Round 4 Team of the Week: Howarth leads charge in XXXX Rivalry Round
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The XXXX Rivalry Round lived up to its name, with Round 4 of the Hostplus Cup one of the most competitive and fierce yet.
There were last-minute wins, powerful performances and yet another draw, highlighting just how close the Cup is this year.
And players certainly stood up for their teams to take a win over their rivals, with a number of standouts across the weekend.
Redcliffe Dolphins halfback Cody Hunter put on an absolute masterclass against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round 4 to help last year's grand finalists claim their first win of the 2023 season and earned himself the nod as Hastings Deering player of the match.
Sunshine Coast Falcons second rower Jack Howarth was also monumental for his side, making a massive impact in their resounding 40-12 victory over the Western Clydesdales. Particularly impressive in attack, the Melbourne Storm affiliate has taken out the Hostplus strong performer title for Round 4.
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 4 Team of the Week
1. Sualauvi Faalogo - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The young Melbourne Storm affiliate continued to add to his impressive Hostplus Cup season, with another strong performance at the back for the Falcons. Faalogo showed plenty of flair in attack, making a huge impact with 152 run metres, one try assist, eight tackle busts and two line break assists. He also added another try to his tally, opening the scoring in the second half against the Clydesdales. Redcliffe's Trai Fuller, Northern Pride's Julian Christian and Burleigh's Keano Kini also impressed in Round 4.
2. Jeremy Hawkins - Redcliffe Dolphins
In his first game of 2023, veteran winger Hawkins was outstanding in helping his team get a win on the board. The Redcliffe backline flexed their muscle in Round 4 and Hawkins' contribution was particularly noticeable - 173 metres off of 12 runs, five tackle busts and two try assists, as well as one four-pointer for himself.
3. Valynce Te Whare - Redcliffe Dolphins
It's a rare day when Te Whare has a bad game for the Dolphins. The barnstorming centre was unstoppable once again in Round 4 and contributed greatly to his team's win. With just eight runs, Te Whare managed to record 136 run metres and five tackle busts. He scored off a beautiful pass from Hawkins and set up a try for halfback Hunter after making a strong break in the first half.
4. Flynn Camilleri - Mackay Cutters
Mackay are still on the hunt for their first two points of season 2023 but have plenty of guiding lights such as centre Camilleri. In Round 4, Camilleri made a big comeback, scoring a double, running for 166 metres and making seven tackle busts, as well as one line break.
5. Ricco Falaniko - Ipswich Jets
The Jets have had a tough trot to start the season, but Falaniko - in his second Cup season - helped provide some hope on the weekend against the Brisbane Tigers. Falaniko managed to cross for two tries but also notched up 131 run metres and made five tackle busts. Other wingers who impressed across the round included Brisbane's Max Lehmann - who also scored a double - Burleigh's Ken Maumalo in his debut Cup game, and Norths' Tony Tumusa.
6. Kurt Donoghoe - Central Queensland Capras
The Dolphins playmaker showed why he earned himself an NRL contract this pre-season, with a solid hit out against the Mackay Cutters. Donoghoe - in his first season in Cup - scored two tries, made three tackle busts, two line breaks, 80 run metres and 21 tackles in a good, all-round performance.
7. Cody Hunter - Redcliffe Dolphins
It was an inspirational performance from playmaker Hunter to kickstart Redcliffe's 2023 season. The 21-year-old gun notched up a stunning hat-trick, made 138 metres off 13 runs, had three tackle breaks, 11 tackles and 223 kick metres. His electric outing earned him the Round 4 Hastings Deering player of the match. Elsewhere, Tweed's Toby Sexton continued his strong form with another solid outing for the Seagulls, in their narrow loss to the Burleigh Bears.
8. Caius Faatili - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Round 4 belonged to the forwards. The big men aimed up across the competition this weekend and Wynnum Manly's Faatili was a huge standout in a losing side. In his sixth Cup game, Faatili showed his playmaking skills with two try assists. He also earned 131 metres off 14 runs, two tackle busts, two offloads and 28 tackles. Despite not getting the two points, Faatili was a constant threat on Sunday.
9. Tyran Wishart - Sunshine Coast Falcons
Versatile Melbourne Storm signing Wishart was outstanding at hooker in his first Cup game this year. He was extremely dangerous with the ball in hand, making 134 metres out of dummy-half. He crossed for two tries, had two tackle busts and made 22 tackles. He also kicked five from six conversions. Former Sunshine Coast hooker Tyson Smoothy also had a strong showing in Round, making 41 tackles for Wynnum Manly against Redcliffe.
10. JJ Collins - Central Queensland Capras
It's back-to-back Team of the Week appearances for the Dolphins-contract prop. After registering 191 run metres in Round 3, Collins went even bigger against the Cutters in Round 4, eating up 204 metres off 16 runs. He also made 18 tackles with 100 per cent efficiency in 58 minutes on the field. Other standout props in Round 4 were Brisbane Tigers' Jordan Grant and Redcliffe's Dunamis Lui, with both players running for over 150 metres through the middle.
11. Jack Howarth - Sunshine Coast Falcons (C)
The Melbourne-contracted forward continues to push for an NRL debut. In red hot form, the 20-year-old stood up to the Western Clydesdales pack and showed how big of a threat he is. Howarth scored two tries, ran for 198 metres, made 10 tackle busts and two line breaks in an attacking masterclass. He also had 25 tackles to his name.
12. Brendan Frei - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Frei made the most metres of any Wynnum Manly forward on Sunday, aiming up against a big Redcliffe pack. He registered 137 run metres - 49 post contact - in a solid hit out. He also made two offloads and 33 tackles.
13. Max Plath - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
In 58 minutes on the field, Plath let his presence be known. He made a huge impact against Redcliffe, scoring two impressive tries. He notched up 117 run metres off eight runs, had five tackle breaks and 22 tackles.
14. Guy Hamilton - Burleigh Bears
The Burleigh halfback was so dangerous against Tweed. Continuing on his inspiring 2022 run, Hamilton has been in sensational form so far in 2023. In Round 4 he made 189 run metres off 18 runs, had four tackle breaks, two offloads and was powerful with the boot, making 423 kick metres.
15. Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi - Northern Pride
Hindmarsh-Takyi came off the bench against the Townsville Blackhawks on Saturday and made his presence known. The impact forward scored a try, ran for 177 metres, had three tackle busts, one line break and 20 tackles with 90 per cent efficiency. His performance certainly helped the Pride notch up their one-point win over the Blackhawks.
16. Kobe Hetherington - Souths Logan Magpies
The Brisbane Broncos-contracted star returned to Souths Logan in Round 4 after making his comeback to the footy field for Wynnum Manly in Round 3. And it's clear Hetherington is pushing for his NRL recall, with another strong performance. In a draw with Norths, Hetherington scored a try, ran for 164 metres, made three tackle breaks and 31 tackles.
17. Bailey Butler - Central Queensland Capras
Another huge performance from a prop in Round 4 came from Capras leader Bailey Butler. Butler - who also made the Team of the Week in Round 3 - was key in defence, making 34 tackles in the middle for 94.44 per cent efficiency. He earned 111 run metres off 10 runs, had six tackle busts, two offloads and one line break. With the Capras on top of the ladder, Butler and his front row partner Collins will be needed to continue their red hot form.
Main image: Phil Bradeley/Sunshine Coast Falcons
