Super 8s Round 5: Team of the Week
There are three players each from Wigan, St Helens and Castleford in the team of the week.
Peter Mata’utia (Castleford Tigers)
It has not taken long for the Samoa international to settle down at Castleford. Mata’utia scored a try and came up with an assist to help Castleford beat Huddersfield 44-12 at home. He also made 130 metres from 16 carries, averaging 8.13 metres per-drive.
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
The 23-year-old scored a hat-trick to help Wakefield edge past Catalans 34-22. The finish he produced for his second try was incredible and he made three clean breaks as well as busting seven tackles. He could well end up making his England debut this autumn.
Brayden Wiliame (Catalans Dragons)
The Fiji star was unlucky to be on the losing side as Catalans went down to a defeat at Wakefield. He looked dangerous when he had the ball and caused Trinity a couple of problems. Wiliame scored a try, made 16 tackles, bust two tackles and made a clean break.
Mark Percival (St Helens)
Percival just continues to impress each and every week. The England international bagged a brace in St Helens’ 38-12 win over Hull FC which saw them lift the League Leaders’ Shield. Percival made 203 metres from 19 carries, bust 10 tackles and made two clean breaks.
Dom Manfredi (Wigan Warriors)
It was a dream return for Manfredi after two years out through injury. He scored two tries in the second half to help Wigan dispatch Warrington with a comfortable 26-6 victory. The 24-year-old made 10 carries, bust four tackles and made one clean break on his return.
Ryan Hampshire (Wakefield Trinity)
Wakefield fans will be hoping that the club can get Hampshire tied down to a new deal for next season as soon as possible. The 23-year-old produced a silky display to help them beat Catalans. He scored a try, got an assist and kicked three goals. Hampshire also bust six tackles.
Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers)
The 19-year-old is one of the best young players in the world right now. He put in yet another man of the match performance to guide Castleford to victory over Huddersfield. He made 108 metres from nine carries as well as making 15 tackles. His kicking game was superb.
Luke Thompson (St Helens)
It will not be long before the 23-year-old plays for England at all. His blockbusting drives helped Saints clinch the League Leaders’ Shield on Friday. He made 198 metres from 14 drives, averaging 14.14 metres per-carry. Thompson made 26 tackles and also scored a try.
Sam Powell (Wigan Warriors)
The 26-year-old is an unsung hero in Wigan’s squad and is probably one of the most underrated players in Super League. He put in another huge shift on Friday as he made a staggering 56 tackles against Warrington. He also ran with the ball from dummy half, making seven carries.
Luis Johnson (Warrington Wolves)
The 19-year-old made his professional debut on Friday and did not look out of place in Warrington’s pack as they fell short to Wigan. Normally a back-rower, Johnson made his debut in the front-row and made 25 tackles and 12 carries. He made an average of 8.75 metres and also bust two tackles.
John Bateman (Wigan Warriors)
We have lost count of how many times the England international has been named in our team of the week this season! Bateman made a whopping 29 tackles and 23 drives in Wigan’s win over Warrington. He provided two assists and made four offloads.
James Bentley (St Helens)
Bentley has a huge future ahead of him. The 21-year-old made his first-team debut for St Helens on Friday and played the full 80 minutes. A brilliant effort. The ex-Bradford man made 46 tackles in the game and made 11 carries. He even bagged an assist.
Junior Moors (Castleford Tigers)
The Samoa forward is just so hard to stop! He crashed over the line for two tries in Castleford’s win over Huddersfield. He racked up 206 metres from 20 drives, averaging 10.30 metres per-carry. He even bust five tackles as well as making a clean break.