By Jorja Brinums (QRL lead content producer)
‘Activate! Queensland!’ Country Week saw the Hostplus Cup teams travel to Roma, Springsure, Cunnamulla, Ayr, Monto, Thursday Island and Sarina for their Round 16 games. There were some cracking performances in front of equally cracking crowds.
Burleigh Bears fullback Taine Tuaupiki was on fire against Norths Devils at Arthur Beetson Oval in Roma, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match honours for the feature game and the Hostplus strong performer gong for the round.
Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and name the Hostplus Cup Team of the Week, presented by Hostplus. These team selections are based not only on statistical data, but also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games.
Round 16 Team of the Week
1. Taine Tuaupiki – Burleigh Bears (C)
The Bears fullback, no stranger to Team of the Week, was on fire at Arthur Beetson Oval in Roma against Norths Devils. Tuaupiki scored two tries, assisted in one try, clocked 161 run metres, made three line breaks, had two line break assists, made four tackle breaks. He earned himself the Hastings Deering player of the match for the feature game and Hostplus strong performer honours for the round. Souths Logan Magpies flyer Tristan Sailor was also good with 209 run metres, including 72 post-contact, two try assists, one tackle break and five tackles at 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
2. Brenton Baira – Mackay Cutters
The 19-year-old, in only his third Cup game – second this year, scored a hat-trick of tries against Wynnum Manly Seagulls; his side’s only tries in Sarina. Baira also clocked 173 run metres, made one line break and one tackle break.
3. Greg Marzhew – Burleigh Bears
The Gold Coast Titans-contracted centre was excellent against Norths. Marzhew scored a try, clocked 206 run metres, including 48 post-contact, made three line breaks and a massive 14 tackle breaks. Northern Pride’s Will Partridge was also good, scoring the match-winning try, kicking two from three conversions, making 184 run metres, including 56 post-contact, one line break, three tackle breaks and 26 tackles at 96.3 per cent tackle efficiency.
4. Brian Kelly – Tweed Seagulls
The Gold Coast Titans-contracted talent was simply superb with two tries, one try assist, 221 run metres, including 65 post-contact, two line breaks, three line break assists, two tackle breaks and 14 tackles. Central Queensland Capras gun Curtis Dansey-Smaller also deserves a shout-out with one try, one try assist, 116 run metres, one line break and three tackle breaks.
5. Deine Mariner – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Brisbane Broncos-contracted young gun was excellent against Mackay Cutters in Sarina with two tries, 182 run metres, including 60 post-contact, two line breaks, seven tackle breaks and nine tackles. Tweed Seagulls centre Scott Galeno and Souths Logan Magpies winger Jack Smith also deserve a mention. Galeano scored two tries, made 114 run metres, three line breaks and three tackle breaks; and Smith scored two tries, made 114 run metres, two line breaks and two tackle breaks.
6. Jayden Nikorima – Brisbane Tigers
The Melbourne Storm-contracted talent was a stand-out for his side in Cunnamulla, solid in attack and defence. Nikorima assisted in two tries, made 69 run metres, one line break, six tackle breaks and 28 tackles with 90.32 per cent tackle efficiency.
7. Sam Scarlett – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The consistent Wynnum Manly performer did not disappoint in Sarina. The skipper assisted in three tries, made 68 run metres, 217 kick metres, three tackle breaks, four line break assists and nine tackles. Mackay Cutters half Brandon Finnegan was also impressive with one try assist, kicking three from three conversions, 28 tackles and 310 kick metres.
8. Nick Lui-Toso – Northern Pride
During his 54 minutes on the field, the Northern Pride talent was solid in attack and defence. Lui-Toso made 183 run metres, including 81 post-contact, made three tackle breaks and 23 tackles.
9. Liam Horne – Norths Devils
Horne was solid in a losing side during ‘Activate! Queensland!’ Country Week. The Norths hooker scored one try, made 86 run metres, one line break, six tackle breaks and 33 tackles against Burleigh. Tweed Seagulls talent Craig Garvey was also good with one try, one try assist, one line break, one line break assist, five tackle breaks and 17 tackles during his 39 minutes on the field against Ipswich Jets in Springsure.
10.Tyler Szepanowski – Central Queensland Capras
The Capras prop, during his 48 minutes on the field against Sunshine Coast Falcons in Monto, clocked 80 run metres, made one tackle break and 26 tackles with 96.3 per cent tackle efficiency.
11. Jeremiah Simbiken – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins second rower was as good as always during his side’s 22-22 draw with the Blackhawks in Ayr. Simbiken scored two tries, made 99 run metres, two line breaks, six tackle breaks and 30 tackles.
12. Kitron Laka – PNG Hunters
Laka was strong for the Hunters against Brisbane Tigers in Cunnamulla. During his side’s 32-24 win, Laka scored two tries, clocked 138 run metres, including 47 post-contact, make two line breaks, eight tackle breaks and 20 tackles.
13. Luke Gale – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Wynnum Manly lock has proven a worthy replacement for the now retired Luke Bateman. During his side’s win against Mackay Cutters, Gale scored two tries, made 107 run metres, including 26 post-contact, one line break, three tackle breaks and 29 tackles with 90.63 per cent tackle efficiency.
14. Ricco Falaniko – Ipswich Jets
Falaniko was excellent in a losing side in Round 16. The Jets winger scored two tries, made 118 run metres, including 64 post-contact, made two line breaks and four tackle breaks.
15. Taniela Sadrugu – Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks talent was outstanding against the Dolphins. Sadrugu scored two tries, made 185 run metres, including 57 post-contact, three line breaks, six tackle breaks and 12 tackles during his side’s 22-22 draw.
16. Valynce Te Whare – Redcliffe Dolphins
Te Whare put in a solid performance for his side in Round 16. The talented centre scored one try, assisted in one try, clocked 226 run metres, including a huge 85 post-contact, made one line break and four tackle breaks.
17. Sam Coster – Burleigh Bears
The Bears lock, during his 64 minutes on the field in Roma, was again at his consistent best in Round 16. Coster scored one try, made 96 run metres and 31 tackles with an impressive 100 per cent tackle efficiency as his side continued their winning run.
