Round 7 of the National Rugby League saw both the Dragons’ unbeaten streak and the Eels’ winless run end with a host of upsets.
There was plenty of exciting rugby league over the weekend with games played in all corners of Australia and New Zealand including in Tamworth and on the Central Coast. Here is the NRL team of the week for Round 7.
Fullback: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
Ponga’s high-profile move to the Hunter seems to have paid off with the electric young fullback putting in another enigmatic performance. He dealt massive damage on attack proving hard to handle with nine tackle busts against the Wests Tigers as well as a try assist. He played well down the left edge, nearly sending Lachlan Fitzgibbon over.
Wing: Ken Sio (Newcastle Knights)
Sio was sensational on the wing for the Knights in their 22-20 victory over the Wests Tigers in Tamworth. He dominated the flank in an impressive display getting three tries on the board with seven tackle busts and three line breaks to his name.
Sio proved potent on attack for the Novocastrians, showing he is still an NRL-level player following his stint in the Super League.
Centre: Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Inglis returned to form against the Raiders on the Central Coast with Souths’ right edge standing tall in attack. The centre was back to his explosive best and has formed a nice partnership with Robert Jennings and Alex Johnston.
Inglis ran for 183 metres including an intercept try, busting five tackles in the cardinal and myrtle’s big win.
Centre: Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm)
Chambers was devastating on the right edge alongside Suliasi Vunivalu, sending the Fijian winger over for a four-pointer and scoring a try of his own. The Australian international made enterprising play against the Broncos with five tackle breaks and was outstanding on defence with 18 tackles.
Wing: Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm)
The flying winger bagged a double and made an unconventional try assist off the boot for Billy Slater. He was lethal in attack proving a handful for Brisbane’s Jamayne Isaako running 110 metres. With four tackle busts and two line breaks, he loomed large out wide in a brilliant attacking display by the Storm.
Five-eighth: Corey Norman (Parramatta Eels)
Norman added much-needed attacking flair to a dour Parramatta Eels outfit. The five-eighth took the onus for the blue and gold, with an impressive kicking game. The playmaker scored a try and set up another with a huge eight tackle breaks, listening to his critics by running the ball.
Halfback: Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
The Parramatta Eels reversed their early season form, overhauling their offense with Mitchell Moses leading the way. The Lebanon international took charge setting up three tries acting as a triple threat with the ball in the blue and gold’s first win of 2018. He busted three tackles and made eleven tackles.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Prop: Daniel Alvaro (Parramatta Eels)
Alvaro was a workhorse in the Eels’ long-awaited first win of the 2018 season. He played 53 minutes after being promoted to the starting side, running for 121 metres with a tackle bust and two offloads. The Italian international led the way defensively, topping Parramatta’s tackle count with 34 tackles.
Hooker: Issac Luke (Warriors)
Luke inspired the Warriors in ending the Dragons’ winning streak with a spirited performance from dummy half. The former New Zealand international returned to his best displaying a balanced game in attack and on defence. Luke ran for 110 metres with four tackle busts and a try while also kicking a monstrous 40-20. He was always close to the ruck making 38 tackles.
Prop: Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Vaughan was extremely active in the Red V’s engine room chewing through 166 metres and making 26 tackles. He continued his case for a New South Wales jumper with two tackle breaks during their maiden loss to the Warriors.
Back row: Scott Sorensen (Cronulla Sharks)
Emerging from the Newtown Jets’ reserve grade squad, Scott Sorensen made his return to Cronulla after a sojourn with Canberra. Replacing Wade Graham in the back row, he did all the little things right.
Sorensen scored his first try of his NRL career, settling into the Sharks first grade squad with 107 running metres, six tackle busts and 32 tackles creating a selection headache for coach Shane Flanagan.
Back row: Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Sims worked hard on the edge for the Dragons once again staking his claim for Origin selection. He scored a try in St George Illawarra’s loss to the Warriors with four tackle busts, a line break and two offloads making him one of the best attacking players. He made 25 tackles for the night.
Lock forward: Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
The British warhorse was front and centre against the Raiders in Gosford, leading from the front in his return from suspension. Burgess made a huge 203 metres from 15 runs off the back of six tackle breaks. He was also heavily involved in defence with 27 tackles but could be facing further time on the sidelines, placed on report for a controversial high tackle on Aidan Sezer.
Interchange: Jack De Belin (St George Illawarra Dragons)
De Belin was the best on the park for the Dragons in their top-of-the-table clash with the Warriors. He led the forward pack with 165 metres gained and 38 tackles. He made second phase play with four tackle busts and four offloads, continuing his meteoric rise as a senior leader of the Red V.
Interchange: Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
Taumalolo was dominant in the middle of the park against the Titans with some big plays in attack and on defence.
The Tongan giant ran for 152 metres with four tackle busts, a line break and two offloads. Taumalolo made an impact after barging through the Gold Coast defensive line to score a try in North Queensland’s win. He also made 27 tackles.
Interchange: Mitchell Pearce (Newcastle Knights)
The star recruit proved the difference for the Novocastrians scoring a try and setting up another while also running well and creating second phase play. Pearce’s kicking game was spectacular with 482 metres off the boot.
He will not return until late in the season due to a pectoral injury in a massive loss for the Knights.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Interchange: Simon Mannering (Warriors)
With Tohu Harris pulled from the field early on, Simon Mannering stepped up in the back row to fire up the Warriors. The Kiwi stalwart ran for 114 metres with a tackle break and two offloads however, his influence was felt most defensively with a huge 45-tackle haul in their sixth win of the 2018 season.
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