March 16, 2025 • 28 mins
This week on The Big League Podcast - Nathan Limm and Michael Burgess debrief everything you need to know about the Warriors' remarkable turnaround against Manly and whether it'll remain consistent with the resurgent Roosters looming.
Plus, Stacey Jones' bid for Kalyn Ponga to play for the Kiwis.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio, The
Big League podcastle podcast it blay News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Michael Vergis and
I will debrief everything you need to know about the
Warrior's remarkable turnaround against Manly and whether it'll remain consistent
with the resurgent Roosters looming, Plus Stacey Jones and a
bid for Caleb Ponger to play for the Kiwis. My
name is Nathan Limb. Let's go Big League podcast, right,
(00:46):
Everyone get a spoon. Luke Metcalf and Chanelle Harris Tavita
have served us up a nice healthy portion of humble pie,
and my word, does it taste good. No one saw
that coming, no one. There was zero indication that a
turnaround that massive was en route, and yet it was
seen across the competition. The Roosters beat the Panthers as
(01:09):
eleven dollars outsiders. The Raiders punished the Broncos, who looked
untouchable last week. Nothing in this competition is certain except
for the Titans being bang average. Michael Burgess, Senior in
New Zealand Herald writer, Are the Warriors back? Are all
our fears are late?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Certainly our fears of where the season was going after Vegas?
Or are late? Aren't they? Everyone's feeling a lot better
that hey, the positive feelings about the preseason. Everything we're
hearing about how well the preseason had gone behind the scenes.
You at least started to see a bit of that
on Friday night, whereas after Vegas it was like, what
the hell's happened? Where is this campaign going? So yeah,
(01:47):
very heartening, but a long way Togo. We're going to
talk more about the match in detail, but I would
say that it's not it was unexpected the result. The
performance was excellent, but there were a few things. I
think Manly were a bit unlucky with a couple.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Of They were a bit lucky with a couple of.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Let me finished, they've been unlucky with a couple of
chances early on. They could have scored three tries in
the first ten to fifteen minutes and then it's possibly
a different game. The ref I'm being Devil's advocate here.
The referee was also pretty tough on them with the
set restarts. I think eleven to two so there were
a few things that helped the Warriors. And the other
thing that people have forgotten about that actually helped the
Warriors that we never really thought of was that they
(02:33):
had basically two weeks off, so they had a long
lead into this game, mainly had quite a short turnerund
after playing the Cowboys had to travel here. All those
things added up and actually helped help the Warriors. But yes,
excellent performance, great desire, great intent, and now they've got
a real platform to build on, haven't they.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Yeah, And I suppose the talk leading into this game
was what was the explanation for the Las Vegas showing
and the way their attack looked so directionless, And the
explanation was that they went away from that game plan.
I think Luke metcar From said himself was talking about,
you know, they sort of went away from what they
talked about. Perhaps you know, the occasion of Las Vegas
really did get to them. And then back at Mount
Smart suddenly the short passes come out. We've got a
(03:16):
little bit more variation. We're kicking the twenty the Warriors,
which is something that just wasn't really there in round one.
So to see that turnaround, I suppose there was obviously
a mental shift and the amount of talk there was
in the week from the likes of US and the
media and the fans that pressure. I suppose the fact
that they could cope with that and turn up against
(03:38):
a team that put on what fifty points in round one,
that shows, I guess the mental resilience. And we were
talking about the young harves combination or fairly and experienced
half combination of Luke Metcalfin, Shanell Harris Tavita. They could
stand up under that pressure.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
There was some pressure. You're right, there was some pressure,
and there was quite a good feeling from both ten
minutes onwards that no matter what happened, the Warriors weren't
going to let this result slip. In other words, they
were determined to get a win on Friday night, no
matter what, no matter how the game had twists and turns,
et cetera, et cetera. There was a real intense desire
(04:14):
there because they had a lot to prove. Yes, the
attack started to click, but it was all built on
the defense. The defense was much better, mainly apart from
the say, the first ten to twelve minutes and they're
winning the ruck. You know, they're winning the collisions. Their
forwards really really got going. Mainly's got the bigger pack,
but the Warriors outmuscled them in the forwards, outplayed them
(04:37):
generally across the park, and so good signs. Good signs.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
We're going to debrief all the action later discuss the
odds of Kayla and Pong are playing for the keywiste.
But first, here are the highlights. Warriors thirty six, Seagles sixteen.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
As he hens the whistle, and we're underway here at
mounts My twenty twenty five. Good hands sub with the
gas knuckers here in its travinments. This is mainly at
their best.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
And it's got line of this has been topped.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Not so far.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
The res caveda is there. It can be dangerous to
pretty more than dangerous. Nickle scer a m and there's
a tower. Looks look nice hands from Suber and Chase
some sad scores.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
In the corner.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Reg Yes, that is it, way logan, look the heir.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
And now the tribe turn us a sick.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
Turns a sick tricky he's hat tower her.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Thanks to Chavin audio cur to see of Fox Sports
could be held. Let's go through this game in a
little bit more detail. And obviously, as we mentioned before,
the big topic in the leading with the Harps Luke
Metcalf looking far more composed short passes, holding the space
a lot better. Janelle Harris to looking composed as well
on the left. I really liked his kicking game. Kicking
(06:12):
it in the twenty wasn't we were seeing so much
in Las Vegas? They were running the ball. But what
was behind this turnaround? What was what did they do differently?
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Well? The question coming into this match was all about
how much had their performance in Las Vegas been about
just the complete lack of any platform that they had
to play off because the forwards were beaten up so
badly in Vegas, and how much of it was to
do with them being uncertain and unsure and making bad decisions.
Andrew Webster told us a few times, Nathan, that that
it was all about the It was a bit unfair.
(06:42):
It was all about the fact the team just didn't
turn up, so that referts back to the halves. It
was probably a bit of both. You know, Metcalf and
Chanelle didn't go so well against Raiders, so they made
they made better decisions. They got some confidence. I mean,
I think Luke Metcalf is a good example. He's a
real confidence player and you could you could even see
that on Friday night. You know, he didn't actually start
that well. There were a couple of you know, the
(07:04):
first couple of sets they got, they got a couple
of repeat sets after manly and didn't really work. It
was a bit lateral. But once they got going, he
played a key role in that first try to Chanel.
