Round 2 Team of the Week: Foxwell fires up the Jets
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The Ipswich Jets were the headliners of Round 2 of the Hostplus Cup as they finally brought an end to their drought.
In a week that has given punters plenty to talk about, there were massive performances across the competition, with a number of players unlucky to miss out on Team of the Week accolades.
For the Jets, a number of players rose to the challenge to get them their first two points in over a year, with halfback Kyle Foxwell not only voted his club's players' player but named the Team of the Week captain.
Joe Stimson and Aaron Schoupp also stood out while elsewhere Jesse Jennings led from the front for the Central Queensland Capras.
Kyle Schneider, Ewan Moore and Evan Child were strong for the Northern Pride and Josh Patston, Oliver Tuimavave and Troy Leo were massive for the Burleigh Bears.
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 2 Team of the Week
1. Oliver Tuimavave - Burleigh Bears
The Burleigh Bears No.1 jersey has been worn by a number of talented players in recent history and in Round 2 Oliver Tuimavave added his name to the list. Injecting plenty of spark into Burleigh's backline, the New Zealand product kicked off his Bears career in style, scoring a try and setting up another two to give the 2023 grand finalists their first win of the year. Tuimavave amassed 149 run metres, had two line break assists, one line break and four tackle busts. Elsewhere, the usual suspects starred, with Trai Fuller key for the Redcliffe Dolphins and Tristan Sailor on fire for the Souths Logan Magpies, while Treigh Stewart put in another big performance for the Brisbane Tigers.
2. Troy Leo – Burleigh Bears
Bears winger Troy Leo showed the competition he has not taken a backwards step after two years off with an impressive outing on Saturday. Leo bagged a double in Burleigh's victory over Townsville and also ran for 155 metres and recorded four tackle breaks and three line breaks.
3. Jodeci Baker – Northern Pride
The North Queensland Cowboys-contracted back was at his best on Saturday for his new affiliate club. Baker wreaked havoc against the reigning premiers, setting up a try, smashing through 198 run metres, and recording one line break, one line break assist, five tackle busts and 12 tackles.
4. Dudley Dotoi – Townsville Blackhawks
On a losing side, Dotoi was a standout. In just his second Cup appearance, the young gun showed his attacking prowess, scoring a try against the Burleigh Bears and also running for 187 metres. The former Colts premiership-winner also registered eight tackle breaks, two line breaks and one offload, proving hard to handle. Elsewhere, Ethan Quai-Ward (Souths Logan Magpies) and Ioane Seiuli (Tweed Seagulls) were also strong.
5. Bob Tenza – Central Queensland Capras
In back-to-back Team of the Week appearances, Tenza once again got the job done for the Capras on Saturday. The Papua New Guinean shone against the Hunters, scoring a try and making his way through 170 run metres, eight tackle breaks and one line break. Also impressive were Flynn Camilleri (Sunshine Coasst Falcons), Nat McGavin (Northern Pride), Coby Williamson (Brisbane Tigers), Josh Smith (Mackay Cutters), Manase Kaho (Norths Devils) and Kaleb Ngamanu (Tweed Seagulls).
6. Aaron Moore – Central Queensland Capras
The crafty playmaker was a standout against the Hunters on Saturday. Moore did his job perfectly, setting up three tries for his team in the 38-18 victory. He also recorded four tackle breaks, three line break assists and 69 run metres - as well as 10 tackles - in a solid hit out for the Capras.
7. Kyle Foxwell – Ipswich Jets (C)
It's been a long 582 days for the Jets but on Sunday they officially ended their drought to record their first win in over a year. And new recruit Kyle Foxwell should take a massive bow for his role in that victory over the Western Clydesdales. After enjoying pre-season stints with both the Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans, the up-and-coming playmaker not only scored a double but he also set up three tries for the Jets. Foxwell put on an attacking masterclass, with six tackle breaks, two line breaks and two line break assists, as well as 12 kicks for 316 metres, earning him captaincy honours for the Round 2 Team of the Week. Elsewhere, Josh James was once again a standout for the Dolphins.
