#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Grand Final Extravaganza
Storm vs Roosters
Storm
Starting: Jesse Bromwich.
Bench/Extended Bench: Kenny Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Nelson Asofa-Solomona/Jahrome Hughes, Sam Kasiano.
Roosters
Starting: Joseph Manu, Isaac Liu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.
Bench/Extended Bench: Zane Tetevano.
Doc's Word
While having Billy Slater available to play in the Grand Final is fantastic news for Melbourne Storm, I was low key eager to see Slater scratched thus opening the door for Jahrome Hughes to wiggle into the fullback jersey. Hughes has lost his halfback spot to Brodie Croft having done a fairly solid job there when given a crack and it would have been a glorious day having Hughes starting at fullback for the Storm, in a Grand Final. Instead, Hughes is named on the extended bench and his possible inclusion on to the bench (unlikely) would probably come at the cost of one of the three #KiwiNRL cuzzies named on the bench; Kenny Bromwich, Brandon Smith and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
The battle between the #KiwiNRL middles is going to be immense as we have Jesse Bromwich coming up against the Roosters duo of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sio Siua Taukeiaho. We know Jesse Bromwich is the best #KiwiNRL middle forward in existence and he tends to shine in such games, however I'd also suggest to keep an eye on Taukeiaho, who has nestled into a starting middle role this season.
Taukeiaho played the most minutes of any Roosters middle forward vs Rabbitohs and while thay may obviously result in Taukeiaho having the most run metres, his 12runs/132m effort in the semi final showcases his efficiency. That's exactly an average of 11m/run and don't forget that this came against an impressive Rabbitohs forward pack, plus Taukeiaho's 57 post contact metres was the most of any forward in that game.
A lot has been said about the Roosters defence and Taukeiaho does his job in the middle (92.9% tackle efficiency, one miss), the power and mobility Taukeiaho offers through the middle is unique. To have a player who can average well over 10m/run after the outside backs have got in for a few runs, turns the opposition around, gets them on the back foot and generates some tempo for the Roosters. The only way the Roosters win this Grand Final is if they add dynamic running on top of their defence, win quick play-the-balls for James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Jake Friend - which is even more important without Cooper Cronk - and Taukeiaho is the key man in that regard.
What intrigues me about the Storm is their #KiwiNRL bench and their impact, now that Asofa-Solomona has slid back to a bench role. The Wellington forward started a whole lot of games this season, so don't think that Asofa-Solomona is just an impact forward but deep into the Finals he has made way for Tim Glasby to start. Glasby only played 22 minutes vs Cronulla Sharks, while Asofa-Solomona got through 37mins and in typical NAS fashion, he had 5runs/53m (10.6m/run) along with 2 tackle busts and an offload.
The beautiful thing here is that Asofa-Solomona offers what he offers and Kenny Bromwich is a different style of player who changes how the Storm attack. Kenny had 4 passes vs Sharks, which was the most of any Storm forward (other than Cameron Smith) and he did that in just 25mins; when Kenny is on, the Storm move the footy with short passes in the middle of the park. Keep an eye on Kenny passing to Jesse as well, this combo is sublime.
Then we have Brandon Smith, who was out of action for a while late in the season but is back on the bench and doing what he does best; going nuts. Playing in the #18 jersey as a late call up vs Sharks, Smith got 21mins and had a crazy 7runs/68m with 23pcm. This is crazy because not only did the under-sized forward almost average 10m/run, but his running efficiency (most metres and most pcm) was the best of the Storm's bench as he played the least minutes.
Think about Kenny, Smith and Asofa-Solomona and ponder the difference in their body shapes, then their style of play. That variety and their specific skillsets enables the Storm to change their style on the fly, which will be crucial in breaking down the Roosters defence as they'll have to make some minor adjustments to deal with Smith's speed/power, Kenny's passing or the funk of Asofa-Solomona; while also trying to contain Jesse, Felise Kaufusi, Cameron Smith etc.
Finally, how about Joseph Manu!? The kid from Tokoroa did a job on Greg Inlis and his performance at right centre went a long way towards winning the game for the Roosters. Manu made the most tackles of the four centres in this game, making 19 tackles and missing 3. Don't overlook Manu's work with the footy though as Inglis finished with 7 tackles and 4 misses (58.3%), with Manu running for 65m from 6 runs, with 3 tackle busts, 1 line break assist, 1 try assist and 1 offload; all from just 8 touches of the footy.
Manu will probably come up against Will Chambers in the GF, which presents a different challenge as Chambers is more subtle than Inglis, a shifty centre. The battle is of equal quality to last week for Manu and the Storm would have done their research on what worked well for Manu last week, so expect Chambers to get plenty of footy with a specific plan to isolate Manu. How Manu backs up from that monumental display in the semi final will be a crucial #KiwiNRL narrative this Sunday.
Wahine
Broncos vs Roosters
Broncos
Starting: Karley Te Kawa, Kimiora Nati, Maitua Feterika, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Rona Peters.
Bench/Extended Bench: Ngatokotoru Arakua/Lilieta Maumau.
Roosters
Starting: Nita Maynard.
Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.
Doc's Word
Nita Maynard got her first start for the Roosters last week and that just happened to coincide with a 26-0 win over St George Illawara Dragons. Playing 43mins, Maynard averaged 10m/run (7runs for 70m), with 3 tackle busts which all came from dummy half runs. That speed around the ruck is going to be key for the Roosters if they are to beat the powerful Brisbane Broncos and I'll be interested in how much scootin' Maynard does from dummy half; whether it's over or under the 7runs/70m from last week.
From a #KiwiNRL perspective though, this Grand Final is all about the Broncos and their awesome gang of #KiwiNRL wahine. Ngatokotoru Arakua has been named in the Team of the Week for all three rounds and she demands such honours with performances like her 15run/158m, 64pcm, 4 tackle busts in 40mins effort that led the Broncos to a big win over Aotearoa Warriors.
Arakura will again come off the bench and considering that Arakura, Teuila Fotu-Moala (7runs/73m) and Maitua Feterika (10runs/103m) were the only Broncos forwards to average over 10m/run, they are mandatory viewing for #KiwiNRL fans. Also low key crazy is that Feterika put up those impressive running numbers in just 33mins, before leaving the field with a knee injury.
The Roosters will focus a lot of their attention on Ali Brigginshaw and understandably so as she is the classiest player in the competition. This could open things up for Kimiora Nati, especially as they get similar usage with Nati rolling through 27 touches to Brigginshaw's 26 touches last week. Nati plays on the right edge, combining with Fotu-Moala, so expect Nati to feed Fotu-Moala more footy in the Grand Final as the Broncos will look to hit their right edge, then swing it back to Brigginshaw for the last play, or a razzle dazzle shot.
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Peace and love 27.