Michael Jennings impressed for the Panthers. Photo / Getty Images
Justis Kamu rates the top starting XIII after round two of the NRL.
Fullback - Matt Bowen (Cowboys)
His blistering acceleration proved deadly as he scored two tries for their first win of the season against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. On his 30th birthday, he showed no signs of ageing,
leaving the youthful Josh Hoffman in his wake on a weaving run past three tacklers to the tryline. His second try in the 79th minute completed the Cowboys 'snatch and grab' as he fooled the Broncos pack with a dummy only to skip past them and head under the crossbar to stun the home crowd and steal the late win.
Wing - Ken Sio (Eels)
Started on the wing, but moved to fullback after an injury to the Jarryd Hayne. He wore the number two jersey, so he's marked as a winger. In just his second game in first grade, Sio defused a number of bombing kicks, showed some brilliant touches and a great turn of speed in bringing the ball out of the backfield. He ran for 162 metres, breaking four tackles in a confident display. With Hayne out, he could be in the number one for jersey in the next round.
Centre - Michael Jennings (Panthers)
The unpredictable figure that is the Panthers number three was outstanding in his side's shutout of the Rooster. Hailed by many as a potential superstar, a few off-field discretions in the past couple of seasons have threatened to derail his rise in the NRL. In preseason club captain Luke Lewis called for Jennings to lead from the front, and he did just that with two tries off the back of 216 metres by way of 19 hit-ups and 11 tackle breaks.
Centre - Josh Morris (Bulldogs)
The Doggies left centre had the perfect opening half against the St George Illawara Dragons with a hattrick of tries. Blessed with a strong carry, he has a knack for finding holes in attack off the back of running hard and straight at the defence.
Wing - Bill Tupou (Warriors)
A player who does all the little things right, coaches know what they get with the highly consistent winger who scored two tries last night against the Eels. Tupou's stability in attack and defence is the perfect mix to Manu Vatuvei's power and Kevin Locke's speed. He ticks all the boxes in 'how to play the wing position' - completes his tackles, makes solid metres out of dummy-half, safe under the high ball and has a low error-count. Ivan Cleary regularly selected Tupou over much fancied rivals with Bluey following suit.
Five-Eighths - Jonathan Thurston (Cowboys)
After a dismal performance against the Titansin round one, Thurston returned to best to outgun the Broncos. His combination with his fullback can dramatically change games with the match hanging in the balance they produced a piece of magic which turned the course of the encounter. Thurston faked to kick, and then ran it on the last tackle. He moved through a half gap before a pass back-infield found Bowen who went on to score.
Halfback - Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
Could this be the look of the Queensland State of Origian halves pairing? The one cap Australian international displayed for the second week in a row why many have him pencilled in as a future Maroons number seven. The baby-faced assassin has a fearless streak about him, case in point his 70 metre try against the Tigers. He threw a dummy, sliced through the gap before he sold another dummy and then used his pace to leave the opposition staring at his backside in a spectacular individual effort.
Prop - Sam McKendry (Panthers)
The Kiwis International was at his best against the Roosters on Sunday afternoon. In 48 minutes, the Mt Albert Grammer Old Boy ran for 134 metres, pulled off 26 tackles, and broke 5 tackles. Four of the broken tackles came in one 30 metre charge to the tryline in the 14th minute. Receiving the ball off the ruck, the 115 kg juggernaut, went through defenders like a bowling ball leaving a quartet of 'Chooks' sprawling on the Sydney Football Stadium turf.
Hooker - Kevin Kingston (Panthers)
The Panthers number one hooker continues to turn heads with his workman-like play week in, week out. Started as a bit-part player at the Sharks and Eels, he's cemented the rake position at the Panthers with former junior Warrior Nafe Seluini his understudy. With 50 tackles to his name against the Roosters, he defended stoutly on his goal-line shutting out the huge opposition forward pack.
Prop - Matt Scott (Cowboys)
The Australian, Queensland forward has risen quickly in the past two seasons to earn his position as the top prop in the game. After just 82 metres in total against the Titans in round one, Scott's usual authority returned against the Broncos as he exerted himself against one of the more highly-fancied packs in the competition. Running for 174 metres off 15 hitups while completing 33 tackles in 68 minutes, he bent the line back on numerous occasions.
Second Row - Alex McKinnon (Knights)
Who is this guy you might ask? He was the third player to follow Wayne Bennett from Wollongong to Newcastle after Darius Boyd and Adam Cuthebetson. Playing just 39 minutes off the interchange bench in the season opener, McKinnon followed it up with 80 minutes at the Shire. What was more impressive is that at 20 years of age (still NYC Eligible) he ran for 141 metres from 16 carries and executed 20 tackles. He has a good motor and looks light on his feet; should be in the starting lineup again next weekend.
Second Row - Tony Williams (Sea Eagles)
Nicknamed T-Rex, he definitely scares opposition players when he's on the rampage ala Robbie Farah. Against the Tigers, T-Rex cut back on Kieron Foran's inside ball before using the Tigers rake as a doormat on his way to the tryline. He is a freak and displayed again last Friday night what the NZ Warriors learnt during round one that he is impossible to stop close to the tryline where he can pick out the smaller players. Originally a winger, the former Tongan international has improved his positional play in the middle and looks stronger and faster than he ever has. With T-Rex' success should the Warriors look at moving the Beast closer to the action?
Lock - Elijah Taylor (Warriors)
After a season under his belt in the big time, Taylor has returned for his sophomore season without any hiccups. Despite being in the lock position usually occupied by warhorse Michael Luck, Taylor has taken up the role with defensive steel that his predecessor would be proud of. In 65 minutes, he completed 50 tackles in a highly efficient and effective spell on the pitch. Has also been given more responsibility on attack with the 21 year old used as a link between backs and forwards in set plays, the 13 jumper could be his long-term position.
Coach - Des Hasler (Bulldogs)
Hasler's second win on the trot was no fluke with the former Sea Eagles coach making the competition sit-up and take notice after demolishing the Dragons 30-4. He brings a hard-nosed attitude to the proud club implementing a strong defence, control with ball movement through a young-halves combination and a steady mix of young and experienced players in the forward pack. That approach took him to two NRL titles in three years and it's been repeated at Bankstown. With Hasler leading the troops, the Bulldogs are an outside chance for the 2012 premiership.
Team of week two: Matt Bowen, Ken Sio, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Bill Tupou, Jonathan Thurston, Daly Cherry Evans, Sam McKendry, Kevin Kingston, Matt Scott, Alex McKinnon, Tony Williams, Elijah Taylor. Coach: Des Hasler
The Panthers have beaten the Warriors in their first trip to Auckland in six years.