Axed Panthers star’s message to Cleary; Roosters half puts rival clubs on notice — Ressies Wrap
Rabbitohs youngster Tyrone Munro made his long-awaited return from a collarbone injury in what is some much-needed good news for the club and fanbase.
Meanwhile, Tyson Gamble’s hand injury has opened up an opportunity for either Will Pryce and Jackson Hastings to return to the Knights’ 17 — and both showed they’re worthy of a recall.
The Roosters’ Rugby Sevens convert Mark Nawaqanitawase kicked off life as a league player by making his New South Wales Cup debut — just a few weeks after representing his country at the Olympics.
The last week has been rough for the Rabbitohs. There was an off-field incident involving superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell, while the NRL side was defeated by the Wests Tigers — who are on track to get their third-straight wooden spoon.
But was one big positive to come out of last week and that’s the return of Tyrone Munro. The 19-year-old has been sidelined since April after fracturing his collarbone in Round 6.
Munro came back with a bang in South Sydney’s 28-14 win over Western Suburbs Magpies, scoring two tries, getting a linebreak and running 188 metres.
In the same game, Tigers winger Junior Tupou returned from a foot injury he suffered in Round 7. The 22-year-old, who will join the Dolphins next season, finished with 15 runs for 125 metres and three tackle busts.
The Magpies also welcomed Latu Fainu back to the team following his three-game stint in first grade. Fainu sat out of Round 23 under the NRL’s concussion protocols but was back in action on the weekend for the Tigers’ NSW Cup feeder side.
Fainu set up a try, got a linebreak, two linebreak assists, ran 100 metres and made 18 tackles — but did miss five.
Jackson Hastings and Will Pryce both produced standout performances that couldn’t have come at a better time given the Knights’ NRL side has lost Tyson Gamble to a hand injury. The pair have both been dropped from first grade in recent weeks but linked up nicely several times to steer the Knights to a dominant win over the Eels.
Hastings, who was named at lock, set up a try, got two linebreak assists, three tackle busts and 203 metres from 25 runs. He also made 30 tackles with zero misses.
After kicking out on the full to start the game, Pryce clicked into gear to set up four tries, kick a 40/20, get two linebreaks, a linebreak assist and run 121 metres. He made nine tackles but did miss five.
Pryce could be parachuted straight into five-eighth to replace Gamble this week, or Hastings could be an option to use off the bench should Jack Cogger start in the halves.
Mark Nawaqanitawase celebrated the beginning of his rugby league chapter with a try, two linebreaks, seven tackle busts and 154 running metres in the Roosters’ shock win over the Bulldogs. You can read more about his NSW Cup debut here.
And after winning Dally M Rookie of the Year in 2023, Sunia Turuva found himself in reserve grade for the first time this season. Turuva was dropped to 18th man in Round 18 and again for last Thursday’s clash with the Storm. The 21-year-old lined up for the Panthers’ Cup side on Sunday and finished with four tackle busts and 107 running metres.
Roosters halfback Hugo Savala won’t forget Round 24 any time soon after sealing an upset win over the Bulldogs with a matchwinning field goal in the 79th minute. The 22-year-old local junior also had nine tackle busts and 21 runs for 150 metres in the win, while also making 25 tackles with just one miss.
Ethan King was instrumental in the result too, bagging two tries and setting up another. He had two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, nine tackle busts and 156 running metres.
Super League-bound fullback David Armstrong bagged a hat-trick in the Knights’ 42-34 win over the Eels, while second-rower Brock Greacen impressed with 146 running metres and 29 tackles — one miss.
Eels winger Lorenzo Mulitalo was impressive in a losing side with three try assists and 100 running metres. Ethan Sanders was busy too, finishing with two try assists, two linebreak assists, a linebreak and 83 running metres in the high-scoring affair.
Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson was unstoppable in the centres, finishing the Rabbitohs’ win with a try, a try assist, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, seven tackle busts and 211 metres.
Blacktown kicked off the round with a 28-22 win over the Warriors. After going into the break up 16-0, the Sea Eagles conceded four Warriors tries to go into the final nine minutes of the game level on 22-all.