Super League Team of the Week

With round one of Super League done and dusted and every team having played their games, it’s only fair to write up about the best players involved in the six fixtures.

From superb tries to brilliant defence, there have been a number of standouts from round one and here they are.

1. Jai Field – Wigan Warriors

Jai Field endured a difficult 2021 Super League season, but he certainly looks the part in 2022. The fullback scored a superb length-of-the-field try from a scrum and then converted one goal. But, it was his overall presence at the back that will have pleased head coach Matt Peet the most.

2. Liam Marshall – Wigan Warriors

The fleet-footed winger enjoyed a stellar first game of the 2022 season, registering two tries, one of them an incredible length-of-the-field effort after being set free by Jake Bibby. With some strong carries coming out of defence, too, Marshall impressed considerably in Wigan’s win over Hull KR.

3. Jake Wardle – Huddersfield Giants

He scored two tries in the south of France against Toulouse Olympique, but Huddersfield Giants star Jake Wardle further underlined his England credentials with a magnificent performance all in all. A superb attacking centre with an eye for a big shot in defence, Wardle will be key for Huddersfield this season.

4. Connor Wrench – Warrington Wolves

The heroic try-winner in Warrington’s clash with Leeds on Saturday, Connor Wrench emphasised why he should be given a chance even when Toby King is back fit. The youngster is developing with every game and he will surely battle for a starting spot for the rest of 2022.

5. Joe Burgess – Salford Red Devils

He seems to have reinvented himself in 2022 if his performance in Salford’s victory over Castleford Tigers is anything to go by. Burgess didn’t score, but he carved the Tigers up down their right-side defence on more than one occasion, setting up Deon Cross for his first Super League try.

6. Cade Cust – Wigan Warriors

It was his debut game for Wigan, but Cade Cust didn’t show any nerves whatsoever as he helped the Warriors put Hull KR to the word on Friday night. A superb try-assist for Jai Field as well as numerous brilliant touches underlined Cust’s potential influence on the Wigan side in 2022.

7. Marc Sneyd – Salford Red Devils

It was a real masterclass in how to kick a team to death on Friday night when Salford beat Castleford. The two sides scored the same amount of tries, but Sneyd converted all three and kicked four penalties to register a 14-point haul and a man-of-the-match performance. He is well and truly back.

8. Alex Walmsley – St Helens

There really is no stopping Alex Walmsley. He produced yet another brilliant display in St Helens’ triumph over Catalans Dragons, taking over three defenders with him with in every tackle. The complete prop forward.

The new man enjoyed a stellar debut on Friday night with his new club Wigan Warriors, taking some massive carries and putting in some big hits in defence. It truly does seem exciting to be a Wigan fan with a prop like Kaide Ellis in their side.

11. Rhyse Martin – Leeds Rhinos

It was incredible that Rhyse Martin even made it to the field on Saturday afternoon considering that his father passed away last week. But, to play to such a high level made this position guaranteed for the Papua New Guinean international. What a superb player.

12. Chris McQueen – Huddersfield Giants

He may well be in his mid-30s but Chris McQueen looked every bit a youngster on Saturday night as his Huddersfield side ended up thrashing Toulouse. The second-rower scored a try and took the game to the French side.

13. Morgan Knowles – St Helens

What a player Morgan Knowles is! He just gets better with every passing game and he should walk into the England side at the World Cup at the end of the year. Yet again Knowles trumped his opposite number to inflict his character on Saints’ win over Catalans.

Substitutes

14. Joe Lovodua – Hull FC

What a debut from the former NRL man! Joe Lovodua came off the bench for Hull FC in their narrow win over Wakefield Trinity and had a huge impact, scoring a brilliant individual try as well as taking on that playmaker role in the middle of the field.

15. Chris Satae – Hull FC

The big man enjoyed an incredible game off the bench for Hull with his bulldozing runs and big-hitting defence helping to tip the weight of FC’s fixture with Wakefield.

16. Danny Walker – Warrington Wolves

Danny Walker is truly a special talent and he demonstrated just why he is so highly thought of against Leeds on Saturday afternoon. The wily hooker came off the bench to have a big impact on the Wolves’ win.

17. Danny Addy – Salford Red Devils

In a truly remarkable night for Salford against Castleford, one man came off the bench to help the Red Devils stabilise their attack going forward as well as organising the defence to a high standard. That man was Danny Addy.