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| Toyota Cup preview; round six | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 13 2010, 06:24 PM (306 Views) | |
| stacey | Apr 13 2010, 06:24 PM Post #1 |
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By Matt Russell Fox Sports commentator Matt Russell previews Round six of the Toyota Cup, including this week's live television games from Newcastle and New Zealand. Tight at the top Five weeks of competition has done little to separate the Toyota Cup field. Like the NRL, where one win separates nine teams, one win separates eight teams in the National Youth Competition. Complicating the Under 20's ladder are six odd numbers after three draws in the early rounds. Chances are not much will change by Round 10 or 15, meaning another thrilling trip through the final rounds. AK47 to fire Albert Kelly is set to make his first Toyota Cup appearance of the season on Sunday against Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. The rookie first grader has been dropped by Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart after a tough few weeks as an NRL fullback. He'll play five-eighth for Joey Grima's Under 20's. Kelly, nick-named AK47 because of his initials, played Toyota Cup in 2008 and '09 with Parramatta, scoring 11 tries in 18 appearances last year, not to mention a stack of try-assists. He is an exciting prospect but Stuart could extend no more patience after a couple of big blunders at Brookvale. It is interesting that he has been sent back to Toyota Cup and not the NSW Cup. Coaches tend to send players to the NSW Cup to "toughen up" against open company. Toyota Cup is seen as an avenue to "brighten up" after a wack to a young player's confidence. Baby, baby Broncos With Ivan Henjak forced to promote several of his club's Under 20's last week, it was a great performance for the baby, baby Broncos to beat St George Illawarra in the Toyota Cup 26-14. Impressively, the Broncos kept the home side scoreless in the second half after leading 16-14 at the break. While Dale Copley returns to the NYC ranks this week, Dunamis Lui has been rewarded with a role as starting NRL prop against the Sharks. Not bad to go from interchange on debut to starting prop one week later, especially against Cronulla warriors Luke Douglas and Kade Snowden. Seeing is believing Scott Sattler and myself were left shaking our heads at Gosford on Saturday, calling a game you almost had to see to believe. Newcastle Knights led South Sydney 22-0 after 11 minutes with the Rabbitohs moving as fast as this week's Central Coast traffic on the F3! When the Rabbitohs finally found the accelerator they levelled at 22-all after 27 minutes and outscored the Knights 44-6 in an incredible 45-minute stretch, going on to win 48-34. Newcastle was harshly treated by a decision that denied Peter Mata'utia late in the game but should never have been beaten after such a commanding start. Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys Expect last week's defeat to inspire the Knights against North Queensland on Saturday, although the Cowboys are also hurting. Like Newcastle, the Cowboys collapsed against Wests Tigers. They led 18-4 at halftime but conceded six second-half tries to be beaten 38-28. It means the Cowboys gave up more points in 40 minutes (34) than they had in the first four rounds (31)! Still the Cowboys stay first and travel to play a Newcastle team in eighth. Their game will bring together the Toyota Cup's top two line-breakers - North Queensland halfback Michael Morgan (10) and Newcastle fullback Neenan Simpson (9). Simpson should be buzzing after a three-try haul last weekend and goes up against another exciting fullback in Wayne Ulugia. The Cowboys also boast the sharpest shooter in the Toyota Cup, with Kyle Feldt nailing 17 of his 20 shots at goal for a strike rate of 87%. Join myself and Brett Kimmorley for all the action from 3.15pm (EST) as part of Super Saturday from 2pm. Older age given the Noddy Speaking of Brett Kimmorley, it is interesting to see him suggesting a 22-year-old age limit for the Toyota Cup. He thinks that will allow the Toyota Cup players to better develop mentally and physically as they work towards the NRL. The Toyota Cup is locked in as an Under 20 competition until 2012 at least, when it will be discussed further. For our next trick Pity the punter who made $12,000 disappear on a two leg Toyota Cup multi with TAB Sportsbet last weekend - Gold Coast Titans +8.5 / St George Illawarra -6.5 @ $3.61. Gold Coast's 22-all draw with Melbourne ticked that box. The Dragons' shock loss to Brisbane crossed the other one. Oh well, the footy's on again this week. Green with Envy As Fox Sports' Warren Smith pointed out on Monday, players 1-5 in the Canberra NRL lineup were Toyota Cup products who helped Canberra Raiders win the inaugural Under 20's title. The lock, Shaun Fensom, was also part of that team. While they've already produced names like Josh Dugan, Jarrod Croker, Daniel Vidot, Shaun Fensom and Travis Waddell, don't expect it to stop there. Canberra has cracked the Toyota Cup finals for the first two years and is on track to do so again after a 40-22 win against Parramatta on Monday. Haydon Hodge, Sam Williams and Drury Low scored two tries each and are more exciting prospects lurking in Canberra. Hanging on to all their young stars looms as Canberra's biggest hurdle. If they do, maybe the glory days of the late 80's and early 90's aren't so far away. Billy Threepou The Warriors Under 20's enjoyed having Billy Tupou in their side for Round 5, with the winger scoring three tries. It helped the Warriors score a 36-30 victory against Canterbury-Bankstown, despite injuries, suspension and questionable form. Unfortunately for his Under 20 team mates, Tupou is back in the NRL ranks this week, covering for a hamstrung Manu Vatuvei. The Warriors are out to make it back to back wins when they host Penrith on Sunday. The Panthers also have only one win so far. The loser in Round six risks falling right off the pace. www.foxsports.com.au |
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