{"id":28889,"date":"2026-05-27T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=28889"},"modified":"2026-05-27T08:45:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T20:45:03","slug":"from-the-couch-nrl-round-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2026\/05\/from-the-couch-nrl-round-12\/","title":{"rendered":"From The Couch: NRL Round 12"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is your weekly dose of NRL truth-telling, as tipster and rugby league raconteur Nick Tedeschi tears through the good, the bad and the indefensible, with absolutely no regard for bruised egos<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdo Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Abdo has quit as CEO of the NRL, ending his six-year run as the puppet of Peter V\u2019Landys. Abdo is off to Tennis Australia, something that will more likely suit his sensibilities. While the game has experienced tremendous growth and significant improvement in its finances during his time in charge, it is hard to give Abdo credit for any of it given it has been Peter V\u2019Landys who has driven it. Abdo certainly played his role as the obedient sidekick, a loyal Robin to PVL\u2019s Batman. There is plenty to be said for playing that role with such aplomb – he has generally executed well and has caused no disruptions – but never has the departure of an NRL CEO been met with less drama, concern or excitement. V\u2019Landys has run the game with an iron fist over the last seven seasons and that won\u2019t change with this departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Complete and Utter Ineptitude of the Dragons Backline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Dragons have now lost 11 straight to start the season – never before, never again as they like to say – and have sacked their coach and the blame squarely lies on the utterly inept backline that may be one of the worst seen in the NRL era. Signing Luke Metcalf will go some way to changing that course for next year but more needs to be done now to move on from players that have absolutely no future at the club. Valentine Holmes, Clint Gutherson and Kyle Flanagan should not see first grade again. There have been 10 players miss at least 4.2 tackles per game this season: three of those are Dragons backs. The Dragons rank last in tackle breaks (26.6 per game), try assists (2.0 per game), line break assists (2.2 per game) and tries (2.2 per game). Dan Atkinson is a historically bad signing, Tyrell Sloan has not developed at all and the rotation of wingers has done little to justify being kept on.The Dragons have a very exciting young crop of forwards who will be the basis of their future along with new signing Keon Koloamatangi. Finding a decent coach with attacking credentials and some backline talent has to be the club\u2019s priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time To Bring In Cup Football<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The NRL endured its first shortened weekend with Origin stars missing and once again it is time for the NRL to introduce a cup competition like the Challenge Cup or FA Cup to bring some meaning to these mid-season messes while adding to the integrity of the competition proper. The benefits are immense: it would give clubs an extra trophy to chase, particularly those well out of the title hunt, it will give broadcasters (pending on how it is structured – if NSW Cup\/Qld Cup teams are included) extra content and it will keep the season proper far more integrity. The NRL should introduce a Cup competition as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sad and Tragic News of Jai Arrow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rugby League won\u2019t receive worse news this year – or most other years for that matter – than the tragic revelation that Jai Arrow had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and would be retiring immediately as he seeks the best medical care. MND is an insidious disease that sees important communication nerve cells in the brain deteriorate to the point basic functions of the human body cannot be performed. It is a fatal disease that, while rare, has affected a number of high profile figures including English Rugby League legend Rob Burrow and AFL great Neale Daniher. The entire game of Rugby League is behind Arrow and his family as he fights the biggest fight of his life. Arrow\u2019s football career probably means very little but it is something he should be very proud of. He played the game the way it should be: with fierceness, relentless energy, obsessive competitiveness and high, exacting standards, playing 12 games for Queensland and playing a decider for Souths. He is lucky to be surrounded by such a compassionate club with a coach who will have the empathy and understanding for the road that lies ahead for Arrow. As a game we all now pray, wish and hope for the best outcome possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Cult Hero Is Born<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jack Underhill is set to become a hero during some dark days at Belmore. Underhill has everything to be a cult hero – an unusual body type, a wild look, an amazing workrate and a compelling narrative. His motor, his look, his style – he has Barry Ward written all over him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Willie M Team of the Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This week\u2019s team of jokers and jesters – but definitely not molesters, Brad Fittler!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Clint Gutherson (Dra)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Will Warbrick (Can)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Valentine Holmes (Dra)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Nick Meaney (Mel)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Savelio Tamale (Can)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Daine Laurie (Can)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Ethan Sanders (Can)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Tevita Tatola (Sou)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Trent Toelau (Mel)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Klese Haas (GC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Arama Hau (GC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Ativalu Lisati (Mel)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Cooper Bai (GC)
    \u2014———————————–<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. Lachlan Hubner (Sou)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. Josh Kerr (Dra)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. Luciano Leilua (Dra)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  17. Joe Chan (Mel)
    \u2014———————————–
    Coach: Ricky Stuart (Can)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Referee Gradings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This week\u2019s gradings:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Todd Smith (B)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Wyatt Raymond (C+)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Adam Gee (C+)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Gerard Sutton (C-)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Grant Atkins (C)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      The 2026 Field Goal Update – 11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      In the shortened round we had just a single field goal kicked but boy oh boy what a field goal it was with Jake Clifford belting a 45-metre two-pointer that sailed over on the stroke of halftime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Fun Fact #1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Alex Johnston became the first player since Phil Blake to score a try in 10 straight premiership games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Fun Fact #2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Shane Perry was the last Western Suburbs Magpie player to win a premiership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Fun Fact #3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      In Western Suburbs\u2019 last finals game 30 years ago, four of the five tryscorers in the match were called Paul with Green scoring two and Donaghy and Bell both scoring once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Rumour Mill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The Cowboys are making a play for Cronulla winger Sione Katoa as a replacement for Murray Taulagi. Canterbury have been linked to AJ Brimson as they chase a long-term quality fullback. Spencer Leiniu is expected to leave the Roosters at the end of the season with the Perth Bears and a return to Penrith both back on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Moronic Coaching Decision of the Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Ricky Stuart\u2019s strange thinking with how he uses his three hookers has done far more damage than good. Playing Jayden Brailey significant minutes at lock is downright weird while dropping Tom Starling to play Owen Pattie at the start of Thursday\u2019s critical game was offbeat for the sake of being offbeat. Starling is clearly the pick of the three. Pattie has been setup for the future. So the mix and match approach is doing nothing for the Raiders now or in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The Coaching Crosshairs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Keep a very close eye on former Saints boss and current Cowboys assistant Paul Wellens when jobs open up over the next few seasons. The Cowboys have been vastly improved this year and Wellens is rightly getting credit for a much-improved attack. He did a more than serviceable job at St Helens, has a revered Rugby League brain and is doing very good things with North Queensland. Todd Payten will likely be extended at the Cowboys but other clubs on the lookout over the next few seasons – potentially Canterbury, Cronulla, Parramatta – should keep a close eye on Wellens. He is also a figure the Dragons should be speaking to immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Watch It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Without question the strangest moment in State of Origin history was playing a fourth game in 1987 in Long Beach, California. Here Mike Gibson speaks to a bunch of American fans in the stadium who look like the cast of Saved By The Bell who are very excited by the roughness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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