Round 6 Team of the Week: Powell powers through
- Author
- Timestamp
There were some monster efforts across the Hostplus Cup in Round 6.
With names like Tweed's Keano Kini, Northern Pride's Jake Clifford, Ipswich's Aaron Schoupp and Central Queensland's Lachlan Hubner, the individual efforts for Licensed Clubs Round were awe-inspiring.
But it was an enormous 80-minute performance in the middle from Brisbane Tigers prop Tristan Powell - stepping up after an early injury in his side's forward pack - that saw the Melbourne Storm affiliate named the Hostplus Strong Performer of the week.
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 6 Team of the Week
1. Keano Kini - Tweed Seagulls
A breakout star in the 2023 season, Kini returned to Cup with a bang in Round 6. In new colours at Tweed Seagulls, the 20-year-old was explosive in the No.1 jersey and a major contender for captaincy honours this week. The former Burleigh sensation scored one try in his club debut and set up another two. He also amassed a stunning 236 run metres and recorded 10 tackle breaks, four line break assists, two offloads and one line break in an attacking masterclass. Other strong fullback performances came from Sunshine Coast's Zacariah Miles and Burleigh's Oliver Tuimavave.
2. Troy Leo - Burleigh Bears
The try-scoring machine can't get rid of his white line fever, bagging a double against the Souths Logan Magpies on Saturday. Leo now has 53 tries from 59 Cup appearances. The 28-year-old winger also ran for 163 metres and made four tackle busts and one line break.
3. Will Partridge - Northern Pride
In his first Cup game of 2024, Partridge hit the ground running for Pride on Saturday afternoon. Not only did he bag a double but the talented outside back also had 154 run metres, two line breaks, one tackle break and 16 tackles with zero misses in a strong performance against Norths Devils.
4. Aaron Schoupp - Ipswich Jets
The Gold Coast Titans affiliate was a standout for the Jets on Saturday in their loss to Tweed. While Ipswich couldn't get the two points over their rivals, Schoupp did all he could to make his mark. The 22-year-old stunned with a jaw-dropping 256 run metres - the highest of the entire competition for the week - from 20 runs. He also scored one try and made nine tackle busts, three offloads and one line break. It was an impressive week for centres across the competition, with a number standing up for their teams in Round 6.
5. Josh Smith - Mackay Cutters
In back-to-back appearances, the Mackay speedster once again earned himself a spot in Team of the Week. With two tries, Smith was key in his side's crucial victory over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, which saw them retain top spot on the Cup ladder. Smith also ran for 116 metres and had two line breaks and one tackle bust. Other standout wingers in Round 6 included Northern Pride's Nat McGavin - a tough omission in Round 6 - and Brisbane Tigers' Max Lehmann.
6. Jake Clifford - Northern Pride
The North Queensland Cowboys affiliate was sensational against Norths Devils on Saturday, in a strong victory for the Cairns-based team. Another Team of the Week captaincy contender, not only did Clifford score one try but he also set up another two for his side. The playmaker also finished with 151 run metres, three tackle breaks, one line break and one line break assist. Another excellent five-eighth performance came from Tweed's Lindon McGrady with two try assists against Ipswich.
7. Josh James - Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins are proving to have plenty of grit so far in 2024, with close wins and come-from-behind victories the tale of their season so far. James has been key to this and it was no different against the Hunters on Saturday. The halfback kicked a late field goal to add the cherry on top of the 39-20 win. James also had the first try for the Dolphins and set up another four-pointer while also recording four tackle breaks, one line break, one line break assist, one offload and 289 metres with the boot. PNG halfback Jamie Mavoko, Northern Pride's Tom Duffy and Townsville's Jake Bourke were also impressive.
8. Max Bailey - Redcliffe Dolphins
It was a strong captain's knock from Redcliffe skipper Max Bailey on Saturday against the Hunters. Always a tough battle in the forward pack against PNG, Bailey led from the front with one try, 171 run metres, six tackle busts, one line break, one offload and 16 tackles with no misses in 51 minutes.
9. Cory Paix - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Brisbane Broncos affiliate was a standout for the Seagulls against the competition-leading Mackay Cutters on Saturday. Paix bagged a double and also recorded three tackle breaks, two line breaks, one offload and 49 run metres in attack. In defence, he was solid with 30 tackles in the middle. Other hookers who impressed in Round 6 included Souths Logan's Blake Mozer and Central Queensland's Trey Brown.
10. Tristan Powell - Brisbane Tigers (C)
The captaincy pick in a field of red hot contenders in Round 6 was Brisbane prop Tristan Powell. When fellow starting forward Bennett Leslie was ruled out with concussion in the opening minutes of Sunday's clash with the Central Queensland Capras, Powell stood up in a big way for his team. Playing 80 minutes in the middle, the Melbourne Storm affiliate amassed a huge 206 run metres and made 48 tackles, in a stunning all-round performance. Powell also had eight tackle busts, one line break and one offload, proving hard to handle for the Capras.
11. Jesse Jennings - Central Queensland Capras
Back with the Capras in 2024, Jennings has been at his best for the Rockhampton-based club. In Sunday's draw with the Tigers, he was eye-catching with two tries, 146 run metres, two tackle breaks, one line break, one offload and 30 tackles.
12. Jerome Veve - Tweed Seagulls
In 60 minutes on Saturday, Veve was destructive against his former club, the Jets. He ran for close to 200 metres, recording 194, and had 22 tackles and two offloads in a hard-to-contain effort. Other standout backrowers included PNG's Whallan Tau-Loi, Sunshine Coast's Louis Geraghty and Wynnum Manly's Luke Gale.
13. Lachlan Hubner - Central Queensland Capras
Fresh off making his NRL debut for the Dolphins, Hubner's impact was immediate for the Capras in their draw with the Tigers. A machine in defence, Hubner made 50 tackles and also starred in attack with one try assist, 158 run metres, one line break assist and an offload.
14. Sam Coster - Burleigh Bears
In a back-to-back appearance, Coster continues to shine in 2024. Leading the Petero Civoniceva Medal race after Round 4, Coster proved his consistency with another strong performance. The lock helped the Bears to a win with one try assist, 167 run metres, two tackle breaks, two offloads, one line break assist and a standard big showing in defence with 36 tackles and only one miss.
15. Jack Howarth - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Melbourne Storm affiliate was impressive against Townsville Blackhawks on Saturday. Howarth scored one try, ran for 118 metres and registered three tackle breaks, one line break, one offload and 20 tackles with zero misses.
16. Ben Te Kura - Souths Logan Magpies
The monster forward did all he could to try to get his side the two points against the Bears on Saturday. Te Kura had 100 per cent tackle efficiency, making 27 tackles. He also scored one try, amassed 142 run metres off nine runs and had seven tackle busts and two line breaks, proving hard to handle. He did all this in 47 minutes.
17. Jaxon Purdue - Mackay Cutters
In just his second Cup appearance, young gun Purdue brought plenty of impact from the bench. Not only did he score Mackay's final try - a runaway effort which ultimately won them the game - but he also ran for 147 metres, made 20 tackles and recorded one line break and a tackle break in his 32 minutes on the field.
