NRL stars Justin Olam and Felise Kaufusi returned to the field from their respective concussion and suspension, while Waqa Blake is also back in action.
Manly’s teen prodigy Latu Fainu had his best game to date in New South Wales Cup, steering feeder side Blacktown to their biggest win of the season.
The 18-year-old made headlines in 2021 for signing a record-breaking four-year deal as a 16-year-old that could see him earn over $1 million by the end of it if he reaches a number of bonus benchmarks.
Read on for the latest Reserve Grade Wrap.
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Dragons remain hopeful Hunt will stay | 00:47
ALL EYES WERE ON
Dolphins star Felise Kaufusi returned to the field after serving a three-game suspension for a high tackle on Christian Welch in Round 12. Given the Dolphins had the bye in NRL last weekend, the veteran second-rower featured for the club’s Queensland Cup side and his class was evident. Kaufusi scored a try, got a linebreak, four tackle busts and 92 running metres to go with his 12 tackles — two misses — in 56 minutes.
Storm powerhouse Justin Olam also returned from the field after missing Round 15 due to a concussion. Interestingly, he didn’t feature in Melbourne’s NRL game against the Tigers on Saturday night. Instead he played for Queensland Cup feeder side Sunshine Coast on Sunday and notched up 132 running metres, three tackle busts and nine tackles with two misses.
Elsewhere, Eels outside back Waqa Blake had a quiet return from a collarbone injury via NSW Cup. Blake only played the first half — which is part of his return to play plan — finishing with two runs for 22 metres and two tackles with two misses.
STANDOUTS
Young gun Rooster Suia Wong has been in great form for the last month and that continued over the weekend with the 20-year-old notching up 264 metres and 41 tackles — just one miss — in the Roosters’ 36-12 win over the Knights.
Up-and-coming fullback Ethan King returned from a concussion and had an immediate impact on the Chooks with a try assist, a linebreak, six tackle busts and 260 metres.
Cronulla’s back-up playmaker Braydon Trindall bagged a double for Newtown, while reigning NSW Cup Player of the Year Kayal Iro was at his metre-eating best, finishing with 255. He also scored a try, set up another, got three linebreaks and a linebreak assist. The pair, however, did miss six tackles.
Sharks cruise to huge win over Dogs | 02:59
The Bulldogs desperately need some more punch up front — and some defensive resolve — and a couple of forwards put their hands up for a recall. Ryan Sutton ran for 118 metres, got two linebreak assists and made 32 tackles with two misses, while Sam Hughes set up a try, got a linebreak, six tackle busts, ran for 132 metres and made 23 tackles with 1 miss.
Jackson Ferris had his best game to date for Blacktown, bagging a hat-trick, setting up a try, getting four linebreaks, three tackle busts and 214 running metres, while also making nine tackles with zero misses. 25-year-old Ferris spent eight years in the Sharks’ system, including a couple training full time. He joined Blacktown this season after spending 2022 playing for Ron Massey Cup side Glebe Burwood.
Speaking of best games, teen playmaker Latu Fainu had a career-defining game in Blacktown’s 46-10 win over the Eels. The 18-year-old made his NSW Cup debut in Round 8 and has taken a little bit of time to settle into the game but on the weekend his true potential was on show. Fainu scored a try, set up another, got three linebreaks, five tackle busts and 131 running metres. He also made 10 tackles with zero misses — his first game with no misses.
Livewire fullback Jake Toby was also instrumental in the win, scoring a try, setting one up, getting two linebreaks, three tackle busts and 194 running metres.
But perhaps the skills from big man Josh Stuckey in the second row were most impressive. 19cm, 104kg Stuckey set up two tries, got two linebreak assists, two tackle busts and 139 running metres, while also making 23 tackles with just one miss.
Dragons halfback Zach Herring had the ball on a string in his side’s 46-4 win over the Magpies. The 22-year-old set up four tries, got two linebreak assists, ran for 96 metres and then got a well-deserved try of his own in the 75th minute. He also made 20 tackles but did miss six.
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Winger Sione Finau bagged a double, set up a try, got two linebreaks, four tackle busts and ran for 273 metres, while fullback Treigh Stewart dominated too with a try, two assists, two linebreaks, four tackle busts and 210 running metres.
The Rabbitohs’ starting props Shaq Mitchell and Davvy Moaele were enormous in their side’s upset over the Bears. Mitchell scored a try, got a linebreak, four tackle busts and ran for 150 metres, while also making 29 tackles with two misses. Moale got 160 metres and made 26 tackles — zero misses.
Fullback Jacob Gagai topped the metre count for the Bunnies with 203. He also scored a try and set one up too.
Souths Logan centre Jesse Jennings had a game to remember, scoring a double, getting two linebreaks, six tackle busts and 210 running metres.
Halfback Jack Campagnolo pulled the strings in the 40-10 win over PNG Hunters, setting up three tries, getting two linebreak assists and running for 148 metres, while prop Benjamin Te Kura had two big 20-minute stints, finishing with a try, linebreak, linebreak assist, nine tackle busts and 179 metres.
Townsville’s Riley Price set a new season-high with 225 running metres in his side’s 34-18 win over Ipswich. Price also scored a try, got a linebreak, five tackle busts and made 18 tackles but did miss five.
Norths Devils halfback Bryce Donovan got a linebreak assist and ran for 117 metres. But most importantly, he kicked the matchwinning field goal to seal a 23-22 victory over Redcliffe. Centre Connor Broadhurst also had a big game with a try assists, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, four tackle busts and ran for 158 metres.
Five-eighth Josh Rogers was instrumental in Wynnum Manly’s win, scoring a try, setting up another, getting a linebreak, a linebreak assist and running for 91 metres. He also nailed seven conversions from seven attempts. Prop Corey Jensen was also rock solid with 191 metres and 29 tackles — zero misses.
On the other side of the field, Takai Mokohar was impressive in the second row for Western Clydesdales. He scored a try, got a try assist, a linebreak and ran for 172 metres. He also made 26 tackles but did miss four.
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Toby Sexton set up two tries in Tweed’s four-point win over Mackey. The Titans playmaker also got a linebreak, a linebreak assist, 86 running metres and made 17 tackles — but missed four. Treymain Spry shifted from centres to fullback and impressed with two try assists, three linebreak assists and 125 running metres.
Still on fullbacks, CQ Capras No.1 Blake Moore set up a try, got a linebreak and a linebreak assist to go with his 220 metres. Prop Bailey Butler was also huge in their 12-all draw with Northern Pride, running for 171 metres and making 37 tackles — although he did miss five.
Storm forward Chris Lewis got through a mountain of work for feeder side Sunshine Coast, scoring a try, getting a linebreak, four tackle busts and 135 metres, while also making 42 tackles with two misses.
Fellow Storm player Alec MacDonald filled in at centre for Brisbane Tigers and impressed with 214 metres and 32 tackles — one miss.