You could see his confidence left and he got better
as the game, as the game progressed, and that's normal,
Like we forget this is it was a second ever
(07:26):
start at number seven in the NRL, you know, even
though he's twenty six and all that sort of thing.
So you know, he's still learning and he even though
backs himself, he's got to really believe he can do it,
and we started to see that.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Coach Andrew Repster talking afterwards, Wrapped. They stuck to their
game plan this week. They stuck to their guns. We're
not where we.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Want to be.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
It didn't play, but we're wrapped that we stuck together
this week.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
We look way more like ourselves, way more. No one's
going to be perfect in early rounds but that's what
you're going to do. You're going to defend well and
chase well.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
If you look across the team stats, they had the
edge and runs, run meeters, post contact meters, thirty nine
tackle breaks. It is something that really stands out. And
another player in particular that stood out was Aaron Clark
one hundred and forty nine meet is from eighteen runs,
twenty two tackles. Obviously playing lock forward, he's a different
kind of player to Tahu Harris. What does he bring
that I suppose provides a point of difference.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
I mean, he's a guy I think we're going to
talk about a lot this season, and I feel like
he's a great signing and one of the most under
the radar signings. They didn't sign too many players in
the off season, did they, but really really good pickup
Aaron Clark. He's not that big, you know, he's not
too much bigger than you, which is compliment, Yeah, but
(08:41):
he's just this sort of ball of muscle and he's
got the special ability to he's quicker than you think.
So he gets to the defensive line before their set,
which allows him to get post contact meters meant much
more post content meters than a guy his size should
be able to get. So he regularly hits the line earlier,
the defense doesn't see it, and he gets the post
content meters. The other thing I like about him is
(09:04):
he's quite a ballplayer, so because his background. Of course,
he was a half growing up, and then he was
a hooker. So that's a really good thing I feel,
because he's like Tahu and Mitch Barnette, to a lesser extent,
Dylan Walker. He's another four that's really happy with the
ball in his hands, and I think we're going to
see that more and more as the season progressed. But yeah,
he was excellent, and it just adds to the mysteries
(09:27):
to why he didn't start in Vegas. But that's another matter.
He was excellent, really laid the platform, really helped to
lay the platform. Although all the fourds were great, weren't they?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Yeah? They were, But there were also obviously some backs
that stood out. A couple other than the haves that
I wanted to talk about. Roger to Varsa, Sheck is
probably the player that I thought played the best in Vegas.
I thought he had a really good game, actually, Roger,
and he showed up again this week, but again producing
another dynamic performance. Charles Loik a crook start as well.
I felt he went missing a little bit in Vegas,
(09:58):
and he showed up this week with one hundred and
seventy one run meters, which is the most in the game.
Injecting himself, I think a little bit more than we
saw in week one.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Yeah, I mean I thought Chance was. I still don't
think he looks like he did in twenty twenty three.
You know, he was, he was better in the second
half on Friday. I think he's still building it to
his game. But with Roger, what did you think of
his defensive reads?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Defensive well, mainly found space down the edges, didn't they? Yeah, yeah,
what's the issue?
Speaker 3 (10:28):
So that's I only asked you that, mate, because it's
like that that'll be his work on and it's a
blameless situation. It's so hard as a winger to defend.
He was trying to he was trying to compress and
to stop the threat of Daboyevich and he misread it
twice which led to two Manly's tries. Really, and the
good thing about Roger though, is he owned that. So
(10:49):
after the game he said, you know, I got skinned
a couple of times. Not good enough. Got to work
on that. But that's his work on and that's something
that all wingers and he's like a new winger. But
you're exactly right. Apart from that, his work rate, his desire,
just the way every time he gets the ball, it
kind of feels like he's foundness position, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
I mean a lot of people would argue with that
and say, given the amount of work he does with
the ball in hand and how much he stands out
with the ball, get his hands on the ball as
much as possible, where are you going to do that
at full bail?
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Or that's a whole other podcast. That's a separate we
should do a separate special edition. But yeah, but he
certainly much looks more comfortable and more threatening it on
the wing that it's sent it, doesn't he?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Yeah, And I suppose you talked about that defense. Webster
was impressed with their defense overall during the game, crediting
that and their keck pressure for what they were then
able to produce on attack. If you're defending more and
you're putting pressure on our position, points come and if
you don't defend well, you don't get through the score points.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
You're not willing to play the long game and keep
well and chase well.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
You don't put any pressure in our position, and tonight
we did that. Now, in terms of manly side of things,
I am convinced that the NRL have employed Stevie Wonder
to work in the bunker, because you'd have to be
blind to not see that Jason sab loses the ball
forward as he places it over the line. Am I right?
Or am I correct? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:14):
It's one of those, you know. Three of the three
or four, there's five replays. Four of them showed a
completely lost control. There was one that showed a fingertip
still on the ball, and that is enough these days,
and we love that when it goes for the Warriors
next week and there's a finger tip and they say try.
So it was. It was pretty annoying. But when they
(12:36):
slot right down and looking for something, yeah it was.
It was dicey, wasn't it? It was dicey, as was the second.
Their third try was also dicey. But I didn't wind
that much so much because that was just a wonderful effort.
So I'd rather see that sort of try awarded for
the benefit of doubt than than scrubbed off when they
(12:56):
think that, oh maybe the edge of his big toe
did did bisect the dead ball line?
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Well yeah, I mean you talked earlier about Manly maybe
get a hard rap from the referees in terms of
the number of six segenstor because it seemed to me,
I mean just based off the number of six again
calls seven in the first half alone, they seem to
live off side and that culminated with Jake ja Boyvitch
getting sinband later in the second half. How much do
(13:25):
we have to factor in that? I suppose in terms
of the Warriors go forward, oh a lot.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Like the set restarts killed Manley. There were just so
many like mainly may have been off side. But you know,
I really really do not like the six skin rule.
I don't like the way it's applied. And if you
if we're trying to be neutral, how can how can
the Warriors get eleven it restarts so it was and
mainly get two. I just well, the Warriors really that
perfect because next week, you know what the Roosters like,
(13:53):
We're going to be saying the same thing when the
Roosters get a million set restarts, so it definitely helped
the Warriors, which which was nice. Then they needed that help.
But you know, we also should mention James with Harrison
Mitch Bunnett. It's easy to forget the sort of the
two Titans in the middle but far out. Mitch Bennett
(14:13):
goes what was it fifty four minutes in his first
stint and was evolved in just about everything. James, mister Harris,
I think he wrecked up forty tackles, you know for
a prop in the middle was it was pretty good going,
So I think those guys show showed what they can
do as well.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Up next, we'll preview the roosters and discuss Calen Pong
has potential Kiwiz question.
