NRL Recap: British Stars Shine in Round 7 Action
As the 2024 NRL season marches on, Round 7 offered another opportunity for the league’s British contingent to showcase their talents. This weekly feature, “Brits Down Under,” checks in on how these international players are faring in the world’s premier rugby league competition.
In the Roosters’ narrow defeat to the Storm, Victor Radley delivered an impressive performance, finishing as the top metre-maker with 190 from 23 carries. The 26-year-old, who qualifies for England through his father, was a workhorse, making 36 tackles and 15 hit-ups in an 80-minute shift.
Over at the Tigers, John Bateman put forth arguably his best outing of the season so far. The Bradfordian was tireless, racking up 157 metres from 17 carries, 23 tackles, a try assist, six tackle breaks, and 14 hit-ups in Penrith’s win over the Tigers.
Elsewhere, Morgan Smithies of the Raiders showcased his defensive prowess with 32 tackles at 92% efficiency, along with 49 metres from seven carries in their loss to the Broncos. Huddersfield-born Max King was a standout for the Bulldogs, rumbling for 130 metres from 15 carries and making 23 tackles in their victory over the Knights.
Rounding out the Brits Down Under, Kai Pearce-Paul of the Knights put in a solid shift, tallying 81 metres, 33 tackles, a try assist, two tackle breaks, and an offload, despite his side’s defeat.
“As the NRL season heats up, these skilled British players continue to make their mark, drawing the attention of rugby league enthusiasts and potential England selectors alike.”
With the mid-season Test against France on the horizon, their performances will undoubtedly be under the microscope as they vie for international call-ups.
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