While they may not have featured in the NRL side’s match over the weekend, it’s important to keep track of how the members of our Top 30 vied in the Canterbury Cup.
The team managed to kick their season off on the right track with a tight 20-16 win over the New Zealand Warriors and multiple names who have NRL experience under their belt featured and shone to help gain the important victory.
Here are some of the players on the fringe of the NRL who played a key role in the weekend’s match.
Mason Lino
The crafty halfback tormented his former club with some clever play both out of his hands and off his boot.
Lino’s 408 kicking metres in wet conditions proved to cause all kinds of panic for the Warriors, even leading to a try while he also nailed all three of his conversions and a penalty goal.
Coach of the Canterbury Cup squad Tony Gleeson was impressed with Lino’s composure on the field and praised his kicking game.
“Lino was really good with his direction,” Gleeson said.
“I thought he controlled the game very well.
“He came up with some really good kicks which lead to tries and repeat sets, so I think Mase had a really good game.”
Tautau Moga
Another man who used his NRL experience to good use in the reserve grade fixture was strong centre Tautau Moga.
The former Rooster and Bronco made some barraging runs totalling 144 metres including 55 post contact metres.
Moga also managed to make four tackle breaks over the course of the game and his efforts were applauded by Gleeson.
“I thought Tau in the centres worked really hard.
He had really strong carries and made some good defensive decisions to shut down players.”
Josh King
The 24-year-old from Maitland is pushing to return back to the NRL fold and was another name Gleeson acknowledged for his efforts in getting the win.
In the 53 minutes King was on the field, he successfully made 17 tackles but more impressively, ran for 118 metres which included 42 post contact metres.
