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Snapshot of action from NRL's round four

3 minute read

It was the most lopsided round of NRL action in 17 years as the difference between the haves and have-nots became even clearer in round four.

RYAN PAPENHUYZEN of the Storm.
RYAN PAPENHUYZEN of the Storm. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND FOUR OF THE NRL

* QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "It's hard to disagree (with those comments) when beaten by 40 points two weeks in a row ... it's good to know they have a clear understanding where we're at as well" - Cowboys coach Todd Payten after hearing Jake Granville called the defence "soft and disconnected" after a 48-10 loss to Cronulla.

* STAT THAT MATTERS: You have to go back almost a century to find a side who have scored less points than Canterbury's 16 from the first four rounds of the competition. In 1928 Glebe scored only 12 from their first four games and the Bulldogs' start to the season is the worst since.

* MAGIC MOMENT: It's not often you see a charge down, let alone two, and let alone one that finishes in a try. However, Dragons second-rower Tariq Sims pulled off the rare feat to score against his former side in their 22-13 win over Newcastle.

* MAN OF THE ROUND: Ryan Papenhuyzen has rapidly risen to one of the best players in the competition over the past two seasons, but his four tries in 11 minutes against Brisbane was next-level brilliance.

* TALKING POINT: The rule changes have certainly made an impact on the game after the most lopsided round in almost 17 years. The 209 points that separated the winners from the losers in round four is the most since round 13, 2004.

* JUDICIARY WATCH: Warriors - Bunty Afoa (shoulder charge); Knights - Jacob Saifiti (shoulder charge); Rabbitohs - Cody Walker (striking), Koloamatangi Keaon (crusher tackle); Broncos - Pat Carrigan (crusher tackle); Sea Eagles - Morgan Boyle (crusher tackle)

* CASUALTY WARD: Warriors - Addin Fonua-Blake (knee); Knights - Tex Hoy (hamstring), Mitchell Pearce (pec), Kurt Mann (concussion), David Klemmer (knee), Dom Young (knee); Titans - Jamal Fogarty (quad), Anthony Don (hip); Sharks - Josh Dugan (concussion), Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee); Cowboys - Justin O'Neill (concussion), Murray Taulagi (concussion), Bulldogs - Nick Meaney (ribs), Lachlan Lewis (concussion); Sea Eagles - Morgan Boyle (shoulder), Moses Suli (back)

* UNDER PRESSURE: Des Hasler. Manly is off to their worst start to a season in attack and defence after their 46-6 drubbing by Penrith, which is also their biggest loss at Brookvale Oval. Hasler has only just re-signed, but it appears it was too soon to make that call.

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