Speaker 5 (14:35):
Mark The Big League Podcast podcast The Big League Podcast
on the Warriors bad wagon since day one.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
Now, in what was probably the other massive upset of
the round, Roosters thirty eight Panthers thirty two roosters. They
were eleven dollars outsiders coming off of fifty to fourteen
drubbing by the Broncos. No one gave them a chance.
Sounds pretty familiar. James Tedesco named it their greatest win
(15:10):
after the fact, I mean I was stunned when I
saw the scoreline to this game, because again I wrote
them off the amount of talent that Dave lost this year.
But Jared Warrio, Hargreave, Luke Keary, Joey marn who all
shifted overseas half back Sam Walker is out for the
year with an ACL injury. Tedesco was on fire, he.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Was, And they've got a special a special culture, the Roosters.
They had it for years. I mean they've been in
three Grand Finals in the last since twenty thirteen. That
you know, they were a big club. They were always
going to bounce back. Not many were tipping that. I
do feel though that eleven dollars price was a bit
over the top. Someone at the Australian TIRB got a
(15:53):
bit carried away, I think because the Roosters were still
at home Penrith was still coming off a tough match
in Vegas in the travel and the Roosters have still
got some couple of really good players in their pack
and some good players in their back line. So the
odds were a bit over the top, but fantastic given
by the Roosters and it sets up Friday really well.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
And obviously they've got numerous threats in their back line.
Dominic Young on the wing, Mark na wang Anita Wase,
former Wallaby and Waratah union player. He's playing at center.
Australian commentators routinely calling him Marky Mark, presumably to avoid
saying his last night.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
I love the way you did say his last name.
It's very shows your professionalism and it shows the way
they avoid it. The Aussies are pretty good at there
anything tricky, they're just let's throw a nickname in there.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
I suppose we've had from both of these sides of
the Warriors and the Roosters, two completely different performances across
round one and round two. So it is very difficult
to judge where these sides are ound at this point
in the competition and what could potentially play out when
they come up against each other. So in terms of
the Warriors, what are the next steps?
Speaker 3 (17:05):
Do?
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Look at the controllables? What do the Warriors need to perfect?
For me? It's their edge defense because that was exposed
immediately at Mammy.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Yeah yeah, not not too much to there's defense. They
still look a bit uncertain and that's normal because look
at their back line. Who is who on Friday night
was in the same position they're in at this time
last year. Adam Pompey wasn't playing this time last year,
Tain's on the wing, Roger was at center, was new,
(17:37):
and we've got another another new winger. So that's that's
the thing. That's the thing they've got to sort out.
And that's kind of normal the communication. You can do
it all in pre season, but comes to a game
and a split second decision do I come and do
I take my man? The communication, but with Adam and
Roger probably wasn't there at times and even on the
other edd. So yeah, that that's a work on, And
(18:00):
they've also got things to work on on attack. Like
as much as the scoreline looks great if we if
you look closely, which they will if you look closely
at the amount of ball they had, the mount of
good ball they had and all those set restarts, there
was consecutive penalties at different times and it really felt
sometimes didn't make the most of those opportunities. So that
(18:21):
that's going to be that's definitely a work on as well,
isn't it.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
The Big League Podcast.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Podcast, right Burch an interesting story emerged over the weekend,
and that was a topic that has come up before.
Stacy Jones has expressed interest in acquiring Calen Palmer, who
was obviously committed to Australian rugby, so that he can
play for Queensland, he can play for State of Origin.
(18:46):
It's not something that was that's unusual. He spent five
years of his life in New Zealand, born in Australia.
His father is Marty. He played for the Marty All Stars.
Of course, is this something that could happen because malm
and Inger's come out swinging, say nah, he's Australian. Get
out of it, Stacy, what do you make of all
of this?
Speaker 3 (19:03):
It's funny, isn't it? Because it's not a new story.
This top has been bubbling all for a while. Michael
maguire talked about Ponger. They've been approached to Ponger for years.
I remember Ponger coming to spend years ago, in maybe
two thousand and fifteen or sixteen. The Key was having
a training at Mount Smart before they went off on
(19:24):
tour of England and Ponger was there and they wanted
to get him into the camp and you know, feel
what it was like in Kearney. But that stage was
saying I'd be great to have this guy, and then
of course he opted for Queensland. So this is not new,
but it's great that's been talked about again because something
has to happen. You know that these these origin rules,
(19:45):
the way they've progressed don't really make sense because it
works for every country except New Zealand. So there's all
these kids growing up in New Zealand and Australia that
have tong And or some own heritage that can say, Okay,
I'm going to play for Summer and Tonga and that
means I can still play Origin. But a key We
(20:05):
guy has to make the choice New Zealand are born
and born in Australia, has to make the choice between
g do I take the forty to fifty grand to
play for Queensland in New South Wales or do I
play for the Keywis. It just doesn't it just doesn't
feel right, And that's what Ponger has to consider, doesn't
it If he is considering it.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
Well, it's the tea. It's the way the tear system
works right in terms of origin. So the rules are
that if you are playing for if you want to
play origin, you have to declare for Australia as a
Tear one nation or a Tear two nation. So some
more in tong are Tear two nations. But it's not
based on how good they are their performance. It's based
on the way the rugby league system is set up
(20:47):
in that country. So then someone and Tonga obviously they
don't have the same systems and structures in terms of
development that Australia and New Zealand have. But it seems
like it's sort of unfairly because somewhere in tong are
both very strong international sides. This is all sort of
set up unfairly to disadvantage New Zealand in a way,
because New Zealanders are the ones who are the only
ones out of you know, this Pacific region who have
(21:10):
to make that choice. As you said, so do we
need to just do away with this tear system?
