NRL Round 13: Team of the Week

Last week saw the first shortened round of the NRL campaign as the eagerly anticipated State of Origin looms on the horizon.

North Queensland Cowboys claimed the local bragging rights over the Gold Coast Titans before a weakened Penrith Panthers side stayed at the top with a hard-fought win over Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

On Saturday. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles cruised over the New Zealand Warriors before Canberra Raiders held off a fightback against the Sydney Roosters. But who makes our team of the week?

Full-back: Reuben Garrick
Standing in for the Sea Eagles, the versatile Reuben Garrick is named at full-back. Replacing the injured Tom Trbojevic, Garrick produced a special performance for Manly as they kept up their play-off hopes. Garrick amassed 24 points in the match as well as managing three tackle busts and 225 metres from 17 carries in what was a dominant display.

Wingers: Murray Taulagi & Josh Addo-Carr
Having been in the headlines in recent weeks, Murray Taulagi maintained his form with a top performance for the Cowboys and he is joined by Josh Addo-Carr. Taulagi notched a try against the Titans as well as managing four tackle busts and a staggering 197 metres from 18 carries. Addo-Carr, perhaps a surprise omission from the New South Wales side, scored two tries for the Bulldogs as well as notching four tackle busts and 172 metres with ball in hand. He certainly has a point to prove and wants his Origin spot back.

Centres: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow & Peta Hiku
Another two stars in the Cowboys’ result were both of their centres Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Peta Hiku. Tabuai-Fidow scored two tries as well as making five busts and 177 metres from 12 carries. Hiku scored only one try in comparison as well as three busts and 149 metres, edging out the likes of Izack Tago and Morgan Harper to help the Cowboys ease home after a slow start.

Stand-off / Five-Eighth: Matt Burton
Matt Burton caused problems for his former club, scoring a try, slotting over two goals, providing as many try assists as well as a total of 21 kicks and 85 metres with ball in hand. Despite what is proving to be a tough year for Canterbury, Burton certainly has a bright future ahead of him.

Scrum-half / Halfback: Luke Keary
Another one who may not have gotten the result but certainly a top effort from Luke Keary for the Sydney Roosters. Keary produced a try assist for Sydney as well as putting in 21 tackles, 12 kicks and amassed 132 metres from 20 carries. He certainly has plenty of experience and should the Roosters wish to remain competitive they could do with keeping him in the side.

Props: James Fisher-Harris & Joseph Tapine
Dally M prop James Fisher-Harris makes another appearance, this time joined by fellow juggernaut Joseph Tapine. Fisher-Harris produced 203 metres with ball in hand as well as putting in 44 tackles in what was another hard graft by the New Zealand international. Tapine proved to be a handful once more, putting in over 209 metres from 20 carries as well as 33 tackles and five tackle busts.

Hooker: Reece Robson
Not quite finished yet with the North Queensland Cowboys as Reece Robson is chosen at hooker. He was another of their try scorers as well as putting in 40 tackles, three busts and 116 metres from 13 carries in what was a complete all-round performance.

Second-row: Haumole Olakau’atu & Sitili Tupouniua
An interesting mix maybe as Haumole Olakau’atu is joined by Sitili Tupouniua. Olakau’atu was one of Manly’s try scorers as well as putting in 17 tackles, ten busts and 182 metres from 17 carries. Tupouniua also scored a try as well as notching 27 tackles in comparison as well as seven busts and 132 metres from 12 carries.

Loose-forward: Jason Taumalolo
Work horse Jason Taumalolo is chosen at lock. With 29 tackles as well as six busts and 207 metres from 24 carries. Taumalolo really has been a stand out for the Cowboys in recent years and, in their surge up the table, will surely remain a key figure heading forward.