8. John Radel – Mackay Cutters
The new signing started season 2024 with a bang, helping lead the Cutters to an upset win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons. In a 60-minute all-round performance, Radel toiled his way through 133 run metres, 31 tackles - with just one miss - and five tackle breaks.
9. Kyle Schneider – Northern Pride
In a strong captain's knock, Schneider led the Pride to their upset victory over reigning premiers, the Brisbane Tigers, with the Cairns-based team now two from two in an impressive start to 2024. Not only did Schneider play a hand in the Pride's first try to Josh Allen but he also took a four-pointer for himself and stood up in defence with a round-high 52 tackles (with just one miss). Schneider also had a line break, tackle bust and 31 run metres. Elsewhere, Rhys Jacks (Ipswich Jets), Tristan Hope (Brisbane Tigers), Kierran Moseley (Norths Devils), Sean Mullany (Mackay Cutters) and Trey Brown (Central Queensland Capras) also stood up for their sides.
Round 2 clash of the week: Dolphins v Devils
10. Will Samuel – Souths Logan Magpies
Packing a punch off the bench for Souths Logan, Samuel starred in a 39-minute performance that helped the Magpies to victory over the Tweed Seagulls. Samuel scored a try, amassed 168 run metres, and had four tackle breaks, one line break, two offloads and 12 tackles through the middle. On the opposite side of the park, Luke Burton was also strong while Ipswich duo Josiah Pahulu and Jordan Penquitt flexed their muscle against the Clydesdales.
11. Josh Patston – Burleigh Bears
After enjoying a Brisbane Broncos train-and-trial, Patston came out firing against the Townsville Blackhawks to get the Bears into the winning circle for 2024. The backrower led from the front with a try and an assist, 132 run metres, two line breaks and one line break assist, as well as five tackle breaks and 25 tackles, all in 61 minutes on the field.
12. Jesse Jennings – Central Queensland Capras
Despite losing a large portion of their forward pack ahead of season 2024, the Capras are two from two to start the year and are not taking a backwards step. The return of Jennings has boosted their stocks and he aimed up against a Hunters pack on Saturday. Jennings bagged a double and notched up 142 run metres while also working through eight tackle busts, two line breaks and 23 tackles. Elsewhere, Jackson Frei (Redcliffe Dolphins) and Jack Gosiewski (Northern Pride) were strong.
13. Joe Stimson – Ipswich Jets
Another captaincy contender after a massive Round 2 performance, Stimson was unstoppable against the Western Clydesdales. The Titans affiliate put in a mind-blowing effort with a huge 220 run metres, nine tackle breaks, one line break, one offload and 29 tackles all in 64 minutes. Other locks who stood out during Round 2 included some familiar faces in Rory Ferguson, Sam Coster, Sam Burns and Lachlan Hubner while Jaron Purcell was huge off the bench for Redcliffe when skipper Max Bailey was sidelined with a concussion.
14. Aaron Schoupp – Ipswich Jets
Another Titans affiliate who stood up strong for the Jets was Schoupp. Similar to Stimson, he amassed 220 run metres and also had five tackle breaks, one offload and 11 tackles.
15. Evan Child – Northern Pride
Pride coach Eric Smith predicted big things from Child in 2024 and he's already showing those signs early in the season. In Round 2 against the Tigers, Child was a force to be reckoned with, registering 192 run metres, 27 tackles, one line break, one tackle break and one try assist in just 58 minutes.
16. Blake Moore – Central Queensland Capras
Joining his brother in the Team of the Week, Moore was strong out the back for the Capras on Saturday. The No.1 scored two tries for his side and also had six tackle busts, two line breaks, one offload and 116 run metres.
17. Ewan Moore – Northern Pride
Another player that Smith predicted big things from in 2024 was Moore. In Round 2 the backrower scored a try, notched up 157 run metres and had three tackle busts as well as an outstanding 39 tackles.
