Super League Magic Weekend is in the books and we’ve now made the difficult picks for the team of the week, with so many players starring across the seven games.
Most of the action came at the Hill Dickinson Stadum where six of the seven games were played but down in Castres, Toulouse Olympique hammered Catalans Dragons 60-18 in the French derby and that’s seen two of their players picked.
As for the action in England, York Knights dispatched a sorry Huddersfield before Hull KR held off Hull FC in their own derby. Leigh Leopards beat Warrington to pile the pressure on the top six to round off Saturday’s action in England, but Sunday delivered even more.
Wakefield Trinity asserted their top four credentials with a 48-6 win over Castleford Tigers before Leeds Rhinos reminded everyone that they are the team to beat, putting 50 past Bradford.
Then came the game of the weekend and possibly even the season so far as Wigan Warriors beat St Helens 16-14 in a nailbiting clash that had sin bins, injuries, last second kicks at goal, and more.
We’ve picked our Super League Magic Weekend team of the week with some brilliant players unfortunate to miss out.
Super League Magic Weekend injury wrap
Super League Magic Weekend Team of the Week
Full-back: Olly Ashall-Bott (Toulouse Olympique)
David Armstrong can probably consider himself very unlucky not to get the nod here as he put in his best performance in a Leigh shirt, scoring one incredible try and then saving one on his own line but it’s Olly Ashall-Bott who gets the nod. Everything good that Toulouse do runs through him and 220 metres, two tries and two assists highlight that.
Winger: Paul Ulberg (Toulouse Olympique)
Ashall-Bott’s winger Paul Ulberg didn’t have a bad game either, scoring one, assisting two and making almost 150 metres as he terrified Catalans’ edge defence.
Centre: Umyla Hanley (Leigh Leopards)
Jon Wilkin declared Umyla Hanley the best centre in Super League after his performance on Saturday and it was probably hard to argue based on his performance, until Sunday’s games. Hanley took his try brilliantly and offered so much threat on the right edge as he racked up 120 metres.
Centre: Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos)
Ash Handley clearly heard Jon Wilkin’s comments as he went and laid down a marker, scoring a hat-trick and then teeing up Maika Sivo for one when he could have scored himself as the Leeds captain highlighted exactly why he should be in the England frame.
Wingers: Lachlan Walmsley (Wakefield Trinity)
Returning for his first game since round two, Lachlan Walmsley stole the show with not only his performance but also his Uno celebration. His acrobatic finish was impressive but his metres out of yardage and how well he worked with Cam Scott earned him this place.
Half-back: Cody Hunter (York Knights)
York have unearthed a gem in Cody Hunter with the Australian a serious player. He pulled the strings all game and took his two tries, especially the first, very well.
Half-back: Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)
In a game that lacked control due to the chaotic nature of it, Harry Smith offered Wigan that calm and he iced the big moments, namely his 25-yard pass to set up Zach Eckersley’s try.
Prop: Caleb Hamlin-Uele (Wakefield Trinity)
Hamlin-Uele is making a case for himself as England’s best prop ahead of this year’s World Cup. His dominant running was rewarded with two tries as he made a whopping ten tackle busts on just 13 carries.
Hooker: Jez Litten (Hull KR)
The difference in the Hull derby was Jez Litten with the England hooker offering some class and composure that helped see out a very tough game. He fronted up in the pack when KR were hurt and ended the game with 27 tackles, including the huge shot that created Jai Whitbread’s try.
Prop: Paul Vaughan (York Knights)
Paul Vaughan has found some incredible form in the last two weeks, totalling over 300 metres at more than ten metres per carry with Saturday seeing him make 167 metres and rack up an impressive 23 tackles.
Second-rower: Rhyse Martin (Hull KR)
Martin registered his 500th goal in Super League and he also bagged a try in what was his first Hull derby but it was his work in the pack that secured him this spot. The Papua New Guinean was everywhere and put in a stellar showing.
Second-rower: James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos)
McDonnell is showing exactly why Perth Bears have signed him with the former Ireland international really hitting his groove of late with most 120 metres, 27 tackles and a try in this dominant performance.
Loose forward: Kaide Ellis (Wigan Warriors)
In a Wigan pack that was full of youngsters, Kaide Ellis stepped up to the plate massively. Back in his preferred loose forward position, the Australian never took a backwards step in what was a bruising encounter as he went for over 100 metres and made 30 tackles.
