By Jorja Brinums (QRL lead content producer)
Round 5 of Hostplus Cup at the weekend was ANZAC Round and there were plenty of outstanding performances across all of the games.
A bit of razzle dazzle and plenty of flair saw Brisbane Tigers winger Solomona Faataape score a hat-trick during his side’s win over Central Queensland Capras, earning the title of Hostplus strong performer of the week and skipper duties for Round 5 Team of the Week.
Townsville Blackhawks halfback Robert Lui also excelled to earn himself the Hastings Deering player of the match for the feature game.
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.
ANZAC Round Team of the Week
1. Taine Tuaupiki – Burleigh Bears
The Bears fullback was on fire in the battle for the Kokoda Cup on ANZAC Day. Tuaupiki scored one try, registered 153 run metres, including 30 metres post-contact, made two line breaks, one line break assist and five tackle breaks. Ipswich Jets fullback Ono So’oialo was also good with one try, five from five conversions and one penalty goal, 139 run metres and four tackle breaks; and Souths Logan fullback Tristan Sailor – son of former league star Wendell Sailor – was strong on debut with one try, 122 run metres, three tackle breaks and 14 tackles.
2. Brayden McGrady – Norths Devils
The Devils winger was excellent for the 2021 premiers during their Round 5 clash against Ipswich Jets. McGrady scored one try, assisted in two tries, registered 112 run metres, including 33 post-contact, made one line break and five tackle breaks, and registered two line break assists.
3. Sami Sauiluma – Burleigh Bears
The 2021 Cup centre of the year did what he does best at the weekend. Sauiluma scored one try, registered a huge 257 run metres, including 71 post-contact, made one line break and four tackle breaks.
4. Blake Paskins – Mackay Cutters
The Cutters centre was strong in a losing side at the weekend. Paskins registered 103 run metres, assisted in two tries, made two line breaks and four tackle breaks, and 18 tackles with 94.74 per cent tackle efficiency.
5. Solomona Faataape – Brisbane Tigers (C)
The Tigers winger was instrumental in his side’s win against the previously undefeated Central Queensland Capras. Faataape scored a hat-trick of tries, registered 107 run metres, made two line breaks and a huge 11 tackle breaks. His efforts earned him the title of Hostplus strong performer of the week and captain duties for the ANZAC Round Team of the Week.
6. Jayden Nikorima – Brisbane Tigers
The Melbourne Storm-contracted five-eighth put in a strong performance in Round 5. Nikorima scored one try, assisted in two tries, registered 190 run metres, including 32 post-contact, made one line break, two line break assists, four tackle breaks and 13 tackles.
7. Robert Lui – Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks halfback put in a Hastings Deering player of the match effort during the Round 5 feature game. Lui scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 122 run metres, including 26 post-contact, and made one line break and 14 tackles in the win against Tweed Seagulls.
8. Blake Lenehan – Ipswich Jets
In the absence of Jets skipper Nat Neale, Lenehan certainly stood up and put in a huge effort. The Jets prop scored one try, registered 176 run metres, including 63 post-contact, made one line break, two tackle breaks and 29 tackles.
9. Josh Chudleigh – Townsville Blackhawks
The talented Blackhawks hooker scored one try, registered 123 run metres, including 35 post-contact, made two line breaks and seven tackle breaks, and a whopping 43 tackles with 91.49 per cent tackle efficiency during his side’s 17-4 win against Tweed Seagulls.
10. Logan Bayliss – Souths Logan Magpies
The Brisbane Broncos-contracted prop was superb for the Magpies during their tight win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls. Bayliss, during his 51 minutes on the field, registered 157 run metres, including 55 post-contact, assisted in one try, made one line break, two tackle breaks and 20 tackles. Redcliffe Dolphins prop Lachlan Timm was also good in Round 5 with 109 run metres, one tackle break and 33 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
11. Connelly Lemuelu – Northern Pride
The Pride second rower was a stand-out during his side’s 30-18 win over Redcliffe Dolphins. Lemuelu scored two tries, assisted in one try, registered 115 run metres, including 39 post-contact, made two line breaks and four tackle breaks, had one line break assist, and made 20 tackles with 95.24 per cent tackle efficiency.
12. Jacob Alick – Burleigh Bears
The Bears second rower registered 164 run metres, including 54 post-contact, made one line break assist, assisted in one try and made 25 tackles during his side’s win over PNG Hunters. Capras second rower Nixon Putt was also good with 94 run metres, one line break assist, one try assist and 25 tackles.
13. Luke Bateman – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Two tries during his 58 minutes on the field was not enough to secure his side a win in Round 5. Bateman was on fire, but Wynnum Manly were beaten by Souths Logan 24-18. Bateman also registered 120 run metres, including 32 post-contact, made two line breaks, three tackle breaks and 29 tackles with 96.67 per cent tackle efficiency.
14. Harrison Graham – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Wynnum Manly hooker, who has signed with The Dolphins for season 2023, was good with one try, two try assists, two line breaks, two line break assists, two tackle breaks, 66 run metres and a huge 44 tackles with 93.62 per cent tackle efficiency.
15. Setu Tu – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins winger was good scoring both the opening and closing tries for his team in their loss to Northern Pridd, with both being impressive efforts. In the match, Tu also ran for 183 run metres, including 38 post-contact, had two line breaks and four tackle breaks.
16. Jack Gibbons – Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Falcons second rower put in a good showing during his side’s 30-10 win over Mackay Cutters. Gibbons scored one try, assisted in two tries, registered 120 run metres, including 50 post-contact, made one line break and three tackle breaks, had one line break assist, and made 29 tackles with 96.67 per cent tackle efficiency.
17. Ngangarra Barker – Ipswich Jets
The Jets five-eighth was a stand-out for his side during their close loss to the Devils. Barker scored two tries, registered 91 run metres, had one line break assist, made two tackle breaks and 13 tackles.
Main image: Mel Tabet
