LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Jeremiah Nanai was axed to reserve grade by Cowboys coach Todd Payten after a dismal performance in their loss to Manly, particularly in defence.
Nanai's lackluster display was exemplified by two crucial missed tackles that led to Sea Eagles tries, the most glaring being Tom Trbojevic breezing past him as he hung out a weak arm in a lackadaisical effort.
Nanai's focus on the player outside Trbojevic instead of the ball carrier allowed Trbojevic to score and set up another try, highlighting his defensive shortcomings.
Payten emphasized Nanai's need to improve in this aspect, stating, "If you don't get your defence right, you can't play in the NRL." Nanai's struggles were evident as he only managed two runs for 16 metres in total, while missing more tackles (3) than he made (23).
This poor performance by the Queensland State of Origin forward ultimately led to his demotion to reserve grade.
Payten's decision to drop Nanai underscores the importance of consistent defensive effort at the NRL level, especially for players of Nanai's caliber.
Nanai's failure to effectively shut down key attackers like Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans proved costly for the Cowboys, with Payten not hesitating to make the necessary changes to address these defensive lapses.
Nanai's inability to match the intensity and skill level required at this level was evident, prompting his relegation to reserve grade as a wake-up call to elevate his defensive game.
The brutal moments involving Nanai serve as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of top-tier rugby league, where even slight defensive lapses can lead to significant consequences for both the player and the team.