We’re now through the season and with State of Origin taking over, we at least got a full selection of games to choose our NRL Round 13 Team of the Week.
We figured that after sitting through all of the eight NRL Round 13 games, we may as well have something constructive to show for it.
Our NRL Round 13 Team of the Week list features the best players from the weekend, and where possible try to pick the 13 players in position, and then the next best four, where possible. But some positions don’t shine like others, so we have a flexible starting 13 from time to time.
Of course any Team of the Week is going to cause debate, so feel free to pick apart our NRL Round 13 Team of the Week.
NRL Round 13 Team of the Week
FULLBACK – JAHROME HUGHES (Storm)
A timely performance from Jahrome Hughes, just as Scott Drinkwater makes his return from injury via the Intrust Super Cup and the form of Ryan Papenhuyzen. Although, Hughes could fill in at halfback if the Storm bump Brodie Croft again.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Jahrome Hughes | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 83 | 13 |
WINGER – KYLE FELDT (Cowboys)
The Cowboys winger is an underrated member of the Cowboys team, and his aerial work alone this weekend deserved a spot in the best 17.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Kyle Feldt | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 121 | 7 |
CENTRE – JARROD CROKER (Raiders)
Another underrated contributor in our NRL Round 13 Team of the Week. 1 try and four goals with a line break contributed nicely to the Raiders shutout.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Jarrod Croker | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 118 | 8 |
CENTRE – BRONSON XERRI (Sharks)
Much more than the NRL’s best player starting with X of all time. One of the best new Sharks for them this year, and he brings a real sense of excitement to the Sharks.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Bronson Xerri | 0 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 160 | 4 |
WINGER – MIKAELE RAVALAWA (Dragons)
The Dragons winger makes his debut in our Team of the Week, and did just about everything in the Dragons big win over the Bulldogs.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Mikaele Ravalawa | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 196 | 5 |
FIVE EIGHTH – TYRONE ROBERTS (Titans)
Led the Titans to another upset of the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. With Ashley Taylor gone, he gets more responsibility.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Tyrone Roberts | 0 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 69 | 12 |
HALFBACK – BEN HUNT (Dragons)
Backed up well after Origin, and his combination with Corey Norman saw the Dragons do it easy against the Bulldogs,
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Ben Hunt | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 106 | 20 |
PROP – ANDREW FIFITA (Sharks)
Fifita is tuning up nicely to represent Tonga in the upcoming tests with a powerhouse performance against the Eels.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Andrew Fifita | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 132 | 28 |
HOOKER – CONNOR WATSON (Knights)
Probably didn’t think a few years ago he’d be playing hooker at Newcastle, but was superb as Newcastle doubled South Sydney’s Origin time misery.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Connor Watson | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 117 | 43 |
PROP – MARTIN TAUPAU (Sea Eagles)
A regular to our Team of the Week, and perhaps it is the distinctive hair that makes you more aware of his game. Or that he is one of the best props in the game at the moment.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Martin Taupau | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 190 | 25 |
SECOND ROW – VILIAME KIKAU (Panthers)
We’ve been big fans of Kikau for a few years now, and the performance against the Roosters on the weekend justifies our recommendation.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Viliame Kikau | 0 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 152 | 26 |
SECOND ROW – WADE GRAHAM (Sharks)
Shot but sweet on his return from injury. Showing enough for the Sharks against Parramatta and for NSW.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Wade Graham | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 125 | 12 |
LOCK – JASON TAUMALOLO (Cowboys)
33 runs for over 300 metres Yeah, that’ll do nicely to get a jersey in the Best 17 for Round 13.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Jason Taumalolo | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 33 | 311 | 28 |
INTERCHANGE – JAKE TURPIN (Broncos)
We have been impressed with Turpin since making his debut this season from Redcliffe Dolphins, and his form has seen McCullough forced to remain on the bench this week. He was superb in a loss to the Gold Coast, filling in after Tom Dearden left the field.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Jake Turpin | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 67 | 34 |
INTERCHANGE – JAMES MALONEY (Penrith)
Had one of those games where he showed just how good can be in the NRL, and another who may have pressed their claims just enough for Origin 2.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| James Maloney | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 104 | 8 |
INTERCHANGE – DALE FINUCANE (Storm)
One of rugby league’s hardest workers, in a hard working pack. He is the epitome of why Melbourne are so good all the time.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Dale Finucane | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 195 | 34 |
INTERCHANGE – CAMERON MUNSTER (Storm)
While a lot of Origin players were being rested, Munster was leading the Storm in their arm wrestle against the Warriors in New Zealand.
| Player | Try Assist | Tries | Tackle Breaks | Points | Line Break | LB Assists | Errors | Runs | Metres | Tackles |
| Cameron Munster | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 99 | 15 |
NRL ROUND 13 TEAM OF THE WEEK – BEST OF THE BEST
All of the above players were good, but there’s a few we feel deserved a little recognition and Team of the Week points. All go towards the ultimate Player of the Year and Team of the Year.
5 – BRONSON XERRI (Sharks)
4 – JASON TAUMALOLO (Cowboys)
3 – VILIAME KIKAU (Panthers)
2 – MIKAELE RAVALAWA (Dragons)
1 – WADE GRAHAM (Sharks)
