Round 15 Team of the Week: Young cub Kini fires for Bears

The second instalment of XXXX Rivalry Round brought with it plenty of fire and passion, as teams start to enter the back end of the season.

Round 15 saw a few big upsets recorded, including PNG winning over Sunshine Coast and Norths knocking off former competition leaders, Souths Logan.

Wynnum Manly and Redcliffe battled right until the final hooter while Central Queensland and Mackay, and Burleigh and Tweed, added some exciting new chapters to their long-running rivalries.

And with these thrilling showdowns came plenty of memorable performances.

Wynnum Manly's victory was spurred on by new halfback Jock Madden - who picked up the Round 15 Hastings Deering player of the match - while Burleigh were inspired by young fullback, Keano Kini, who has earned captaincy honours for the Round 15 Team of the Week.

Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and names 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 15 Team of the Week

1. Keano Kini – Burleigh Bears (C)

The Bears fullback was strong in the second instalment of XXXX Rivalry Round, earning himself captaincy honours for the Round 15 Team of the Week. Kini showed plenty of razzle and dazzle to outwit close rivals Tweed and score the second try of the game. The Gold Coast Titans affiliate also clocked an incredible 304 run metres - with only 52 of those on kick return - and made three line breaks, one line break assist, one try assist and seven tackle breaks. Opposing fullback Treymain Spry also put in a solid performance with one try, 155 run metres, one line break and four tackle breaks, while Central Queensland custodian Blake Moore continued his strong season with a try assist, 145 run metres and one line break assist.

2. Jonathon Reuben – Norths Devils

Try-scoring sensation Reuben did what he does best in his side’s win over Souths Logan Magpies, notching up a hat-trick of tries. The speedy winger - who linked often with fullback Jack Ahearn to show off their impressive combination - also registered 131 run metres, three line breaks and one tackle break.

3. Solomona Faataape – Brisbane Tigers

The Tigers centre scored two tries and assisted in one during his side’s big win against Ipswich Jets. Faataape also registered the most run metres and most line breaks for his side with 208 run metres - including 84 post-contact - two line breaks, one line break assist and eight tackle breaks.

4. Will Partridge – Northern Pride

Partridge scored a double in his side’s win over northern rivals Townsville Blackhawks. The Pride centre also kicked three from four conversions and two penalty goals, as well as registered 200 run metres, including 81 post-contact, five tackle breaks and 13 tackles. Bears centre Kea Pere and Redcliffe Dolphins centre Jeremy Hawkins also deserve a nod, both scoring doubles for their respective teams.

5. Manase Kaho – Norths Devils

Two tries headlined Kaho’s stellar performance for the Devils in Round 15. The flying winger also registered 183 run metres, two line breaks and five tackle breaks.

6. Gerome Burns – Ipswich Jets

The Jets five-eighth was electric yet again for the luckless Jets, showcasing plenty of pizzazz, particularly during the first half against the Tigers. Burns scored two tries and set up another, and also registered 117 run metres, one line break assist, two tackle breaks and 239 kick metres. Norths Devils five-eighth Kyle Coghill was also excellent, with one try, 153 run metres, one line break, one tackle break and 14 tackles.  

7. Jock Madden – Wynnum Manly Seagulls (VC)

The talented halfback, on debut for Wynnum Manly, was integral to his side’s tight win over Redcliffe, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match nod for the feature game. Madden - strong in attack and defence - scored one try, assisted in two tries, kicked one from one conversion attempts, registered 159 run metres, one line break, two line break assists, one tackle break and 18 tackles.

8. Bailey Butler – Central Queensland Capras

Butler, who has been a consistent performer for Central Queensland during season 2023, made every one of his 57 minutes on the field count. The burly prop scored two tries, registered 168 run metres, two line breaks, nine tackle breaks and made 19 tackles.

9. Sheldon Pitama – Redcliffe Dolphins

In one of the games of the round, veteran Redcliffe hooker Pitama was a natural leader for his team, as they battled to try to get the edge over Wynnum Manly. The Māori All Stars rake scored a try, ran for 102 metres, had four tackle busts and two line breaks and made a huge 30 tackles against a powerful Seagulls pack, in a strong all-round performance. Elsewhere, Rhys Jacks continued to do his best for Ipswich, with another massive defensive performance of 43 tackles while Judah Rimbu impressed for PNG.

10. Dunamis Lui – Redcliffe Dolphins

The Redcliffe skipper was at his destructive best in Round 15. Aiming up in the middle, Lui was particularly dangerous with ball in hand. He amassed 153 metres, had four tackle breaks and two line breaks, and also earned a try for his efforts. For Ipswich, prop Clayton Mack was strong with a team-high 164 run metres as well as 27 tackles.

11. Leivaha Pulu – Brisbane Tigers

A fine wine, 33-year-old Pulu was one of the best at North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday. The former NRL forward was extremely involved for the Tigers. Not only did he score a try, but he played a hand in another two four-pointers. He also recorded five tackle breaks, two line break assists and one line break, as well as 125 run metres and 22 tackles, with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. An inspirational effort.

12. Kobe Bone – Mackay Cutters

In a losing side, Bone aimed up strongly in defence to try to get the Cutters their second win of the year. The young gun had a solid attacking game with 105 run metres, four tackle busts and one offload, but also made 36 tackles against the Central Queensland Capras with zero missed tackles. Elsewhere, Jack Howarth was strong for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, with 174 run metres.

13. Ila Alu – PNG Hunters

In a stunning captain's knock, Alu helped inspire the Hunters to the upset of the round against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Away from home, the Hunters showed they will not back down from a finals push, with Alu running for a game-high 177 metres and making 20 tackles with zero misses for 100 per cent efficiency. Alu also recorded one tackle bust.

14. Guy Hamilton – Burleigh Bears

It wasn't just Kini who stepped up in Burleigh's fierce rivalry with Tweed, but also Bears general, Guy Hamilton. Always involved, the 28-year-old executed his playmaker role perfectly, setting up four tries. He also ran himself for 134 metres and had four line break assists and 27 tackles.

15. Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi – Northern Pride

It was another jaw-dropping effort from Pride forward, Hindmarsh-Takyi. The destructive middle forward took it to the Blackhawks, amassing a huge 250 run metres - including 111 post-contact metres - and making 25 tackles with 100 per cent efficiency. A tireless effort to help his side continue their march up the ladder.

16. Morea Morea – PNG Hunters

In his breakout season, young fullback Morea continues to show his potential for the future. Against the Falcons, Morea proved hard to contain with one try, a try assist, 135 run metres, a stunning 12 tackle busts, two line breaks and one offload.

17. Kalolo Saitaua – Wynnum Manly Seagulls

In his second appearance in Team of the Week from the past three rounds, Saitaua is adding plenty of spark to Wynnum Manly as they continue on their impressive winning run. In a close Rivalry Round 2.0 battle with Redcliffe, Saitaua came off the bench to set up a try, rack up 149 run metres, and record a huge 10 tackle breaks, one offload and one line break assist.