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Betfred Super League Team of the Week 22

Hull Kingston Rovers 48-0 Oldham RLFC

Some clubs just can’t make their minds up can they? Play-off contenders? Cannon fodder? Well round 22 certainly saw some experience whole new life compared to last week.

Another edition of Team of the Week below as we inch even closer to the business end!

 

Coach – Ian Watson

It looked doom and gloom last week but Ian Watson soon managed to turn things round for his side as Salford Red Devils toppled Warrington Wolves for the second time this season at the Halliwell Jones stadium.

Easily the most surprising result over the weekend. But wait, it has already happened?! Warrington have been in good form recently so to see Salford put last weeks’ home drubbing against Huddersfield behind them really took some effort.

They never know when they are beaten do Salford and had they had more of the ‘rub of the green’ in 2019, could have been serious silverware contenders.

Nevertheless, perhaps a season defining moment for the Red Devils and they have Watson’s tactical coaching to thank!

 

Full-back – Sam Tomkins

Love or loathe him, Sam Tomkins enjoyed a top night on Friday as we left Huddersfield with two points and a hat-trick of tries for the Catalans Dragons.

He also assisted in two others for good measure, managed seven tackle busts, two attacking kicks and 76 metres from 13 carries.

Superb stuff from the former international who will no doubt hope for a return to such accolades as well as guide the Dragons to more silverware!

 

Wingers – Tom Makinson & James Clare

‘Flyer’ Tom Makinson returns to the team, this time joined by another hat-trick hero in Castleford’s James Clare.

Makinson notched a brace in St Helens’ historic win over the Wigan Warriors on Friday and also managed 185 metres from 19 carries, proving once again to be nigh on uncontainable for the opposition.

As for Clare, on top of his three touchdowns, he amassed four busts and 118 metres from 20 carries in Castleford’s crucial away win at Wakefield.

The centre three-quarters sees an all-Hull club line-up in KR’s Kane Linnett and FC’s Josh Griffin.

Linnett enjoyed a strong performance in the Robins’ crucial win at Leeds Rhinos on Friday, scoring two tries being his particular highlight.

But credit where it is due to the rest of his contribution; three tackle busts and 110 metres from 13 carries really saw him prove a handful for Leeds in what is proving to be a mouth-watering fight for survival.

As for Griffin, well in the first half at least, helped Hull to a clinical win over the London Broncos; a rather desperate result after back-to-back woeful defeats for the Airlie Birds.

The 29-year-old scored a try, provided an assist, completed 15 tackles, seven busts and 106 metres from 13 carries as he and Hull left the task for London too huge as Hull’s charge towards silverware continued and London’s survival difficulty increasing.

 

Stand-off – Danny McGuire

Could it be anyone else? Hull KR’s Danny McGuire returned to Headingley on his final ever visit to that ground and haunted his former club following his superb performance.

McGuire assisted with two tries, completed 11 tackles, three busts, put in five attacking kicks and amassed 73 metres from 13 carries.

He was heavily involved throughout, with the hosts unable to emulate his skill and quality as KR took one step closer to survival.

 

Scrum-half – Jackson Hastings

This guy again? Jackson Hastings has dominated the scrum-half position in 2019 and with good reason as he helped Salford to another famous win at Warrington.

The 23-year-old has a bright future ahead of him, and should be impressing future employers Wigan with his form displayed this season.

On Friday, he provided a try assist, completed 14 tackles, put in seven attacking kicks but also tallied a staggering 140 metres from 18 carries.

Easy on the eye to watch and should remain a threat to all opposition in the end of season run in.

 

Props – Mitch Garbutt & Luke Thompson

Now the big guns, with a hint of emphasis in there, as Hull KR’s Mitch Garbutt and St Helens’ Luke Thompson are selected as props.

Garbutt was another who rubbed salt into the wounds of his former employers.

From completing 26 tackles to managing three busts was a good effort but his top highlight was an impressive 192 metres from 21 carries, proving to be uncontainable on the night in a famous victory for the Robins.

As for Thompson, a standard performance could be considered perhaps but when it is against your biggest rivals?!

He completed 20 tackles and managed up to 148 metres from 14 carries as he helped the Saints produce a dominant win over Wigan to remain well and truly clear at the top of the table!

 

Hooker – Paul McShane

Castleford’s “unsung” hero Paul McShane finally bags a place in the team once again.

A huge debate remains whether he is Great Britain material but Friday saw him at his best.

A bolstering 55 tackles, kept Wakefield restricted throughout though he did produce some good attack with 84 metres from ten carries and even four busts as the Tigers remained in a shout of the play-offs courtesy of one of their most consistent performers.

 

Second-row – Benjamin Garcia & Ryan Lannon

The back row sees French international Benjamin Garcia selected alongside the rotatable Ryan Lannon.

Garcia assisted in Catalans’ crucial win at Huddersfield as they fought off a late fightback to move up to fourth in the Super League table.

His personal efforts saw him complete 40 tackles, managed three busts and 109 metres from 15 carries.

As for Lannon, he enjoyed a dream return to Salford, albeit temporarily in the win at Warrington, his highlight seeing him score a try.

On top of that, 25 tackles completed and 128 metres from 12 carries really saw him at his consistent best as the Wolves just did not have enough to break him and his side down on the night.

 

Loose-forward – Adam Milner

Rounding things off is Castleford’s Adam Milner.

Rotating between hooker and loose-forward on occasions, he slotted well in the latter as Castleford overcame an early scare at Wakefield.

His contribution saw him complete 39 tackles and up to 81 metres from 12 carries.

It may not have been flash but he got the job done to great effect, which is what it is all about ultimately, right?!

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