Super League Team of the Week

Round four of Super League is now done and dusted and it was another great weekend for some sides.

From Hull’s narrow victory over Wakefield to Warrington’s demolition of Catalans, the action has been fast, frenetic and downright entertaining.

But, just who deserves a place in the Super League Team of the Week?

1. Zak Hardaker

It almost seems a formality that Zak Hardaker will be the fullback choice each week – he has been that good. A narrow 22-12 victory over Castleford on Thursday night was largely down to his ability to turn the game on its head. Wigan boss Adrian Lam knows just how important the ex-Leeds and Castleford man is, playing Hardaker in front of the returning Bevan French and boy was he rewarded.

2. Derrell Olpherts

He’s started 2021 like he started 2020 – in impressive fashion. Another two tries for Derrell Olpherts against Wigan took his tally to four for the season, but it’s also the winger’s ability to bring the ball out of defence with strong carries that makes him one of Castleford’s most underrated players.

3. Jake Mamo

Jake Mamo started in the centres again for Warrington and the Australian had yet another stellar game in the Wolves’ superb win over Catalans. He crossed the line once, but it was his overall attitude and determination in defence and attack that may cause a selection headache for Steve Price when Greg Inglis finally comes in.

4. Toby King

It’s only fair to include Toby King if Jake Mamo makes the team because they were as good as each other. King too crossed the whitewash and kept Catalans centre Dean Whare quiet for most of the game. With every passing game, King looks to improve and that’s certainly good news for England.

5. Ryan Hall

It’s 200 Super League tries now for Ryan Hall following Hull KR’s surprise victory over Leeds on Friday night. The winger caused his old side all sorts of problems with the ball, giving Tom Briscoe a nightmare. It’s great news for Rovers that Hall seems to be enjoying his rugby once more.

6. Jackson Hastings

He’s playing with a lot more freedom now his future has been sorted and Jackson Hastings showed just what Wigan will miss next year with a confident and assured display against Castleford.

7. Kevin Brown

He wound back the years with a brilliant performance as Salford put Leigh to the sword in emphatic fashion. The halfback crossed twice and simply ran the Centurions ragged as the Red Devils earned their first win of the season.

8. Scott Taylor

10. Sebastine Ikahihifo

The Salford man has had an indifferent start to 2021, but he put in some big minutes against Leigh, putting the Centurions on the back foot with almost every carry. Ikahihifo is the cornerstone of the Red Devils and he led from the front on Friday night.

11. Andre Savelio

The Hull man battled hard in the second-row to finally help the black-and-whites to victory over Wakefield. Savelio crashed over the line for a well-taken try and put himself about in defence.

12. Kane Linnett

Hull KR will have been thanking their lucky stars that Kane Linnett has moved from the centre to the second-row because he’s one of Super League’s most improved players in the past year or so. The Australian crossed for a hat-trick and caused havoc amongst the Leeds defence.

13. Joe Westerman

One of Joe Westerman’s best displays in a Wakefield shirt impressed boss Chris Chester greatly on Friday night and is there any wonder why? The forward almost carried Trinity over the line, but it was an incredible effort regardless of the result.

Substitutes

14. Brad Dwyer

He was the only bright spark for Leeds in what was an abysmal defeat to Hull KR. With darting runs out of dummy-half, Dwyer was really the only one that looked like causing KR trouble.

15. Chris Atkin

He came off the bench to inject a bit more vim and vigour into the Salford side and boy did it pay off.

16. Joe Bullock

Wigan dominated Castleford through the middle and a large part of that was down to the Warriors’ forward pack making mincemeat of their opposition. Joe Bullock was one such example, making easy metres.

17. Agnatius Paasi

The St Helens man has taken to Super League like a duck to water and he put in some big carries on Thursday night against Huddersfield.