Round 9 of the NRL Season Wrap-Up: British Players Shine Bright
As the NRL season reaches the midway point, the Brits Down Under have continued to make their mark on the competition. In the latest round of action, several players from the UK turned in standout performances for their respective clubs.
Canberra Raiders Captivate with Brits’ Brilliance
Canberra Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead was the headline act, scoring a brace of tries upon his return to the field in the side’s narrow 26-24 victory over Manly. The former Bradford Bulls and Catalans Dragons forward played the full 80 minutes, racking up 10 carries, 29 tackles, an assist, two offloads and four tackle breaks in an influential outing.
Joining Whitehead in the Raiders’ winning effort was Morgan Smithies, who topped the tackle count with 43 hits at an impressive 95% efficiency rate. However, the Wigan Warriors product was charged with a Grade One crusher tackle and faces a $1,500 fine if he takes the early guilty plea.
Burgess and Young Impress for Rival Clubs
Elsewhere, Tom Burgess featured off the bench as the Rabbitohs were soundly beaten 42-12 by champions Penrith Panthers. The England international made seven carries and 24 tackles with a 92% success rate, while also breaking the line on four occasions.
Over at the Sydney Roosters, the towering Dom Young continued his impressive NRL debut season, scoring a try and providing an assist in the 40-18 triumph over Brisbane Broncos. The young England winger amassed 131 metres from 16 runs and two offloads.
Bulldogs and Tigers Benefit from British Brawn
In the Canterbury Bulldogs’ 22-14 victory over Wests Tigers, Huddersfield-born prop Max King put in a solid shift, churning out 121 metres from 12 carries and making 34 tackles. Meanwhile, John Bateman was the game’s top tackler with 48 stops at 90% efficiency, despite his Tigers going down.
Kai Pearce-Paul Shines for Newcastle Knights
Newcastle’s Kai Pearce-Paul, the former Wigan Warrior, was another Brit to impress, running for 141 metres from 14 carries, including two tackle breaks, in the Knights’ 14-8 win over New Zealand Warriors.
“As the NRL season reaches its midway point, the contributions of these British players have been vital for their clubs. With the Rugby League World Cup looming later this year, their continued development in the Southern Hemisphere will be closely monitored by national team selectors.”
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