The Super League Team of the Week for round seven is in, and a total of seven clubs have been represented this week.
Wakefield Trinity and St Helens are well represented following their wins over Castleford Tigers and Wigan Warriors respectively, whilst a couple of Hull KR speedsters make the side after impressive efforts over Hull FC.
Despite defeat Bradford Bulls have a player named, whilst Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves also have entrants after their ‘Rivals Round’ victories.
Super League Team of the Week
Full-back: Jack Broadbent (Hull KR)
The stand-in Hull KR number one was named player of the match in the Hull derby after excellent efforts on both sides of the ball. Not only did he make two try-saving tackles on Lewis Martin, but he also scored one himself, assisted another and made a huge 229m – the most of anyone this weekend.
Wingers: Joe Burgess (Hull KR) and Oli Pratt (Wakefield Trinity)
Wingers don’t usually grab assists but both these men set up teammates in victories this weekend. Not only that, both Burgess and Pratt crossed for try doubles. Burgess ran for 110m and made two clean breaks whilst Pratt made just short of 150m and made three breaks.
Centres: Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos) and Jacob Gagai (Huddersfield Giants)
Winger-turned-centre Handley is quickly becoming one of the most underrated backs in Super League, and after another great showing against Bradford deserves a spot in the side. He wasn’t able to provide Maika Sivo with any tries this week, but he did manage to cross for one himself and make 154m , as well as make four tackle busts.
Gagai makes the team for the second week running, and again impressed – scoring twice, making 198m , making two clean breaks and producing eight tackle busts.
Halves: Jake Trueman (Wakefield Trinity) and Jackson Hastings (St Helens)
Trueman’s efforts were so good it led Daryl Powell to say he could be in line with a World Cup spot at the end of the season. Against his former club, the Wakefield playmaker scored the first and last try of the game, as well as making 124m and making six tackle busts. The 27-year-old also made some brilliant defensive efforts, including a one-on-one ball steal whilst Trinity were defending their own line.
Either of the Saints half-backs could have made this list, with Tristan Sailor equally as impressive, but Hastings takes the spot this week having scored a try as part of the comeback win, assisted another and made 100m with ball in hand.
Props: James Harrison (Warrington Wolves) and David Klemmer (St Helens)
The Warrington man put in a stellar performance from the substitutes bench, and in the space of just 53 minutes made 32 tackles, ran for 137m and made three tackle busts. The former Featherstone man is proving a valuable asset to Sam Burgess this season, and is able to play in the front and back row.
Klemmer rectified his glum performance last week with a sublime one against the Warriors. From 22 carries (the most of any Saints player), the former World Cup winner led from the front running for 124m and making 36 tackles in defence.
Hooker: Bill Leyland (St Helens)
Who else? The on-loan Hull KR man scored two tries in the Red Vee’s late comeback win, and whilst he may have only been on the pitch for a little while, he certainly made his mark with the St Helens faithful. Loan spells don’t come much better than that, as Leyland wrote his name into the derby’s history books.
Back row: Jake Wingfield (St Helens) and Isaiah Vagana (Wakefield Trinity)Â
Wingfield’s stats may not be as impressive as some others in his position, but his efforts within the game earn him this spot. Making two incredible try-saving tackles on Kaide Ellis and Sam Walters, the versatile forward put his body on the line and stopped the Warriors from increasing their lead to 18-4, which would have been a key turning point in the match.
Vagana is one of many Wakefield forwards that could have been selected, but he gets the nod after being influential in both attack and defence. The son of Bradford legend, Joe, caused Castleford half-back Tom Weaver nightmares both with and without the ball, and made it a tough day at the office for the playmaker. Making 22 tackles, he also ran for 157 metres.
Loose forward: Joe Mellor (Bradford Bulls)
Mellor was so unfortunate to be on the losing side on Friday evening, and came ever so close to breaking a Super League record. Making a whopping 69 tackles, he fell just three short of Joe Shorrocks’ record of 72 (for an 80-minute match), and also grabbed an assist as he sent Caleb Aekins over for his second-half try.
The former Salford man has been brilliant for the Bulls this term, and increased his lead at the top of the tackle count with his efforts against Leeds.
