as well. Also, Blair sees his stocks go up as he looks likely to miss two weeks for his shoulder charge on Kane Elgey which would usually see your stocks slide (see Taupau). However, the Broncos are sitting pretty at the top and Blair has been in great form so this won't have much of an impact on Blair or the Broncs.
Eddy Pettybourne - What's if I told you that Pettybourne has arguably been the Titans' best player this season? I reckon I could make a pretty strong case given that every game has seen him churn out good numbers and he's been a consistent selection throughout the season. In a big loss to the Broncos, Pettybourne again crossed the 100 metre mark and threw himself around.
Peta Hiku - After a lacklustre return to the NRL last week, Hiku was back to his usual antics with a big game against his former club. Hiku, along with Jorge Taufua, Jake Trbojevic and Josh Starling ran for more metres than any Warrior and Hiku also notched four tackle busts.
Albert Vete - A Tongan rep who could find himself playing for the Kiwis should the stars align/should he wish to, Vete was the Warriors best player in a stinker of a loss to Manly.
Storm Kiwi Crew - Once again the Storm's Kiwi Crew get the group shout out here but this is headlined by the return of Matt Duffie. The Duff-man looked to fit seamlessly into the Storm starting side and actually had the most offloads of any Storm player while being safe under the high ball as usual. Tohu Harris again showed that he can do everything and had two try assists, while Jesse Bromwich ran for 159 metres, Kenny Bromwich was solid and Nelson Asofa-Solomona got a meat pie.
Issac Luke - The Rabbitohs automatically look better with Luke in the side and with 115 metres, two try assist, two tackle busts and 24 tackles it's easy to see why.
Jordan Rapana - A double for the Rap as his underrated-ness continues to ... umm, well he's bloody good. Five tackle busts from a winger? C'mon now.
Elijah Taylor - Another massive game from Taylor who stayed on the park for 80 minutes and churned his way through 58 tackles.
Ricky Leutele - Gifted with quick feet and a decent frame, Leutele has consistently been a shining light for the Sharks and repeated the dose against the Bulldogs with 118 metres and three tackle busts.
Cowboys Kiwi Crew - The Cowboys are another team with a bunch of Kiwis who are hugely important to their team's success. Jason Taumalolo got two tries while Mathew Wright and Antonio Winterstein also bagged a try each as they all surpassed 100 metres with ease. John Asiata was also impressive again with 81 metres off the bench in 29 minutes. That rotation of Taumalolo and Asiata is low key fun to watch.
Manu Ma'u - The Eels have sucked for much of 2015 but that doesn't mean that Ma'u can't be celebrated. In a loosing effort Manu made 107 metres, 28 tackles and had three tackle busts.
Stocks Down
Martin Taupau - Ka-pow suffered from a bit of a brain snap and if the Wests Tigers chances of making the top eight were slim before round 20, they are now bordering on impossible as Taupau will miss three weeks. Brain snaps never work out well for your stocks.
Manaia Cherrington - He didn't do a whole lot against the Roosters and with Robbie Farah returning to the Tigers side, Cherrington probably won't feature much for the remainder of the year. I'd love to see him keep a bench spot, but we all know that Farah runs the show.
Agnatius Paasi - 13 missed tackles is never, ever going to be good. Shit the bed, 13!?
Shaun Johnson - Bye bye.
Sam Rapira - Unfortunately for Rapira the only thing we have learned about him this season is that the NRL has flown past him.
Daniel Levi - I'd be picking Levi in every game for the rest of the season but it looks as though the Knights don't agree.
Dean Whare - A broken thumb for Whare means that his impressive season looks to be coming to an end as the Panthers will struggle with a growing/never ending injury toll.
Curtis Rona - No try!? Five runs and nine touches, stocks down.