Round 17 of Super League brought some cracking team performances, with plenty of tough games across the weekend.
Hull KR lost for just the second time this season against a spirited second-half Leeds Rhinos display, Leigh Leopards claimed a victory over reigning champions Wigan Warriors, and Wakefield Trinity had the biggest win of the weekend over a hapless Catalans Dragons side.
We take a look back at the round and choose our top thirteen performers from across the six games.
Round 17 Super League team of the week
Fullback: Bailey Hodgson (Leigh Leopards)
Josh Rourke, George Flanagan, and Lachlan Miller had standout fullback performances, but Hodgson just pipped them. Stats of 231 metres made in 33 carries are impressive for the youngster who had big shoes to fill in David Armstrong’s absence. However, he’s made his case to secure that number one spot for the next few weeks.
Wing: Lachlan Walmsley (Wakefield Trinity)
With an average 10m gain per carry, four tackle busts, three clean breaks, and two tries to boot, it was one of his best games in a Wakefield shirt. If he can continue this kind of form, there’s no doubt that he’ll have a new Super League club in 2026.
Centre: Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos)
Handley slowly went about his business against Hull KR, as he often does, with fellow centre Harry Newman often getting more of the plaudits. He was one of the Rhinos’ best ball carriers with an average 10m gain, along with three clean breaks and four tackle busts.
Centre: Corey Hall (Wakefield Trinity)
Everything he touched, especially in the first half, turned to gold for Trinity. The Dragons’ defence just couldn’t seem to find a way to stop him, and most of Wakefield’s great attack seemed to go through him.
Wing: Kyle Feldt (St Helens)
Since his return from injury, Feldt has shown no signs of slowing down. Another brace and 125m made is becoming a regular occurrence for the Saints. Here’s hoping they can keep him fit in the lead-up to the playoffs because he makes a massive difference in attack.
Stand-off: Max Jowitt (Wakefield Trinity)
Jowitt had a bit of everything to his game in his secondary position in the halves, and better still, he supported fellow half Mason Lino well. He might not have been as effective in the halves as he usually is at full-back, but he allowed Lino to do his job and played more of a supporting role.
Scrum-half: Jake Connor (Leeds Rhinos)
Whilst it might not have been his best performance of the season, it was an assured one. Connor’s second-half kicking game helped Leeds claim the win. It was another example to show the England coach just what he would add to his Ashes squad.
Tui Lolohea pushed him close, though, after bossing the Huddersfield attack on Thursday night.
Prop: Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)
Another solid show from Trout, becoming one of the most consistent props in the competition, more so in defence. You can see why England boss Shaun Wane likes him, as he’s a steady performer.
Hooker: Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards)
One of his best performances of the season so far, with plenty of runs from dummy half, which have become his trademark since joining Super League. He also helped out his halfbacks with three attacking kicks.
Prop: Caius Faatili (Wakefield Trinity)
A quieter performance from him from the Trinity crowd favourite, but still managed two tackle busts, 132m and an offload in a stint off the bench.
Second row: James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos)
McDonnell played the full 80 minutes during his 100th Leeds Rhinos game. He was also their second top tackler behind Jarrod O’Connor, and again, you can clearly see the mould of a Shaun Wane-style England player.
Second row: Curtis Sironen (St Helens)
Hull FC struggled to keep hold of him whenever he had the ball on his return from injury. With a 9m average gain and five tackle busts, he was one of the reasons that Saints’ attack was so good.
Loose forward: Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Knowles made some big tackles defensively and was everywhere across the Saints’ defensive line. Again, he did a lot of the unseen work that coaches love to see.