Speaker 3 (21:15):
That could be one that's certainly an argument out there,
isn't it. I Mean, I always thought it would be
crazy to see New Zealanders playing state of Origin. Iways
thought that's just mad. It would be so weird because
there was talk about that years ago. People would say,
why can't Benji Marshall play state of Origin. Why can't
Sunny Bill. I mean, they're probably bad examples because they
weren't eligible, But I'm talking about guys that are actually eligible,
(21:38):
that maybe went to Australia when they were young or
were born in Australia, but they're Kiwis and I was thought, oh,
that's just too weird. You know, state of origin is
a but the NRL have sort of turned State of
Origin into an all stars game, you know, that's what
it's starting to feel like, where players are picked from
all over the place. So I don't know, do you
open it up to everyone? Do you say that Kiwis
(21:58):
can play state of Origin eligibles and they've got some
link to Queensland And because at the moment this is
just say New Zealand is the one that's suffering the
most and it's only going to continue as Toma and
Somo get stronger. I don't think Australia particularly cares, but
that all Australia cares about, justicially is Australia. But there
(22:23):
has to be some kind of solution because it would
be fantastic if Ponger really wants to play for the Kiwis.
How good would it be how good would be for
the sport if he plays for the Kiwis. But somehow
it can still play for Queensland if they want him.
They might not want him. They might say, look, if
you're going to play for the Kiwis, we don't want you.
We've got Reece, Welsh, We've got this, We've got that.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
I don't think this is going to happen. I don't
think Calen Pong is going to end up playing for
the Kiwis. I think this is just noise. That's my take.
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Well, I'm a bit surprised that Stacy Jones has played
his card so early because the Test matches out to November,
you know, so there's a lot of time for all
this maneuvering to happen. So I'm not sure why he
wants to put it out there now. But he was
asked and he was honest. You would be keen. Yeah,
it's hard to see. It's hard to see him playing
(23:09):
for the Kiwis, but if he really wants to. But
the thing, that's the thing, He's already played for Queensland,
so in theory that makes him ineligible. If he's played
for Queensland as a Australian he obviously can't play for
the Keys.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I mean, I don't know if Canon Pong was that
fast with playing for Australia because he made himself unavailable, remember,
because he wanted to focus on his preparation for playing
for Newcastle into this year. He made himself unavailable for
the Pacific Championships, then backflipped on that decision. I think
though that it would involve administrators in Australia collectively going yep,
let's change the rules and then effectively they lose a
(23:46):
really good player. So I just I just do not
see it happening.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
Yeah, and the rules have also got to be changed
at the at the top level with the International Rugby League.
It's a it's an ongoing discussion. I know Greg Peters
at the NEWSBIA League he wants something done because he
doesn't feel it's quite right at the moment.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
LV The Big League Podcast for the Biggest League for.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
BIRS.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Quick fire predictions for Round three of NRL Action. We're
kicking off with a doozy and who knows, who knows
what will happen Storm Panthers in Melbourne.
Speaker 3 (24:21):
First of all, though I've already got quite a healthy
lead after only two weeks. Are you feeling the pressure?
Speaker 2 (24:27):
I'm not kidding, count what are you talking about? Healthy lead?
Speaker 3 (24:29):
Okay, yeah, I got six seven out of eight in
the first week when you were in here with Nick
and yeah, anyway, storm storm for me. But as you say,
toss a coin. Panthers are want to bounce back. This
is always a fantastic matcher. I just think the storm
at home will make the difference.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
I don't think I think Ivan Claire is going to
put a rocket up the Panthers bums after that performance
against the Roosters and Nathan Claire even afterwards saying it's
not good enough. We were awful basically, and I can't
see the Panthers dropping too in a row. Storm will
be tough though. It'll be a tight game and it
could go either way. Warriors Roosters.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
That's the beauty, isn't it. Both teams played so well,
as we said, both teams with a remarkable turnaround, and
both teams on a Friday night, so they've got the
equal amount of preparation set up perfectly. What to make
the difference? Hard to say. The Roosters have been dominated
the Warriors for a long time. Over the years. Will
Friday not be different, Let's hope. So I'll go with
(25:30):
the Warriors and a close.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
One Broncos versus the Cowboys.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Broncos the bounce back. They weren't as good against the Raiders,
but the Raiders were excellent. The Cowboys are in a
bit of a hole and I think Todd Payton's already
under pressure, like they'll be better for the Queensland Derby,
but yeah, it's a tough place where North Queensland are
at the moment.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Definitely the o from two to start the year. Sharks
Bunnies in Cronella.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Yeah, quite a hard one to tip this one, but
you've got to like what Kranella are doing. They were
really good against Pendeth and Las Vegas. That was a
close game. They've continued that on with the Round two win.
Rabbit is excellent the way they got home against the Dragons,
but they've lost so many players to injuries and that
(26:15):
it's got to take its toll sooner or later.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
I'm going to go with the Sharks. The Bunnies were
two very tight wins, but as you say, they've lost
quality Dolphins. Tigers.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Yeah, wow, the Tigers. I am so happy for Benji
in the way they won, and you know his little
revolution with all the young players he's playing, and it
was just to beat a team like the Eels the
big weston Derby. Fantastic for them. I do think the
Dolphins do something though they're back at home, so I'll
go with the Dolphins here, even though the Tigers have
got all the momentum.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
I'm going to go with the Tigers for that reason,
the momentum, and we love an underdog story. Jerome Leui
going to the Tigers. Can he turn it around? In
the club Titans versus the Knights. As we mentioned at
the top, the Titans have got some issues. They've got
a really good forward pack, they've got pace out wide,
but they just don't seem to have it.
Speaker 3 (27:05):
Doesn't seem to jel for them with the spine. I'm
not sure what the issue is, but they've obviously got issues.
So the Knights. Look, I'll be looking about back, but
you'd say the Knights will be will be too good here.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Eels Bulldogs.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
Oh this is for me. I remember so many times
last season tipping the Eels and saying, surely they'll come right.
I'm going to do it again. I'm going to say,
surely the Eels have come right at home against an
arch rival, even though the Bulldogs are looking great. I'm
giving you I'm throwing you one here, I'll go Els.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
You're throwing me a bone bird. But you've got such
a lead, they don't you want to consolidate it.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
No, I'm pretty confident.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
I'll go with the Bulldogs. Put forty points on the
Tiger Titans over the weekend. And finally the Seagles versus
the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
Hmmmm, it kind of depends.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
This one's well, the raidst the Raiders beat the Broncos.
That's untouchable.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
They did. No, no, no, I'm going to go with
the Seagulls at Brookvale, but it depends. I'll put a
cavit on that depending on the injury situation with some
of their players, So I reserve the right to change
my tip. Can't works later in the week.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
This is final sequels gay for the Raiders three from three.
Thank you Michael Burgess for your time, your wisdom, your insight.
