Rugby League Hour - Episode 4

It's time for another episode of the Rugby League Hour on The Platform! Brought to you by MicroBio Solutions Limited. Every week (a Tuesday as opposed to a Monday this week due to the long Easter Weekend) during the 2024 NRL season, It's Only Sport host Martin Devlin is joined by one of the best rugby league analysts going around - former Warriors coach and Kiwis representative Tony Kemp.

Four rounds are in the books in the NRL, and it looks set to be a tightly contested premiership in 2024. There are no more unbeaten teams, and a total of nine clubs sitting fifth to 13th are level on two wins so far. The round began on Thursday with an undermanned Penrith Panthers beating the Sydney Roosters 22-16, and concluded with a thrilling 17-16 victory for the Wests Tigers over the Parramatta Eels. Marty and Kempy dissect and discuss the results that stood out, including the Brisbane Broncos' impressive bounce back 38-12 victory over state rivals and the previously unbeaten North Queensland Cowboys, and the Dolphins coming from behind the beat the Gold Coast Titans 30-14, which sees them top the table.

After that it's Up The Wahs, a segment dedicated solely to the Warriors. The club bagged their second successive win 20-12 against the Newcastle Knights at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday, propelling them up into 10th on the ladder. Are the Warriors starting to look like a top four side? Should Roger Tuivasa-Sheck be permanently moved to fullback? All of that and more is discussed.

This week on He's A Ledge, Marty and Kempy are joined by former Kiwis, Warriors and Titans centre, and a man who was one of the very best in the world during his playing days, Clinton Toopi. The Taranaki native played 203 first grade games in the NRL and UK Super League as well as a combined 26 for the Kiwis and New Zealand Māori. Toopi chats about his career, how he feels the Warriors are tracking in 2024, and his thoughts on Tuivasa-Sheck's best position, among other topics.

Then, Marty and Kempy go head-to-head debating a handful of rugby league subjects, including whether or not the Dolphins AND Wests Tigers will make the top eight, how good a coach Benji Marshall is/can be, and are the South Sydney Rabbitohs back and on course for a good season after their 20-16 win over the Bulldogs on Good Friday. Kempy hands out the Effluex clean-up award for the player, coach or team who did their job better than anyone else on the weekend - someone who rolled up their sleeves and turned gunk into gold. And to finish things off, Kempy lists his five best teams in the NRL right now on TK's Top 5.

The Rugby League Hour is sponsored by MicroBio Solutions Limited, solving environmental issues using green technologies. Visit https://microbio.co.nz/