Jett Cleary has announced himself in New South Wales Cup with the young playmaker putting on a clinic to steer the Warriors to their 14th straight win.
Cleary has played five games since making his Cup debut in Round 12 but last weekend’s was easily his best performance.
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And speaking of up-and-coming playmakers, the Sharks’ Niwhai Puru also put on a show in the Newtown Jets’ big win over the Dragons.
Meanwhile, Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo looked dangerous after dropping back to reserve grade again and a Sharks utility back Mawene Hiroti starred in his return from injury.
All that and more in the latest Reserve Grade Wrap.
Dolphins pairing hoping to return in NZ | 01:52
ALL EYES WERE ON…
While Nathan Cleary is busy helping the Panthers claw their way up the NRL ladder, his younger brother, Jett, has been busy making a name for himself in NSW Cup.
The 20-year-old halfback produced a masterclass in the Warriors’ 68-6 win over the Rabbitohs, finishing with two tries, two try assists, three linebreaks, three linebreak assists, eight tackle busts and 166 running metres.
Cleary joined the Warriors ahead of this season on a three-year deal. He’s on a train-and-trial contract for this season and then will upgrade to a development deal in 2026 before joining the Top 30 in 2027.
Despite still being eligible for Jersey Flegg, Cleary has played five NSW Cup games this season.
Emerging hooker Sam Healey was also busy for the Warriors, finishing with a try, a linebreak, 93 running metres and 18 tackles in the first half before getting ready to fulfil his 18th man duties for the NRL side.
Healey is expected to be called into the NRL side for Friday’s clash with the Dolphins for Wayde Egan, who suffered a head knock last weekend.
Bulldogs half Toby Sexton has handled his demotion like a champ. The 24-year-old was dropped to NSW Cup a fortnight ago and hasn’t kicked stones once — instead has seamlessly slotted in to help steer the Dogs to back-to-back wins.
Sexton has proven to be a handy goal-kicker too over the last couple of games and his penalty goal in the 79th minute is what sealed a two-point win over the Roosters on Sunday.
Sexton also set up two tries in the win, got two linebreak assists, ran 113 metres and made 24 tackles with just one miss. It comes after his halves partner Mitch Woods put on a show a week earlier with a try and four try assists.
Following the game at Belmore Sports Ground, Sexton headed over to Allianz Stadium with some of his NSW Cup teammates to cheer on the NRL side.
The Jets bounced back from a two-point loss to the Roosters to secure a big win over the high-flying Dragons with Mawene Hiroti returning from injury in style.
Hiroti has missed the last five weeks with a calf injury but was at his devastating best while starring at fullback for the Sharks’ feeder side.
Hiroti bagged a hat-trick, got four linebreaks, 15 tackle busts and finished with 317 metres off 22 runs.
Emerging playmaker Niwhai Puru also had one of his best games to date with five try assists, three linebreak assists and 87 metres.
Meanwhile, Selwyn Cobbo found himself back in Queensland Cup after being recalled to the Broncos’ NRL side a few weeks earlier. The 23-year-old, who is off to the Dolphins next season, looked dangerous on the wing for Wynnum Manly, finishing with a try, a try assist, two linebreaks, eight tackle busts and 195 running metres to be named man of the match.
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STANDOUTS
There’s a lot to like about the Warriors’ NSW Cup side this season and they turned it on again to produce their biggest win of the season over a decimated Rabbitohs outfit.
Taine Tuaupiki scored 24 of the team’s 68 points with two tries and eight conversions from 10 attempts. The livewire fullback also finished with a try assist, a linebreak assist, two linebreaks, five tackle busts and 20 runs for 206 metres.
Meanwhile exciting winger Sio Kali backed up his Round 20 hat-trick with another two tries. The 19-year-old also got three linebreaks, 10 tackle busts and a game-high of 224 running metres.
Ethan Sanders was busy in the Raiders’ win over the Knights. The 21-year-old, who is tipped to replace Jamal Fogarty next season, scored a try and set up another while also getting two linebreaks. However, he did have some tough moments in defence.
While the Dragons were humbled by Newtown, young centre Nick Tsougranis was impressive in defeat, finishing with two tries, a try assist, two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, five tackle busts and 169 running metres.
Aaron Schoupp moved back to the centres and put on a show in the Sea Eagles’ win over the Panthers. The versatile Schoupp, who had spent his last six games in the second row, finished with a try, a try assist, a linebreak, a linebreak assist and a team-high of 176 running metres.
There were also plenty of good performers for the Panthers, who only lost from conversions. Asu Kepaoa proved to be a handful on the wing with two tries, two linebreaks and 141 running metres, while Trent Toelau was dominant in the halves with a try, two try assists, a linebreak, three linebreak assists and 111 metres.
Daine Laurie also had his fingerprints on everything with the 26-year-old racking up a try, two try assists, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists and 160 running metres.
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NRLW wrap: Sharks, Broncos, Knights win | 00:55
Anthony Milford turned back the clock with a busy performance for Souths Logan in their win over Townsville Blackhawks. The 31-year-old set up three tries and got two linebreak assists at five-eighth but did miss five tackles.
Meanwhile, captain and lock Rory Ferguson was rock-solid with 150 running metres and 22 tackles — one miss — and was rewarded with a try in the 69th minute.
Trai Fuller was back to his best with the Dolphins fullback setting up three tries, getting a linebreak and running 128 metres in his side’s win over Ipswich. Fuller missed the couple of months of the season due to an ACL injury and has gradually been building to get back his usual explosive self.
Burleigh’s No.1 also impressed with Lachlan West bagging a double in his side’s win over Northern Pride and to take his total tally for this season to 10 tries in 11 appearances.
The 22-year-old former Hastings Deering Colts Player of the Year also set up a try, got a linebreak, two linebreak assists and ran 233 metres
Elsewhere, Brisbane Tigers halfback Tahj Wood ran amok, finishing with a try, a try assist, two linebreaks, five tackle busts and a team-high of 181 metres in his side’s win over Mackay.
SPOTTED
Connor Broadhurst joined an exclusive group of just 19 players when he chalked up his 200th Queensland Cup appearance on the weekend. The 31-year-old didn’t get the win but was impressive at five-eighth for Ipswich, finishing with a try assist, four linebreak assists, 65 metres and 23 tackles — one miss.
