The opening round of Intrust Super Cup saw a myriad of stellar performances, with none better than Burleigh Bears super talent Jamal Fogarty.
The 2019 Petero Civoniceva Medallist was simply electric in the Bears' Round 1 win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls, earning himself Hastings Deering man of the match and captain of the first Team of the Week.
Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and name the Intrust Super Cup Team of the Week. These team selections are based not only on statistical data, but also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games, with the standout performer of the week named captain.
Team of the Week
1. Terry Wapi - Papua New Guinea Hunters
Hunters fullback Wapi was in absolutely phenomenal form for the visiting side at Davies Park in Round 1. Wapi played 80 minutes and in that time scored a hat-trick, securing 12 of the Hunters' 32 points to get the win over Souths Logan Magpies. Wapi made 21 runs - the most for the Hunters, and ran 210 metres including 38 post-contact metres.
2. Xavier Coates - Redcliffe Dolphins
Coates, last year’s QRL representative player of the year, had a day out on the wing, scoring two striking tries. The first he set up for himself with a deft kick into the in-goal that he chased to score; the second saw the former Tweed Seagull, who has bulked up considerably following a strong pre-season with the Brisbane Broncos, out-leap his opposing winger to pluck the ball from the air and dive over the line. With 81 metres from 10 runs to boot, it was an impressive performance all around. Bears' Will Evans is a notable mention in this position.
Intrust Super Cup Round 1 highlights: Dolphins v Falcons
3. Tesi Niu - Souths Logan Magpies
Magpies young gun Niu, who is contracted to Brisbane Broncos, was impressive for the Magpies, who lost a close contest with PNG Hunters 32-30 in Round 1 of competition. Niu, who played for both the Queensland Under 18 and Under 20 sides in 2019, scored one try during his 80 minutes and ran 118 metres, including 29 post-contact metres.
4. Daejarn Asi - Townsville Blackhawks
Blackhawks centre Asi, who is contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys, helped the Blackhawks win their Round 1 clash against Ipswich Jets at the weekend. During his 80 minutes on the field, the young flyer scored one try, ran 127 metres, including 36 post-contact metres, and made nine tackles with a 90 per cent efficiency.
5. Yamba Bowie - Mackay Cutters
Bowie was a stand-out for the Cutters during their 23-22 loss to Norths Devils in Mackay in Round 1. The 25-year-old, during his 80 minutes on the field, scored one try, kicked one goal, and from 13 runs notched up 148 run metres, including 38 post-contact metres. He also made one line break and three tackle breaks.
6. Caleb Daunt - Easts Tigers
Tigers weapon Daunt was on fire for the Tigers during their huge 44-4 win over Central Queensland Capras in Round 1. The five-eighth, back at the club after a stint at Sunshine Coast Falcons, kicked two from two conversions, had a 82.6 per cent tackle efficiency, making 19 tackles, and ran 136 metres with the ball.
7. Jamal Fogarty - Burleigh Bears (C)
The Round 1 Hastings Deering man of the match winner showed why the Gold Coast Titans recently signed him on a two-year contract during the Bears' clash with Wynnum Manly Seagulls. Fogarty scored one phenomenal try, kicked three goals and one penalty goal. Fogarty had the most run metres for the Bears, with 180 metres, and most line breaks with two. The 2019 Petero Civoniceva Medallist also made 26 tackles with a 86.7 per cent tackle efficiency.
8. Pride Petterson-Robati - Norths Devils
Petterson-Robati had a blinder for the Devils in Round 1, playing 60 minutes and making the most tackles for the Devils, with 32, during their 23-22 win over Mackay Cutters. He made 129 run metres, including 32 post-contact metres.
9. Reuben Cotter - Mackay Cutters
Cotter scored two of the Cutters' four tries during their tight 23-22 loss to Norths Devils in Round 1. Cotter made 48 tackles, with an 88.9 per cent tackle efficiency - the most for the Cutters - during his 80 minutes on the field.
10. Nat Neale - Ipswich Jets
The Intrust Super Cup mainstay was solid for the Jets in Round 1. The experienced prop, who played for the XXXX Queensland Residents in 2019, played 80 minutes, made 19 runs, ran 182 metres including 59 post-contact metres, and made 31 tackles.
11. Mitch Frei - Souths Logan Magpies
The Magpies second rower just pipped his brother, Devils gun Brendan Frei, for a spot in the Round 1 Team of the Week. Frei scored one try during his 80 minutes on the field, and ran the most metres with the ball for the Magpies with 159 metres, including 55 post-contact metres. Frei also had one line break, two tackle breaks and had a 89.7 per cent tackle efficiency, making 26 tackles.
12. Keven Appo - Papua New Guinea Hunters
Hunters second rower Appo was impressive for their first outing under coach Matt Church. Appo scored two tries, ran 121 metres, including 24 post-contact metres, made two line breaks and three tackle breaks, and made 16 tackles.
13. Tom Gilbert - Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks super talent, during his 61 minutes on the field, was a stand-out for the Blackhawks during their Round 1 win over Ipswich Jets. The lock, who is contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys and was a force for the Queensland Under 20 side in 2019, posted 180 run metres, including 60 post-contact metres. He had 16 hit-ups and had a 90.9 per cent tackle efficiency, making 30 tackles.
14. Harry Freebairn - Norths Devils
Freebairn was extremely impressive for the Devils in Round 1, scoring two of their four tries - within a space of four minutes - during their one-point win over Mackay Cutters.
Intrust Super Cup Round 1 highlights: Cutters v Devils
15. Honeti Tuha - Central Queensland Capras
A new signing for the Capras in season 2020, the centre has joined the side after impressing with Cabramatta in the Ron Massey Cup. In his Intrust Super Cup debut, he made 200 metres in nine runs, 23 of them post-contact, and also made four tackle breaks to show attacking promise for his team.
16. Aaron Booth - Easts Tigers
The Tigers rake, who impressed at Melbourne Storm during the pre-season, was in amongst it in Round 1, with his work around the ruck helping get the Tigers onto a winning footing as they stunned the Central Queensland Capras in an impressive second half showing. Topping the tackle count for his team and contributing with four successful conversions, he also unselfishly provided the last pass for Ryley Jacks to score in his return match for the club.
17. Ase Boas - Papua New Guinea Hunters
The Hunters skipper’s boot sealed the deal for his side, slotting the match-winning penalty goal that capped off a remarkable second-half comeback. Crucially, he also kicked five from five conversions, as well, to keep his side in the game. Tasked with guiding his young side around this season, the experienced half made sure he showed his commitment to the team, making 17 tackles to feature in the top three for his team.
