Brits Down Under: Thompson scores on return, Burgess’ monster game & top tackler Hodgson
After the fifth round of the NRL season we take a look at the performances and stats of the league’s British contingent.
Tom Burgess
What a performance from Burgess in the Souths’ win over Brisbane on Thursday. The 28-year-old put together an incredible effort with a powerful running display that saw him bulldoze his way to 233 metres and 85 post contact metres as South Sydney proved too much for the Broncos to handle. It was a game made even more special by the fact he was only on the field for 48 minutes and now the England international now leads all Rabbitohs players in run metres for the season with 706 to his name.
Ryan Sutton
The 26-year-old has been on fire lately with his powerful and no-nonsense displays with the ball in his hand but the Panthers’ dominance this time round seemed to have an effect on most of the Raiders’ production. Overall, he had 84 metres, 29 post contact metres and 23 tackles in what was still a solid outing. The former Wigan man has firmly established himself as key figure in Canberra’s forward pack with his tireless work ethic and hard running proving to be vital.
Luke Thompson
The 25-year-old marked his comeback from suspension in Canterbury’s heavy 52-18 loss to Melbourne. Obviously, it was not the return to action Thompson and the Bulldogs would have wanted especially as they continue to search for their first win of the year but even still it was solid all-round return for the former Saints man as he also found himself on the scoresheet. Altogether the prop forward had 128 metres, 48 post contact metres, 28 tackles, a line break and a try. The Bulldogs take on North Queensland in round six.
George Williams
It proved to be a difficult game for Canberra’s number seven as Penrith’s all-round domination proved to be too much to handle for the Raiders. It does not get any easier for the Raiders next week either as they take on another tough opposition in Parramatta so we shall see if Canberra can kick back into gear and produce the kind of positive performances we have already seen this year.
Josh Hodgson
The Raiders found it tough going as the Panthers controlled the game from start to finish. The dynamic number nine again showed plenty of work in defence though as he wrapped up 30 tackles to take his season tally to 190 which is the most by a Raiders player this year. The 31-year-old has been an exceptional game manager so far for Canberra and that ability will undoubtedly be called upon next week when they face the Eels and look to return to winning ways.
Elliott Whitehead
The 31-year-old struggled to rack up an any metres in the defeat to Penrith but even still he did his best to open the Panthers defensive line. The influential back-rower played a part in one of Canberra’s two tries as he secured a line break assist and a try assist. The former Bradford and Catalans star also had 18 tackles to take his total for the year to 149, the second most by a Raiders player.
Harry Rushton
The young second rower continues to be a presence in the New South Wales Cup for Canberra’s reserve side and featured in the 24-10 loss to Penrith’s second string on Friday. Overall, Rushton saw 40 minutes of action, taking four carries for 41 metres while making 20 tackles in the process.
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