Super League Team of the Week: Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and Hull FC dominate

Well, that’s another week of Super League and done and dusted after a rip-roaring weekend of fixtures.

First, Warrington Wolves took St Helens all the way on Thursday night as the reigning champions just about scraped home in a 12-10 win before Castleford Tigers were put to the sword by a determined Salford Red Devils performance on Friday night.

Huddersfield Giants needed a late Jack Cogger drop goal to pip Toulouse Olympique a week before the Challenge Cup Final, as Leeds Rhinos won a feisty local derby at Headingley against Wakefield Trinity who are now just two points ahead of Toulouse.

Then on to Saturday where Catalans Dragons travelled to Hull KR and picked up their fourth win on the road in 2022 with a 20-8 triumph, with Hull FC recording a 31-22 win over Wigan Warriors to round off the fixtures.

But, who appears in the Super League Team of the Week?

1. Gareth Widdop – Warrington Wolves

What a brilliant performance from Gareth Widdop in defeat against St Helens on Thursday night. The makeshift fullback was everywhere for Warrington and was seriously unlucky to be on the losing side.

2. Tommy Makinson – St Helens

Hailed as the ‘best winger in Super League’ by his head coach Kristian Woolf, Tommy Makinson is one of the most potent attacking backs in the game. However, his try-saving tackle on Connor Wrench with a minute to go was worth the admission fee alone.

3. Mathieu Laguerre – Catalans Dragons

This young Frenchman seems to be growing with every passing game and he was vital in Catalans’ win over Hull KR on Saturday afternoon. Laguerre’s interception try killed off any hope of a Robins revival.

4. Tim Lafai – Salford Red Devils

Tim Lafai has taken to Super League like a duck to water and he enjoyed a superb game against Castleford, providing a magical assist for Joe Burgess in the second-half and crossing himself in the first.

5. Joe Burgess – Salford Red Devils

A move to Salford has seemingly rejuvenated Joe Burgess’ rugby league career after moving from Wigan Warriors. His hat-trick was superb and he had opposite number Derrell Olpherts on toast throughout.

6. Jack Cogger – Huddersfield Giants

He’s had limited chances since making the move from the NRL in 2021, but Jack Cogger was handed a shot by Ian Watson against Toulouse and boy did he take it. A clutch drop-goal two minutes from time eventually ended a stubborn Toulouse’s hopes.

7. Marc Sneyd – Salford Red Devils

The difference between Castleford and Salford on Friday night were the halfbacks. With Marc Sneyd in inspired form, the Red Devils dominated the Tigers with the former Hull halfback running the show.

8. Mike Cooper – Warrington Wolves

If Warrington were going to get near St Helens on Thursday night, they needed their forward pack to be on song and Mike Cooper provided just that in his two big stints.

9. Daryl Clark – Warrington Wolves

Warrington needed their big players to stand up and be counted against St Helens on Thursday night and boy did Daryl Clark do just that. With some sniping runs out of dummy-half getting the Wolves on the front foot, they were unlucky not to win.

10. Chris Satae – Hull FC

One of the most impressive forwards in Super League in 2022, Chris Satae delivered another mighty performance against Wigan Warriors, scoring the most important try near the end to settle the game.

11. Manu Ma’u – Hull FC

Jordan Lane has come on leaps and bounds in recent years for Hull FC and continues to raise his game against bigger opponents, but Manu Ma’u takes this spot. The second-rower has proved his worth to head coach Brett Hodgson and was in inspired form once more against Wigan on Saturday.

12. James Bentley – Leeds Rhinos

It’s a controversial inclusion given he was sinbinned for a high shot, but James Bentley also scored twice and proved a constant thorn in Wakefield’s side all night on Friday.

13. Morgan Smithies – Wigan Warriors

Named at loose-forward, Morgan Smithies did a donkey’s share of work again Hull FC and despite coming up short, looked like a man on a mission ahead of next week’s Challenge Cup Final.

Substitutes

14. Connor Wrench – Warrington Wolves

Though named as a winger, Connor Wrench deserves his place in this Team of the Week with an emphatic display. He is keeping Josh Charnley out of the side and, on this evidence, it just desserts.

15. Adam Swift – Hull FC

Like Connor Wrench, Adam Swift could not be left out despite the performances of Tommy Makinson and Joe Burgess earlier in the week. The fleet-footed Hull winger

16. Morgan Gannon – Leeds Rhinos

This young man seems to be improving every time he takes to the field with Morgan Gannon enjoying a number of effective touches in Leeds’ win over Wakefield.

17. Agnatius Paasi – St Helens 

He seems to be appearing in the Team of the Week with every Super League round, but Agnatius Paasi has become one of the most formidable forwards in Super League. With a wicked offload and a barnstorming carry, Paasi carved Warrington up through the middle on Thursday night.