NRL Team of the Week: Round 20

James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)

Alongside the ever dynamic Latrell Mitchell; Tedesco terrorised the lacklustre St. George defensive line with every touch of the football. Had three try involvements with two tries and an assist, broke five tackles, recorded two offloads and ran for over 220 metres with ball in hand.

Phillip Sami (Gold Coast Titans)

Has been a shining light for the Gold Coast in yet another disappointing season for the Titans. Scored two tries, recorded three line breaks and gained 240 run metres for his side.

Dane Gagai (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

May very well have been wearing a Queensland jersey underneath his South Sydney kit this weekend. Scored a double, set up a try of his own, broke eight tackles and was busy in defence – completing 21 tackles of his own.

Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters)

Latrell Mitchell just keeps getting better. Scored a hat-trick in a man of the match performance

Justin O’Neill (North Queensland Cowboys)

His best game in nearly 18 months, O’Neill returned to form with a try and a try assist in what was just the North Queensland Cowboys fifth win of the season. Having not to long ago tasted reserve grade football; you’d have never had known the 27-year-old was a mainstay in the Queensland Maroons side just two years ago. Recorded two line breaks on his way to 153 run metres.

Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)

Scored a try, set up another and broke eight tackles in what turned out to be a man of the match performance.

Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)

Another Cowboy who had the best game of his season. Scored a try, set up two others – including the match winner – recorded three line break assists and forced a drop out with his pinpoint kicking game.

Matthew Lodge (Brisbane Broncos)

Scored a try, ran for 150 run metres and completed 24 tackles in a 46 minute stint.

Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Was as busy as usual in a come from behind win. Recorded a two line break assists as well as a try assist, completed 50 tackles, proved to be a primary source of second phase play with four offloads, and from dummy-half; gained 128 metres and broke four tackles.

Martin Taupau (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Broke nine tackles and recorded a line break on his way to 160 run metres.

Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers)

Was in everything from start to finish, was the main influencing factor in Penrith’s 20-point flurry of points to come from behind late in the game to still the win from Manly.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Newcastle Knights)

A future New South Wales State of Origin prospect. Scored two tries, saved one latter in the matchup, completed 43 tackles and broke six of his own in what transpired to be one of the better games of the weekend; surprisingly.