3 minute read
A snapshot of the action from round 15 of the NRL season.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 15 OF THE NRL
* QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "I disagree with Brad on that one." - Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy in response to Parramatta coach Brad Arthur saying Eels players don't take dives or stay down deliberately.
* STAT THAT MATTERS: South Sydney's 38-0 first-half demolition job on Manly was their biggest lead at the break in their 112-year history.
* MAGIC MOMENT: Canberra big man Josh Papalii chasing down Gold coast halfback Jamal Fogarty over 60 metres to ankle tap him, force a knock-on and save a try. An incredible effort for a prop on a much smaller man.
* MAN OF THE ROUND: The form of Adam Reynolds has been mixed in 2020 but on Saturday night he hit his peak. And not just for the way he steered South Sydney to a crushing victory over Manly, but his pinpoint sideline conversions were a thing of beauty. He nailed 10 kicks for the game, nine conversions and a penalty goal.
* TALKING POINT: The new crusher tackle charges came into effect over the weekend with three players slapped with bans under the new penalties. Dragons prop Paul Vaughan copped the worst of it and is now facing three weeks on the sidelines. There have now been 21 players charged for crusher tackles in 2020 compared to 12 across the entire 2019 season.
* JUDICIARY WATCH: Parramatta - Marata Niukore (crusher tackle), Penrith - Viliame Kikau (dangerous contact); Brisbane - Issac Luke (dangerous contact); St George illawarra - Paul Vaughan (crusher tackle); Gold Coast - Moeaki Fotuaika (crusher tackle); North Queensland - Josh McGuire (high tackle)
* CASUALTY WARD: Cronulla - Shaun Johnson (groin), The Sydney Roosters - Matt Ikuvalu (ankle); Melbourne - Brandon Smith (jaw), Kenny Bromwich (calf), Ryley Jacks (hip); South Sydney - Dane Gagai (hamstring), Alex Johnston (concussion); Manly - Moses Suli (foot); Gold Coast - Nathan Peats (calf), Ash Taylor (quad); Newcastle - Daniel Saifiti (knee), Blake Green (knee); North Queensland - Reece Robson (hamstring), Emry Pere (back), Jason Taumalolo (lower leg)
* UNDER PRESSURE: After Friday night's loss to Penrith, Cronulla are still to beat a current top eight side and sit precariously in eighth-spot on the ladder. They're two wins ahead of four sides, but pressure is building to claim a big scalp or be bundled out of the race.