Round 22 Team of the Week: Rimbu pushes PNG closer to top four
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With everything on the line ahead of finals next week, Round 22 of the Hostplus Cup produced some memorable performances as teams upped the ante.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls made quite the statement on Saturday against Townsville Blackhawks to secure their spot in the top eight, with their efforts resulting in a number of standout performances.
Ipswich Jets and Souths Logan Magpies both caused upsets against Burleigh Bears and Sunshine Coast Falcons respectively while Norths Devils returned to the winner's circle.
And in Port Moresby, PNG Hunters claimed a convincing win over Brisbane Tigers to edge closer to a top four finish, with Judah Rimbu leading the way.
The Hunters hooker has picked up Team of the Week captaincy honours for his efforts, including two tries and two try assists.
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 22 Team of the Week
1. Matt Milson - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Wynnum Manly needed to get the two points on Saturday to secure their spot in the top eight and they were firing on all cylinders across the park. Milson in particular brought plenty of spark from the back, contributing heavily to the 36-12 victory over Townsville. He scored one try, amassed 216 run metres, and recorded three tackle breaks and two line breaks. Other standout fullbacks included Brisbane's Tony Thompson, PNG's Sanny Wabo and Souths Logan's Radean Robinson.
2. Solo Wane - PNG Hunters
Another team who have needed a good run into finals is the PNG Hunters. Wane - a consistent performer all year - helped guide them to another victory on home turf in Port Moresby, bagging one try against Brisbane Tigers. Wane also ran for 181 metres with three tackle breaks, three offloads, two line breaks and one line break assist.
3. Connor Broadhurst - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The veteran centre was at his best on Saturday in front of the Chook Pen. Broadhurst scored one try and set up another against Townsville and also had 185 run metres with five tackle busts, one line break, one line break assist and an offload. He also made eight tackles with 100 per cent efficiency.
4. Josh Smith - Mackay Cutters
The reliable centre carved up against Western Clydesdales on Saturday night. Smith nabbed a try double and set up a third, smashed through 159 run metres, and recorded a tackle break and a line break, as well as nine tackles.
5. Brandon Roberts - Ipswich Jets
The former Central Queensland Capras winger is thriving in new colours, starring on Saturday against Burleigh. Roberts scored a try double - including a runaway intercept try - and finished with 180 run metres, two tackle breaks and seven tackles. Other standout wingers included Mackay's Brent Anderson and PNG's Brandon Nima.
Round 22 clash of the week: Bears v Jets
6. Kurt Falls - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The former Penrith Panthers playmaker orchestrated Wynnum Manly's crucial win on Saturday. Falls scored two tries and also recorded 162 run metres with two line beaks, two tackle busts and an offload. With the boot, Falls had 13 kicks for 307 metres. Another strong five-eighth performance came from Souths Logan young gun Coby Black, who scored one try and set up another.
7. Dray Ngatuere-Wroe – Ipswich Jets
The Ipswich No.7 has been going from strength-to-strength this year and was instrumental in his side's upset win over the Bears on Saturday. One of the best on the park, Ngatuere-Wroe set up two tries for his team and had nine kicks for 209 metres. The 25-year-old also had 41 run metres and one tackle break, as well as 14 tackles. Norths' Jack Ahearn was also strong with two try assists against Central Queensland.
8. Cooper Page-Wilson - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Page-Wilson set an impressive platform for his side in their must-win match on Saturday. The prop led from the front with 182 run metres, one try assist, two tackle breaks, one line break assist, an offload and 20 tackles. It was a mighty all-round performance in 53 minutes on the paddock.
9. Judah Rimbu - PNG Hunters (C)
One of the competition's leading hookers all year, Rimbu was outstanding on Sunday. With top four now within reach for the Hunters, the No.9 did everything he could to secure the win in front of a home crowd. Rimbu played a full game for the Hunters and not only did he score a try double, but he set up another two tries as well. The lethal hooker also had a huge 198 run metres with eight tackle busts, two line break assists and one line break. He also had 31 tackles with 100 per cent efficiency and made no errors. The effort earns him this week's captaincy honours.
10. Sam Elliott - Norths Devils
Coming off the bench on Saturday, Elliott made a huge impact for a resurgent Devils. The forward stunned with 176 run metres, five tackle breaks, one line break, an offload and 15 tackles. He topped it all off with a try to his name, playing for 61 minutes.
11. Brendan Frei - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
It was an inspirational captain's knock from Frei on Saturday. The backrower led strongly from the front with two tries, 173 run metres, five tackle busts, two line breaks and 22 tackles, with 100 per cent efficiency.
12. Tyler Coburn - Souths Logan Magpies
One of Souths Logan's most consistent performers, Coburn was a standout for Souths Logan in their upset win over Sunshine Coast on Sunday. The 24-year-old scored one try, ran for 142 metres and recorded two tackle breaks and one line break, as well as 19 tackles.
13. Mason Teague - Norths Devils
The Dolphins NRL affiliate set a high standard against the Capras on Saturday. Teague helped Norths back into the winner's circle with 124 run metres, four tackle breaks, an offload and a huge 39 tackles. Other strong lock performances included Mackay's Sean Mullany, Souths Logan's Rory Ferguson and Burleigh's Sam Coster.
14. Kierran Moseley - Norths Devils
The veteran hooker - who will this weekend reach 150 Cup games - has been in fine form all year and Saturday was no different. Moseley played 57 minutes and in that time managed one try and two assists. He also recorded 29 run metres, two line break assists, one line break, one tackle bust and 20 tackles at 100 per cent efficiency.
15. Semi Valemei - Mackay Cutters
The North Queensland Cowboys affiliate was explosive against Western Clydesdales on Saturday. Hard to contain, Valemei scored one try and set up another. He also had 152 run metres, 10 tackle breaks, two line breaks and an offload, as well as 11 tackles.
16. Jeremiah Simbiken - Norths Devils
The powerful backrower helped Norths back into the winner's circle with a strong performance on Saturday. Simbiken had one try, 142 run metres, four tackle breaks, one line break and an offload, plus 10 tackles, against the Capras.
17. Ethan Quai-Ward - Souths Logan Magpies
Quai-Ward has been a consistent star for Souths Logan this year and will finish season 2024 with some incredible statistics to his name. Sunday against the Falcons was no different with the Magpies centre racking up 208 run metres as well as three tackle breaks and two offloads, in an influential outing.
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