Round 7 Team of the Week: Sauiluma simply sizzles

Three top-shelf games of football were playing in Round 7 of the Hostplus Cup competition, with Burleigh Bears, Norths Devils and Central Queensland Capras coming away victors. 

Bears half Guy Hamilton was instrumental in his side's win against Souths Logan Magpies in the feature game of the round, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match. Teammate Sami Sauiluma was superb in the centres, earning himself this week's Hostplus strong performer and skipper honours for the Round 7 Team of the Week. 

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.

Round 7 Team of the Week

1. Taine Tuaupiki - Burleigh Bears

The Bears fullback was excellent during his side's 38-16 win over Souths Logan Magpies in Round 7. Tuaupiki scored one try, registered 94 run metres, one line break, one line break assist and six tackle breaks. Magpies fullback Tristan Sailor was also impressive with 143 run metres, one line break, one line break assist, four tackle breaks and one try assist.

2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira - Burleigh Bears

Khan-Pereira certainly carved up during the feature game of the round. The speedy winger scored two tries, registered 181 run metres, made two line breaks and four tackle breaks. Magpies winger Jordan Pereira was also good with one try, 175 run metres, including 55 post-contact, one line break and four tackle breaks.

3. Sami Sauiluma - Burleigh Bears (C)

The 2021 Cup centre of the year was simply superb at the weekend. Sauiluma scored two tries and assisted in one, registered 166 run metres, made one line break, one line break assist and six tackle breaks. His efforts earned him the title of Hostplus strong performer for Round 7 and skipper honours for the Round 7 Team of the Week. 

4. Jesse Jennings - Central Queensland Capras

The Capras centre was instrumental in his side's win over Northern Pride in Round 7. Jennings scored one try, registered 148 run metres, made one line break, nine tackle breaks and 14 tackles with 99.96 per cent tackle efficiency. 

5. Jedidiah Simbiken - Central Queensland Capras

Simbiken was on fire in Round 7. The Capras winger scored two tries, registered 154 run metres, made two line breaks and six tackle breaks. Fellow Capras winger Curtis Dansey-Smaller was also good for his side with two tries, 48 run metres, two line breaks and two tackle breaks. Norths Devils winger Brayden McGrady also performed well with two tries, 46 run metres, one line break and two tackle breaks. 

6. Josh Rogers - Burleigh Bears

The Bears five-eighth is a consistent performer for his side and Round 7 was no different. Rogers assisted in one try, kicked five from seven conversions, registered 96 run metres, made one line break, one line break assist and two tackle breaks. 

7. Guy Hamilton - Burleigh Bears

Hamilton was Hastings Deering player of the match for the feature game, for doing the hard stuff during his side's win over the Magpies. Hamilton made 92 run metres, 313 kick metres and 22 tackles. 

8. Bailey Butler - Central Queensland Capras

During his short 34 minutes on the field in Round 7, the Capras prop scored one try, registered 144 run metres, including 56 post-contact, and made four tackle breaks.

9. Pat Politoni - Burleigh Bears

Adding to the Bears tally of the Round 7 Team of the Week is their consistent hooker. Politoni, during his 53 minutes on the field, had one try assist, made 38 run metres and 23 dummy half run metres, and 25 tackles with 92.5 per cent tackle efficiency. Northern P

ride hooker Jayden Hodges was good in a losing side with a huge 43 tackles with 95.46 per cent tackle efficiency.

10. Tyler Szepanowski - Central Queensland Capras

Butler's Capras teammate and fellow prop Szepanowski was also good during his 56 minutes on the field against Northern Pride with 193 run metres, including 66 post-contact, four tackle breaks and 17 tackles with 94.52 per cent tackle efficiency. 

11. Ethan O'Neill - Central Queensland Capras

The Capras second rower was solid in Round 17. O'Neill registered 121 run metres, one line break, one tackle break and 25 tackles with 96.25 per cent tackle efficiency. The Bears second rower Jacob Alick was also good with 104 run metres, one try assist, one line break assist, two tackle breaks and 29 tackles with 87.87 per cent tackle efficiency. 

12. Brendan Frei - Norths Devils

The Devils second rower was phenomenal during his side's close win over PNG Hunters in Round 7. Frei scored two tries, registered 154 run metres, including 61 post-contact, made one line break, four tackle breaks and 22 tackles with 91.74 per cent tackle efficiency. 

13. Sam Coster - Burleigh Bears

Coster was another Bears player to put his best foot forward in Round 7. The lock, during his 72 minutes on the field, scored one try, registered 137 run metres, including 49 post-contact, and made 37 tackles with 91.8 per cent tackle efficiency.

14. Rory Ferguson - Souths Logan Magpies

The Magpies talent was good in a losing side at the weekend. Ferguson registered 131 run metres, including 57 post-contact, made one tackle break and 34 tackles with 92.5 per cent tackle efficiency.

15. Connor Broadhurst - Norths Devils

The Devils talent, who was part of the last XXXX Queensland Residents side in 2019, was excellent in five-eighth. Broadhurst kicked three from five conversions, one penalty goal, had two try assists, one line break assist, one tackle break and made 16 tackles with 94.08 per cent tackle efficiency. 

16. Terry Wapi - PNG Hunters

The Hunters winger was good in a losing side at the weekend, with the Hunters coming agonisingly close to beating the 2021 premiers. Wapi scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 111 run metres, made two line breaks and five tackle breaks. 

17. Jack Ahearn - Norths Devils

The Devils half stood out in his game with 122 run metres, 272 kick metres, two try assists, one line break, three tackle breaks and 13 tackles with 92.82 per cent tackle efficiency.