Jayden Nikorima named in Team of the Week
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Friday night football, a hat-trick, a few doubles and plenty of flair was on display in Round 3 of Hostplus Cup at the weekend.
Two players sharing the same first name in Sunshine Coast fullback Blake Wilson and Mackay Cutters centre Blake Paskins excelled, going head-to-head for this week's Hostplus strong performer of the week, but it is Paskins who has been given the title and captain honours for this round's Team of the Week.
Brisbane Tigers talent Jayden Nikorima also put in a stellar performance to earn himself the Hastings Deering player of the match for the feature game.
Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and name 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, with the standout performer of the week named captain.
Round 3 Team of the Week
1. Blake Wilson - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Falcons fullback was electric for his side against Souths Logan Magpies in Round 3. Wilson scored one try, registered 161 run metres, including 43 post-contact, had two line breaks, two line break assists, one try assist, 12 tackle breaks and made six tackles, missing none. Redcliffe Dolphins fullback Jayden Corrigan was also strong with 229 run metres, including 73 post-contact, five tackle breaks and three tackles, missing none.
2. Brandon Roberts - Central Queensland Capras
The Capras winger scored a double during his side's win over Ipswich Jets at North Ipswich Reserve. Roberts also registered 106 run metres, two line breaks, one line break assist and four tackle breaks. Mackay Cutters winger Laitia Moceidreke also performed well with one long-range try and 205 run metres.
Top five: Hostplus Cup Round 3
3. Blake Paskins - Mackay Cutters (C)
The Cutters centre was on fire in Round 3, earning himself the title of Hostplus strong performer of the week and captain of this week's Team of the Week. Paskins scored a hat-trick of tries, registered 163 run metres, including 55 post-contact, had three line breaks, seven tackle breaks and made five tackles, missing none.
4. Bernard Gregorius - Brisbane Tigers
The Tigers centre was pivotal in their win against PNG Hunters in Round 3. Gregorius scored two tries, registered 137 run metres, including 36 post-contact, made one line break, six tackles breaks and 10 tackles. Townsville Blackhawks consistent performer Kyle Laybutt, who often plays in the halves, was also excellent, kicking four from four conversions, and registering two try assists and two line break assists.
5. Nathan Saumalu - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Falcons winger scored two of the five tries it took for the Falcons to topple the Magpies. Saumalu also registered 114 run metres, one line break, four tackle breaks and six tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
6. Jayden Nikorima - Brisbane Tigers
Nikorima was superb for the Tigers in Round 3, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match gong for the feature game. Nikorima was involved with everything across the park with two line break assists, three try assists and he made 10 tackles, with 90.91 per cent tackle efficiency.
7. Jaelen Feeney - Townsville Blackhawks
The fiery Blackhawks halfback had a cracker at Jack Manski Oval against Wynnum Manly Seagulls. Feeney had one line break, one line break assist, two try assists, 13 tackles and made a whopping 453 kick metres. Pride half Ben Hampton was also good with one try, 82 run metres, one line break, five tackle breaks, 20 tackles and 189 kick metres.
8. George Fai - Brisbane Tigers
The Tigers prop, during his 43 minutes on the field, was unstoppable. Fai scored one try, made 155 run metres, including 60 post-contact, made one line break, 11 tackle breaks and 15 tackles, with a 93.75 per cent tackle efficiency.
9. Tyson Smoothy - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Falcons hooker was at his consistent best in Round 3. Smoothy kicked four from five conversions, made two tackle breaks, a huge 44 tackles with 93.62 per cent tackle efficiency and 92 kick metres. Blackhawks skipper Josh Chudleigh was also good with 125 run metres, one line break assist, one tackle break and 33 tackles with 91.67 per cent tackle efficiency.
10. Ross Bella - Mackay Cutters
The Cutters prop, during his 53 minutes on the field, was strong in attack and defence. Bella scored one try - a key one to win the game and registered 133 run metres, including 63 post-contact. Bella also made one line break, four tackle breaks and 28 tackles with 93.33 per cent tackle efficiency. Ipswich Jets star Nat Neale was also excellent with a huge 47 tackles, with 100 per cent tackle efficiency, 113 run metres and two tackle breaks.
11. Brendan Frei - Norths Devils
The Norths second rower helped his side to their Round 3 win against Tweed Seagulls. Frei scored one try, made 113 run metres, including 45 post-contact, one line break, two tackle breaks and 14 tackles, with 93.33 per cent tackle efficiency.
12. Pat Kaufusi - Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks second rower lifted to help give his side their first win of the 2022 Hostplus Cup season. Kaufusi scored one try, registered 90 run metres, one line break, three tackle breaks and 34 tackles with 97.14 per cent tackle efficiency. Wynnum Manly's Zac Hosking was also strong during the same game with 97 run metres, one line break, one tackle break, and 37 tackles with 92.5 per cent tackle efficiency.
13. Rory Ferguson - Souths Logan Magpies
The Magpies lock worked hard in attack and defence during his side's loss to the Falcons in Round 3. Ferguson, during his 69 minutes on the field, scored one try, registered 119 run metres, made one line break, five tackle breaks and 27 tackles. PNG Hunters lock Emmanuel Waine was the stand-out for his side with one try, 125 run metres, one line break, 13 tackle breaks and 25 tackles.
14.Tom Steadman - Northern Pride
The Pride five-eighth was a stand-out for his side during their two-point loss to Mackay Cutters. Steadman scored two tries, made two line breaks, four tackle breaks and 16 tackles, with 94.12 per cent tackle efficiency.
15. Lachlan Hubner - Central Queensland Capras
The Capras talent was an impact player for his side in Round 3. Hubner, during his 42 minutes on the field, scored one try, registered 101 run metres, including 41 post-contact, made one line break, four tackle breaks and 26 tackles with 92.86 per cent tackle efficiency. The Capras remain on top of the ladder after three rounds of competition.
16. Sean Mullany - Mackay Cutters
The Cutters hooker makes his 2022 Team of the Week debut this week after a superb performance against Northern Pride in Mackay. Mullany, during his 72 minutes on the field, registered 137 run metres, including 51 post-contact, made one tackle break and 29 tackles with 96.67 per cent tackle efficiency.
17. Jacob Alick - Burleigh Bears
The Bears second rower helped his side to their 18-6 win over Redcliffe Dolphins. Alick registered 125 run metres, including 41 post-contact, made one line break assist, three tackle breaks and 28 tackles.
Main photo: Blake Wilson by Zain Mohammed/QRL
