PETE’S PUNCHLINE – The National

Solid win by the Hunters over the weekend. Despite taking on a Falcons side with a big (see taller) pack the Hunters made it a grind and eventually ran away with the game at the back end. All four tries were entertaining and got the crowd up. Clent Lama and Robert Mathias’ efforts were brilliant but Valentine Richard’s burrowing try from dummy-half late in the game was the most impressive for me. He had left the field in the 15th minute with what looked like a serious shoulder injury but then recovered to get injected back in the final quarter and to come up with that try was amazing.
I think I figured out why Val didn’t pass from dummy-half. Other than the fact that he is a prop and they don’t do that kind of thing, I reckon his shoulder was that compromised that passing would have hurt more than just tucking it in and having a go. Am I wrong?
I got a new nickname for Koso Bandi: ‘Butter fingers’.
I guess Junior Rop gets promoted now to the bench after the Easter weekend break? Either that or Bandi uses the time work to convince Paul Aiton he’s got a vice-like grip.
I like Elijah Roltinga, he’s slowly getting into the swing of things. I think he’ll really hit his straps by the middle of the season or a round or two earlier. When it does happen, look out.
And here I thought the Wests Tigers were going to be scaredy cats in 2024. I think this tiger just growled, and its only round 3. On yah, Tigers!
For those you who are writing the Rabbitohs off in 2024, consider this: in order for us to get a better coach and a proper game-managing halfback we need to expose the guys who are currently occupying those positions. Unfortunately, the team will need to suffer some indifferent form while this all plays out. I’m fine with all of that as long as Alex Johnson can hit 200 tries at some point and have a red hot go at equalling Ken Irvines 212 effort.
I called it first. The Crusaders are toast in 2024 and with their demise will come one significant repercussion – the All Blacks just might be vulnerable this year (even with Scott Robertson as coach, the mental scarring might be too much to overcome in one season). You got that Wallabies?
Congratulations to Sandis Tsaka for retaining the PNGRFL chairmanship at the sport’s AGM over the weekend. Sandis has proven his ability over his last two terms and if anyone should see in the NRL era, its him. Commiserations to those who contested. The best you can do now is not wait for the next elective AGM but continue to do the good work developing the sport in your locales.
Also, congrats to Jacob Ivaroa on his election as Southern Confed director. – PGTP ([email protected])