The Super League Round 16 Team of the Week is in, with Leeds Rhinos dominating following their 34-8 thumping of Hull KR.
Also in the winners’ circle this week were Warrington Wolves, who pipped Catalans, York Knights, who beat Castleford and Wigan Warriors, who survived a scare from Hull FC.
Leigh Leopards won in France against Toulouse, St Helens were comfortable victors over Bradford, and lastly Wakefield stole the win from Huddersfield in the final minute of the game on Sunday.
Players from all seven winning clubs have been included, though the Rhinos lead the way with a trio of stars featuring this week.
Super League Round 16 Team of the Week
Full-back: Jack Welsby (St Helens)
Saints boss Paul Rowley stated that Welsby had his best game of the season so far against the Bulls, and with two tries, an assist and 209 run metres, it’s hard to argue with that statement.
Wing: Josh Rourke (Wakefield Trinity) and Josh Charnley (Leigh Leopards)
It was a weekend for wingers, with Maika Sivo crossing for two in Leeds’ win, whilst Tom Johnstone was just as impressive for Trinity.
Selected this week, though, are Johnstone’s teammate, Rourke, whose interception won the game for Daryl Powell’s side, and Charnley, who bagged four in the French heat.
Centre: Nene MacDonald (St Helens) and Scott Galeano (York Knights)
In the centres, whilst he didn’t cross the try line, Nene MacDonald’s work in back field and in the early part of sets was pivotal to the Red Vee’s dominant second half. The PNG international ran for a huge 206 metres from 21 carries. An incredible effort on only his second game back from injury.
Joining him is York’s Galeano, who operated in the centre, rather than on the wing, on Friday night. Not only did he score the match-winning try, but he also ran for 130 metres from 17 carries.
Halves: Jake Connor (Leeds Rhinos) and Paul McShane (York Knights)
Connor oozed class at Headingley, and did so on a night where the club remembered one of their greatest ever number sevens.
Scoring his first try of the season and assisting three more, the half-back guided his side around the park and made one of the biggest games of the season look simple.
Mark Applegarth made a very bold selection call on Friday, dropping skipper Liam Harris in favour of the veteran McShane. It was a move that paid off, with York more than likely losing that game had he not been in the halves.
Prop: Max Wood (Warrington Wolves) and Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Since his loan move to Hull FC, Wood has been in sensational form, and on his return to the Warrington side, he backed up those efforts again this week. Against the Dragons, Wood made 30 tackles with just one miss, and ran for 115 metres off 11 carries.
Leeds’ Oledzki had two huge stints in the middle of the field, and ran for 155 metres from 20 carries. In the first half an hour alone, he was already approaching the century for run metres. He also made 19 tackles, the most of any Rhinos prop.
Hooker: Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors)
The Wigan number nine made 42 tackles in the middle of the park and made 60 metres after finding himself switching with Jack Farrimond in the hooking role. That allowed him to be more of a ball-running threat than he is used to.
Back Row: Chris Hankinson (Leeds Rhinos) and Isaiah Vagana (Wakefield Trinity)
Leeds’ ‘Mr Fix It’ has found a home in the back row spots, and since he has moved there, it has been something of a masterstroke from Brad Arthur.
Scoring his fifth try in as many matches, he also bagged an assist, 33 tackles and 92 run metres.
Trinity’s Vagana proved to be a constant threat for Huddersfield, and with 108 run metres from 15 carries, it’s clear to see why. He also made 36 tackles with just one miss, so was equally as dominant in defence.
Loose forward: Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
Switching with James Harrison between back row and loose throughout the game, Currie is arguably in some of his career-best form since he has moved into the middle.
He showed that again on Thursday, providing the assist for Matty Ashton’s try. He also made 40 tackles (one miss) and ran for 88 metres from 13 carries.