Will see you next week on the Bigger League Podcast.
Please follow and rate the podcast. We'll be back next Monday.
My name is Nathan Limb. Have a great week.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
For more from News Talk sed B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio, The
Big League podcastle podcast it blay News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Michael Vergis and
I will debrief everything you need to know about the
Warrior's remarkable turnaround against Manly and whether it'll remain consistent
with the resurgent Roosters looming, Plus Stacey Jones and a
bid for Caleb Ponger to play for the Kiwis. My
name is Nathan Limb. Let's go Big League podcast, right,
(00:46):
Everyone get a spoon. Luke Metcalf and Chanelle Harris Tavita
have served us up a nice healthy portion of humble pie,
and my word, does it taste good. No one saw
that coming, no one. There was zero indication that a
turnaround that massive was en route, and yet it was
seen across the competition. The Roosters beat the Panthers as
(01:09):
eleven dollars outsiders. The Raiders punished the Broncos, who looked
untouchable last week. Nothing in this competition is certain except
for the Titans being bang average. Michael Burgess, Senior in
New Zealand Herald writer, Are the Warriors back? Are all
our fears are late?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Certainly our fears of where the season was going after Vegas?
Or are late? Aren't they? Everyone's feeling a lot better
that hey, the positive feelings about the preseason. Everything we're
hearing about how well the preseason had gone behind the scenes.
You at least started to see a bit of that
on Friday night, whereas after Vegas it was like, what
the hell's happened? Where is this campaign going? So yeah,
(01:47):
very heartening, but a long way Togo. We're going to
talk more about the match in detail, but I would
say that it's not it was unexpected the result. The
performance was excellent, but there were a few things. I
think Manly were a bit unlucky with a couple.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Of They were a bit lucky with a couple of.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Let me finished, they've been unlucky with a couple of
chances early on. They could have scored three tries in
the first ten to fifteen minutes and then it's possibly
a different game. The ref I'm being Devil's advocate here.
The referee was also pretty tough on them with the
set restarts. I think eleven to two so there were
a few things that helped the Warriors. And the other
thing that people have forgotten about that actually helped the
Warriors that we never really thought of was that they
(02:33):
had basically two weeks off, so they had a long
lead into this game, mainly had quite a short turnerund
after playing the Cowboys had to travel here. All those
things added up and actually helped help the Warriors. But yes,
excellent performance, great desire, great intent, and now they've got
a real platform to build on, haven't they.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Yeah, And I suppose the talk leading into this game
was what was the explanation for the Las Vegas showing
and the way their attack looked so directionless, And the
explanation was that they went away from that game plan.
I think Luke metcar From said himself was talking about,
you know, they sort of went away from what they
talked about. Perhaps you know, the occasion of Las Vegas
really did get to them. And then back at Mount
Smart suddenly the short passes come out. We've got a
(03:16):
little bit more variation. We're kicking the twenty the Warriors,
which is something that just wasn't really there in round one.
So to see that turnaround, I suppose there was obviously
a mental shift and the amount of talk there was
in the week from the likes of US and the
media and the fans that pressure. I suppose the fact
that they could cope with that and turn up against
(03:38):
a team that put on what fifty points in round one,
that shows, I guess the mental resilience. And we were
talking about the young harves combination or fairly and experienced
half combination of Luke Metcalfin, Shanell Harris Tavita. They could
stand up under that pressure.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
There was some pressure. You're right, there was some pressure,
and there was quite a good feeling from both ten
minutes onwards that no matter what happened, the Warriors weren't
going to let this result slip. In other words, they
were determined to get a win on Friday night, no
matter what, no matter how the game had twists and turns,
et cetera, et cetera. There was a real intense desire
(04:14):
there because they had a lot to prove. Yes, the
attack started to click, but it was all built on
the defense. The defense was much better, mainly apart from
the say, the first ten to twelve minutes and they're
winning the ruck. You know, they're winning the collisions. Their
forwards really really got going. Mainly's got the bigger pack,
but the Warriors outmuscled them in the forwards, outplayed them
(04:37):
generally across the park, and so good signs. Good signs.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
We're going to debrief all the action later discuss the
odds of Kayla and Pong are playing for the keywiste.
But first, here are the highlights. Warriors thirty six, Seagles sixteen.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
As he hens the whistle, and we're underway here at
mounts My twenty twenty five. Good hands sub with the
gas knuckers here in its travinments. This is mainly at
their best.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
And it's got line of this has been topped.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Not so far.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
The res caveda is there. It can be dangerous to
pretty more than dangerous. Nickle scer a m and there's
a tower. Looks look nice hands from Suber and Chase
some sad scores.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
In the corner.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Reg Yes, that is it, way logan, look the heir.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
And now the tribe turn us a sick.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
Turns a sick tricky he's hat tower her.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Thanks to Chavin audio cur to see of Fox Sports
could be held. Let's go through this game in a
little bit more detail. And obviously, as we mentioned before,
the big topic in the leading with the Harps Luke
Metcalf looking far more composed short passes, holding the space
a lot better. Janelle Harris to looking composed as well
on the left. I really liked his kicking game. Kicking
(06:12):
it in the twenty wasn't we were seeing so much
in Las Vegas? They were running the ball. But what
was behind this turnaround? What was what did they do differently?
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Well? The question coming into this match was all about
how much had their performance in Las Vegas been about
just the complete lack of any platform that they had
to play off because the forwards were beaten up so
badly in Vegas, and how much of it was to
do with them being uncertain and unsure and making bad decisions.
Andrew Webster told us a few times, Nathan, that that
it was all about the It was a bit unfair.
(06:42):
It was all about the fact the team just didn't
turn up, so that referts back to the halves. It
was probably a bit of both. You know, Metcalf and
Chanelle didn't go so well against Raiders, so they made
they made better decisions. They got some confidence. I mean,
I think Luke Metcalf is a good example. He's a
real confidence player and you could you could even see
that on Friday night. You know, he didn't actually start
that well. There were a couple of you know, the
(07:04):
first couple of sets they got, they got a couple
of repeat sets after manly and didn't really work. It
was a bit lateral. But once they got going, he
played a key role in that first try to Chanel.
You could see his confidence left and he got better
as the game, as the game progressed, and that's normal,
Like we forget this is it was a second ever
(07:26):
start at number seven in the NRL, you know, even
though he's twenty six and all that sort of thing.
