Captain’s Challenge: Round 13 skipper options

• FINAL WORD: Key trade + tactical advice
• DECISION TIME: Which hookers to target in Round 13

With Teddy proving he is human over the last three weeks, will captaincy choices become more interesting or is everyone too scared to get off Teddy?

Round 13 will see most games played in wet conditions apart from a few key matchups.

DISCOUNT! Prices have dropped for our subscription packages. Help support the future of the site by signing up to SC Playbook for detailed SuperCoach analysis from hundreds of additional articles throughout the 2020 NRL season.

Embed from Getty Images

Safety first

James Tedesco (FLB)

Unless you were tossing up Cleary or Lolo as captain last week, we can’t be too devastated in Teddy’s 80 points, even though we wanted way more.

This week he plays the improved Dragons in one of the rare dry games for the round.

Teddy is playing his 150^th game in a depleted Roosters team and is a chance of a few goals if SST is on the bench when the Roosters score.

The last three times he has faced the Dragons he scored 57, 134 and 61 points.

Joseph Manu played fullback against the Dragons the last time they met in round 7 and scored a respectable 94.

If you have an AE nightmare you may need to straight captain Teddy, otherwise I expect most people will VC Teddy.

Embed from Getty Images

Damien Cook (HOK)

After coming off the back of two relatively low games, I expect Cook to go big and take advantage of the Broncos in the wet.

The last three times he has played the Broncos he has scored 109, 106 and 50 points.

It’s fair to say he loves to run against the Broncos.

I believe Souths are definitely missing the forwards this year for Cook to consistently go high, but there are a few games, like this one, which will be good games to target.

Jason Taumalolo (2RF)

Lolo was high on the list of captaincy choices last week and is worth another look this week.

He is playing in one of the few dry games this weekend against the improved Titans.

The last three times he has played the Titans he has scores of 85, 138 and 84 points.

He should also benefit from Morgan’s return, who will hopefully use Lolo more effectively close to the line.

NEXT BEST: Haas, Koroisau

Embed from Getty Images

Risk it for the biscuit

Cameron Munster (5/8)

I’m surprised more people aren’t talking about Munster as a genuine alternative option to Teddy on a dry track in Queensland.

The Bulldogs are putting in grittier performances of late and Cameron Smith won’t be there to give Munster quality ball.

However, Munster is one of the best broken play runners and less structure in the Storm game may mean he takes the line on more.

Although he hasn’t been officially given captaincy duties, it’s his team without Smith there and it’s his responsibility to carry the team.

You only have to look at his representative and finals performances to see the quality he brings when under pressure and this game will put pressure on him.

Munster also took over the goal-kicking when Cameron Smith went off which he should keep, unless Hynes gets the tee.

The last three times he played the Bulldogs Munster scored 88, 44 and 101.

It’s a risk as we’ve never really seen Melbourne without Smith, but it’s one I’m really considering.

Kalyn Ponga (FLB)

Ponga has been scoring okay of late but nothing to be too excited about.

With Green coming into the Knights team, I believe this can only help Ponga’s attack rather than having Mann in the halves who is more of a runner.

The Tigers also welcome back BJ and will have one of the worst defensive edges in Benji, BJ and Nof all jersey grabbing.

Ponga scored 82 points against the Tigers in Round 2.

Surely he takes advantage of the Tigers on his favoured left side.

Embed from Getty Images

Cody Walker (5/8)

Walker was in fine form in the Bunnies win over the Dragons last week.

He is a confidence player and would have got a lot out of that win, having to take the reins with and coming up with the goods.

Walker has scored 83, 60 and 71 in his last three games against the Broncos.

He could really go to work on Brodie Croft and the Broncos poor right side.

NEXT BEST: Gutho, Cleary

Get three months worth of FREE Kayo Sports when you sign up to BetEasy!!!

Consensus

I am still very much in two minds over captaining Teddy or Munster.

If you don’t have an AE issue, then VC’ing Teddy is the play.

If I was sitting inside the top 1,000 and had a potentially AE nightmare I would captain Teddy.

I have both a potential AE nightmare and I really need to make up some ground.

Right now my gut says Munster and if I get any confirmation he will be the goal-kicker I will 100% go with him.