Round 16 in the NRL saw a gang of different stars align to provide us with an incredibly funky weekend of #KiwiNRL footy. The June 30 transfer deadline saw a couple of #KiwiNRL transfers, thanks to the abundance of representative footy and player transfers that happened prior to round 16, we had #KiwiNRL debuts and other opportunities and there were also unfortunate injuries - which still somehow resulted with some positive #KiwiNRL funk.

#KiwiNRL Debuts:

Sitili Tupouniua came off the bench for the Roosters, playing as a middle forward. Tupouniua is a Marist Saints junior and 2017 Junior Kiwi. In the loss to Melbourne Storm, Tupouniua played 13 minutes with 4runs/22m.

Manase Fainu started at hooker for Manly Sea Eagles, playing 64 minutes in Manly's win over Penrith Panthers. Fainu had 4runs/37m, with 2 offloads and a rapid play-the-ball speed of just 2.15secs - the fastest of any Sea Eagles player in this game.

Fainu was also a 2017 Junior Kiwi and in round 16, five 2017 JK's played in the NRL; Fainu, Tupouniua, Moeaki Fotuiaka (Titans), Isaiah Papali'i (Warriors) and Reimis Smith (Bulldogs).

In 2016, Fainu was part of the Taurahere program run by New Zealand Rugby League and he is the first player from that 2016 group to crack NRL.

Fainu's Manly upset Penrith and Ofahiki Ogden made his NRL debut in the Bulldogs upset win over Newcastle Knights. I was super impressed with Ogden and his debut was the best of the three, playing 25mins with 6runs/62m and a 3.06sec/ptb which was second only to Josh Jackson of the Bulldogs big boppers.

Ogden is a Mangere East Hawks junior and after coming through the ranks primarily as an edge forward, was used as a middle forward for the Bulldogs. He's a big unit, more in terms of height than bulk and is light on his feet, a speed and footwork combo that should see him get many more opportunities for the Bulldogs off the bench this season.

Player Transfers:

Matt McIlwrick from Wests Tigers to South Sydney Rabbitohs. Basically a straight swap with Robbie Farah.

Albert Vete from Aotearoa Warriors to Melbourne Storm.

Things From Round 16:

Plenty happened in that Bulldogs vs Knights game. Reimis Smith scored a try and set up another with a delightful pass for Kerrod Holland, as well as getting another try assist. Smith had 10runs/124m, 2 line breaks and 3 tackle busts, looking at home in the NRL after making his debut a couple years back.

This game also saw Fa'amanu Brown get 14mins off the bench and Jeremy Marshall-King finally enjoyed some success in the halves for the Bulldogs, now joined by Lachlan Lewis. I low key like this halves combo and Marshall-King was busy running the footy with 11runs/76m, which is always a good sign.

The Bulldogs have scratched Kieran Foran for the season, now opening the door for Marshall-King and Lewis to settle into this combo. Bulldogs coach Dean Pay has chopped and changed his halves combo all season, now there may be some consistency and that'll benefit Marshall-King.

It was a stink game for the Knights, especially for the Greymouth geezer as he suffered what is likely to be his fourth major knee injury. Griffin had three major knee injuries with Melbourne Storm and everything was looking lovely; Grand Final win, new gig with Newcastle. Then another knee injury, Jah bless Griffin and hopefully we see him back in action some time soon.

That does however present a chance for Wellington's Danny Levi, who had to make way for Griffin. Levi stepped into dummy half for 47mins after Griffin's injury and should get the starting job now, with an opportunity to remind everyone what he's capable of.

Herman Ese'ese (Mangere East Hawks) vs Bulldogs: 63mins, 1 try, 17runs/158m, 1 line break, 5 tackle bust.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Upper Hutt Tigers): vs Roosters: 51mins, 1 try, 11runs/126m, 2 line breaks, 7 tackle busts, 1 offload.

Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Otara Scorpions) vs Storm: 55mins, 18runs/180m, 1 tackle bust.

Martin Taupau vs Panthers: 35mins, 16runs/148m, 6 tackle busts, 2 offloads.

Brad Abbey could be in for a regular stint at fullback for Canberra Raiders with Jack Wighton in a spot of bother off the field. The Pakuranga Jaguars/Richmond Rovers junior got his first crack for the Raiders in their loss to Brisbane Broncos and while he looked a bit sketchy under the high ball, Abbey was busy with the footy and should only get better with more game time.

The real funk for the Raiders came with Tongan international Siliva Havili getting 34 minutes, while Josh Hodgson played the full 80mins. Havili had done a fine job at hooker with Hodgson out and the Manurewa Marlins junior demanded further opportunities even with Hodgson returning, playing as a middle forward and doing a fine job of it; 6runs/48m, 2 tackle busts. 

Havili had no dummy half runs and only 2 passes, meaning that did little at dummy half and his mobility along with his power could give the Raiders an intriguing look to their forward pack now that Hodgson's returned.

Jamayne Isaako (Aranui Eagles) vs Raiders: 80mins, 4/4 kicking, 14runs/127m, 2 tackle busts.

Alex Glenn (Northcote Tigers) vs Raiders: 80mins, 1 try, 13runs/142m, 3 tackle busts, 1 offload.

Jason Taumalolo (Papakura Sea Eagles/Otahuhu Leopards): 68mins, 20runs/191m, 4 tackle busts, 1 offload.

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Peace and love 27.