Round 1: Super League Team of the Week
The Betfred Super League returned to action at the weekend and so has our team of the week feature.
Ben Barba (St Helens)
The 28-year-old was probably the best player in the Betfred Super League at the weekend. Barba scored two tries in Saints’ win over Castleford and also grabbed three assists. He bust seven tackles as well as making one clean break.
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
A lot of Trinity supporters are expecting big things from the 22-year-old this year and he put a smile on their faces this weekend as he scored a hat-trick to help Wakefield ease past Hull Kingston Rovers. He also got an assist.
Krisnan Inu (Widnes Vikings)
The 30-year-old was a key figure in Widnes’ win over his former club Catalans Dragons on Sunday. Inu was great when he had the ball in his hands, scoring one try and assisting another. He also had an average gain of 8.64 metres.
Mark Percival (St Helens)
The 23-year-old had a fine 2017 season and he probably couldn’t have wished to start 2018 any better than what he did. He scored a hat-trick against Castleford, made an assist and bust six tackles.
Fetuli Talanoa (Hull FC)
Alongside Johnstone and Percival, Talanoa is currently at the top of the Super League try-scoring charts after scoring a hat-trick to help Hull FC beat Huddersfield. The Giants struggled to stop the Tonga international, who made nearly 10 metres per carry on average.
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)
The 28-year-old started at full-back in Wigan’s win at Salford but he really excelled when he moved into the halves when Morgan Escaré came off the bench. The Warriors looked more organised and his short kicking game was on point. He also kicked six out of a possible seven goals.
Richie Myler (Leeds Rhinos)
The 27-year-old answered his critics when he made his debut for Leeds on Thursday and helped the Rhinos beat his former club Warrington Wolves. Myler grabbed an assist, made 25 tackles and 15 kicks in general play. He already looks pretty much settled in already.
David Fifita (Wakefield Trinity)
The 28-year-old is a fan favourite at The Mobile Rocket Stadium and you can see why. He was a constant threat against Hull KR, making 18 carries and busting nine tackles. He also worked hard in defence, making 25 tackles.
Paul McShane (Castleford Tigers)
Castleford may have lost heavily at St Helens on Friday but you can’t take nothing away from McShane, the 28-year-old worked very hard and was unfortunate to be on the losing side. He is currently Super League’s top tackler with 53 to his name.
Anthony England (Wakefield Trinity)
Alongside Fifita, the 31-year-old was outstanding for Trinity against the Robins. He worked hard for his side, making 23 tackles as well as taking 21 drives in.
Chris Dean (Widnes Vikings)
The 30-year-old was, arguably, the best forward of the weekend. He scored two tries and came up with an assist but it was his work rate than stood out more than anything, with him making 32 tackles and busting nine going forward.
Zeb Taia (St Helens)
The 33-year-old the stand-out forward in the clash between St Helens and Castleford on Friday. He scored two tries and had 24 carries as well as 32 tackles to his name.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos)
The 36-year-old actually played in his usual back-row position against Warrington but we had to put him in our team of the week and he is at loose forward. He was brilliant. The former England international made 10 carries and 49 tackles while also scoring a try. Jones-Buchanan was a great leader on the pitch as well.
What do you think of our team of the week? Let us know in the comments below.