Where your NRL team has room for improvement
As the NRL gets set to restart the competition on Thursday, it’s time to inspect how each team can improve its chances of winning the title.
Warriors fans will be nervous. A poor start to the season, and injuries, suggest it could be a rough ride for the Aucklandbased team.
Other teams, however, have also had their issues.
It was a horror start to the year for the Warriors who were thumped by Newcastle, forced to move to Australia indefinitely and were outplayed by grand finalists Canberra in round two. A win against the Dragons on the Central Coast will instil belief in the players that their sacrifices have been worthwhile.
No team committed more handling errors than the Bulldogs over the opening two rounds, which included seven from fullback Dallin Watene-zelezniak. Dean Pay’s side also ranked last in tackle breaks, equal-last in offloads and fourth in penalties conceded prior to the league’s suspension.
The Panthers will simply be looking to survive the next two weeks without star halfback
His coach, and father, Ivan will also be eager to see how fullback
Dylan
Edwards returns from injury. Ivan substituted replacement No 1 Caleb Aekins in both games over the opening two rounds. regain ground they lost on the ladder, the Roosters need to make a statement against South Sydney to show they’re still the biggest force in the competition.
While the Knights are unbeaten under new coach Adam O’brien, a lax defensive effort against the Wests Tigers in round two did not sit well after holding the Warriors to nil in week one. Taking on an undefeated Penrith, albeit without Nathan Cleary, will be another test of their defensive energy.
After a 2-0 start before the Covid19 crisis, the Broncos will be out for revenge when they resume against fellow high-flyers Parramatta. Coach Anthony Seibold will probably look for his team to stiffen up in defence after conceding 39 points in those opening two wins. The departure of Andrew Mccullough to Newcastle also puts a lot of burden on youngster Jake Turpin.
Life under Justin Holbrook didn’t start well for the Titans with two heavy losses quickly shattering optimism for the perennial strugglers. The revised draw is a bit kinder for Holbrook’s team, but unless a defence which has already conceded 70 points and missed 101 tackles stiffens up, it could be a long season ahead.