So you know, he's still learning and he even though
backs himself, he's got to really believe he can do it,
and we started to see that.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Coach Andrew Repster talking afterwards, Wrapped. They stuck to their
game plan this week. They stuck to their guns. We're
not where we.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Want to be.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
It didn't play, but we're wrapped that we stuck together
this week.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
We look way more like ourselves, way more. No one's
going to be perfect in early rounds but that's what
you're going to do. You're going to defend well and
chase well.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
If you look across the team stats, they had the
edge and runs, run meeters, post contact meters, thirty nine
tackle breaks. It is something that really stands out. And
another player in particular that stood out was Aaron Clark
one hundred and forty nine meet is from eighteen runs,
twenty two tackles. Obviously playing lock forward, he's a different
kind of player to Tahu Harris. What does he bring
that I suppose provides a point of difference.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
I mean, he's a guy I think we're going to
talk about a lot this season, and I feel like
he's a great signing and one of the most under
the radar signings. They didn't sign too many players in
the off season, did they, but really really good pickup
Aaron Clark. He's not that big, you know, he's not
too much bigger than you, which is compliment, Yeah, but
(08:41):
he's just this sort of ball of muscle and he's
got the special ability to he's quicker than you think.
So he gets to the defensive line before their set,
which allows him to get post contact meters meant much
more post content meters than a guy his size should
be able to get. So he regularly hits the line earlier,
the defense doesn't see it, and he gets the post
content meters. The other thing I like about him is
(09:04):
he's quite a ballplayer, so because his background. Of course,
he was a half growing up, and then he was
a hooker. So that's a really good thing I feel,
because he's like Tahu and Mitch Barnette, to a lesser extent,
Dylan Walker. He's another four that's really happy with the
ball in his hands, and I think we're going to
see that more and more as the season progressed. But yeah,
he was excellent, and it just adds to the mysteries
(09:27):
to why he didn't start in Vegas. But that's another matter.
He was excellent, really laid the platform, really helped to
lay the platform. Although all the fourds were great, weren't they?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Yeah? They were, But there were also obviously some backs
that stood out. A couple other than the haves that
I wanted to talk about. Roger to Varsa, Sheck is
probably the player that I thought played the best in Vegas.
I thought he had a really good game, actually, Roger,
and he showed up again this week, but again producing
another dynamic performance. Charles Loik a crook start as well.
I felt he went missing a little bit in Vegas,
(09:58):
and he showed up this week with one hundred and
seventy one run meters, which is the most in the game.
Injecting himself, I think a little bit more than we
saw in week one.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Yeah, I mean I thought Chance was. I still don't
think he looks like he did in twenty twenty three.
You know, he was, he was better in the second
half on Friday. I think he's still building it to
his game. But with Roger, what did you think of
his defensive reads?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Defensive well, mainly found space down the edges, didn't they? Yeah, yeah,
what's the issue?
Speaker 3 (10:28):
So that's I only asked you that, mate, because it's
like that that'll be his work on and it's a
blameless situation. It's so hard as a winger to defend.
He was trying to he was trying to compress and
to stop the threat of Daboyevich and he misread it
twice which led to two Manly's tries. Really, and the
good thing about Roger though, is he owned that. So
(10:49):
after the game he said, you know, I got skinned
a couple of times. Not good enough. Got to work
on that. But that's his work on and that's something
that all wingers and he's like a new winger. But
you're exactly right. Apart from that, his work rate, his desire,
just the way every time he gets the ball, it
kind of feels like he's foundness position, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
I mean a lot of people would argue with that
and say, given the amount of work he does with
the ball in hand and how much he stands out
with the ball, get his hands on the ball as
much as possible, where are you going to do that
at full bail?
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Or that's a whole other podcast. That's a separate we
should do a separate special edition. But yeah, but he
certainly much looks more comfortable and more threatening it on
the wing that it's sent it, doesn't he?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Yeah, And I suppose you talked about that defense. Webster
was impressed with their defense overall during the game, crediting
that and their keck pressure for what they were then
able to produce on attack. If you're defending more and
you're putting pressure on our position, points come and if
you don't defend well, you don't get through the score points.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
You're not willing to play the long game and keep
well and chase well.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
You don't put any pressure in our position, and tonight
we did that. Now, in terms of manly side of things,
I am convinced that the NRL have employed Stevie Wonder
to work in the bunker, because you'd have to be
blind to not see that Jason sab loses the ball
forward as he places it over the line. Am I right?
Or am I correct? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:14):
It's one of those, you know. Three of the three
or four, there's five replays. Four of them showed a
completely lost control. There was one that showed a fingertip
still on the ball, and that is enough these days,
and we love that when it goes for the Warriors
next week and there's a finger tip and they say try.
So it was. It was pretty annoying. But when they
(12:36):
slot right down and looking for something, yeah it was.
It was dicey, wasn't it? It was dicey, as was the second.
Their third try was also dicey. But I didn't wind
that much so much because that was just a wonderful effort.
So I'd rather see that sort of try awarded for
the benefit of doubt than than scrubbed off when they
(12:56):
think that, oh maybe the edge of his big toe
did did bisect the dead ball line?
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Well yeah, I mean you talked earlier about Manly maybe
get a hard rap from the referees in terms of
the number of six segenstor because it seemed to me,
I mean just based off the number of six again
calls seven in the first half alone, they seem to
live off side and that culminated with Jake ja Boyvitch
getting sinband later in the second half. How much do
(13:25):
we have to factor in that? I suppose in terms
of the Warriors go forward, oh a lot.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Like the set restarts killed Manley. There were just so
many like mainly may have been off side. But you know,
I really really do not like the six skin rule.
I don't like the way it's applied. And if you
if we're trying to be neutral, how can how can
the Warriors get eleven it restarts so it was and
mainly get two. I just well, the Warriors really that
perfect because next week, you know what the Roosters like,
(13:53):
We're going to be saying the same thing when the
Roosters get a million set restarts, so it definitely helped
the Warriors, which which was nice. Then they needed that help.
But you know, we also should mention James with Harrison
Mitch Bunnett. It's easy to forget the sort of the
two Titans in the middle but far out. Mitch Bennett
(14:13):
goes what was it fifty four minutes in his first
stint and was evolved in just about everything. James, mister Harris,
I think he wrecked up forty tackles, you know for
a prop in the middle was it was pretty good going,
So I think those guys show showed what they can
do as well.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Up next, we'll preview the roosters and discuss Calen Pong
has potential Kiwiz question.
