Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: Raiders vs Roosters Kiwi-NRL Extravaganza
As the Aussies chuckled about Canberra's chilly weather, the Sunday night Kiwi-NRL banger between Raiders and Roosters felt like it was being played down the line in Aotearoa. Tokoroa's Joseph Manu and Wellington's Joseph Tapine were the two best players on the field in the Raiders win, both experienced in cold footy conditions back in Aotearoa and setting the vibe for Aotearoa Kiwis footy.
Tapine has been simmering away at this level for a few weeks now. I put the Kiwi-NRL Spotlight on the Harbour City junior after a fabulous round nine outing against Bulldogs, then I threw Tapine and Manu up as funky notes ahead of this round. This was the third game of the season in which Tapine ran for 200+ metres, all of which have come in the last five games and the fresh layer to the Tapine yarn is how he led Raiders without Josh Papali'i or Jack Wighton.
Roosters found a groove when Tapine was off the field, then Raiders closed out the contest with Tapine injected back into the action. Tapine had 97 Post Contact Metres which led all players in the game including Manu who finished with more run metres. Combine that with averaging 10.45m/run on 20 runs, 5 tackle busts and 3 offloads for one of the best middle forwards in the NRL.
Tapine now has back to back games with 200+ running metres, 3 offloads and 30+ tackles. Tapine is now averaging 153m/game which is now floating well above his previous best of 125m/game in 2020.
Matthew Timoko (Mt Wellington/Ellerslie)
1 try, 10 runs - 114m @ 11.4m/run, 1 linebreak, 1 tackle bust, 18 tackles @ 75%.
Jordan Rapana (Wellington)
15 runs - 99m @ 6.6m/run, 2 tackle busts, 3 tackles @ 75%.
Joseph Tapine (Harbour City)
57mins, 20 runs - 209m @ 10.45m/run, 5 tackle busts, 3 offloads, 33 tackles @ 91.67%.
Alongside Tapine in the winning Raiders team were Wellington's Jordan Rapana and Mt Wellington/Ellerslie junior Matthew Timoko. Rapana wasn't close to his best but was typically busy popping up everywhere, while Timoko continues to flourish at right centre and he has played all 13 games along with Tapine.
Timoko was stacking up games earlier in the season but lacked consistency and Raiders were struggling which impacts how much good footy a centre can get. In his first seven games, Timoko scored 2 tries, had 40+ PCM three times, made 10+ tackles once and ran for 100+ metres three times. In his last six games, Timoko has scored 3 tries, had four games with 40+ PCM, made 10+ tackles four times and ran for 100+ metres in five games.
Timoko is a low key Aotearoa Kiwis squad contender. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Reimis Smith are currently out injured, while Peta Hiku is enjoying a resurgence with Cowboys leaving Timoko in the mix for a starting centre gig or just mana-raising squad selection. Much of that depends on where Manu plays for Aotearoa as he now feels like Aotearoa's best fullback.
Manu combined his light feet, long-range fend and offloading prowess with the mentality of a prop ... or James Tedesco. Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic love to run it straight anywhere on the field as they tweak how the best fullbacks operate and Manu did all of that with ease. Manu had 33 runs while Raiders fullback Xavier Savage was next best with 21 runs, which gets even more freaky with 14 tackle busts and 7 offloads.
Joseph Manu (Tokoroa HS)
33 runs - 288m @ 8.72m/run, 1 try assist, 14 tackle busts, 7 offloads.
Siosiua Taukeiaho (Otara Scorpions)
16 runs - 155m @ 9.68m/run, 2 tackle busts, 34 tackles @ 85%.
Sitili Tupouniua (Marist Saints)
1 try, 12 runs - 132m @ 11m/run, 2 linebreaks, 7 tackle busts, 27 tackles @ 81.82%.
When Roosters needed razzle dazzle, Manu danced around. When Roosters needed a rugged run to spark momentum, Manu ran it straight. Manu has also played all 13 games this season and he is on track to register career highs in tries, try assists and linebreaks this season. That smells like a nek level for Tokoroa's finest and while Aotearoa Kiwis coach Michael Maguire could slide Te Maire Martin in at fullback to keep Manu as centre, there is a large sample size of Manu being fantastic at fullback.
The Kiwi-NRL tokos also impressed for Roosters with Siosiua Taukeiaho playing 80mins through the middle and Sitili Tupouniua continuing to shine on the Roosters right edge. Taukeiaho absorbed the absence of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and the Otara junior will soon link up with the South Auckland Rhino Jason Taumalolo to lead Tonga against Aotearoa.
Expect Tupouniua to be in the Tongan team as well. Tupouniua could opt for Aotearoa Kiwis footy but is unlikely to command starting gigs over Isaiah Papali'i or Kenny Bromwich, while Tongans are super hearty and unlikely to represent another nation over Tonga. Tupuoniua will be one of many fresh wrinkles to Tongan rugby league and like Aotearoa Kiwis, they haven't played since 2019 so most folks need reminding of the talent on offer.
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Peace and love.