Challenge Cup Team of the Week

The Challenge Cup third round is over and the teams have now been drawn for the quarter finals. But, just how would a Team of the Week look like from this weekend’s games?

1. Sam Tomkins

The Catalans fullback starred in his side’s 26-6 victory over Wakefield, giving Shaun Wane some great food for thought for the end-of-season World Cup. Tomkins scored one try and caused Trinity a whole heap of problems as the Dragons overcame the stubborn West Yorkshire side.

2. Tommy Makinson

This man just cannot stop impressing for St Helens. Another two tries and four goals to add to his tally, Makinson racked up 16 of his side’s 26 points in the weekend win over Leeds. Though the Rhinos were stubborn opponents, it was down to the likes of Makinson to finally break their resolve and he did just that.

3. Josh Griffin

He played on the unaccustomed right centre instead of the left at the weekend, but Josh Griffin perhaps was more impressive than usual in Hull FC’s win over Featherstone. Scoring twice and helping to set up Bureto Faraimo for his own effort, the centre showed just why he is thought of so highly on Humberside.

4. Toby King

For the third week running, Toby King is included in a Team of the Week. The centre scored twice in Warrington’s victory over Swinton, but it was his overall devastating play that earned him this spot. Running Swinton’s edge ragged, King put yet another feather in his bow for a potential England call-up.

5. Jordan Turner

He’s been one of Castleford’s most impressive signings since making the move in the off-season from Huddersfield and Jordan Turner excelled once more for the Tigers on Friday night. The centre-turned-winger scored the try to take Castleford’s fixture against Hull KR into Golden Point and made a number of impressive runs coming out of defence.

6. Lee Gaskell

With Aidan Sezer still on the sidelines for Huddersfield, it’s been up to Lee Gaskell and Jack Cogger to guide the Giants around at halfback and it’s taken them a while to gel. However, Gaskell certainly got into his stride in his side’s victory over Leigh, scoring once and taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

7. Jordan Abdull

Hull KR were seriously unlucky not to beat Castleford on Friday night and a lot of that was down to starman Jordan Abdull, who converted two goals and scored one try. The halfback ran the show for most of the fixture and looks like to be striking a very fruitful partnership with young Mikey Lewis.

8. Mikolaj Oledzki

Leeds went down 26-18 to St Helens on Saturday, but no one could fault their efforts least of all big prop Mikolaj Oledzki. The 22-year-old ran hard for his try and took the game to the Saints forwards like very few have done in 2021 so far.

9. Paul McShane

Paul McShane is Castleford’s best player at the moment – and has been for a good few years. And, on Friday night he showed just why. The hooker scored two tries, but it was the way in which he took control of proceedings as the hooter sounded. Parading down the wing, McShane drew two defenders and offloaded superbly to Jordan Turner who managed to cross in the corner. It really was a special moment.

10. Agnatius Paasi

As Mikolaj Oledzki fronted up for Leeds, Agnatius Paasi seems to be hitting his straps for St Helens. The 29-year-old Tongan international put in a great shift on Saturday afternoon, running hard at the Leeds defence and putting himself about on the field. Looks to be yet another shrewd acquisition by Kristian Woolf.

11. Ben Currie

Ben Currie had yet another sterling game for Warrington as they overcame a stubborn Swinton side. Though the Lions caused the Wolves a number of problems, the likes of Currie with his experience helped the Super League side finally get through to the quarter-finals comfortably.

12. Mike McMeeken

The blockbusting second-rower appears to have settled in seamlessly in the south of France for new club Catalans. Though McMeeken’s time at Castleford had gone rather stagnant, a move to the Dragons seems to have breathed new life into his career and he looked every bit the part in Catalans’ victory over Wakefield.

13. Jordan Lane

Hull FC loose-forward Jordan Lane impressed yet again in the Airlie Birds’ victory over Featherstone on Saturday night with some determined carries and staunch defence. However, it’s his vocal communication around the field that will please boss Brett Hodgson more than anything.

Substitutes

14. Brad Dwyer

The liverwire hooker came off the bench to run St Helens ragged at the weekend, scoring twice out of dummy-half and causing all sorts of problems around the ruck. Dwyer was arguably the catalyst for Leeds’ almost comeback.

15. Gil Dudson

Another Brit that has settled in well in the south of France is Gil Dudson. The rampaging prop forward ran amok against Wakefield on Saturday with some storming  dashes through the Trinity line.

16. Jermaine McGillvary

Arguably, could have been a starting winger due to the fact that he registered a hat-trick. Continues to be one of Huddersfield’s most important players despite him being the wrong side of 30.

17. Danny Walker

Alternating with Daryl Clark as Warrington hooker can be a daunting challenge, but not for Danny Walker who seems to grow into the role game-by-game. The elusive number nine crossed for a try against Swinton and also injected great enthusiasm off the bench.