The Super League Team of the Week is in for Round 14, with Wigan Warriors dominating after their emphatic win over Wakefield Trinity!
The Warriors ran in nine tries to defeat Wakefield 48-10, as they now join Trinity as two of four teams sat level on 18 points, with points difference alone separating third to sixth.
There were also wins for Warrington Wolves, Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos on Thursday and Friday, with the latter travelling to Toulouse Olympique and securing a 48-24 win in the heat.
Saturday saw wins for Catalans Dragons and Hull FC, before Leigh Leopards rounded off the weekend with two points against Bradford Bulls. History was made in that game after a Josh Charnley hat-trick saw him become Super League’s all-time top try scorer.
With the round now complete, here is the Serious About Rugby League Team of the Week.
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Super League Round 14 Team of the Week
Full-back: Josh Thewlis (Warrington Wolves)
The winger is quickly becoming one of Wire’s most important players, and after deputising at full-back again this week, pulled off some sensational try-saving tackles to keep St Helens out. He only made three tackles, but at least two of them stopped a certain try. He also made 145 metres from a huge 23 carries.
Wigan’s Jai Field and Hull FC’s Logan Moy can feel very hard done to this week, in what was a brilliant week for some of Super League’s best full-backs.
Wingers: Noah Hodkinson (Wigan Warriors) and Josh Charnley (Leigh Leopards)
Wigan’s past and future take up the wing spots, with exciting prospect Hodkinson scoring four tries in the win over Wakefield. They weren’t just simple put-downs, either. The speedster had to do incredibly well to finish each effort.
Charnley’s hat-trick would have all but confirmed him a place in the TOTW on it’s own, but the fact he has made history cements his spot.
The winger did get injured in the win over Bradford, something Adrian Lam will be hoping is nothing too serious, especially with Hull KR up next.
Centres: Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors) and Solomona Faataape (Catalans Dragons)
It’s fair to say that these two are two of the best centres in the competition, though Krystian Mapapalangi will have something to say about that.
Wardle has been on fire since returning from that lengthy injury, and his contributions as of late put him firmly in the reckoning to partner Herbie Farnworth at the World Cup.
Faataape is new to Super League, but has hit the ground running instantly, scoring eight tries. Two of those came in the win over Castleford, which largely helped the French side to victory.
Halves: Adam Cook (Leigh Leopards) and Ewan Irwin (Warrington Wolves)
Cook struggled at the start of the season, but is now producing some of his best form.
The ex-Canberra man was again pivotal to the Leigh attack, with his three assists and seven conversions contributing hugely to the win.
Sam Burgess wants to keep the pressure off Irwin as much as possible, but it’s hard not to wax lyrical over the 18-year-old when he produces stellar performances, especially against a play-off rival like Saints.
Scoring the match-winning try, his cool head when it came to conversions and game management were equally as vital on Thursday night.
Props: Tevita Pangai Jr (Hull KR) and Herman Ese’ese (Hull FC)
On debut for the Robins, Pangai Jr joined the action against York from the bench, and made an immediate impact with some strong carries.
His offload game in particular was outstanding, with those second-phase plays often leading to line breaks down field which allowed the Robins to keep on the front foot.
Another starting sub, Ese’ese again proved what Hull FC had been missing, with a huge 142 metres from 16 carries. Forward pack teammate and Warrington Wolves loanee Max Wood also had a stellar game on debut, making 35 tackles and running for 123 metres from 14 carries.
Hooker: Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors)
Sky pundit Jon Wilkin labelled O’Neill’s efforts as the best he’d seen from him in a Wigan shirt, and went as far as saying it was a “State of Origin level performance.”
The number nine made 39 tackles with just one miss, in what was another display that will prick the ears of England boss Brian McDermott, for sure.
Back Row: Frankie Halton (Leigh Leopards) and Chris Hankinson (Leeds Rhinos)
Making the most tackles of any Leigh player (30) and missing none, Halton’s defensive work earns him a place in the team. His efforts with the ball weren’t bad either, as he made just short of 100 metres.
Hankinson was Leeds’ top tackler with 38. He also didn’t miss a tackle, whilst he also scored for the Rhinos in their eight-try win.
Loose forward: Oliver Partington (Wigan Warriors)
O’Neill and Partington starting together for Wigan has worked wonders for Matt Peet, with the pair setting the tone in terms of aggression and ferocity early on in the game.
That allows the rest of the pack to work their magic, before the backs and playmakers strut their stuff at the business end of the field.
Partington not only scored in the win, but made 29 tackles with two misses, and ran for 61 metres from 10 carries.
