Well the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup are over and what another classic weekend it was!
From St Helens’ narrow victory over Huddersfield to Castleford’s one-point triumph against Salford, there are now four teams in the hat for the semi-finals.
But, just who makes the Challenge Cup Team of the Week?
1. Adam Swift – Hull FC
Selected out of position due to the suspension of Jake Connor, Adam Swift deputised at fullback and boy did he make an impact. The Hull man looked assured – as though he had been playing there all of his career – with a few nice touches helping the Airlie Birds on their way to the semi-finals.
2. Darnell McIntosh – Huddersfield Giants
The Huddersfield winger enjoyed an impressive game, particularly in attack, scoring two tries and causing St Helens a problem all night with some metre-eating runs out of defence. As athletic as they come, Darnell McIntosh was unlucky to be on the losing side on Friday.
3. Peter Mata’utia – Castleford Tigers
Peter Mata’utia has made the right centre position his own at Castleford, striking up a great partnership with Derrell Olpherts. And, the South Sea Islander crossed for a try against Salford, impressing throughout.
4. Harvey Livett – Salford Red Devils
The Salford man caused Castleford all sorts of problems down their right-side defence, crossing for two well-taken tries and looking every bit a centre, despite being very much a makeshift number four.
5. Regan Grace – St Helens
There’s no wonder why St Helens were so keen to keep Regan Grace after yet another incredible performance on Friday night. The Welsh wizard touched down three times with some brilliant finishes included as he proved the difference between St Helens and Huddersfield sides in the end.
6. Josh Reynolds – Hull FC
The halfback’s return came at the vital time for Hull as Josh Reynolds and Marc Sneyd delivered a crushing partnership to Wigan’s semi-final hopes. With Reynolds running the show, it enabled Sneyd to kick the Warriors to death in dreadful conditions. Plus, Reynolds’ great communication is a massive help for this Hull side.
7. Aidan Sezer – Huddersfield Giants
Despite Huddersfield’s loss to Saints, one man that didn’t deserve to be on the losing side was Aidan Sezer. His kicking game, in particular, caused St Helens all kinds of trouble, whilst he still brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this Huddersfield outfit.
8. Lee Mossop – Salford Red Devils
10. Chris Satae – Hull FC
Hull’s win over Wigan was largely down to the forward pack that helped lay the platform for Josh Reynolds and Marc Sneyd. And, the big colossus up front in Chris Satae was arguably the most impressive forward on the field. With some gargantuan runs and big hits in defence, the prop crossed for two tries and helped steer his side into the semis.
11. Ben Currie – Warrington Wolves
Warrington just about got past Catalans on Friday evening, but Ben Currie had one of his best games in a Warrington shirt for a while. The second-rower fronted up against a massive Dragons pack and made some telling contributions.
12. Andre Savelio – Hull FC
‘Andre the Giant’ certainly earned his nickname on Saturday, making 64 tackles in a superb effort as Hull put Wigan to the sword. With Chris Satae doing the damage up front, the likes of Savelio were able to capitalise on the edges and the Warriors just couldn’t match Hull in that department.
13. Joe Batchelor – St Helens
The Saints man got his chance at loose-forward in Friday’s game against Huddersfield and Batchelor certainly didn’t disappoint. He put himself about in defence and took some pivotal drives to help his side get up the field. Will give Kristian Woolf a headache when Morgan Knowles returns from injury.
Substitutes
14. Matty English – Huddersfield Giants
The ‘Polar Bear’ as he is affectionately known at Huddersfield came off the bench and added some much-needed vim and vigour to a Giants side that were beginning to stumble against St Helens.
15. Daniel Smith – Castleford Tigers
Wow, what a substitute shift from Daniel Smith. Not only did the Castleford prop score at an integral time in the match, but Smith almost single-handedly changed the forward battle when he came on the field.
16. Agnatius Paasi – St Helens
The bullocking South Sea Islander is gaining some major raps at St Helens for the way he carries the ball, and Agnatius Paasi was no different on Friday night.
17. Joe Philbin – Warrington Wolves
Joe Philbin is an incredible impact player to bring off the bench and he again showed why against Catalans, bringing the battle to the massive Catalans forwards.
