Workhorse JWH turns back clock with mammoth effort
Roosters veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves's massive 80-minute effort in his side’s thrilling one-point win on the Gold Coast propelled him to VB Hard Earned honours for round 13.
The 32-year-old prop racked up an index score of 94 thanks to a game-high 42 tackles and 221 run metres, as the visitors held off a fast-finishing Titans outfit courtesy of a Sam Walker field goal.
Sea Eagles prop Martin Taupau was hot on his trail, finishing with an index score of 93 in his side’s 50-18 demolition of the Cowboys.
Teammates Daly Cherry-Evans (86) and Reuben Garrick (75) weren’t far behind, as Manly solidified their spot at sixth on the Telstra Premiership ladder.
Sharks forwards Toby Rudolf (91) and Aiden Tolman (83) put up big scores, as their side handed Penrith their second consecutive loss.
Bulldogs fullback Nick Meaney’s 26 runs for 218 metres helped him secure an index score of 75, tying Garrick for the highest outside back tally of the round.
Josh Papalii (88) was the leader of Canberra's pack in their best display for several weeks in the 38-16 win over Brisbane, while Bailey Simonsson (73) put on a show in his first appearance this season at fullback.
James Fisher-Harris’s reign at the top of the VB Hard Earned Index has continued for another week, with the Kiwi international putting up an index score of 75 in his side’s loss to the Sharks.
Fellow Panthers Brian To’o and Isaah Yeo were leapfrogged by Warriors stalwart Tohu Harris and Manly’s Jake Trbojevic after sitting out the past two games due to State of Origin duty.
The form of barnstorming Eels back-rower Isaiah Papali’i keeps him in second place on the leaderboard, with Wests Tigers workhorse Alex Twal at third.
Big men Paul Vaughan, Tui Kamikamica and Daniel Saifiti help to round out the top 10, with David Klemmer and Christian Welch dropping out due to injury.
