There was a standout team in the first round of the NRL finals over
the weekend but the standout player was not on show in any one of
the four matches but in a lowly club fixture on the other side of
the world.

Once again Andrew Johns stole the show, even though the Newcastle
Knights picked up the wooden spoon in the NRL premiership this year.
While his team mates were recovering from a season they will want to
forget Andrew Johns was turning in one of the best performances I have
ever seen, given the circumstances, in the Warrington Wolves’ 33-16 win
over the
ruling upper league champions, the Leeds Rhinos.

Now back to the opening round of the finals – otherwise known as the
qualifying finals. The standout team for my money was the Wests
Tigers – who absolutely trounced the North Queensland Cowboys in the opening
qualifying final. The Tigers have done extraordinarily well
this year, and even better performances may be in store.

The full story is on the website here.