World Cup Quarter-Finals: Team of the Week
Love Rugby League have picked their team of the week from the quarter-finals of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
BILLY SLATER (AUSTRALIA)
The 34-year-old has had a horrible last couple of years due to injury but boy oh boy, he has been electric for the Kangaroos so far in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. He was great in their win over Samoa last week and you can’t help but be in awe of his footwork and speed.
JERMAINE MCGILLVARY (ENGLAND)
There is no doubt that the 29-year-old has been the best player for England so far and has been the best winger in the tournament, alongside Fiji’s Suliasi Vunivalu. The Huddersfield Giants star made more metres than any other player at the weekend, with 845 to his name.
KALLUM WATKINS (ENGLAND)
The 26-year-old’s partnership with McGillvary on the right is on fire. The Leeds Rhinos centre scored two tries in England’s win over Papua New Guinea and was loverugbyleague.com’s man of the match. He caused the Kumuls all kinds of problems.
KONRAD HURRELL (TONGA)
The 26-year-old has been very, very impressive for Tonga at the World Cup. The Gold Coast Titans star has built up a good understanding with winger David Fusitu’a and created two tries for his winger against Lebanon. Hurrell also provides great strength in defence, too.
VALENTINE HOLMES (AUSTRALIA)
The 22-year-old has been one of the stand-out players in the NRL ever since he made his debut for Cronulla Sharks in 2014. The Queensland star became the first ever player to score five tries in a World Cup match and was voted man of the match by loverugbyleague.com.
MICHAEL MORGAN (AUSTRALIA)
Mal Meninga has switched his halves around during the tournament but Morgan returned to face Samoa. The 25-year-old ran the show alongside Cooper Cronk. The North Queensland Cowboys ace scored two tries and his game management is different class.
MITCHELL MOSES (LEBANON)
The 23-year-old has been the most exciting player of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. That’s not an understatement. If you have watched all four of Lebanon’s games then you would probably agree. He very nearly snatched the win for the Cedars against Tonga.
NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA (NEW ZEALAND)
Standing at 6ft 7in and weighing over 18st, you would never believe that Asofa-Solomona is 21 years of age. He has been great for the Kiwis and always gives everything he’s got. He didn’t deserve to be on the losing side against Fiji but what a future he has ahead of him.
MICHAEL LICHAA (LEBANON)
The 24-year-old has been Mr Reliable for Lebanon in the tournament. He has made 80 appearances in the NRL and his experience shone through because the Cedars were so organised. The Canterbury Bulldogs man led the Lebanon line very well against Tonga.
RUSSELL PACKER (NEW ZEALAND)
The 28-year-old has overcome a lot of obstacles off the field and has come out on the brighter side and been brilliant in the World Cup. The new Wests Tigers’ signing takes the ball in aggressively and there are not many players who play with more passion than Packer.
BEN MURDOCH-MASILA (TONGA)
The Mate Ma’a have used the 26-year-old as a sub in all of their games so far and that has proved to be a good decision because he makes a massive impact when he comes on the field. The new Warrington Wolves recruit is even attracting interest from the NRL!
BRAYDEN WILIAME (FIJI)
The 24-year-old signed enjoyed a fine debut season for Catalans Dragons in Super League and he has taken that form into the World Cup. He seemed to be everywhere for the Bati against New Zealand, especially in defence. He was nearly rewarded with a try as well.
PAUL AITON (PAPUA NEW GUINEA)
Papua New Guinea have played veteran Aiton at loose forward in every match in the tournament and it worked well because it added another dimension for the Kumuls. The 32-year-old played his last ever international game in their defeat to England. He has been a great servant to his country.
Do you agree with our team of the week? Or should someone else be included? Let us know in the comments below.
