Star’s blitz shows Raiders what they’ll miss; stunning Pangai Jnr return: Reserves wrap
James Schiller has revealed why he decided to sign with the Knights for the upcoming season, stating that he thought over the choice for “a lot of sleepless nights.”
Even though Schiller’s choice to sign a three-year contract with the Knights was “extremely hard,” the 22-year-old hasn’t allowed it to show in his play.
Playing centre, Schiller scored a hat-trick in the first half as the Raiders defeated the Roosters 36–28 in the New South Wales Cup. In addition, he concluded the game with 275 running metres, seven tackle busts, two linebreaks, and zero missed tackles in his seven tackles.
After the game, Schiller spoke with Fox League and disclosed that the performance occurred just two weeks after he contracted Covid-19.
For the first time, he also discussed his impending move to Newcastle, saying the main draw was the chance to establish a career at centre.
Bradman Best re-signed for two more years in 2025, meaning Schiller, who played five NRL games on the wing this season before being dropped, will probably be trapped behind him.
However, after Gagai, 33, retires, his future will become more apparent as opposed to when he plays for the Raiders, where Matt Timoko and Seb Kris, 24, and 25, respectively, are still young.
Schiller said, “There was a lot to consider with that one.”
“It took me a few months to think about, so it wasn’t taken lightly.”
“I have the chance to play centre and develop my skills at centre up there.
“I could have stayed here and worked on the wing without a doubt. I know I’ll be lagging behind these two international footballers for a time, but you have to be realistic in these circumstances. That goes double for Matty (Timoko) and Seb (Kris).
“It is an honour to be in their presence and to perform alongside some of them, but I had no choice but to follow my own path.
“I’ve served my time in Canberra, and I’d like to spend a little more time with my family in Newcastle.
“Though it was difficult to consider and caused many sleepless nights, I’m happy about it and it’s a positive change.”
Proceed to read the most recent Reserve Grade Wrap.
EVERYONE’S EYES WERE ON…
Two weeks after losing to boxer Kenny Niko via first-round knockout, former NRL player Tevita Pangai Junior made a comeback to the rugby league pitch.
After playing for Souths Logan, the Broncos’ feeder team, in Round 1, Pangai Junior focused on his professional boxing career.
After the brawl, the 28-year-old declared that he “will rebuild and go back to footy”; during the weekend, he made a spectacular comeback.
In the Magpies’ defeat against Pride, Pangai Junior began the game at prop and finished with 171 rushing metres, four tackle busts, three offloads, and 18 tackles with no misses.
The 25-year-old Blake Taaffe got an opportunity to establish his mettle in the second half when he wore the No. 7 jersey in the Bulldogs’ defeat to the Dragons. His kicking was inconsistent; one grubber went dead and Taaffe scored after it bounced off the posts. He completed 26 tackles during his 67-meter run, but he also missed seven.
CUP of NSW
The brothers were busy chopping up for the Dragons on Thursday, making it a great day to be a Finau. The 22-year-old Sione sprinted more than 200 metres, had eight tackle busts, and scored a hat-trick on the wing.
Haele, his older brother, provided a lot of flare off the bench in the meanwhile. In addition to setting up a score, the 23-year-old hooker also received two linebreak assists, four tackle busts, and a try of his own out of dummy-half.
The Couchman twins put in a tonne of work up front once more.In the end, Toby scored 20 runs for 210 metres, or 109 after contact, five tackle busts, 33 tackles without a miss, and an assist on a linebreak. And that occurred on the pitch in 57 minutes.
Ryan completed the entire 80 minutes of play with 22 runs for 211 metres, 106 of which came after contact, and 44 tackles with one miss.
Coming up through the ranks, the Raiders have an interesting possibility in Noah Martin. The 19-year-old produced his greatest performance to date over the weekend after making his NSW Cup debut in Round 5. After playing 80 minutes for the first time, Martin—who is on a development agreement and will enter the Top 30 in 2026—finished with a try assist, a linebreak, five tackle busts, 122 metres, and 30 tackles with one miss.
The Roosters nearly stole the victory from the Raiders in the second half, but in the last ten minutes, they gave up. Jake Elliott, a teenage five-eighth who scored a double, assisted on another two tries, gained a linebreak, four tackle busts, and eighty-six running metres, was instrumental in their turnaround.
In an attempt to replace the injured Callum Gromek, Ethan King also bravely tried his luck as a fullback, his favourite position, after being a late addition prior to kickoff. King gained 182 running metres, five tackle busts, a try, and a linebreak. He also persevered despite receiving a hard blow to the nose by wrapping tape around it.
During the Origin time, Siua Wong is anticipated to get several opportunities in first grade, and he has demonstrated that he is more than prepared for a recall. Wong has mostly played edge in the NRL, but in the last few weeks he has also played prop in the NSW Cup.
The 21-year-old punched out 80 minutes in the midfield, finishing with 20 tackles and no misses in addition to a team-high 224 running metres.
Following their 44-6 thumping of the worn-out Panthers, Newtown has won four straight games. CentreWhile Sam Stonestreet scored a double on the wing, picked up two linebreaks, and ran 147 metres, Chris Vea’ila recorded a hat-trick, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, six tackle busts, and 153 metres.
Along with a try assist, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, seven tackle busts, and 178 metres, young fullback Liam Ison was also outstanding.
A run of form is also being enjoyed by the Eels. They are now enjoying a four-game winning streak, having had to wait until Round 6 to secure their first victory of the season.
In their most recent victory over the Rabbitohs, teenage playmaker Ethan Sanders had the ball at his disposal and set up two tries in addition to scoring 75 running metres and assisting on a linebreak. Additionally, he made 14 tackles with no misses.
At fullback, Zac Cini was spectacular. He finished with 178 metres, nine tackle busts, a try, a try assist, and a linebreak assist.
In the meantime, Luca Moretti completed an enormous amount of effort at prop, including 35 tackles with three misses, 147 metres, a linebreak, and a try assist.
Chase Chapman, a 23-year-old lock, was excellent in a losing team, recording 141 metres and 22 tackles without missing any.
Allan Fitzgibbon, the prolific try-scorer for the Bears, added two more tries to his total of nine in eight games this season, and 45 in 49 NSW Cup games overall. As usual, fullback Jake Toby was all over the field in the 22-16 victory over the Warriors, recording 225 running metres, 10 tackle busts, a touchdown, a try assist, and a linebreak.
With 16 tries scored between the two sides, Blacktown’s 50-30 victory over the Magpies was a try-athon. Four of those tries were scored by Clayton Faulalo and four more by Jason Paulo during the 11 tries that went through Blacktown.
In addition to setting up three tries, Faulalo recorded 261 metres, eight tackle busts, two linebreaks, four linebreak assists, and transferred to fullback as Lehi Hopoate made his NRL debut.
Paulo ran 210 metres, scored four linebreaks, and set up a try.
Jake Arthur scored a try and set up two more. Jake Arthur will have some opportunities in the NRL over the Origin period. At halfback, he also made 18 tackles with no misses.
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