Super League Team of the Week as Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and St Helens dominate

Another Super League round is done and dusted with the table taking some shape after round four.

Leeds Rhinos finally got their first win in the local derby with Wakefield Trinity, whilst St Helens kept up their 100% start with the demolition of Hull KR.

Warrington Wolves were shocked at home by an inspired Catalans Dragons performance, whilst Toulouse Olympique took Wigan Warriors all the way until a late Harry Smith drop-goal took the English side home.

Wind forward to Sunday and Castleford Tigers also got their first win of the campaign with an impressive win over Hull FC, whilst Huddersfield Giants thrashed Salford Red Devils.

But, who is in Serious About Rugby League’s Team of the Week?

1. Jack Walker – Leeds Rhinos

Talk about proving your critics wrong. Jack Walker has had a difficult start to the 2022 season after having two years out with injury. But, Walker excelled against Wakefield, taking numerous tough kicks and running rings around Trinity on numerous occasions.

2. Tommy Makinson – St Helens

Yet another stellar performance from Tommy Makinson in a St Helens shirt as the Saints put Hull KR to the sword on Friday night. A hat-trick of tries was his just desserts with five conversions giving the winger a total of 22 points – more than half of what Saints actually scored.

3. Harry Newman – Leeds Rhinos

Despite being taken off as a precaution, Harry Newman was at the top of his game, demonstrating just why he is thought so highly of around the world and in both codes. Him and Fusitu’a were in inspired form down Leeds’ right and hopefully Newman’s injury isn’t bad.

4. Guy Armitage – Toulouse Olympique

Toulouse’s first representative in a Team of the Week comes in the form of centre Guy Armitage. It was a brilliant display by Armitage and the French side in their nailbiting loss to Wigan, with the former rugby union centre scoring twice and delivering on the big stage.

5. Greg Eden – Castleford Tigers

It felt horrendous leaving Leeds Rhinos’ Ash Handley out of this list after registering a hat-trick against Wakefield. But, the number 5 just has to go to Greg Eden this week. Having suffered with hamstring injuries in recent years, Eden finally got his chance on the wing for Castleford against Hull FC – and boy did he take it. A hat-trick for the winger, including a stunning third effort, made it impossible for us to leave him out.

6. Cade Cust – Wigan Warriors

It’s yet another appearance in the Team of the Week for Cade Cust who seems to be getting better with each passing week. He scored again, but his overall presence helped Wigan claw back two big deficits against Toulouse Olympique.

7. Josh Drinkwater – Catalans Dragons

What a performance from the Catalans halfback! Josh Drinkwater utterly dominated his opposing halves in Gareth Widdop and George Williams as the Dragons spoiled Warrington’s home party at the Halliwell Jones.

8. Alex Walmsley – St Helens

Again another blockbusting performance from the big number 8. After being called up to Shaun Wane’s England training squad, Walmsley showed just why with a number of blockbusting runs and big hits in defence.

9. Kruise Leeming – Leeds Rhinos

Another week, another class performance by the Leeds Rhinos hooker. Kruise Leeming just keeps getting with each passing game and, despite his sinbin for a late tackle, should hold his head high for a wonderful captain’s knock in the demolition of Wakefield on Thursday night.

10. Mike McMeeken – Catalans Dragons

With a full front-row out injured or suspended, Steve McNamara’s men needed to stand up and be counted. And boy did Mike McMeeken do just that in the pack. Some great runs and big hits in defence will have been really pleasing for McNamara.

11. Sione Mata’utia – St Helens

This man has bought into everything that St Helens is about and it was another devastating game for Sione Mata’utia on Friday night against Hull KR. Two tries scored and a number of KR defenders run over, Mata’utia looks to be really enjoying his rugby league at present.

12. Matt Whitley – Catalans Dragons

Catalans were in inspired form away at Warrington on Friday night and one of their main performers was in the shape of Widnes-born Matt Whitley who does all the dirty stuff that few people rarely see. The second-rower tackled like a rottweiler all night and helped his Catalans side get on the front foot.

13. Joe Westerman – Castleford Tigers

It was a superb performance from Joe Westerman as he inspired Castleford to victory over Hull FC for the first time in 2022. He has been the Tigers’ most inspired player this season so far and the enjoyment of the final whistle at full-time certainly resonated around the Jungle.

Substitutes

14. Cain Robb – Castleford Tigers

With Castleford having a very youthful bench against Hull, Lee Radford needed his experienced pros to stand up and be counted. However, youngster Cain Robb enjoyed a superb game off the bench, poking holes through the Black and Whites’ defence on numerous occasions.

15. Sebastine Ikahihifo – Huddersfield Giants

Yet another week, yet another big appearance off the bench for Sebastine Ikahihifo in round four as Huddersfield overcame Salford Red Devils with relative ease. The Red Devils just couldn’t handle big Seb down the middle.

16. Justin Sangare – Toulouse Olympique

There is no wonder that Super League teams were apparently after Justin Sangare in the off-season if this performance was anything to go by. A wonderful spell off the bench certainly took the Wigan pack by surprise and he found his front often in collision.

17. David Fifita – Wakefield Trinity

When Wakefield needed some inspiration off the bench as they were getting hammered by Leeds in the first-half, David Fifita came onto the field with some much-needed vim and vigour. Some superb bulldozing runs out wide helped Trinity set a platform and went a big way in clawing back some respect in the second-half.