Castleford Tigers and Hull FC rule Yorkshire's Super League Team of the Week

Niall Evalds (Castleford Tigers)

Having missed the Challenge Cup win at Hull KR returned to the side in some style against Leigh Centurions. Scored one try, had two assists, made 160m and showed why England coach Shaun Wane should not yet just be thinning Sam Tomkins or Zak Hardaker for that RLWC2021 spot.

Winger

Derrell Olpherts (Castleford Tigers)

Impressive numbers from the wideman as Castleford ran riot against Leigh, including a massive 241m and nine tackle busts. Throw in two tries, and it’s obvious why he makes this side.

Centre

Carlos Tuimavave (Hull FC)

Mr Consistent retains his place in the Team of the Week yet again; 215m against Warrington, offloaded five times - more than any other player on the field in both cases - and scored another try in the thrilling 14-14 draw.

Centre

Ben Crooks (Hull KR)

Although he limped off at the start of the second half (and Huddersfield’s Jake Wardle came to life later on), by that point Crooks had scored two tries - including the fastest in Super League history after just seven seconds - so he has to be in. Strong response after being dropped the week before.

Winger

Tom Briscoe (Leeds Rhinos)

Greg Eden impressed on his first appearance of the season for Catleford but Briscoe - like his younger brother Luke - was immense as Leeds fell against Wigan Warriors. Carried for 159m, busted six tackles, made one clean break and was a constant outlet helping his side get away from their own line.

Stand-off

Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers)

Had so much time to out plays on and help Classy Cas deliver some quality football against a limited Leigh side, great to see him getting a run of games unhindered by injury.

Scrum-half

Jordan Abdull (Hull KR)

Having failed with a drop-goal attempt in the Golden Point extra-time loss to Castleford Tigers a week previously, made sure it never got to that versus Huddersfield Giants by nailing the 77th minute winner.

Showed great character to bounce back but also, before that moment, had been a controlling influence when Rovers were on top.

Prop

Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)

Rounded off a week that saw him get a surprise shot at England training by putting in a towering display against Wigan; 156m from 20 carries and 44 tackles, the Polish-born forward is coming of age in this Rhinos side and don’t rule the 22-year-old out as an outside bet for the World Cup.

Hooker

Danny Houghton (Hull FC)

Even by the legendary defensive warrior Houghton’s high standards, this statistic is mind-blowing - a personal best 85 tackles (yes, EIGHTY FIVE) in the extra-time draw with Warrington. Houghton’s previous best (over 80 minutes) was 69. Not sure how he had had energy to do anything else but the 32-year-old continued his fine start to 2021.

Prop

George King (Hull KR)

It was fitting that King played such a central role in Rovers’ first victory of the season; the former Warrington and Wakefield Trinity prop had been one of the club’s best performers in their previously winless start. Tough, uncompromising and always there leading from the front, especially with front-row colleague Korbin Sims once more unable to return from an HIA.

Second-row

Jesse Sene-Lefao (Castleford Tigers)

The popular Samoan has had to bide his time for a start this season behind the excellent Oli Holmes and converted centre Cheyse Blair, but made the most of his shot versus Leigh. Ran for 102m, enjoyed foru tackle busts and weighed in with 23 tackles.

Second-row

Jordan Lane (Hull FC)

Another player who has started this season in such excellent form, initially at loose forward but switched back to his usual second-row role for the game against Warrington due to Manu Mau’s absence.

Produced two brilliant line-breaks that led to tries, Lane consistently runs wonderful lines and amassed 147m as well as 31 tackles.

Loose forward

Joe Cator (Hull FC)

Becoming a regular in the Team of the Week as he continues to deliver week in, week out, on and off the ball; 53 tackles, two tackle busts and topped 100m again, a ball of energy who is increasingly pivotal to how Hull are playing under Brett Hodgson.

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