NRL 2023 SuperCoach Round 1 review, top guns & players to watch
Round one of the 2023 NRL season gave supercoaches a preview of the roles players will have in their sides. While making trades early in the season is not ideal, given price changes are set to come at the end of round two, there are options around the league that players can look at to build their squad for the upcoming season.
Jamayne Isaako – Dolphins (CTW)
NRL fans could be forgiven for forgetting Jamayne Isaako won Rookie of the Year honours in 2018 for the Broncos after scoring 11 tries and kicking 97 goals in his first full season of first grade. Supercoaches should be encouraged by the base stats the former Bronco and Titan accrued on the weekend – a line-break assist, try assist and three tackle breaks. Supercoach Wayne Bennett has coached Isaako previously and will know how to get the best out of him on the field. If the Dolphins continue to succeed, Isaako should benefit greatly and score plenty of SuperCoach points along the way.
Lachlan Ilias – Rabbitohs (HFB)
Lachlan Ilias showed on Saturday night in Cronulla he has elevated to another level for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Ilias has improved both his defence and tackling, as well as his running game, which will help provide much-needed base stats for his SuperCoach scoring output. The attacking stats for try assists and line-break assists will come with time in this Rabbitohs side. Job security is not an issue for the halfback; excluding injury, he will stay in the line-up throughout the season, and he could be a cheap option in the halves to help build squad value.
Bryce Cartwright – Eels (2RF)
Bryce Cartwright is a real blast from the past for those who remember the early days of this offloading SuperCoach star. The injury to Shaun Lane, in combination with Isaiah Papali’i going to the Tigers, opens big doors for the ‘Carty Party’. The former Panther and Titan is in a battle with Matt Doorey at the Parramatta Eels to lock down the other back-rower position. While the Eels have a tough run coming up against the Sharks, Sea Eagles, Panthers and Roosters, the case can be made that Cartwright is better equipped to handle the pressure and succeed in the role. Keep a close eye on Parramatta’s team sheets in the next few weeks.
Soni Luke – Panthers (HOK)
If the rest of the NRL has learnt one thing from the Penrith Panthers‘ loss to St Helens in the World Club Championship, as well as the first-round loss to the Broncos, it’s that the defending premiers need Soni Luke playing the lion’s share of minutes at hooker. He is no Api Koroisau, but has the ability to create speed and attack around the ruck in a similar fashion. Luke is no defensive liability, and although he may be short of minutes until after their round three bye, he is a brilliant option in the hooking role to boost squad value.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Dolphins (CTW/FLB)
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was one on the radar of many supercoaches prior to round one, although there are some concerns around his output and workrate from the fullback position. The former Cowboy is more than capable of scoring tries, while the 20 runs for over 190m, a line-break assist, a try assist and three tackle breaks are more encouraging signs of a player learning to become an elite-level custodian. Under Bennett, and with more time on the field with this new team, Tabuai-Fidow should only improve while racking up SuperCoach points.
Jackson Ford – Warriors (2RF)
Jackson Ford was incredibly impressive playing 80 minutes for the New Zealand Warriors on the left edge against the Knights on Friday. His 12 carries for 150m with one line break, three tackle breaks, two offloads and 25 tackles was a solid start for the former Dragon. As the Warriors play more, combinations on both sides of the football should boost both Ford’s base stats as well as his attacking stats, which will see him improve sharply in value. His job security could come into question with Bayley Sironen to return from injury; however, should Ford continue to improve, he will be very difficult to remove from the starting side.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad – Warriors (CTW/FLB)
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad showed the NRL and the Canberra Raiders exactly why he is still a brilliant first-grade fullback. His return to the Warriors brought a try to go with over 200m run, three tackle breaks and two offloads. These are incredibly impressive numbers considering the spine of Nicoll-Klokstad, Te Maire Martin, Shaun Johnson and Wayde Egan have never played together before. The Warriors should only improve in offence with time under new coach Andrew Webster, as will Nicoll-Klokstad’s combinations with his outside backs. Should the strong performances continue, it’s hard to see the Warriors fixing something that is not broken and changing their starting fullback.
