Round 2 of the NRL saw another week of upsets, with the Storm falling to Wests Tigers and the Eels walloped by Manly.
There were once again a plethora of dazzling performances over the weekend, and we have only two returning players. Here is the NRL team of the week for Round 2.
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
He narrowly missed out on last week’s team of the week, but Tuivasa-Sheck didn’t go unheard as the Warriors went 2-0 with a win over the Titans.
The Kiwi international was a shining light in a mercurial Warriors outfit, running for 232 metres, scoring a try and setting up another.
Wing: Nene Macdonald (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Pulling off one of the most spectacular tries we have seen so far this season on Thursday night, Macdonald was potent in attack for the Red V. The Papua New Guinean dominated the left flank.
(AAP Image/David Rowland)
Centre: Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Strong both offensively and defensively, Aitken once again stood tall for St George Illawarra. The Scotsman earned a four-pointer while also making 21 tackles in the Dragons’ derby win.
Centre: Peta Hiku (Warriors)
Hiku was very impressive on defence, managing to hold out the Titans’ Phillip Sami from scoring. His 18 tackles were pivotal in the Warriors’ 20-8 win and he combined well with David Fusitu’a.
Wing: Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)
Ferguson ran for more than 200 metres for the second week in a row and also nabbed a try for his efforts as the Roosters secured a big win over Canterbury-Bankstown.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Five-eighth: Anthony Milford (Brisbane Broncos)
After a disastrous Round 1 performance, Milford saw a return to his running game, opening up the match for Brisbane with five tackle busts. He was just as good off the boot with accuracy when attacking the line.
Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles)
Cherry-Evans took control in Manly’s record-breaking 54-0 win over the Eels. The halfback was monumental, with a great performance off the boot seeing him kick a 40/20 and 9/10 goals while also scoring a try and laying a platform in the medal for the forward pack to dominate the middle of the park.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Prop: Tevita Pangai Junior (Brisbane Broncos)
Moving into the starting side at prop, Tevita Pangai warranted his selection with a strong showing in the Queensland derby. He produced 30 tackles and scored a try in Brisbane’s dramatic victory.
Hooker: Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Lethal out of dummy half, Cook provided plenty of energy for the cardinal and myrtle. Despite dropping a 14-0 lead against Penrith, the number nine was the best man on the field, scoring a try after running for 160 metres and working hard defensively to make 49 tackles.
Prop: Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles)
Taupau exhibited his usual offloading skills, throwing five for the match and also chewing up the motor in the middle with 147 running metres. He helped Manly to establish their dominance early on as the Silvertails ran out 54-0 victors over Parramatta.
(Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Back row: Aidan Guerra (Newcastle Knights)
Guerra has continued his transition to the Hunter club with yet another stellar performance for the Knights with their second win of 2018 in as many games. The former Rooster made 45 tackles on defence and scored a try in Newcastle’s 30-28 win over the Raiders.
Back row: Tohu Harris (Warriors)
Another outstanding performance on the edge for the Warriors, once again putting in the hard yards defensively with his 43 tackles and making a strong contribution in attack, with four tackle busts and 146 metres gained.
Lock forward: Jake Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles)
Trbojevic made his impact felt right from kick-off for Manly on Sunday afternoon. He was everywhere on the field, with a strong defensive display and plenty of impressive hit-ups. He scored a try and provided a helping hand in another.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Interchange: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
Tedesco’s guiding influence at the back was felt in the tricolours’ first victory of the season. He made a sensational 202 metres, set up two tries and nabbed a meat pie of his own.
Interchange: Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
Thurston stepped right back into the thick of the action in Friday’s high-octane Queensland derby. The 301-gamer did all the little things right with plenty of runs and a good kicking game.
He made three try assists for the night, and it would have been four had the goal post not stopped Scott Bolton from charging over in the dying moments of the game.
Interchange: Lloyd Perrett (Manly Sea Eagles)
Only a few weeks after being hospitalised for heatstroke, Perrett came off the bench in searing conditions at Brookvale Oval and didn’t leave a single thing out on the field.
His impact was felt right from his first hit-up, with several beautiful offloads, a try assist with only his second touch of the game and a try of his own not long after.
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Interchange: Jai Arrow (Gold Coast Titans)
Arrow put in a spirited effort for the Gold Coast team in Auckland. He hit the double century for metres gained while also making 34 tackles and offloading on three occasions.
Roarers, who made your team of the week? Which player stood out the most in Round 2 of the 2018 NRL season?
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