NRL clubs will need to dip into their reserve grade squads to fill the holes left by State of Origin this weekend — and several players have put their hand up for selection.
Braydon Trindall is a certainty to step into Nicho Hynes’ spot, while Jayden Nikorima played his way into contention for Cameron Munster’s Storm jersey and Tristan Sailor deserves a shot at fullback for the Broncos.
Meanwhile, the heat has been turned up on the Roosters’ backline with a centre’s try-scoring form too good to ignore.
Read on for the latest Reserve Grade Wrap.
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ALL EYES WERE ON
Luke Garner is almost a certainty for an NRL recall to replace Liam Martin and his performance in NSW Cup would’ve helped his case.
Garner bagged a first-half double and finished the game with 98 running metres, five tackle busts and 27 tackles with just one miss.
Expect Braydon Trindall to step into Nicho Hynes’ jersey after the Sharks No.7 was selected for the Blues.
Trindall proved once again that he’s too good for reserve grade, scoring a try for Newtown and setting up four more in their 40-12 thrashing of the Knights. He also got a linebreak, three linebreak assists and ran for 104 metres. However he did miss five tackles.
With Jonah Pezet out injured, Craig Bellamy could turn to Jayden Nikorima to replace Cameron Munster after his huge performance for Sunsine Coast.
Turbo masterclass creates Manly upset | 02:31
Nikorima scored four tries in the 26-all draw with CQ Capras, while also getting three linebreaks, a linebreak assist, six tackle busts and running for 156 metres.
An opportunity may have opened up for Tristan Sailor to make his Broncos debut with Reece Walsh and Selwyn Cobbo on Origin duties. Sailor, who is on a development contract, has impressive for feeder team Souths Logan all season, averaging 205 running metres and four tackle busts per game.
He ran for 273 metres in his side’s win over Norths Devils and also got a try assist — taking his tally to nine in nine games — as well as a linebreak, two linebreak assists and five tackle busts.
Meanwhile, Jake Arthur has finished off his time with the Eels on a high, scoring a try, setting up another, running for 93 metres and making 16 tackles with zero misses in Parramatta’s 26-16 win over South Sydney. Arthur has signed with Manly effective immediately until the end of 2024.
And Shaquai Mitchell returned after two months on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Mitchell played 35 minutes off the bench for the Rabbitohs, finishing with 84 running metres and 18 tackles — zero misses.
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STANDOUTS
Junior Pauga has turned up the heat on the Roosters’ outside backs with yet another dazzling performance for feeder side, North Sydney Bears.
The 27-year-old Cup veteran scored four tries in their two-point win over the Bulldogs to take his tally to 14 tries in 10 games — however 13 of those tries have been scored in his last five games alone. He also got four linebreaks, eight tackle busts and 192 running metres.
He’s been playing in the centres for the Bears, but can also play on the wing and is averaging 168 metres as well as six tackle busts per game.
Perhaps it’s time for Trent Robinson to move Joseph Suaali’i back to the wing and clear the path for Pauga to make his club debut.
Tweed Seagulls second-rower Ioane Seiuli also scored four tries in his side’s big win. The 23-year-old started the year in the outside backs but has now proven he can also be an 80-minute edge forward. Seiuli also got five linebreks, eight tackle busts and ran for 132 metres.
Tweed’s fullback Lindon McGrady scored 22 of their 54 points, scoring a try and kicking nine goals from nine attempts. He also set up a try, got a linebreak assist, four tackle busts and ran for 191 metres.
Former Knights Jaron Purcell was also enormous in the win, playing 80 minutes at lock and finishing with a try, a try assist, 139 metres and 28 tackles — no misses.
Isaac Lumelume bagged a double in the Eels’ win and also got two linebreaks, five tackle busts and 158 running metres, while Newtown halfback Niwhai Puru was electric with two try assists, two linebreak assists, three tackle busts and 147 running metres.
Trent Toelau has been in and out of the Panthers’ NSW Cup side for the last three seasons but show just how good he can be after being promoted to the halves for Jack Cogger, who was a late scratching. Toelau scored a try and set up three more, while also running for 122 metres. Up-and-coming forward Liam Henry got through a mountain of work for Penrith too, running for 238 metres and making 47 tackles with just one miss.
Billy Burns tore up the Roosters’ defence, scoring a hat-trick, getting three linebreaks, seven tackle busts and 123 metres. He also made 27 tackles but did miss four.
Mid-season recruit Alec Tuitavake had his best game since joining the club from Manly, setting up a try and running for 135 metres, while Ryan Couchman put in an enormous 80-minute effort a lock. He finished with 226 metres — 101 post-contact — and 34 tackles with one miss.
Slater explains Ponga axing & more | 15:44
Clayton Faulolo looked good at fullback for Blacktown, scoring the matchwinner as well as setting up another try, getting a linebreak, a linebreak assist and running for 153 metres. Teammate Nathaniel Roache played a big hand in the win too with a try, two linebreak assists, four tackle busts and 99 running metres, while also making 22 tackles with just one miss.
It was five tries a piece in Wynnum Manly’s four-point win over PNG but goal-kicking proved to be the difference. The Seagulls led 22-nil at half time before a spirited fightback from the Hunters with five-eighth Sakias Komati starring. The 24-year-old set up three tries, got a linebreak, a linebreak assist and ran for 120 metres but it wasn’t enough to deliver his side the win.
Wynnum Manly’s Tyson Smoothy was instrumental at hooker, scoring a try, setting up another, getting a linebreak, two linebreak assists and five tackle busts. He also made 47 tackles but did miss four.
127-game veteran Sami Sauiluma delivered a captain’s knock at centre for Burleigh with two tries, two try assists, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists, 12 tackle busts and 141 running metres. Veteran winger Ken Maumalo also bagged two tries and ran for 191 metres.
The Dolphins smashed Mackay 52-10 with Mason Teague and Harrison Graham starring.
Teague scored his first Queensland Cup try as well as getting a try assist, two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, six tackle busts and 173 running metres. He also made 27 tackles with two misses.
Graham was injected at hooker in the 24th minute and made an immediate impact, setting up three tries, getting a linebreak, and two linebreaks, while also scoring a try himself in the 54th minute.
Souths Logan centre Jezzy Ione set up a try in his side’s win and then scored two tries in three minutes, while also getting a linebreak, a linebreak assist, 146 running metres. The 25-year-old was rock-solid in defence too, making 19 tackles with zero misses.
Elsewhere, Norths Devils hooker Liam Horne punched out 80 minutes in a comprehensive performance that included two tries, a try assist, 105 running metres and 32 tackles — zero misses.
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SPOTTED
The Magpies-Panthers clash at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday got heated and there were a couple of melees during the game. It seems emotions were still high after the game with Magpies captain Will Smith needing to be held back from Penrith’s Tom Jenkins on the field at full time.