The first bye round is done and dusted as the NRL season surpassed the halfway point.
While the State of Origin representatives were out, eight teams took to the field in Round 13 with some of the game’s more underrated players and international stars displaying touches of brilliance.
Here is the NRL team of the week for Round 13.
Fullback: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
Ponga narrowly missed out on selection for the Queensland side and showed why Kevin Walters should consider him next time around with a standout performance. The fullback had some moments of brilliance in attack, running for 168 metres with nine tackle busts, nearly scoring off a Jack Cogger kick and forcing a dropout off the boot.
Wing: Josh Hoffman (Parramatta Eels)
Returning from a short stint in reserve grade with the Wentworthville Magpies, Hoffman struck late for the Eels’ solitary try in their loss to the Knights. It capped off a good game from the Kiwi flyer, who tallied up 173 running metres, six tackle busts and two line breaks.
Centre: Sione Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights)
Mata’utia plugged away at the Eels defensive line, doing all the little things right. He was monumental in defence, making 22 tackles, while also turning his efforts into attack with 109 running metres off the back of four tackle busts and a line break, as well as a try.
Centre: Enari Tuala (North Queensland Cowboys)
Tuala has quietly made his way into the Cowboys’ starting backline and put in a good performance against the Sea Eagles scoring a try and making five tackle busts. The 19-year-old ran for 129 metres and made 17 tackles for the night.
Wing: Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
Tupou turned the Roosters’ Sunday afternoon game against the Wests Tigers on its head, scoring a try before the break and getting another in the second half. He loomed large on the left wing, combining well with Blake Ferguson.
Five-Eighth: Connor Watson (Newcastle Knights)
Watson was promising at five-eighth for the Knights, working well with halves partner Jack Cogger. The livewire ran for 114 metres, scoring a try for his efforts after making two line breaks.
Halfback: Adam Reynolds (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Reynolds had the Sharks coming off their try-line all night some great bombs and grubbers. He took on the line with some good runs, dragging players into holes and forcing two dropouts while also having a hand in Tom Burgess’ first try before putting Campbell Graham over from a soaring kick.
Prop: Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Tom Burgess continued his strong run of form with two tries on Friday night against the Sharks. The English firebrand was sensational, running for 140 metres with three tackle busts and a line break, laying the platform for the Bunnies.
(AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox)
Hooker: Apisai Koroisau (Manly Sea Eagles)
Koroisau made some promising runs out of dummy-half with 79 metres from eight touches and four tackle busts. He was also reliable in defence making an unrivalled 64 tackles.
Prop: Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles)
The Cowboys found it hard to contain Martin Taupau with the big prop at his destructive best. Taupau ran for 107 metres with five tackle busts and also made 47 tackles however, he was most elusive with his seven offloads.
Back row: John Sutton (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Sutton has experienced a resurgence in 2018 and Friday night showed why he is likely to continue his career beyond his 34th birthday. The back-rower demonstrated his ball-playing ability setting up a try for Tom Burgess, working well on the left wing with some great footwork. He ran for 150 metres and displayed great spatial awareness after forcing a goal-line dropout.
Back row: Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
Promoted to the starting side, Radley has proven himself to be the Roosters’ most valuable player. He made a solid line break down the right wing, nearly scoring only to be ankle-tapped by Tuimoala Lolohea ten metres from the line. He also had a hand in a stunning line break from Luke Keary, made four tackle busts for 154 running metres as well as 42 bruising tackles in defence.
Lock forward: Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
Taumalolo worked well with Johnathan Thurston to lay the platform for the Cowboys. The Tongan workhorse ran for 234 metres up the middle with eleven tackle busts, four offloads and a try as well as a huge 27 tackles in defence. His contributions proved the difference against the Sea Eagles.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Interchange: Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)
Fifita teased New South Wales Blues staff with another big effort up the middle for Cronulla. The Tongan international ran for 147 metres with three tackle busts and five offloads as well as 36 tackles in defence.
Interchange: Daniel Alvaro (Parramatta Eels)
Alvaro put in a strong performance up front for the Parramatta Eels, leading the way for the blue and gold. The Italian ran for 172 metres making 58 tackles in an unrivalled effort.
Interchange: Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
Daniel Saifiti made some great contributions in attack for the Knights in their 30-4 romping of the Eels. Saifiti ran for 199 metres, averaging 10.4 metres with two tackle busts, a line break leading to a try and 21 tackles.
Interchange: Tim Grant (Wests Tigers)
Grant stepped back into peak form without a hitch. The former State of Origin forward was great in attack making 128 running metres, averaging over nine metres with each touch and scoring a try. He also made a huge 38 tackles, hardly missing an opportunity to bring a defender to ground.
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