Brits Down Under: Farnworth boosts World Cup hopes & Young stars again
Following the NRL’s Magic Round, we look into the performances of the league’s British contingent, including a stellar display from Herbie Farnworth.
Herbie Farnworth
It was another stellar display from 22-year-old Farnworth over the weekend as Brisbane showed no mercy in their 38-0 shutout win over Manly.
The Broncos centre was a livewire in the backline once again as he showed energetic ball carrying, strength and skill to record 14 carries, 177 metres, 62 post contact metres, two tackle busts, one try assist and one line break assist. Overall, Farnworth has a case for being the most in form English centre right now and has again furthered his cause for a spot in Shaun Wane’s World Cup squad later in the year.
Jackson Hastings
It was another tough defeat for the Tigers on Sunday as they had no answer for North Queensland who ran in 16 unanswered points in the second half to come away with a 36-12 win.
Despite the Tigers struggles, Hastings has still been a shining for light for the side since returning to the NRL and that was certainly again the case even in defeat to the Cowboys. The former Wigan and Salford star took another heavy workload with 23 carries, 141 metres, 16 post contact metres, one try assist, one tackle bust and two from two conversions.
Luke Thompson
The Bulldogs were on the end of another disappointing loss over the weekend and this time against the Knights.
The 25-year-old Thompson, started at prop and despite the team’s attacking struggles, he would still put together a solid performance with 10 carries, 99 metres, 28 post contact metres and 35 tackles to his name in 62 minutes of action.
Dom Young
The 20-year-old was back in Newcastle’s starting line-up for their magic round fixture against Canterbury after returning from a three-week injury lay off last week.
The former Huddersfield youngster may not have had a try to his name this time round, but it still did not stop the winger from putting together an exceptional display. In the 16-6 victory over the Bulldogs, Young racked up the second most metres by a Knights player with 154 whilst also recording 74 post contact metres and two tackle busts. The powerful centre also made sure he made the highlight reel when he brilliantly stopped NRL speedster Josh Addo-Carr from making a break down the wing with a great chase down tackle.
WORLD CUP: England could poach Dom Young from Jamaica
Tom Burgess
The Rabbitohs powerhouse was again in great form over the weekend as South Sydney were able to fight off a second half comeback from the Warriors and come away with a 32-30 win.
The 30-year-old started at prop and in only 49 minutes of game time, Burgess once again showed that powerful ball carrying as he went on to secure the second most metres by a Bunnies player with 158 from 15 carries on top of 61 post contact metres, three tackle busts and 25 tackles to his name.
Elliott Whitehead
Despite seeing a sin bin in the 55th minute, the Canberra captain was still as steady and solid as ever in the second-row with the Raiders coming away with a 30-10 victory over a tough opponent in Cronulla.
Altogether, the 32-year-old had 10 carries, 71 metres, 34 post contact metres, one tackle break and 33 tackles to his name.
Ryan Sutton
The former Wigan forward came off the interchange in Canberra’s win over Cronulla in the NRL on Sunday.
The 26-year-old may have only seen 39 minutes of action, but he was still productive in that time span as he took 12 carries for 96 metres, 40 post contact metres and two tackle busts whilst being efficient in defence with 25 tackles.
PODCAST: James Graham on World Cup, Saints farewell and life after league
