Finals Week 3 Team of the Week: Te Whare charges into grand final
- Author
- Timestamp
Preliminary finals weekend had a little bit of everything.
Redcliffe Dolphins and Norths Devils advanced to this year's Hostplus Cup grand final after stunning efforts against Northern Pride and PNG Hunters respectively.
All four teams performed admirably. Pride lost by just one point in golden point, sunk by the boot of Dolphins halfback Josh James, while the Hunters never gave up against the Devils, even when the scoreboard got out of reach.
And, with everything on the line, players stood up across the competition.
Kyle Schneider and Tom Chester played with all heart for the Pride while Judah Rimbu capped off an incredible season with another standout performance for the Hunters.
For Norths, Oryn Keeley and Tesi Niu impressed while the Dolphins were boosted by the return of Trai Fuller.
But it was Redcliffe centre Valynce Te Whare who picked up captaincy honours this week for his damaging effort on Saturday.
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.
Finals Week 3 Team of the Week
1. Tom Chester - Northern Pride
The North Queensland Cowboys affiliate left everything on the field on Saturday. While the result didn't go Pride's way, Chester cannot be faulted on effort. The fullback amassed a stunning 306 run metres against Redcliffe and also recorded one try assist, seven tackle busts, three offloads and one line break assist. PNG's Sanny Wabo and Norths' Jordan Lipp were also strong over the weekend.
2. Will Dobson – Redcliffe Dolphins
Sin-binning aside, Dobson was impressive for the Dolphins on Saturday. Taking a number of hard carries, the winger got through a huge 230 run metres and also had three tackle breaks and five tackles.
3. Tesi Niu – Norths Devils
The experienced centre made a huge difference on Sunday as the Devils qualified for their third grand final in four years. The Dolphins NRL affiliate bagged a nice four pointer in the corner off the back of some quality teamwork and also set up another two tries for his side. Niu finished with 113 run metres, five tackle breaks, two line breaks and one line break assist.
4. Valynce Te Whare – Redcliffe Dolphins (C)
The rampaging Redcliffe centre has been in red-hot form in recent weeks and Saturday was no different as he helped his side earn their grand final berth. In a strong all-round performance against the minor premiers, Te Whare was damaging with 194 run metres, five tackle breaks and one line break. He also scored a runaway try that saw him take on both Chester and Will Partridge to became an instant highlight. Te Whare also made 16 tackles with just one miss to earn this week's captaincy. Elsewhere, Partridge and Burns were impressive for the Pride while Elijah Roltinga was a PNG standout.
5. Blake Paskins – Norths Devils
The Devils winger had a solid game on Sunday. As well as bagging one try, Paskins had 81 run metres, two tackle breaks and one line break. Solo Wane was strong for PNG while Pride duo Jensen Taumoepeau and Nat McGavin also impressed.
6. Finley Glare – PNG Hunters
Proving he is set to be a star of the future, young Glare filled injured five-eighth Josh Lau's boots with ease. The playmaker scored the opening try for the Hunters on Sunday and set up another for his side. He also had 35 run metres, two tackle breaks and one line break, as well as 14 tackles.
Finals Week 3 highlights: Pride v Dolphins
7. Josh James – Redcliffe Dolphins
James produced the moment of Finals Week 3, when he kicked the winning field goal in golden point to send the Dolphins to this year's grand final. Cool and calm, the consistent halfback came through when his team needed it the most. James also recorded 29 run metres, one tackle break, an offload, 12 kicks for 378 metres and an impressive 25 tackles with just one miss. Elsewhere, Jack Ahearn was a standout for Norths.
Finals Week 3 highlights: Devils v Hunters
8. Cooper Jenkins – Norths Devils
The towering Devils prop aimed up against a physical Hunters outfit. In 43 minutes, Jenkins ran for 144 metres and scored one try. He also recorded five tackle breaks, one line break and 14 tackles.
Post-match: Redcliffe lock Sheldon Pitama
9. Judah Rimbu – PNG Hunters
After a big 2024, Rimbu went into Sunday's game with a clear target on his back. But even with Norths chasing him down, the crafty hooker led from the front for the Hunters and set the standard against the Devils. A constant threat, Rimbu's massive all-round effort saw him finish with one try, a huge 11 tackle breaks, 94 run metres, one line break, one line break assist, an offload and a stunning 46 tackles.
10. Josh Kerr – Redcliffe Dolphins
A finals force to be reckoned with, Kerr is back in Team of the Week for another leading performance on Saturday. With a number of injuries for Redcliffe, the Dolphins NRL affiliate played 56 minutes and got through plenty of work, including 169 run metres, seven tackle breaks, four offloads, one line break and 23 tackles. He also scored a crucial try for the Dolphins.
Post-match: Norths lock Mason Teague
11. Oryn Keeley – Norths Devils
A consistent face in Team of the Week this year, Keeley was at his best on Sunday. As well as scoring one try and setting up another, the Dolphins NRL affiliate had a massive 180 run metres, four tackle breaks, two line breaks, one line break assist, an offload and 20 tackles.
12. Ewan Moore – Northern Pride
Another Pride player who poured everything into Saturday's performance was Moore. The emotion was evident when he scored his try and Moore was a very busy man with 163 run metres, two tackle breaks, one line break and a huge 44 tackles.
13. Evan Child – Northern Pride
Coming off the bench, middle forward Child brought an obvious impact on Saturday. The proud Cairns product toiled away, playing 67 minutes and scoring one try. He recorded 165 run metres, two tackle breaks, two line breaks, one line break assist and an offload, plus 40 tackles.
14. Kyle Schneider – Northern Pride
Schneider should take a bow for his defensive effort on Saturday. The Pride skipper couldn't get his side the win but in a gutsy performance he made a massive 58 tackles - a round high. Schneider also had one try assist, one tackle break, one line break assist and 29 run metres.
15. Julian Christian – Norths Devils
Another starring No.9 effort came from bench hooker, Christian. He knows how to make his presence be felt and he did that on Sunday against the Hunters. In just 32 minutes on the field, Christian bagged two tries and set up a third. He also registered 27 run metres, two tackle breaks, one line break, one line break assist and 13 tackles.
16. Max Bailey – Redcliffe Dolphins
Bailey put in an impressive captain's knock on Saturday. Playing in the second row, the versatile forward got through 136 run metres and 42 tackles to help his side into this year's grand final. He also recorded one offload.
17. Trai Fuller – Redcliffe Dolphins
His game came to a heart-breaking end through injury on Saturday, but Fuller still shone in the time he had. The Dolphins fullback was key for Redcliffe, scoring a try and making 112 run metres. He also had a stunning nine tackle breaks, one line break, one line break assist and an offload.
Catch all of the action live and free at Qplus.tv.
To get your tickets to this year's highly-anticipated Queensland Rugby League grand final day, presented by Ford, click here.
