| A look back at NRL round 17 | | Print | |
| Tuesday, 07 July 2009 15:09 | |||
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Published: 10:35AM Tuesday July 07, 2009 By tvnz.co.nz league reporter John Whiting Source: ONE Sport 1. Time to focus on next season? The Warriors crashed down even further in round 17 with a 28-14 loss to the Brisbane Broncos. Now well out of the top eight, the Warriors need to win almost every game from here on out to be sure of a spot in the playoffs. What makes matters worse is they haven't won away from home since round two (Manly). 2. Tough break for Broncos While the Broncos celebrated victory over the Warriors last week, it came at a huge cost. In-form star winger Israel Folau is likely to be sidelined for up to eight weeks with a fractured ankle. Too add to the misery, he will miss the final State of Origin match next Wednesday. 3. Lote Tuqiri back to league? With the Australian Rugby Union's shock sacking of Lote Tuqiri, the rumour mill has been running hot with news he could make a comeback to the NRL. Tuqiri should still have a good three years left in him and I've got no doubt there would be plenty of teams willing to sign him.
4. Myles stoops to an all all-time low Queensland, and Sydney Roosters forward Nate Myles has dragged the embattled reputation of the NRL further into the mud with news he defecated on a hotel floor while drunk and naked on Sunday morning. What's worse was his embarrassing attempt at an excuse - click here to check it out. 5. From the 'where did that come from?' file The NRL can be a funny competition and round 17 showed that with the Wests Tigers thrashing the Rabbitohs 54-20. It was a game that had been tipped to be an absolute snoozer with neither side offering anything special this season. Just goes to show anything can happen. NRL round 17 snapshot (courtesy of AAP) THEY SAID IT: "They must be filling their duds when he runs at them because you just don't know where he's going to go or what he's going to do, but it's going to be quick." Penrith coach Matthew Elliott gives us an insight into what it must be like to oppose his in-form centre Michael Jennings. STAT THAT MATTERS: 34 points. That wasn't enough to secure a win over the Panthers, equalling the third highest score for a losing side in the NRL. MAN OF THE ROUND: Michael Jennings. Could he have done any more to demand a NSW recall? Three tries, a key role in setting up the match-winner, Jennings was simply dynamic in his first game since tearing his calf in Origin II. MAGIC MOMENT: Jamie Soward's runaway 80 metre try against the Sydney Roosters which took his tally to 39 points against his former club in two games this season. UNDER PRESSURE: South Sydney coach Jason Taylor. The Bunnies have lost five straight, the latest an embarrassing 54-20 defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Wests Tigers. JUDICIARY: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders) - lifting elbow, Jacob Lillyman (Warriors) - high tackle INJURIES:
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