Kiwi NRL Stocks Round 9
James Fisher-Harris doing a spot of modeling, what a star.
Stocks Up
Jordan Kahu: Despite being versatile and capable of covering a number of positions well, Kahu has settled back into his role as a winger very well. Kahu has been on the wing for a few weeks now with Jack Reed returning to centre and Kahu was his typically solid self as he made 134m with 2 tackle busts and an offload as well.
Kodi Nikorima: Andrew McCullough went off injured fairly early against the Rabbitohs, which is great news for Nikorima who came on to play 56 minutes. In that time, Nikorima scored a slick try off the back of a scrum and we can now look forward to Nikorima starting at dummy half this weekend. Peep this opportunity for Nikorima, he's consistently come off the bench in his NRL career so it's going to be interesting to see him play a few more minutes.
Herman Ese'ese: The Mangere East junior joined the Broncos from the Bulldogs to train over summer after being stood down by the Doggies for a drink-driving charge. Ese'ese must have impressed the right people in Brisbane as he got a run off the bench against the Rabbits, playing 22 minutes.
Leivaha Pulu: Gold Coast are getting great value out of Pulu and he came off the bench for 31 minutes to averaged over 10m per-carry and make a tackle bust as well as an offload.
Jordan Rapana: 4 tries in a big win over Wests Tigers for Rapana who continues to make waves as one of the most low key wingers in the NRL. Rapana filled out the stats as well with 181m, a try assist, 6 tackle busts and 5 line breaks and he took the most carries of any winger/centre in this game.
Joe Tapine: He wasn't really required for much action, however Tapine once again showed what a powerhouse he is through the middle. Tapine played 10 minutes and made 52m off 4 carries with a tackle bust, if you're looking for a young kiwi to follow as they make their mark on the NRL, make sure you catch Tapine's games.
Jason Taumalolo: I reckon the Kiwis have the best prop in the game and the best 'lock' as well because all Taumalolo does it put beastly numbers on the board. In only 44 minutes, Taumalolo ran for 162m off 17 carries with 4 tackle busts and an offload, which puts Tepai Moeroa's 39 minutes for 39m in the shade (Taumalolo also gave him a whack for his troubles). Taumalolo's work-rate is the most impressive aspect as his 17 carries was the most of any Cowboys player and he's consistently taking plenty of carries, scary when you consider he's averaging around 10m per-carry.
Manu Ma'u: The Eels' forward pack were dominated by the Cowboys forward, however Ma'u still managed to impact the game and he was once again the Eels' best forward. Ma'u was the only Eels forward to play 80 minutes and he made 127m with a tackle bust and 2 offloads.
Kenny Edwards: Only two Eels forwards ran for 100m, one was Ma'u and the other was Edwards who came off the bench for 52 minutes and provided plenty of punch with 100m off 11 carries along with 2 tackle busts.
Kieran Foran: It's been quite enjoyable watching Foran step into a leadership role with the Eels and his play on the park is reflecting that. What stood out this week was Foran's running which has been a staple of his fine efforts this season and throughout his career as he ran 7 times for 78m against the Cowboys with 2 tackle busts and a line break. Foran isn't the quickest, nor does he have the stepping ability of a Shaun Johnson, Foran is a lot more effective running the footy right now though.
James Fisher-Harris: Easily my favourite performance of the weekend and a breakout effort of epic proportions from Northland's Fisher-Harris. 2 very impressive tries that showcased his athletic ability, which came with more minutes off the bench for Fisher-Harris. 54 minutes saw him make 136m with 6 tackle busts, an offload and a line break. The Panthers forward pack does need a bit of size and mongrel, which Fisher-Harris has now shown he offers in spades and I'm very excited to see our young kiwi forward form a dangerous trio with Lelani Latu and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Sosaia Feki: The Aussies all love Valentine Holmes and completely ignore Aucklander Feki who is one of my low key favourite players. Feki had 15 carries for 132m with a tackle bust and I pledge an oath of appreciation, to always appreciate Feki's work over that of Holmes'.
