3 minute read
The key moments from round 11 in the NRL.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND SEVEN OF THE NRL:
* Quote of the round: "Our young guys, it rattled them, because we went off a cliff at the start of the year." Penrith coach Ivan Cleary talking about the sex tape scandals that have rocked their start to the season.
* Stat that matters: League leaders South Sydney's 32-16 win over the Wests Tigers moved their record to 10-1, their best start to a season since 1989.
* Magic moment: Embattled halfback Nathan Cleary won the ball back, then scored a crucial try in the space of a minute to inspire Penrith to a 16-10 win over Parramatta, helping him retain his State of Origin jumper.
* Talking point: NSW coach Brad Fittler had to watch halves options Luke Keary, Mitchell Pearce and Adam Reynolds suffer injuries in the space of 24 hours before naming his State of Origin I team on Sunday night.
* Man of the round: Gold Coast five-eighth Tyrone Roberts scored two tries and set up two more in their 36-18 upset of Manly, ending a four-game slide.
* Judiciary watch: Brisbane - Joe Ofahengaue (dangerous contact); Sydney Roosters - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (dangerous contact).
* Casualty ward: Gold Coast - Jai Arrow (hip), Keegan Hipgrave (concussion); Penrith - Waqa Blake (ankle), Dean Whare (hamstring), James Fisher-Harris (concussion); Sydney Roosters - Luke Keary (concussion); Newcastle - Kalyn Ponga (concussion), Danny Levi (ankle), Mitchell Pearce (groin); Wests Tigers - Moses Mbye (groin); North Queensland - Coen Hess (groin), Matt Scott (shoulder), Justin O'Neill (ruptured spleen); Manly - Brad Parker (jaw); Canberra - Josh Hodgson (thumb); Warriors - Jazz Tevaga (ankle); Melbourne - Dale Finucane (concussion); Melbourne - Jahrome Hughes (concussion); South Sydney - Adam Reynolds (leg).
* Under pressure: Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson shouldered the blame after resting Cooper Cronk in their loss to Newcastle. The defending premiers have now lost two in a row as they enter the crucial State of Origin period.