NSW Team of the Week | Rd 10
Each week of the NRL season, the NSWRL.com.au staff writers will have their say on the round's best performing New South Welshmen. These are based entirely on the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSWRL or the selection process for the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues. Captaincy is awarded based on that week’s on-field performance and is not based on club captaincy or leadership qualities. This week will be the final week before the official Brydens Lawyers NSW Team is announced for State of Origin I at Suncorp Stadium on June 5.
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
Club: Melbourne Storm; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
The pocket dynamo from Melbourne was handed the No.1 jumper with Jahrome Hughes sidelined with concussion and he didn’t disappoint. He scored a memorable try where he used his blistering speed to leave defenders in his wake, ran for 247 metres, had two linebreaks and seven tackle busts.
2. Jayden Okunbor
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
The bullocking winger for the Bulldogs turned in a man of the match performance after scoring two tries to help spark his side’s comeback win over the Gold Coast Titans. Okunbor also ran for 182 metres, had two linebreaks and three tackle busts.
3. Dylan Walker
Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles; NSW Origin appearances: 2; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
The Sea Eagles centre was making his comeback after being stood down under the NRL’s ‘no fault’ policy and had an immediate impact after scoring a clever try. He kicked a ball ahead that had been fumbled by Josh Dugan before planting it over the line, ran for 103 metres and had five tackle busts.
4. Nick Cotric
Club: Canberra Raiders; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
Could Cotric be the answer Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler is looking for at right centre? The Raiders winger shifted spots to cover an injury toll at the club and had an impact after sparking a try for Sam Williams with a sharp offload in the lead-up. He also ran for 129 metres, had six tackle busts, made 23 tackles and only missed one.
5. Blake Ferguson
Club: Parramatta Eels; NSW Origin appearances: 7; 2019 TOTW selections: 4
The hulking winger finished on the wrong side of the scoreboard against the North Queensland Cowboys but still managed to run for 171 metres, had one linebreak, one offload and two tackle busts.
6. Cody Walker
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 6
The Rabbitohs five-eighth continued his rich vein of form against the Canberra Raiders in a bruising battle at GIO Stadium. He scored a try, set up another, had one linebreak, one linebreak assist and four tackle busts.
7. Luke Brooks
Club: Wests Tigers; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 2019 TOTW selections: 3
The Tigers halfback turned in a strong performance against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park and was unlucky not to walk away with the points. He scored a strong try, ran for 113 metres, had one linebreak, three tackle busts and kicked for 308 metres.
8. Matthew Lodge
Club: Brisbane Broncos; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 3
The Broncos enforcer turned in a strong performance against the Sydney Roosters after running for 213 metres, making three tackles busts and 24 tackles.
9. Robbie Farah
Club: Wests Tigers; NSW Origin appearances 16; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
The veteran Tigers hooker finished on the wrong side of the scoreboard against the Melbourne Storm but did his best to engineer an unlikely victory. He set up two tries, had two linebreak assists and made 38 tackles.
10. Payne Haas (C)
Club: Brisbane Broncos; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections 3
Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler indicated Haas could push his way into the team with a big performance against the Sydney Roosters and he didn’t disappoint. He used his size and speed to score a try, ran for 221 metres which was the most of any player from both teams, had one linebreak, eight tackle busts, two offloads and made 25 tackles.
11. Joel Thompson
Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
The Sea Eagles backrower turned in a typically strong 80-minute performance against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks after running for 151 metres and making 21 tackles.
12. Tariq Sims
Club: St George Illawarra Dragons; NSW Origin appearances: 1; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
It was an unhappy day for most of the Dragons forwards after they were walloped by the Newcastle Knights but Sims still left the field with his reputation intact. He was the only forward to make over 100 metres (132m), scored a try, had one linebreak, one linebreak assist, two tackle busts and made 27 tackles.
13. Jake Trbojevic
Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles; NSW Origin appearances 6; 2019 TOTW selections: 8
The Manly lock is the heart and soul of the team and showed that again during the Sea Eagles win over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. He came up with a try assist, linebreak assist, tackle break, ran for 120 metres and came up with 36 tackles including plenty when they were needed the most.
14. Damien Cook
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs; NSW Origin appearances: 3; 2019 TOTW selections: 5
The Rabbitohs hooker was quiet compared to the previous week when he destroyed the North Queensland Cowboys but still laid the platform for a crucial try against Canberra Raiders. He also had a linebreak assist and came up with 41 tackles.
15. David Klemmer
Club: Newcastle Knights; NSW Origin appearances: 12; 2019 TOTW selections: 7
The Knights prop was part of the forward pack that had a field day against St George Illawarra Dragons after running for 151 metres and making 18 tackles.
16. Jordan McLean
Club: North Queensland Cowboys; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 5
The Cowboys prop continues to turn in strong performances after helping set up the win over the Parramatta Eels. He ran for 166 metres, had two tackle busts, made one offload and 35 tackles.
17. Dale Finucane
Club: Melbourne Storm; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 4
The Storm workhorse turned in another tradesmen-like performance in the come-from-behind win against Wests Tigers. He ran for 167 metres, made 42 tackles and didn’t miss one.
