It now feels like we are well and truly into the NRL season, with the first full weekend of action now behind us. For us, that means we are due for another Team of the Week, which we introduced this time last week. After some deliberation, I have come up with the second edition of the betcha Team of the Week.
Prop | Jackson Ford
With their captain Mitch Barnett out, the Warriors have leaned on Jackson Ford to be their starting prop to open the season. Through two games he hasn’t disappointed, and this weekend more than earned his spot on this team. Playing 76 minutes, scoring a try, making 37 tackles and gaining 154 metres is certainly a heavy workload, and many will be excited to see this form continue.
Prop | Payne Haas
Regardless of the Broncos starting 0-2, one player you can’t fault is the guy who the preseason stories were all about, Payne Haas. This week against the Eels he was superb, getting over for his first try of the season, gaining 184 metres while also completing four offloads in what was a strong evening for the league’s best prop.
Hooker | Harry Grant
After being somewhat snubbed from the team last weekend, Harry Grant produced a performance that ensured he would no doubt make it this week. In his 80 minutes of action, Grant made 47 tackles while also flourishing on the offensive side of the ball, setting up a try and scoring one of his own.
Second Row | Leka Halasima
Not much more can be said about Leka Halasima other than he is truly a one of a kind player. Due to injuries he was thrusted into a bigger role this weekend and with the opportunity made mockery of the Raiders defence. He was one of the most devastating ball carriers of the round and, of course, in classic Leka fashion, managed to find the try line a couple of times, with one of them potentially the try of the round.
Second Row | Kelma Tuilagi
Another star from NRL Vegas was the Bulldogs’ second-rower Viliame Kikau. In his season opener under the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium, Kikau was at his best, with 195 metres, eight tackle breaks, and two line breaks, proving to be one of the hardest players to bring down across the two weekends.
Lock | Erin Clark
After a true breakout season last year, Erin Clark has once again started the season showing he is one of the best locks in the NRL. This weekend against the Raiders, he was special across the park, but most of all with his ball playing, picking up a couple of try assists in what was a major victory for his side.
Half | Tanah Boyd
What a start to the season for the Warriors’ back up halfback Tanah Boyd. He has led his side to a 2-0 start and in doing so has been one of the most dominant forces in the league. Against the Raiders he was a different class, scoring yet another try, kicking well in play with a magnificent 40/20, and throwing in a couple of try assists for good measure.
Half | Nathan Cleary
The other half for the week comes as no surprise, with Nathan Cleary showing why he is still regarded as the best player in the competition. He made plenty of tackles, kicked his goals, and scored for the first time this season in what was a dominant outing against the Sharks.
Centre | Herbie Farnworth
The Dolphins were slow starters on Sunday evening, but one member of the squad who was very good throughout was their superstar centre Herbie Farnworth. He was electric with the ball in hand, breaking through multiple tackles while also making a heroic try-saving tackle himself. While he didn’t necessarily break the game open, he was a constant threat and deserves a shout in the Team of the Week.
Centre | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
I know he was playing at fullback, but it was impossible to leave him out, so I thought I might as well move Tabuai-Fidow into the centres. On Sunday afternoon, he was just flat-out special and, for me, proved why he is almost in a class of his own among the league’s best. He broke six tackles, gained an eye-watering 325 metres, and most importantly scored the game-winning try, winning the aerial duel and dotting over to give his side the victory.
Winger | Alex Johnston
The Broncos were seemingly coming off a championship hangover in Week One, and the Panthers made the most of that opportunity. One player who was a key cog in that Panthers performance was their winger Tom Jenkins, who in 80 minutes scored two tries, made eight tackle breaks, and gained 202 metres on the night.
Winger | Jerel Skelton
The Tigers ran riot on the Cowboys, and one of the stars of the show was their winger Jerel Skelton, who scored a great try in the corner while also getting plenty of work down on the ground, gaining 221 metres in what was an impressive season debut.
Fullback | Sualauvi Faalogo
The star of the weekend was Storm fullback Sualauvi Faalogo, who against the Dragons showed why the team was so excited about his inclusion this year. He was dominant with the ball in hand and caused issues for the Dragons all night, registering two line-break assists, three line breaks, one try assist, and a hat-trick of his own, taking his season tally to five.