Raiders Back at Home for NRL Multicultural Round
On Sunday night I was out at the Raiders and Sharks match at GIO Stadium and there were two things that I left feeling excited about. One was the wonderful match day atmosphere and the multicultural round in general.
There is so much diversity in the modern game from all teams across the game and the players love nothing more than representing their culture. Flags waving, families dressed up and halftime and pregame performances to match.
The other was the quality of the match, I loved the two tactical battles that ensued from the beginning. The Cronulla ball movement and the pressure they put on the Canberra edges and the contrast of the Raiders who went straight through the Cronulla middle.
The Raiders have the formula to beat the Sharks winning nine straight. I think you will see sides taking the Cronulla pack head on, it appears to be their vulnerability and no doubt some of the Dragons forwards will be dreaming of crossing the stripe on Sunday night.
Kieran Foran and Left Wingers
At the beginning of the season during our season previews I mentioned the Kieran Foran effect and more importantly to those in the anytime try-scorer market. Khan-Pereira is the big beneficial of Foran's move to the glitter strip and is loving playing outside the veteran.
Foran's ability to go to the line at speed and then play deep into the line is creating the room for his outside men. Foran had a hand in the opening two tries for the young winger. On the back of this AJ Brimson has had a wonderful start to the season and when Foran swings to the open side its Brimson who stays down the short side on the left.
The moment opposition over adjust to Foran, Brimson is calling for it and taking control. Remember rugby league is all abouts numbers!
Edge forwards and their impact on the modern game
Touching on try scorers we all know wingers in today's game are wonderful finishers and the removal of the corner post has been a masterstroke from NRL HQ in the last few years but these wingers also have their fair share of easy kills and it's often the good work of a damaging backrower tying up the opposition half that does the trick.
A half-hearted attempt on Viliame Kikau won't be enough so halves are forced to get right in front of the real threats in the backrow, forcing the centres and wingers to follow in, therefore creating the space outside, the lines and the ability to run over or skip in or out on the half will do this - see Lachlan Fitzgibbon in round two.
It's also a good time to remind everyone that if the defensive winger is caught in field it isn't always their fault (Albert Hopoate and Khan-Pereira's 2nd try were not cases of this!).
Round Four Blockbusters
If the first three rounds weren't enough to get you excited I can't help but give yourself one more chance this week.
Last year's grand finalists and neighbours Parramatta and Penrith on Thursday, two Qld derby's, Rabbits and Manly before finishing up Sunday night with the battle of the Shire at Kogarah. The NRL is in a good place.
