Manly thrash Cronulla 40-12 at Brookvale

Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart accused some of his team of "throwing the towel in" as
Manly ran away with a comprehensive 40-12 NRL victory at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.
Although the Sharks have won just one match from their past 15 starts, Stuart has
always previously praised his team for their work ethic and commitment.
Cronulla held the upper hand for the first quarter of the match before crumbling to
concede five first half tries - much to Stuart's disappointment - as the Sea Eagles
cruised to an easy win.
Stuart was keen to stress that Manly's individual class was what won out in the end
but he also criticised the attitude of some players when the going got tough.
"We had inexperience, Manly at Manly is very, very tough and we spoke about that,"
said Stuart.
"The only negative for my side is that ... I think some parts of our playing team
threw the white towel in at the 20 minute mark and that's the main disappointing
part for me as a coach," Stuart said.
"There were parts of the game where we threw the towel in, and it got too hard for
us...it's uncharacteristic for this team.
"(We were) outclassed, outplayed. I haven't got much more of an excuse than that.
(Manly) showed some brilliant pieces of footy."
Sea Eagles five-eighth Kieran Foran put his hand up for selection for New Zealand
against Australia next month with a masterful display, while centre Jamie Lyon
further enhanced his NSW Origin prospects with two tries in a personal 20 point
haul.
Winger Michael Robertson also nabbed a double for Manly who have stabilised their
season nicely after losing their opening two matches.
Foran and halfback Trent Hodkinson have adjusted well to the playmaking duties left
vacant by departed skipper Matt Orford, and the Auckland-born emerging star appears
certain to partner Benji Marshall in the halves for the Kiwis after getting a taste
of international football in last year's Four Nations series.
"I was pretty happy with my performance today, I'm more confident each week as a
ball player and leading this team out," Foran said.
"Nothing explains pulling on that black and white (Kiwis) jersey in front of your
family and for your country but to be honest I haven't really thought too much about
it, I've just been trying to get things right here week to week."
With the game evenly poised at 12-6 to Manly with seven minutes to go in the first
half, Foran took control setting up two of the Sea Eagles' three quick-fire tries
before the break.
Opposite number Trent Barrett was more willing to predict Foran's future as a Test
footballer.
"He's a good player, a good ball runner and a strong kid. He'll be an international
for the New Zealand side I think for a long time, very soon," said Barrett.
A satisfied Manly coach Des Hasler also heaped praise on his leading man.
"He was taken away on the tour last year just to experience it ... so you'd think
he'd certainly come under Test selection," Hasler said.
Manly have one worry ahead of next week's big clash against Melbourne, with Brent
Kite put on report for a high tackle on Blake Ferguson in the second half.