Six Tackles: The new signings going well in 2018

With the Super League campaign just crossing the half-way line of the season, we take a look at some of the best signings in the top division so far this year…

Ben Murdoch-Masila
The big second-rower was one of the stand-out signings of the pre-season, joining the Wire from Salford Red Devils on a fee worth around £175,000 for a three-year deal, and he hasn’t disappointed.

Ben Murdoch-Masila has crashed over for four times so far in 2018 and has made his presence well-known for the oppositions on the park, including a try in his side’s recent victory over Leeds Rhinos at Emarald Headingley.

The Tongan international scored a whopping 14 tries in 2017 for the Devils, making him one of the hottest discussions in the game, and his form continues to impress this year.

Bureta Faraimo
The Hull FC recruit joined from the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, where he failed to make a first-grade appearance in 2017. Previously, he had played a handful of games across three seasons for the Paramatta Eels.

Brought in to replace now-Wests Tigers Mahe Fonua, it was a hype Bureta Faraimo had to live up to. However, since making his debut against the Catalans Dragons, the winger has taken these expectations into his stride, scoring the second-most amount of tries for the Black and Whites.

He is a strong and powerful runner, with 41 tackle busts, and doesn’t shy away from the off-load, something Fonua was loved for at FC.

The USA international is performing well and is said to be enjoying life at Hull, and his playing style fits in well for Lee Radford.

Josh Charnley
The cross-code player came back to rugby league with Warrington Wolves just less than two-months ago, but is already making a statement that he’s still got what it takes to be the best winger in Super League.

Charnley, 26, will be at the Wire until at least 2020 and has come back the player he left, scoring six tries in seven Super League appearances, including an additional four in their thrashing of League 1’s Bradford Bulls in the Challenge Cup fifth round.

The former Wigan winger was a prolific player at his time in league, including a match-winning try in the 2016 Grand Final win over the Wolves. He made 32 appearances for Sale Sharks.

On his current form, Charnley can’t be too far off a spot in Wayne Bennett’s England side for the three-test series against New Zealand later this year.

Richard Myler
Richard Myler has certainly found a new home with Leeds Rhinos, where his form has certainly revamped.

The half-back made the switch from French side Catalans Dragons for the 2018 season, where he featured in the 26-10 success against Leigh in the Million Pound Drop fixture.

Myler, in his new home of Blue and Yellow, leads the try-assists tally board in the Super League with 19, Ben Barba behind him with 17. He has been influential on many occasions for the Rhinos so far in the 2018 campaign, and he looks to be the man to lead them to success.

His partnership with Moon has been a highlight of the Super League season, but Brian McDermott’s side recent slide in form has seen them move down to sixth position, something Myler will be aiming to drastically change.

David Mead
One of the headline signings of the close season has chipped in with six tries in what has been a difficult start to the season for the Dragons, who sit bottom of the Super League table.

There have been signs in recent weeks of improvements for the Catalans, and Mead will no doubt be a key part of any kick up the table for Steve McNamara’s men.

Krisnan Inu
Krisnan Inu has been one of the highlight players for Widnes this year, scoring the most tries for Dennis Betts’ side in 2018.

The former NRL centre, like Myler, made the switch from Catalans to Widnes Vikings and has impressed since his arrival at the Halton Stadium.

Unfortunately, we’ve not seen the player since March after sustaining an injury, something all-too common for the Vikings this year, but his return will certainly boost the side for the fight for a top eight spot.

Have any other new signings caught your eye? Let us know in the comments below.