Speaker 5 (14:35):
Mark The Big League Podcast podcast The Big League Podcast
on the Warriors bad wagon since day one.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
Now, in what was probably the other massive upset of
the round, Roosters thirty eight Panthers thirty two roosters. They
were eleven dollars outsiders coming off of fifty to fourteen
drubbing by the Broncos. No one gave them a chance.
Sounds pretty familiar. James Tedesco named it their greatest win
(15:10):
after the fact, I mean I was stunned when I
saw the scoreline to this game, because again I wrote
them off the amount of talent that Dave lost this year.
But Jared Warrio, Hargreave, Luke Keary, Joey marn who all
shifted overseas half back Sam Walker is out for the
year with an ACL injury. Tedesco was on fire, he.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Was, And they've got a special a special culture, the Roosters.
They had it for years. I mean they've been in
three Grand Finals in the last since twenty thirteen. That
you know, they were a big club. They were always
going to bounce back. Not many were tipping that. I
do feel though that eleven dollars price was a bit
over the top. Someone at the Australian TIRB got a
(15:53):
bit carried away, I think because the Roosters were still
at home Penrith was still coming off a tough match
in Vegas in the travel and the Roosters have still
got some couple of really good players in their pack
and some good players in their back line. So the
odds were a bit over the top, but fantastic given
by the Roosters and it sets up Friday really well.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
And obviously they've got numerous threats in their back line.
Dominic Young on the wing, Mark na wang Anita Wase,
former Wallaby and Waratah union player. He's playing at center.
Australian commentators routinely calling him Marky Mark, presumably to avoid
saying his last night.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
I love the way you did say his last name.
It's very shows your professionalism and it shows the way
they avoid it. The Aussies are pretty good at there
anything tricky, they're just let's throw a nickname in there.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
I suppose we've had from both of these sides of
the Warriors and the Roosters, two completely different performances across
round one and round two. So it is very difficult
to judge where these sides are ound at this point
in the competition and what could potentially play out when
they come up against each other. So in terms of
the Warriors, what are the next steps?
Speaker 3 (17:05):
Do?
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Look at the controllables? What do the Warriors need to perfect?
For me? It's their edge defense because that was exposed
immediately at Mammy.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Yeah yeah, not not too much to there's defense. They
still look a bit uncertain and that's normal because look
at their back line. Who is who on Friday night
was in the same position they're in at this time
last year. Adam Pompey wasn't playing this time last year,
Tain's on the wing, Roger was at center, was new,
(17:37):
and we've got another another new winger. So that's that's
the thing. That's the thing they've got to sort out.
And that's kind of normal the communication. You can do
it all in pre season, but comes to a game
and a split second decision do I come and do
I take my man? The communication, but with Adam and
Roger probably wasn't there at times and even on the
other edd. So yeah, that that's a work on, And
(18:00):
they've also got things to work on on attack. Like
as much as the scoreline looks great if we if
you look closely, which they will if you look closely
at the amount of ball they had, the mount of
good ball they had and all those set restarts, there
was consecutive penalties at different times and it really felt
sometimes didn't make the most of those opportunities. So that
(18:21):
that's going to be that's definitely a work on as well,
isn't it.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
The Big League Podcast.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Podcast, right Burch an interesting story emerged over the weekend,
and that was a topic that has come up before.
Stacy Jones has expressed interest in acquiring Calen Palmer, who
was obviously committed to Australian rugby, so that he can
play for Queensland, he can play for State of Origin.
(18:46):
It's not something that was that's unusual. He spent five
years of his life in New Zealand, born in Australia.
His father is Marty. He played for the Marty All Stars.
Of course, is this something that could happen because malm
and Inger's come out swinging, say nah, he's Australian. Get
out of it, Stacy, what do you make of all
of this?
Speaker 3 (19:03):
It's funny, isn't it? Because it's not a new story.
This top has been bubbling all for a while. Michael
maguire talked about Ponger. They've been approached to Ponger for years.
I remember Ponger coming to spend years ago, in maybe
two thousand and fifteen or sixteen. The Key was having
a training at Mount Smart before they went off on
(19:24):
tour of England and Ponger was there and they wanted
to get him into the camp and you know, feel
what it was like in Kearney. But that stage was
saying I'd be great to have this guy, and then
of course he opted for Queensland. So this is not new,
but it's great that's been talked about again because something
has to happen. You know that these these origin rules,
(19:45):
the way they've progressed don't really make sense because it
works for every country except New Zealand. So there's all
these kids growing up in New Zealand and Australia that
have tong And or some own heritage that can say, Okay,
I'm going to play for Summer and Tonga and that
means I can still play Origin. But a key We
(20:05):
guy has to make the choice New Zealand are born
and born in Australia, has to make the choice between
g do I take the forty to fifty grand to
play for Queensland in New South Wales or do I
play for the Keywis. It just doesn't it just doesn't
feel right, And that's what Ponger has to consider, doesn't
it If he is considering it.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
Well, it's the tea. It's the way the tear system
works right in terms of origin. So the rules are
that if you are playing for if you want to
play origin, you have to declare for Australia as a
Tear one nation or a Tear two nation. So some
more in tong are Tear two nations. But it's not
based on how good they are their performance. It's based
on the way the rugby league system is set up
(20:47):
in that country. So then someone and Tonga obviously they
don't have the same systems and structures in terms of
development that Australia and New Zealand have. But it seems
like it's sort of unfairly because somewhere in tong are
both very strong international sides. This is all sort of
set up unfairly to disadvantage New Zealand in a way,
because New Zealanders are the ones who are the only
ones out of you know, this Pacific region who have
(21:10):
to make that choice. As you said, so do we
need to just do away with this tear system?
Speaker 3 (21:15):
That could be one that's certainly an argument out there,
isn't it. I Mean, I always thought it would be
crazy to see New Zealanders playing state of Origin. Iways
thought that's just mad. It would be so weird because
there was talk about that years ago. People would say,
why can't Benji Marshall play state of Origin. Why can't
Sunny Bill. I mean, they're probably bad examples because they
weren't eligible, But I'm talking about guys that are actually eligible,
(21:38):
that maybe went to Australia when they were young or
were born in Australia, but they're Kiwis and I was thought, oh,
that's just too weird. You know, state of origin is
a but the NRL have sort of turned State of
Origin into an all stars game, you know, that's what
it's starting to feel like, where players are picked from
all over the place. So I don't know, do you
open it up to everyone? Do you say that Kiwis
(21:58):
can play state of Origin eligibles and they've got some
link to Queensland And because at the moment this is
just say New Zealand is the one that's suffering the
most and it's only going to continue as Toma and
Somo get stronger. I don't think Australia particularly cares, but
that all Australia cares about, justicially is Australia. But there
(22:23):
has to be some kind of solution because it would
be fantastic if Ponger really wants to play for the Kiwis.
