Super League team of the week as Hull KR and Hull FC men lead the way

Round Five of Super League is in the books and the team of the week has now been selected following some standout performances.

Hull KR extended their lead at the top of Super League and kept their 100% record up as they dominated second-place Leigh Leopards with a 30-0 win, opening up a three-point gap at the top of the table.

Rivals Hull FC sit in third following a 16-12 win over Wakefield Trinity with other results going the Black and Whites’ way, including a 14-12 win for Warrington Wolves against St Helens.

Wire and Saints are joined on six points by Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors with the former beating the latter 12-10 on Saturday, shortly after Catalans beat Castleford Tigers 26-4.

Round Five of Super League had got underway on Thursday night when winless Salford hosted winless Huddersfield with the Red Devils finally getting off the mark with a 23-10 victory, leaving the Giants on zero points.

After all that action, here is our Super League Team of the Week.

Round Five Super League Team of the Week

Full-back: Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons)

Tomkins’ showing on Saturday, a day before his 36th birthday, shows that there is till plenty of life in the old dog yet. On an awful pitch, the veteran took control and ensured that Catalans beat both Castleford and the conditions whilst capping his performance off with a try too.

Winger: Ethan Ryan (Salford Red Devils)

Ryan has missed a lot of the season so far but the Ireland international reminded everyone what he’s about on Thursday. Salford played their expansive style and he was the beneficiary whilst also carrying strong on early tackles.

Centre: Mark Percival (St Helens)

If St Helens were to win against Warrington, the moment of magic would have come through Mark Percival who put in a brilliant shift and tallied up over 200 metres. An injury concern coming into the game, Percival was one of Saints’ best in defeat.

Centre: Oliver Gildart (Hull KR)

A toss-up between Gildart and his fellow centre Peta Hiku, Hull KR’s ability to shift the ball to the edge is down to their elite play whilst the duos defensive efforts are also massive. Gildart edges the selection on account of his try.

Winger: Nick Cotric (Catalans Dragons)

It has taken time for Catalans to get going but they were very strong on Saturday and Nick Cotric was among their best. The powerful winger did everything but score with a monstrous 15 tackle busts on just 18 carries, helping himself to 210 metres.

Half-back: Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)

Two tries, an assist, and five from six with the boot. It’s fair to say that Lewis is definitely over that injury from Round Two. The Man of Steel was at the heart of all the big moments for Hull KR and now he’s got going, he could take some stopping.

Half-back: Marc Sneyd (Warrington Wolves)

An honourable mention has to go to Jayden Nikorima who racked up almost 250 metres and bagged two tries but his former Salford teammate Sneyd slotted into a Warrington team on just two training days and made the difference.

Prop: Herman Ese’ese (Hull FC)

There is a very strong case that Herman Ese’ese is the best prop in Super League and not many would be able to argue otherwise. In that torrid recruitment cycle of 2024, Ese’ese is the absolute saviour. His powerful running saw him rack up close to 150 metres and a try.

Hooker: Joe Shorrocks (Salford Red Devils)

Shorrocks and Chris Atkin chopped and changed on Thursday night given that Joe Mellor is still out but Shorrocks really caught the eye. His big body allows him to pose a running threat as well as just being a distributor of the ball whilst he also topped the tackle count for the Red Devils.

Prop: Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)

Over 30 tackles and 100 metres for Leeds’ prop on the big stage against Wigan Warriors with only Harry Newman and Lachie Miller eclipsing him in the second stat. Oledzki might not be the captain but it was a captain-style knock as he led from the front and helped the Rhinos to a massive win.

Second-row: James Harrison (Warrington Wolves)

Harrison played the full 80 minutes in the middle against St Helens’ tough pack. Is there anything else to say?

Second-row: Dean Hadley (Hull KR)

There’s a reason the Hull KR fans love this man so much and it all comes down to work rate. Hadley has quietly been establishing himself as one of the most underrated second-rowers in Super League but there is no hiding that now, he is simply rated as one of the best because that’s what he is.

Loose forward: John Asiata (Hull FC)

The Hull FC captain edges out the Hull KR captain with both Asiata and Minchella starring, however, Asiata just squeezes in. His 38 tackles are impressive enough but his ball-playing adds so much to the Black and Whites’ game, as does his leadership.

Stats sourced from Super League Match Centre