#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Round Tekau Ma Whetu
Free Kodi.
Storm vs Dragons
Storm
Starting: Jahrome Hughes, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich.
Bench/Extended Bench: Brandon Smith/Albert Vete.
Dragons
Starting: Leeson Ah Mau.
Bench/Extended Bench: Jason Nightingale/Patrick Herbert.
Doc's Word
After a weird performance last week in the Storm's win over Roosters, Jahrome Hughes gets another crack in the halves with Cameron Munster away on Origin duty. Also away on Origin duty is Billy Slater and in the past, Hughes has slotted into fullback when Slater has been absent, but I've got a feeling that Hughes is now in the mix for a long-term halves spot.
Hughes is effectively competing with Ryley Jacks, for a halves spot when Munster returns. This week Hughes has been named at halfback, so it'll be interesting to see whether that has any influence on how he plays or if the Storm stick to right/left halves; Hughes on the right, Cameron Smith dictating the play. Hughes is likely to split the kicking duties with Jacks, as he and Munster did last week (3 kicks vs 4 for Munster), but look for Hughes to get more touches of the footy as he only had 25 touches last week with Munster taking 37.
Panthers vs Warriors
Panthers
Starting: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Whare, Jarome Luai, Sione Katoa, James Fisher-Harris.
Bench/Extended Bench: Corey Harawira-Naera/Caleb Aekins.
Warriors
Starting: All but Blake Green.
Bench/Extended Bench: All but Karl Lawton.
Doc's Word
Nathan Cleary and James Maloney's Origin absence opens a spot up for Jarome Luai in the halves and in a similar vibe to Hughes with the Storm, this opportunity comes with Luai playing alongside a halves partner who has equal or less experience than him. This could allow Luai to play a more dominant role than we've seen in the past and we could see a breakout style of performance from Luai.
With Corey Harawira-Naera returning and Caleb Aekins being named on the extended bench again, the full Northland Panthers crew has been named. Obviously we'll probably have to wait to see them all take the field together, but this is a glorious step towards what will be a monumental moment for Northland rugby league and the Northland Panthers connection.
739 Likes, 18 Comments - James Fisher-Harris (@fisherhizzle) on Instagram: "Me & Tee back in the homeland🇳🇿 #dontforgetyourroots #kokesmoke"
Also keep an eye on how Harawira-Naera is used off the bench as the Panthers have Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo starting on the edges, both can play 80 minutes of quality footy. That could mean Harawira-Naera gets some minutes through the middle which will be funky, otherwise coach Anthony Griffin has regularly shuffled his team around last minute and during games; so who knows?
Bulldogs vs Raiders
Bulldogs
Starting: Reimis Smith, Jeremy Marshall-King.
Bench/Extended Bench: Fa'amanu Brown, Ofahiki Ogden, Greg Eastwood/Francis Tualau.
Raiders
Starting: Brad Abbey, Joseph Tapine, Siliva Havili.
Bench/Extended Bench: Iosia Soliola/Charlie Gubb.
Doc's Word
Having showed that he can contribute as a middle forward last week, Siliva Havili has been named in the #13 jersey with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart re-shuffling his team after the loss to Broncos. I love this and Havili has all the skills to provide some funk to the Raiders attack, while also offering greater mobility through the middle, countering the size of the Raiders forward and any weakness that may bring.
Havili starting in the middle is good enough for me, but this game offers plenty more #KiwiNRL substance. Brad Abbey has again been named at fullback and he'll be looking to build on his performance last week, which should be a slightly easier task as the Bulldogs don't exactly have the classiest kicking duo in young bucks Jeremy Marshall-King and Lachlan Lewis.
That's something to enjoy though as I'm loving the journey of following Marshall-King with the Bulldogs this season, especially now that a path has opened up for consistent game time in the halves. Perhaps with a bit of confidence from the win over Newcastle last week and this fresh halves combo, Marshall-King can level up and show more of his ability.
Reimis Smith is in a precarious position as Josh Morris has been named on the extended bench and with Morris nearing a return, Smith needs to demand further selection. With Morris out, Marcelo Montoya shifted to centre, opening a wing spot for Smith; it's a battle between Smith and Montoya.
Titans vs Broncos
Titans
Starting: Kevin Proctor.
Bench/Extended Bench: Moeaki Fotuaika.
Broncos
Starting: Jordan Kahu, Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.
Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.
Doc's Word
Not #KiwiNRL but it's fantastic to see Konrad Hurrell back in the mix for Gold Coast, snapping up a bench spot. That obviously has me wondering how Hurrell will be used off the bench and if Hurrell does gets minutes as a middle forward, the combination of him and Moeaki Fotuaika could pose some problems for the Broncos; footwork and power, shitloads of it.
The Anthony Milford/Kodi Nikorima halves combination is always a point of interest, especially in terms of Nikorima's contributions. Last week, Nikorima was a bit of a passenger with Milford playing the dominant role; Nikorima had 29 touches vs Milford's 52, Nikorima had 4 kicks vs Milford's 15 and Nikorima had 7runs/42m vs Milford's 13runs/124m.
Whatever gets the job done is great for Broncos, although that doesn't feel like getting the best out of Nikorima. It's not as though we know what Nikorima's best asset as a half either, well we know he's a gun runner of the footy but he barely ran the footy last week and isn't your typical organising halfback. This has long been an issue, as long as Nikorima has been playing in the halves and I'll be interested in how his involvement relates to the result of this local derby.
969 Likes, 81 Comments - Slade Griffin (@sladegriffin) on Instagram: "Thank you to everyone for your kind messages. It's times like these that you know the rugby league..."
Jahtearoa Premiers
Just one Jahtearoa team for this week as it's based on the players named in the top-17s for the upcoming round of footy, of which there are only four games. I've leaned towards players who played last week, ahead of those returning from injury/suspension this week.
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Wings: Jamayne Isaako, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Centres: Dean Whare, Jordan Kahu.
Halves: Shaun Johnson, Kodi Nikorima.
Middles: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Leeson Ah Mau, James Fisher-Harris, Issac Luke.
Edges: Joseph Tapine, Alex Glenn.
Bench: Siliva Havili, Simon Mannering, Kenny Bromwich, James Gavet.
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Peace and love 27.