Kiwi NRL Stocks Round 25
Stocks Up
Jordan Kahu - Another solid performance from Kahu who is only strengthening his case for inclusion in the Kiwis squad for the end of season tour to England. Two tries and a handful of tackle busts for the Broncos winger.
Kodi Nikorima - We will probably see Nikorima's minutes decrease a bit during the finals and he only played 17 minutes against the Rabbitohs, but Nikorima offers Wayne Bennett something slightly different to Andrew McCullough. He's a livewire and that could come in handy in the big games, with Nikorima running for 42 metres off two carries which came off the back of two tackle busts.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - 239 metres, three try assists, 10 tackle busts and two off-loads #Standard.
Siua Taukeiaho - Strangely enough, Taukeiaho didn't register a tackle bust against Manly but I'm loving the amount of work that he is starting to get through. 53 minutes is a big shift for a bloke like Taukeiaho and he got more game time than all the Roosters forwards besides Aidan Guerra and Boyd Cordner who played the full 80.
Suaia Matagi - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' injury gives Matagi an opportunity Trent Robinson got great value out of Matagi against Manly. Matagi played 28 minutes and averaged 14 metres per carry.
Sosaia Feki - Showing what he can do when given a whole game to get busy, Feki scored a double and ran for 161 metres against the Eels. Feki also had the most carries of any outside back from either team with 14.
Curtis Rona - Got on the scoresheet yet again and ran for 214 metres, the most of any Bulldogs player which when you have David Klemmer taking 19 hit ups is quite some feat.
Storm Kiwis - There were only four forwards for the Storm who passed the 100 metre mark and they were all Kiwis with Jesse Bromwich returning to his standard output with 196 metres, in 65 minutes. Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor and Kenny Bromwich all had good games with Kenny getting a meat pie as well.
Ava Seumanufagai - Keith Galloway and Seumanufagai both came off the bench for the Tigers and put their starts to shame. Seumanufagai had 43 mintues, 16 carries, 146 metres and three tackle busts.
Agnatius Paasi - The Titans have endured a tough year but Paasi has found a home on the Gold Coast and has been a positive for the Titans this season. He got a try which was a nice reward for his toil, while also playing 80 minutes which saw him average 11.68 metres per carry - which when your making 16 carries, is a hefty effort.
Nathaniel Peteru - I would also like to point out the work of Peteru who joined the Titans halfway through the season from the Warriors and has been a solid pick up. He had good impact off the bench in their win over the Dragons with 28 minutes and 84 metres off eight carries.
Lewis Brown - Mr Fix It himself. Brown has been a standout performer for the Panthers all season. Against the Raiders, Brown did a great job at centre as he scored a try, ran for 145 metres and broke three tackles.
Stocks Down
Issac Luke - Another suspension means that whatever Luke did on the field becomes irrelevant as he won't be on the field next week. You're only useful as the second best hooker in the NRL if you are on the field.
Ligi Sao - Blake Leary's rise as a solid locking option for the Sea Eagles has seen Sao's minutes diminish and Sao couldn't help his Manly forward pack stop the Roosters from rolling forward.
Charlie Gubb - A dumb shoulder charge and three missed tackles see Gubb's stocks take ta dip.