TSZ’s Super League/NRL Team of the Week | 07/03/23

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With the NRL back underway the past weekend, rugby league is well and truly back. The Super League season is three rounds in with plenty of standout performances and in what will be a new weekly feature, TSZ has compiled our team of the week.

The team is not an exact science and is subjective with the use of a combination of statistical measures as well as the eye test used to make the selections, as well as their influence on the outcome of the game.

FULLBACK: CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD (NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS)

On his debut for the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad played a huge part in helping his side claim the win. He made numerous solid carries out of the backfield, chipped in with an important try to edge the Warriors ahead in the second half and made a crucial try-saving tackle on Kalyn Ponga late in the game which would have given Newcastle Knights the lead.

WINGER: JOSH CHARNLEY (LEIGH LEOPARDS)

Charnley was the match-winner for Leigh as they earned their first victory on their return to Super League. The winger already had one try to his name before he produced a second exhilarating finish in the corner with what turned out to be the final play of the game as his exploits snatched the win.

CENTRE: HERBIE FARNWORTH (BRISBANE BRONCOS)

Farnworth was the hero as his Brisbane Broncos side stunned Penrith Panthers in their opening game of the season. The English centre crossed for two eye-catching tries as he highlighted his speed, determination and footwork to find his way over the line to back up his four tackle busts and 154 metres, 52 of which came after contact.

CENTRE: CAMPBELL GRAHAM (SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS)

Graham was excellent for Souths in their win over Cronulla Sharks with the centre racking up some impressive numbers. Not only did he cross for two tries but he also produced three linebreaks, five tackle busts and 198 metres from 15 carries.

WINGER: LIAM MARSHALL (WIGAN WARRIORS)

Marshall grabbed the headlines in Wigan’s big win over Castleford Tigers as the winger continued his fine start to the campaign with a second hat-trick in as many games. After crossing four times in the mauling of Wakefield Trinity, Marshall added another three here to take his tally for the campaign to eight but perhaps even more impressively, he ran for an incredible 302 metres from 14 carries.

FIVE-EIGHTH: ADAM KEIGHRAN (CATALANS DRAGONS)

Following Cesar Rouge’s early injury, Keighran was thrust into a more prominent role in the halves having started at centre and did a superb job. The new recruit from Sydney Roosters relished getting his hands on the ball and caused Hull FC all sorts of issues. He found his way over the line for a try as well as setting one up too while he added a further 14 points from his boot for good measure.

HALFBACK: LACHLAN ILIAS (SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS)

Many have highlighted Ilias as a potential weak link in the South Sydney side but he produced a performance against the Sharks that suggested he could be coming of age. The Greek international caught the eye with a stunning try-saving tackle on Ronaldo Mulitalo before crossing for a try of his own as well as setting one up as he proved to be integral in his side’s round 1 win.

PROP: SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO (CATALANS DRAGONS)

On his debut for the French outfit, Taukeiaho was excellent as he proved to be too much of a handful for Hull to deal with. The Tongan highlighted his work rate by carrying the ball on 23 occasions and the blockbusting forward also showed his power as he found his way across the whitewash.

HOOKER: HARRY GRANT (MELBOURNE STORM)

With Brandon Smith moving on to Sydney Roosters, Grant is now the main man in the hooking role and he produced an incredible display against Parramatta Eels. The rake did not leave the pitch, playing the entire 80 minutes as well as the four additional minutes of golden point where he produced a moment of magic to burrow over with the match-winning try which came on the back of him making 59 tackles.

PROP: PAYNE HAAS (BRISBANE BRONCOS)

Haas was the leading metre-maker for the Broncos, amassing 207 in his 65 minutes on the field. It was a superb effort from the New South Wales giant and it will be no surprise to see him feature regularly in the TOTW this season.

SECOND ROW: FELISE KAUFUSI (DOLPHINS)

Kaufusi was a man on a mission as he played a huge role in the Dolphins landing a stunning win in their maiden game. The former Melbourne man played the full 80 in the back row and came up with some huge plays, mainly in defence. His stats line does not make for the most impressive reading but his contribution in his side’s win cannot be understated.

SECOND ROW: KEAON KOLOMATANGI (SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS)

The third Rabbitoh to appear in this TOTW, Kolomatangi carried on where he left off last season as he produced a damaging performance in the back row. He produced 152 from 13 runs while he was able to add three tackle busts and a linebreak to the try he scored.

LOCK: PATRICK CARRIGAN (BRISBANE BRONCOS)

Carrigan enjoyed a breakout 2022 campaign and carried on where he left off with a great 70-minute effort. He made 50 tackles in the game, more than any other Bronco while he also amassed 180 metres from 17 carries as he highlighted his work rate on both sides of the ball. Carrigan didn’t take a step back and his physicality and tempo off the line set the tone for his side.