David Bhana: 40 minutes in the middle of the park for the Knights and the Bhana also showed some attacking impetus as he ran for 51m off 7 carries along with a cheeky line break assist. While the Knights aren't very good, it's fun to see Bhana building into his NRL career and we'll see the benefits of this in the coming seasons.
Danny Levi: Another low key kiwi lad you need to keep an eye on, Levi played the full 80 against Manly and showed his dynamic running game throughout those 80 minutes with 72m coming off 7 carries. Levi also made a tackle bust and made 47 tackles, showing that he's capable of the NRL's tough stuff to go along with his flair.
Steve Matai/Martin Taupau/Addin Fonua-Blake: Manly enjoyed strong contributions from their kiwi lads against Newcastle with Matai running for 129m to go with a try assist, 2 tackle busts, an offload and a line break assist while Taupau ran 128m with 2 tackle busts and 2 offloads. Fonua-Blake continues to impress, adding some punch off the bench with 77m, a tackle bust and an offload.
Jason Nightingale/Kalifa Faifai Loa: The Dragons are rollin' deep with two kiwi wingers, who both scored against the Roosters and both ran for over 100m. Nightingale and Faifai Loa combined for 250m and 6 tackle busts, offering plenty of low key go forward.
Leeson Ah Mau/Russell Packer: If I recall correctly, I kept saying that when Ah Mau and Packer start contributing to the Dragons' efforts, the Dragons would likely win. Ah Mau ran for 114m and was back at his best with 4 tackle busts thanks to some nifty footwork while Packer only had 5 carries but averaged 10.6m per-carry off the bench. That's the oomph the Dragons need, along with those two kiwi wingers.
Taane Milne: A debut for the former Roosters Under-20s centre Milne after his move to the Dragons. Milne was steady as he came on at centre and made 40m with a tackle busts and an offload.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Business as usual for SKD, despite a move to centre as he had 17 carries for 139m with 3 tackle busts and 3 offloads. I don't know how SKD does it.
Melbourne Storm Kiwis Gang: Huge numbers for our Storm crew who ran rampant over the Warriors, never sleep on how good these guys are...
Jesse Bromwich: 49 mins, 12 carries, 112m, 1 try assist, 2 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 1 line break, 1 line break assist.
Kevin Proctor: 65 mins, 13 carries, 100m.
Tohu Harris: 80 mins, 20 carries, 183m, 3 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 1 line break.
Kenny Bromwich: 39 mins, 14 carries, 120m, 1 tackle bust, 1 offload.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona: 27 mins, 9 carries, 105m, 1 tackle bust.
David Fusitua: The one bright spot for the Warriors was Fusitua, who shifted to fullback and showed that he's a more than capable fill in at fullback. Fusitua is huge, which helps him take tough carries with ease and after putting 138m with 3 tackle busts on the board this week, I'm keen to see how he goes with a week of preparation.
Stocks Down
Peni Terepo: It's always a shame when I celebrate a player one week and then he can't quite maintain his production the next week, such is life for Terepo. Terepo should have got more minutes than his 36 minutes off the bench as he's a powerhouse, he did manage 2 errors in those 36 minutes though which wouldn't have impressed Brad Arthur.
Te Maire Martin: Horrible news for the young kiwi half, out for the season with a shoulder injury just as he was getting comfy at the NRL level. It's not the worst news for the Panthers as Peter Wallace will slot back into the halves with James Segeyaro returning, for Martin though this is the first setback of his NRL career. Here's hoping that Martin's comparisons to Benji Marshall don't venture down the injury route as Marshall had shoulder issues throughout his younger years in the NRL.
Simon Mannering/Tuimoala Lolohea: Two big injuries for the Warriors with Mannering suffering a yucky facial injury while Lolohea injured his knee, just like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Both would have been in the mix for the Kiwis squad to face the Kangaroos, unfortunately these injuries came at a rather shitty time.