Round 23 of Super League is done and dusted and with just four more weeks to go until the end of the regular season, things are heating up.
Leeds Rhinos got the round underway with a stunning victory over Hull KR to establish themselves as top two challengers and St Helens did the same as they edged out Hull FC.
Wigan Warriors found form as they thumped Wakefield Trinity and elsewhere Leigh Leopards, Catalans Dragons and Huddersfield Giants all picked up victories.
Before we start looking ahead of round 24 and beyond, here’s Serious About Rugby League’s team of the week.
Super League round 23 team of the week
Full-back: Lachie Miller (Leeds Rhinos)
A magical performance from the full-back, who ran riot in the first half of the clash against Hull KR. He racked up a staggering 15 tackle busts as the Robins struggled to lay a glove on him, while also making 165 metres in 30 carries. He got a try to boot, too.
Wing: Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors)
Marshall had a field day against what was a subpar Wakefield side. The winger scored arguably the most acrobatic try you are likely to see this season and set up Junior Nsemba. He also made 195 metres, which is staggeringly high.
Centre: Jacob Gagai (Huddersfield Giants)
A try, an assist, nine tackle busts and 157 metres from the versatile outside back as Huddersfield saw off Warrington Wolves at the Accu Stadium. A nod should go to Harry Newman for his performance against Hull KR, but Gagai just edges him this week.
Centre: Reimis Smith (Catalans Dragons)
A hat-trick for the Catalans man as Joel Tomkins picked up his second win as a head coach.
Wing: Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors)
Eckersley’s two-try showing lands him in our team of the week. He wasn’t quite as busy as Marshall on the other side but he put himself in the positions to punish Wakefield and he duly did just that.
Stand-off: Bevan French (Wigan Warriors)
Back with a bang. French was Wigan’s leading man in the first half, with his short kicking game leading to tries for Adam Keighran and himself, while he also had a hand in Eckersley’s effort. French looks to have hit the ground running on his return and that’s an ominous sign for those still in the race to reach Old Trafford.
Scrum-half: Jake Connor (Leeds Rhinos)
Like Miller, Connor had an another outstanding performance against the Robins as he moved a step closer to winning the Super League Man of Steel. He got the scoreboard ticking over early and kicked superbly all night. Leigh Leopards’ Lachlan Lam picked up five assists this week against Salford, but the quality of opposition is the difference for us.
Prop: Keenan Palasia (Leeds Rhinos)
A powerhouse performance from the Leeds man. He was a force to be reckoned with against the Robins, making 129 metres and 20 tackles through the middle.
Hooker: Daryl Clark (St Helens)
A thorn in the side of Hull FC all night, Clark made five runs from dummy half and racked up 105 metres. He also made 30 tackles on the other side of the ball, too.
Prop: Presley Cassell (Leeds Rhinos)
Another excellent performance from one of the brightest young forwards in the competition. He got himself another try and it was his charge down the field that eventually led to Harry Newman’s effort.
Second-row: Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors)
The skipper recorded two assists on Sunday afternoon and while he did miss a tackle or two, he carried so well, racking up 102m.
Second-row: Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors)
Walters started in the back-row but moved to the middle when Junior Nsemba came on and he played big minutes. He was rewarded for his efforts, making 42 tackles and 137 metres with a try in the second half.
Loose-forward: Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Another man of the match worthy performance from the NRL bound man. He scored the decisive try in the second half while also making 47 tackles and 125 metres.
