Round 1 of Hostplus Cup did not disappoint. It had a bit of everything with close clashes, impressive moments in every game including runaway tries and a last-minute field goal, as well as plenty of rain.
It was also the week of the fullbacks, with superb performances by Sunshine Coast Falcons' Sualauvi Faalogo, PNG Hunters' Morea Morea, Central Queensland Capras' Kodi Nikorima, Norths Devils' Jack Ahearn and Souths Logan Magpies' Tristan Sailor.
Faalogo was absolutely electric for the the Falcons, earning himself the Hostplus strong performer nod for the round. Morea was named Hastings Deering player of the match in the Round 1 feature game on Qplus.tv after a fantastic outing for his side against the Western Clydesdales.
The Redcliffe Dolphins and Brisbane Tigers game was canned after kick-off due to an electrical storm; options for this game are being explored.
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 1 Team of the Week
1. Sualauvi Faalogo - Sunshine Coast Falcons (C)
What a performance by Faalogo in Round 1. The Falcons fullback, who is contracted to Melbourne Storm, scored two tries, kicked one from one, kicked one penalty goal, registered 269 run metres, including 49 post-contact, made two line breaks and seven tackle breaks. Devils fullback Jack Ahearn was also strong with one try, one try assist and 176 run metres, and Magpies fullback Tristan Sailor was excellent with one try assist, a whopping 235 run metres and seven tackle breaks.
2. Gideon Gela-Mosby - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Gela-Mosby was electric during his 43 minutes on the field against Mackay Cutters. The Wynnum Manly centre was removed from the game in the opening sets of the second half with a HIA, but during the first half he scored one runaway try, clocked 187 run metres, including 49 post-contact, and made four tackle breaks.
3. Delouise Hoeter - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Brisbane Broncos-contracted centre thrived in front of the Chook Pen, scoring two tries, clocking 130 run metres, including 40 post-contact, two line breaks, six tackle breaks and seven tackles.
4. Brandon Nima - PNG Hunters
Nima thrived against newcomers Western Clydesdales. The Hunters centre scored two tries, clocked 185 run metres, including 40 post-contact, made two line breaks, two tackle breaks and 11 tackles.
5. Robert Derby - Townsville Blackhawks
Derby put on a show at Jack Manski Oval in Round 1. The speedy winger scored two tries, registered 204 run metres, including 75 post-contact, and made one line break and eight tackle breaks.
6. Anthony Milford - Central Queensland Capras
The Dolphins-contracted star won the game for the Capras in Round 1 with a stunning field goal in the 78th minute. Milford also scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 162 run metres, made two line breaks, one line break assist, three tackle breaks and five tackles with 100 per cent efficiency.
7. Jock Madden - Norths Devils
Madden, who is contracted to the Broncos, was very good in his side's loss to the Bears. Madden assisted in three tries, had three line break assists, registered 78 run metres, one tackle break and made 16 tackles with 100 per cent efficiency. Tweed Seagulls half Toby Sexton, who is contracted to the Gold Coast Titans, was also superb, assisting in two tries, kicking three from four conversions, and making 21 tackles with 91.3 per cent tackle efficiency.
8. Todd White - Western Clydesdales
Despite the Clydesdales going down in Round 1 to PNG Hunters, there were positive signs for the side including White's performance. The prop, who was previously at Ipswich Jets, scored one try, registered 140 run metres, including 25 post-contact, made one line break, three tackle breaks and a huge 43 tackles with 93.48 per cent tackle efficiency.
9. Blake Mozer - Souths Logan Magpies
The Broncos-contracted rake helped guide his side to Round 1 win against the Jets. Mozer, during his 58 minutes on the field, assisted in two tries, had 55 run metres, one line break, one line break assist and made 33 tackles with 91.67 per cent tackle efficiency.
10. Darryn Schonig - Western Clydesdales
The Clydesdales skipper put in a stellar performance against the Hunters. Schonig, during his 54 minutes on the field, registered 208 run metres, including 48 post-contact, made four tackle breaks, 18 hit-ups, and 25 tackles with 92.59 per cent tackle efficiency.
11. Kitron Laka - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Wynnum Manly second rower was the side's player of the match with one try, 148 run metres, one line break, four tackle breaks and 19 tackles. Teammate Brendan Frei was also strong with one try, 143 run metres, one line break and 16 tackles.
12. Jesse Jennings - Souths Logan Magpies
In was a great first outing for Jennings in 2023. The Souths Logan second rower scored two tries, registered 77 run metres, one line break assist, three tackle breaks and 27 tackles during his side's win against Ipswich Jets.
13. Sam Coster - Burleigh Bears
Coster, a consistent performer for the Bears during the past few seasons, was his same consistent self in Round 1 of 2023. Coster scored one try, registered 110 run metres, one line break and a huge 40 tackles with an impressive 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
14. Morea Morea - PNG Hunters
Morea, the Hastings Deering player of the match in the Round 1 feature game on Qplus.tv, was fantastic for his side. The fullback assisted in one try, diffused a kick, made 135 run metres off 17 runs, had one line break assist and made three tackle breaks.
15. Kodi Nikorima - Central Queensland Capras
The Dolphins-contracted fullback was excellent for the Capras in Round 1. Nikorima scored one try, assisted in two tries, clocked 163 run metres, two line breaks, one line break assist, four tackles breaks and made five tackles with 100 per cent efficiency.
16. Josh Rogers - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Wynnum Manly half Josh Rogers was also excellent for Wynnum Manly, scoring one try, assisting in two tries, kicking seven from seven conversions and one penalty goal.
17. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui - Burleigh Bears
Prop Fa'asuamaleaui was strong for the Bears during his 48 minutes on the field with 153 run metres, including 76 post-contact, two tackle breaks and 29 tackles with 96.67 per cent tackle efficiency.