Round 10 Team of the Week: Hope earns redemption

Author: Rikki-Lee Arnold Statewide content producer
Timestamp: Tue 21 May 2024, 02:03 PM

Redemption proved to be a major motivator in Round 10 of the Hostplus Cup, as a disappointed Tristan Hope put in one of his best performances of the season.

The Brisbane Tigers rake picks up captaincy honours this week for a stunning effort in his side's high-scoring victory over Souths Logan Magpies.

Hope said after the game he had been disappointed with his form so far this year and was hurting from the Tigers' 62-16 loss to the Norths Devils in Round 9.

But he bounced back in a big way, scoring a hat-trick at Totally Workwear Stadium.

Elsewhere in Round 10, PNG Hunter hooker Judah Rimbu also starred with an equally impressive performance while Israel Leota earned his own hat-trick for Souths Logan.

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 10 Team of the Week

1. Lennix Tovo – Townsville Blackhawks

In back-to-back appearances, the zippy Townsville fullback is showing his wares within this competition with another big performance against Norths Devils on Saturday. While it wasn't enough to get his side the win, Tovo bagged a double and set up a third try, contributing to all three four-pointers for his side. He also ran for 173 metres with four tackle breaks, one line break, one line break assist and an offload. Matthew Milson was also impressive for Wynnum Manly with one try, 162 run metres and seven tackle breaks.

2. Jonathon Reuben – Wynnum Manly Seagulls

The try-scoring machine is climbing up the stats ladder with another two four-pointers in Round 10. With six tries in seven games, Reuben is at his best at the moment and was hugely influential for Wynnum Manly on Sunday against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Reuben also had four tackle busts, three line breaks and 114 run metres,

3. Rashaun Denny – Northern Pride

Northern Pride returned to the winner's circle in style on Saturday with a massive 52-6 victory over Mackay Cutters. Denny contributed with two tries, 175 run metres, a stunning nine tackle breaks, one line break and 16 tackles.

4. Young Tonumaipea – Sunshine Coast Falcons

The veteran centre was strong in a losing side on Sunday. The tight battle against Wynnum Manly was one of the most entertaining of the round and Tonumaipea played his part perfectly, bagging two tries to keep bringing his side back into the fray. Tonumaipea also ran for 136 metres with five tackle breaks, two offloads and one line break. Another standout centre from Round 10 was Pride's Will Partridge, who amassed a massive 199 run metres.

5. Israel Leota – Souths Logan Magpies

Young gun Leota was a star for the Magpies on Sunday, running in a hat-trick in a high-scoring clash with the Brisbane Tigers. Keeping his side in the game, Leota also had 151 run metres, three tackle breaks and one line break. Other wingers who made an impact in Round 10 included PNG duo Brandon Nima and Solo Wane, and Sunshine Coast's Harrison O'Toole.

6. Dantoray Lui – Northern Pride

Pride ran riot on Saturday night in Mackay, with the two halves combining strongly to execute the massive win. Lui was electric for his side, notching up a huge 10 tackle breaks. The playmaker also scored a try and set up another, and registered 148 run metres, one line break and 15 tackles, with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.

Tom Duffy. Photo: Ben Van Moolenbroek/QRL

7. Tom Duffy - Northern Pride

The North Queensland Cowboys affiliate stood up strongly for the Pride on Saturday. A constant threat, Duffy set up two tries, recorded 115 run metres, two line break assists, one tackle bust, 15 kicks for 335 metres and 17 tackles.

8. Cooper Jenkins – Norths Devils

The Devils forward pack is aiming up in a big way this year and Jenkins has been key to this. The former Newcastle Knights NSW Cup prop was strong again in Round 10, setting the platform for the likes of Gerome Burns to help get the win over Townsville. Jenkins scored one try, smashed through 106 run metres and had three tackle breaks, one line break and 24 tackles.

9. Tristan Hope – Brisbane Tigers (C)

The Tigers needed the two points on the weekend to respond to their big loss to Norths in Round 9 and it was through hooker Tristan Hope that they succeeded in that. The crafty No.9 was very hard to handle for Souths Logan and made all the difference in the high-scoring, close showdown. Not only did Hope nab a hat-trick but he also set up a fourth try. He also made a huge 38 tackles and had eight tackle breaks, one line break, one line break assist and one offload.

10. Va’a Semu – Souths Logan Magpies

On the opposite side of the park to Hope, Semu was solid for Souths Logan. The prop scored one try, ran for 155 metres, had one tackle break and one line break, and made 13 tackles. Other props who impressed include Sunshine Coast duo Patrice Siolo and Lazarus Vaalepu.

11. Oryn Keeley – Norths Devils

In back-to-back appearances, Keeley was again instrumental in Norths' win over Townsville Blackhawks. The Dolphins NRL affiliate set up one try and amassed 169 run metres. The 21-year-old also had two tackle breaks, two offloads, one line break and 21 tackles.

12. Dane Aukafolau – Northern Pride

The new recruit is thriving in Cairns. Aukafolau bagged a double against the Cutters on Saturday and set up a third try. He also ran for 153 metres with two tackle breaks, one line break, one line break assist and an offload, as well as 18 tackles.

Round 10 clash of the week: Wynnum Manly v Sunshine Coast

13. Josh Stuckey – Wynnum Manly Seagulls

It was a big effort from Stuckey through the middle against the Sunshine Coast Falcons forward pack on Sunday. In a gritty 50-minute effort, Stuckey amassed a stunning 196 run metres with two tackle busts and three offloads, proving very hard to contain for the Falcons.

14. Judah Rimbu – PNG Hunters

Deserving of a starting spot, Rimbu is only benched due to Hope's mammoth effort on Sunday. Rimbu was just as impressive in a leading role for the Hunters against the Ipswich Jets, with the hooker bagging a hat-trick of his own. He also had seven tackle breaks, three line breaks and 37 tackles in an excellent all-round performance.

15. Gerome Burns – Norths Devils

The Petero Civoniceva Medal contender was a sensation yet again on the weekend. Against the Blackhawks, Burns scored a try and set up another, and notched up 151 run metres. The playmaker also had a tackle break, a line break and an offload, with 11 tackles.

16. Kalolo Saitaua – Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Saitaua can always bring a strong punch from the bench. The interchange forward made his presence known on Sunday, scoring two tries to help his side to a tight win over the Falcons. He also had seven tackle breaks, two line breaks, 92 run metres and 15 tackles.

17. Jordan Lipp - Norths Devils

The competition's leading try scorer, Lipp added to his tally on Saturday with a double against the Blackhawks. The Devils centre also set up a try and had two tackle breaks, one line break, one line break assist and 93 run metres in a destructive effort.