How good would it be how good would be for
the sport if he plays for the Kiwis. But somehow
it can still play for Queensland if they want him.
They might not want him. They might say, look, if
you're going to play for the Kiwis, we don't want you.
We've got Reece, Welsh, We've got this, We've got that.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
I don't think this is going to happen. I don't
think Calen Pong is going to end up playing for
the Kiwis. I think this is just noise. That's my take.
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Well, I'm a bit surprised that Stacy Jones has played
his card so early because the Test matches out to November,
you know, so there's a lot of time for all
this maneuvering to happen. So I'm not sure why he
wants to put it out there now. But he was
asked and he was honest. You would be keen. Yeah,
it's hard to see. It's hard to see him playing
(23:09):
for the Kiwis, but if he really wants to. But
the thing, that's the thing, He's already played for Queensland,
so in theory that makes him ineligible. If he's played
for Queensland as a Australian he obviously can't play for
the Keys.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I mean, I don't know if Canon Pong was that
fast with playing for Australia because he made himself unavailable, remember,
because he wanted to focus on his preparation for playing
for Newcastle into this year. He made himself unavailable for
the Pacific Championships, then backflipped on that decision. I think
though that it would involve administrators in Australia collectively going yep,
let's change the rules and then effectively they lose a
(23:46):
really good player. So I just I just do not
see it happening.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
Yeah, and the rules have also got to be changed
at the at the top level with the International Rugby League.
It's a it's an ongoing discussion. I know Greg Peters
at the NEWSBIA League he wants something done because he
doesn't feel it's quite right at the moment.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
LV The Big League Podcast for the Biggest League for.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
BIRS.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Quick fire predictions for Round three of NRL Action. We're
kicking off with a doozy and who knows, who knows
what will happen Storm Panthers in Melbourne.
Speaker 3 (24:21):
First of all, though I've already got quite a healthy
lead after only two weeks. Are you feeling the pressure?
Speaker 2 (24:27):
I'm not kidding, count what are you talking about? Healthy lead?
Speaker 3 (24:29):
Okay, yeah, I got six seven out of eight in
the first week when you were in here with Nick
and yeah, anyway, storm storm for me. But as you say,
toss a coin. Panthers are want to bounce back. This
is always a fantastic matcher. I just think the storm
at home will make the difference.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
I don't think I think Ivan Claire is going to
put a rocket up the Panthers bums after that performance
against the Roosters and Nathan Claire even afterwards saying it's
not good enough. We were awful basically, and I can't
see the Panthers dropping too in a row. Storm will
be tough though. It'll be a tight game and it
could go either way. Warriors Roosters.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
That's the beauty, isn't it. Both teams played so well,
as we said, both teams with a remarkable turnaround, and
both teams on a Friday night, so they've got the
equal amount of preparation set up perfectly. What to make
the difference? Hard to say. The Roosters have been dominated
the Warriors for a long time. Over the years. Will
Friday not be different, Let's hope. So I'll go with
(25:30):
the Warriors and a close.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
One Broncos versus the Cowboys.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Broncos the bounce back. They weren't as good against the Raiders,
but the Raiders were excellent. The Cowboys are in a
bit of a hole and I think Todd Payton's already
under pressure, like they'll be better for the Queensland Derby,
but yeah, it's a tough place where North Queensland are
at the moment.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Definitely the o from two to start the year. Sharks
Bunnies in Cronella.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Yeah, quite a hard one to tip this one, but
you've got to like what Kranella are doing. They were
really good against Pendeth and Las Vegas. That was a
close game. They've continued that on with the Round two win.
Rabbit is excellent the way they got home against the Dragons,
but they've lost so many players to injuries and that
(26:15):
it's got to take its toll sooner or later.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
I'm going to go with the Sharks. The Bunnies were
two very tight wins, but as you say, they've lost
quality Dolphins. Tigers.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Yeah, wow, the Tigers. I am so happy for Benji
in the way they won, and you know his little
revolution with all the young players he's playing, and it
was just to beat a team like the Eels the
big weston Derby. Fantastic for them. I do think the
Dolphins do something though they're back at home, so I'll
go with the Dolphins here, even though the Tigers have
got all the momentum.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
I'm going to go with the Tigers for that reason,
the momentum, and we love an underdog story. Jerome Leui
going to the Tigers. Can he turn it around? In
the club Titans versus the Knights. As we mentioned at
the top, the Titans have got some issues. They've got
a really good forward pack, they've got pace out wide,
but they just don't seem to have it.
Speaker 3 (27:05):
Doesn't seem to jel for them with the spine. I'm
not sure what the issue is, but they've obviously got issues.
So the Knights. Look, I'll be looking about back, but
you'd say the Knights will be will be too good here.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Eels Bulldogs.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
Oh this is for me. I remember so many times
last season tipping the Eels and saying, surely they'll come right.
I'm going to do it again. I'm going to say,
surely the Eels have come right at home against an
arch rival, even though the Bulldogs are looking great. I'm
giving you I'm throwing you one here, I'll go Els.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
You're throwing me a bone bird. But you've got such
a lead, they don't you want to consolidate it.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
No, I'm pretty confident.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
I'll go with the Bulldogs. Put forty points on the
Tiger Titans over the weekend. And finally the Seagles versus
the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
Hmmmm, it kind of depends.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
This one's well, the raidst the Raiders beat the Broncos.
That's untouchable.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
They did. No, no, no, I'm going to go with
the Seagulls at Brookvale, but it depends. I'll put a
cavit on that depending on the injury situation with some
of their players, So I reserve the right to change
my tip. Can't works later in the week.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
This is final sequels gay for the Raiders three from three.
Thank you Michael Burgess for your time, your wisdom, your insight.
Will see you next week on the Bigger League Podcast.
Please follow and rate the podcast. We'll be back next Monday.
My name is Nathan Limb. Have a great week.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
For more from News Talk sed B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!