As curtains closed on round 12, an eighteenth team scratched it’s name back into the NRL competition – the interim Iguana’s.
Beware of the corny club mascot, while not fierce like a Panther, the Iguana can change colour and camouflage into its environment. The invisible organisation is a curse for some, and a charity for others.
Sides like the Titans, Tigers, Knights, Raiders and Sharks have avoided the interim enemy – playing at full capacity throughout Origin I and II, bar the experiment of Nicho Hynes.
Kyle Feldt of the Cowboys celebrates scoring a try. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Queensland clubs the Broncos and Cowboys have been plagued by Origin – with both setups having to manoeuvre through the loss of six and five players respectively for the opener.
Clubs like the Roosters have thrived during the representative period – even with a flurry of state players leaving the coop.
NSW’s omission of James Tedesco has left Trent Robinson with his skipper and a competition top three fullback – who put on a heater of a performance against the Tigers to reinstate his terrific form.
Viking slap
For other sides like Ricky Stuart’s Raiders, Origin has been a real kick in the guts. Yes, the Raiders were without Hudson Young for a week – apart from that, Canberra have been picked apart and smacked in the teeth. They have no answers and are seriously lost.
Three straight losses have slumped the Green Machine down to 12th. They were put to the sword against the Tigers in round 16 and were underwhelming in attack against the Storm. The Raiders are low on depth and are getting little out of their experienced players in Josh Papalii, Hudson Young and Elliott Whitehead.
Jordan Rapana continues to try his heart out, but to no avail, with Canberra handing over possession through too many school-grade errors.
Bulldogs rev up
The Bulldogs on the other hand, have been stellar against the Origin interim. While round 17 was a scrappy one-point win, they have been incredibly tough.
Cameron Ciraldo has made a real difference to Canterbury’s defensive system – which has resulted in the Dogs coming out on top in their last four from five fixtures.
Finals footy is far away, but the retention of Matt Burton – who was booted from the Blues, has been no burden on his conscience. Burton has lifted the Bulldogs to some honest form. There remains question marks around attack and one-dimensional play, but they have won big in a generally tough competition period.
At the end of round 12 the Dogs were 10th, they now sit fifth, and have made friends with the Origin interim.
Melbourne move well clear
Prior to Origin, the Sharks headed the competition ladder with a two-point buffer on 20. For the five rounds which have followed, Cronulla have managed only one win – the other points come from a bye.
They are now poised at third, but have ruined all chances for a minor premiership, with the Storm racing to a swift four-point competition lead.
Melbourne have trumped the Origin interim – even without legendary No.6 Cameron Munster, along with the fluctuating presence of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Harry Grant.
Craig Bellamy’s men now have a strangle hold of the NRL and have won the last four on the trot – showing no signs of slowing down.
Jahrome Hughes has stamped his authority on the halves debate, out-playing every other No.7 over the interim period.
Parramatta speech and winless
The Eels remain an easy opponent for not just the Iguana’s, but the rest of the NRL. How Parramatta round out the competition ladder is beyond me.
Equipped with an above average roster of Dylan Brown, Clint Gutherson, Junior Paulo, Bryce Cartwright and Mitchell Moses, they cannot blame recent form on the interim coach.
Yes, their club management is in shambles. Yet, to be on just four wins for the season – tied with the Tigers, is a woeful reality. Demolition and an entire reconstruction job is required out west.
Parramatta Eels
v
South Sydney Rabbitohs
NRL : Head To Head
Thu, 4 Jul 2024, 19:50
Cronulla Sharks
v
Gold Coast Titans
NRL : Head To Head
Fri, 5 Jul 2024, 18:00
Brisbane Broncos
v
Penrith Panthers
NRL : Head To Head
Fri, 5 Jul 2024, 20:00
Canterbury Bulldogs
v
New Zealand Warriors
NRL : Head To Head
Sat, 6 Jul 2024, 15:00
Wests Tigers
v
Melbourne Storm
NRL : Head To Head
Sat, 6 Jul 2024, 17:30
North Queensland Cowboys
v
Manly Sea Eagles
NRL : Head To Head
Sat, 6 Jul 2024, 19:35
Sydney Roosters
v
St. George Illawarra Dragons
NRL : Head To Head
Sun, 7 Jul 2024, 14:00
Canberra Raiders
v
Newcastle Knights
NRL : Head To Head
Sun, 7 Jul 2024, 16:05
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There’s something about Clint Gutherson that doesn’t sit well. As a leader, he gets overly frustrated with his side when an error is made or a try is scored. His energy, while at times can be ecstatic – the No.1 is rather childish in key moments and can go on whingeing tyrants.
It is time for a spine change and an overhaul of the big men – turn over some players and make a bold pick, they have nothing to lose.
The Rabbitohs are now on the charge, while the Sea Eagles, Dragons and Knights are somehow managing to keep in touch with the eight despite a string of inconsistency. Apart from the top four, the competition is wide open.