80 Minute Men

Rugby League has changed dramatically over the past 20 years and one of the biggest factors for this has been the interchange. Seeing a workhorse forward play 80 minutes has been a rarity but, with the reduction of the interchange this year, we are seeing more of it.

Front Rowers haven’t usually been required to go the distance but seeing Dylan Napa battle the whole Rabbitohs pack front on for 80 minutes, captivated all that watched the game. His intensity and brutality (legally) rattled all of them including big Sam Burgess (which is no mean task).

The Roosters have had some tough times early this year but if Napa can keep this form up, and the rest of the pack following his lead, they could really get under the skin and upset a few sides over the next few weeks. This will also be helped with the inclusions of players like Boyd Cordner and Jarrad Weara – Hargraves over the upcoming weeks, to bolster a young and inexperienced pack.