NRL Team of the Week: Round Two

1. Clinton Gutherson (Parramatta Eels)

Recorded a try assist, scored two of his own and even prevented one of the oppositions’ in what turned out to be Gutherson’s best game in recent seasons.

2. Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)

Has already sewed up Valentine Holmes vacated Maroons jersey with a string of exceptional performances to begin the 2019 season. Scored another double in one of the more disappointing Queensland Derby’s to date as the Broncos went on to put the Cowboys to the sword.

3. Jack Bird (Brisbane Broncos)

After a lacklustre and injury ridden 2017 season, Jack Bird has gotten himself back in shape and is looking the goods in the early rounds of 2019. Set up Oates’ two tries as the duo look set to become one of the most lethal combinations in the league this year.

4. Braidon Burns (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

His switch to the centres has paid dividends for the South Sydney side so far this season. Scored a try, broke seven tackles and ran for 175 metres against St. George Illawarra.

5. Blake Ferguson (Parramatta Eels)

Has improved upon the form in which saw him named in our team of the year last season. Scored a try double, assisted in another, broke ten tackles and ran for 300 run metres in what was the performance of the week.

6. James Maloney (Penrith Panthers)

Was everywhere in Penrith’s first win of the season against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday afternoon. Saved a try in the dying stages of the contest after an incredible defensive effort (finishing the game with 24 tackles). Kicked for 340 metres of territory and ran 127 with ball in hand.

7. Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters)

Showed why he was awarded the Clive Churchill medal for his performance in the 2018 grand final with a whopping four try assists and two-line break assists against Manly on Saturday evening.

8. Tevita Pangai Junior (Brisbane Broncos)

Terrorised the Cowboys without his defensive efforts for the entirety of the contest and even forced Jason Taumalolo of the field in the early stages of the game. Was awarded for his efforts with a second half try and finished the game with 109 run metres and six tackle breaks.

9. Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)

Has wound the clock back to 2010 as he plays his best football since the turn of the decade. In his second man of the match performance in as many weeks, Farah recorded three try assists and scored one of his own in the dying stages of the contest.

10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)

After a few inconsistent seasons following his 2013 premiership season, Waerea-Hargreaves took back his mantle of premier prop in the competition in 2018’ and continues to impress in 2019. Ran for 232 metres and recorded 43 tackles in Sydney’s 8-point victory of Manly.

11. Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters)

Put in a trademark captains knock against Manly on Saturday night. Scored two tries, recorded 30 tackles and ran for 100 metres with ball in hand.

12. Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Another backrower who scored a double this weekend. Also recorded a try assist, broke five tackles, made 25 of his own and ran for 163 running metres.

13. Jai Arrow (Gold Coast Titans)

Was best on field in a losing side. Ran for 300 metres. Completed 27 tackles. Recorded a line break. Made seven tackle busts and did his best to create second phase play with four offloads.

Interchange:

14. Shaun Johnson (Cronulla Sharks)
15. Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks)
16. Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm)
17. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)

18th Man: Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)