Super League Team of the Week: Hull FC, Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos dominate

Well, thats another week of Super League done and dusted and what an entertaining round it proved to be!

First up on Thursday night saw Wigan Warriors do battle against a heavily depleted Hull KR. Wigan eventually consigned the Robins to a 46-4 humbling, but Danny McGuire’s side could hold their heads up high after swimming furiously against the tide.

Move forward to Friday night and Toulouse Olympique were given a big blow in their quest for Super League survival after falling to a disappointing 32-6 home defeat to Hull FC who were buoyed by new signing Will Smith in the halves alongside Luke Gale.

Next it was the turn of Castleford Tigers to go up against Wakefield Trinity with many people thinking this fixture was a foregone conclusion. Willie Poching’s men, however, had other ideas and they ended up thrashing Lee Radford’s side in one of the shocks of the season to lift Wakefield off the bottom of the table.

Saturday saw Warrington Wolves travel to the John Smith’s Stadium – the home of the Huddersfield Giants – but yet again Daryl Powell’s men let go of a hard-fought lead to send home the Wire fans unhappy in a 32-22 defeat.

It was Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons’ turn to cap off the Saturday fixtures in the south of France, and, with a 30-6 lead, almost everyone would have backed the French side to go on to win at a canter. However, an incredible comeback from the Rhinos saw them come away with a 36-32 golden point win.

If the weekend of rugby league had not been as surprising as it had been, then Salford Red Devils’ 44-12 thrashing of St Helens yesterday afternoon epitomised the shocks of this weekend.

But, who made the Team of the Week?

1. Jai Field – Wigan Warriors

It seems customary now to include Jai Field in the Team of the Week, he is just that good. The silky-skilled fullback showed off his talent in the thrashing of Hull KR on Thursday night.

2. Bevan French – Wigan Warriors

Another week another Bevan French inclusion in the Team of the Week. The livewire registered another stellar hat-trick as Wigan demolished Hull KR on Thursday night.

3. Corey Hall – Wakefield Trinity

This teenager just seems to keep getting better and better for Wakefield and he dominated his opposite Castleford number on Friday night.

4. Tim Lafai – Salford Red Devils

Tim Lafai has been in incredible form for Salford in 2022 and he produces some devastating touches against St Helens this afternoon.

5. Liam Marshall – Wigan Warriors

Not to be outdone by French, Liam Marshall dotted down three times to show his capabilities on the other wing. But, it’s his work rate that will impress head coach Matt Peet more than anything.

6. Will Smith – Hull FC

Talk about a superb debut! Will Smith ran out for Hull FC for the first time in Toulouse on Saturday night, scoring a try and having a hand in everything the Black and Whites did well.

7. Aidan Sezer – Leeds Rhinos

Aidan Sezer grabbed the bull by the horns on Saturday night as Leeds were under the pump at Catalans. The halfback grabbed the winning try in golden point to cap off a stunning comeback after being down to 12 men at 30-6.

8. Kane Evans – Hull FC

Kane Evans was in inspired form for Hull against Toulouse on Saturday night, carving up the French side on numerous occasions down the middle with his brilliant offloads setting the platform for some big metres.

9. Brad Dwyer – Leeds Rhinos

It is still quite unusual as to why Leeds are letting go of Brad Dwyer. His performances in 2022 have been dogged and determined and the hooker produced some moments of class against Catalans on Saturday night.

10. Jai Whitbread – Wakefield Trinity

What an inspired signing Jai Whitbread has been for Willie Poching’s Wakefield. The Aussie showed his worth in a big performance against Castleford on Friday night.

11. Rhyse Martin – Leeds Rhinos

When you need a goalkicker, Leeds can rely on Rhyse Martin. The second-rower converted all five tries and added a penalty to level proceedings and send the fixture against Catalans into golden point.

12. Ellis Longstaff – Hull FC

He’s proven to be a shrewd signing by Brett Hodgson as Ellis Longstaff once more showed what Warrington are missing with a big display over Toulouse.

13. Luke Yates – Huddersfield Giants

Captain fantastic! Luke Yates is the heartbeat of this Huddersfield Giants side and he helped drag the Giants over the line against Warrington on Saturday afternoon.

Substitutes

14. Jacob Miller – Wakefield Trinity

Would have been included in the first-team if not for the superb performances of Will Smith and Aidan Sezer. However, Jacob Miller ran Castleford ragged on Friday night.

15. Richie Myler – Leeds Rhinos

Richie Myler played a stunning role in Leeds’ comeback win against Catalans, scoring a hat-trick and performing some brilliant moves.

16. Kallum Watkins – Salford Red Devils

Kallum Watkins has enjoyed a huge resurgence in 2022 after missing 2021 with injury. The centre-turned-back-rower was in fine form against champions St Helens this afternoon.

17. Cameron Smith – Leeds Rhinos

Cameron Smith came off the bench against Catalans on Saturday night to great effect, producing some remarkable touches.