Round 18: Super League Team of the Week

Drew Darbyshire

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

The State of Mind round provided us with several phenomenal displays.

Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves)

The England star has been in great form for Warrington recently and had another blinder to inspire the Wolves to a 32-30 win over Wakefield Trinity. He scored two tries, made two clean breaks and bust two tackles. Ratchford made 19 tackles and 10 carries for his side.

Junior Vaivai (Hull Kingston Rovers)

How good has Vaivai been since his arrival at Hull KR earlier on in the season?! He is definitely one of the best buys of the season. The USA star scored two tries to help Rovers draw 24-24 with Castleford Tigers. Vaivai made 138 metres from 14 carries, averaging 9.86 metres per-drive. He also bust six tackles.

Kris Welham (Salford Red Devils)

Welham has been a rock for Salford this season and put in a remarkable display in their 26-12 win against Widnes Vikings on Thursday. He scored two tries for the Red Devils as well as making 128 metres from nine carries, averaging 14.22 metres per-drive. He made two clean breaks and 13 tackles.

Mark Percival (St Helens)

The 24-year-old has been on fire for St Helens this season and fully deserves his spot in the England side for the Denver Test. He scored a try and came up with two assists in Saints’ 23-22 win over Leeds Rhinos. Percival made 112 metres from 14 carries as well as busting 12 tackles and making four clean breaks.

Jy Hitchcox (Castleford Tigers)

The Australian put in the performance of the weekend. He scored four tries in Castleford’s draw against Hull KR. Tigers coach Daryl Powell confirmed after the game that Hitchcox will be leaving the club at the end of the season, but he will have no issue of finding another club after that display.

 

George Williams (Wigan Warriors)

Williams put in his best performance of the year on Saturday as he guided Wigan to a 14-10 win at Hull FC. He was a constant threat, making 193 metres from 24 carries, averaging 8.04 metres per-drive. The England half-back bust 14 tackles and six clean breaks. He even provided an assist.

Josh Drinkwater (Catalans Dragons)

The 26-year-old has been brilliant since his move to the South of France. He was very unfortunate not to be on the winning side as Catalans fell to a 26-25 defeat at Huddersfield Giants. Drinkwater produced a fabulous kicking game and came up with three assists.

Mitch Garbutt (Leeds Rhinos)

In just his fourth Super League game of the season, Garbutt put in a huge display in Leeds’ defeat to St Helens. He made 165 metres from 24 carries and made 33 tackles. Garbutt even scored a try. A fine effort from the front-rower.

Matt Parcell (Leeds Rhinos)

The former Manly Sea Eagles hooker was simply brilliant for Leeds on Friday. He was very energetic and made 175 metres from 18 carries, averaging 9.72 metres per-drive. Parcell bust nine tackles and made 26 tackles. He even provided two assists.

Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves)

Cooper has been a very underrated front-rower in Super League this season. He put in a hardworking display in Warrington’s win at Wakefield. He took 11 drives in and made 38 tackles. The former England international also bust a tackle and made two offloads.

Alex Mellor (Huddersfield Giants)

The 23-year-old was named in our team of the week last week and he is in it again. Mellor made a staggering 46 tackles in Huddersfield’s win over Catalans, with 10 of those coming from marker position. He also made 12 carries and grabbed a try.

Dom Peyroux (St Helens)

The Cook Islands and Samoa international has improved massively under the guidance of Justin Holbrook. Peyroux made 34 tackles in Saints’ victory at Leeds and proved to be very solid when defending his own line. He is doing a great job in the back-row for Saints this year.

Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors)

The 35-year-old put in a trademark performance of his to help Wigan return to winning ways. O’Loughlin just seemed to be everywhere on the field against Hull FC. He took 27 drives in as well as making 29 tackles. He bust five tackles and grabbed an assist.