Super League 2020: Way too early Dream Team
22 Mar 2020
The 2020 Betfred Super League season has been packed full of unbelievable tries, exciting matches and dramatic moments.
From Wigan’s tense opening night win over Warrington back in January, to Castleford’s impressive victory over Saints, there has been plenty to talk about.
Unfortunately, due to Coronavirus, the campaign is on hold until at least until April 3 and perhaps beyond.
So, we at superleague.co.uk have decided to pick our team of the season so far.
Bevan French
The Australian spoke of wanting to regularly play full-back at the start of the season, and he has certainly made the role his own for the Warriors. His outrageous dummy to score against Warrington in their opening game was a sign of things to come. Overall, French has four tries and four assists, but his impact extends much further than that. He has the ability to make something happen from anywhere on the rugby pitch, a trait that only the best players have.
Derrell Olpherts
Many wingers have already made their mark on this season, with the likes of Ben Crooks and Ken Sio both regularly crossing for tries. Olpherts has been one of them, impressing since arriving at Castleford from Salford. The winger has six tries, two of which came in the triumph over St Helens. The second of those two scores was a fine effort from Olpherts, and he will be hoping he can continue his good form when Super League resumes.
Olpherts 😱 HOW?!?@CTRLFC are flying live on @SkySportsRL Main Event & Arena now! #SLCasStH #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/6m4KW0vB6T
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 15, 2020
Harry Newman
Leeds Rhinos have shown off their attacking talents in their opening five matches of the season. They are the Super League top-scorers with 180 points, despite having played two games less than some sides. Newman has been at the heart of it. He has made 34 tackle busts and averaged 8.27 metres with ball in hand. Add to that his two tries and four assists, and the 20-year-old looks like a man the Rhinos can build their team around in the next decade.
Josh Griffin
It has been a difficult couple of months for Hull FC. It culminated in the sacking of Lee Radford following a 38-4 loss at the hands of Warrington Wolves. One of the bright sparks is the form of Josh Griffin. The centre has proved a nuisance for opposition defenders, making 999 metres and forcing 39 tackle busts. He has only fallen short of 100 metres in a match once, showing the consistent nature of his performances.
Liam Marshall
Marshall has been part of a devastating left-hand side of the pitch for Wigan in 2020, helping the Warriors to the top of the Super League table. He has benefited from playing alongside French and Jackson Hastings, going over for five tries. Three of those scores came in the victory over Huddersfield, the second of which might already be try of the season.
Jonny Lomax
Saints have yet to find their 2019 Grand Final winning form. However, Lomax continues to be the man for Kristian Woolf’s side. He already has seven assists in 2020 and crossed for a couple of tries in the win over Toronto. You feel like it will be Lomax who can ignite St Helens when Super League does eventually return.
Another special performance from Jonny Lomax 🔥🙌
Here's why the @Saints1890 half picked up 3 @StevePrescott1 #ManOfSteel points in round 5... #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/CoYpuBzhL0
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 3, 2020
Aidan Sezer
Signing Sezer has proved to be a masterclass by the Giants. Their new half has taken Super League by storm. He has helped Huddersfield to four wins from their opening five matches, including a 12-10 triumph over 2019 champions, St Helens. The 28-year-old has also taken on the role of Huddersfield captain and shown real leadership skills early in the campaign. Could well prove the difference between a relegation battle and a play-off run.
Grant Millington
Liam Watts is often lauded as Castleford’s best prop, but Millington has also performed well in 2020. He sometimes goes under the radar, but his efforts have been vital in the Tigers’ early season exploits. Daryl Powell described the 33-year-old as playing on a “different level??, and the Castleford head coach will be hopeful Millington can continue his high-performance levels as 2020 moves on.
Paul McShane
Super League’s best player so far in 2020. McShane’s performances have been instrumental in Castleford’s early season fortunes. He already has 15 Man of Steel points and is currently six points clear of his closest rival in the rankings. Part of his success is his willingness to run from dummy half. The hooker has done so on 51 occasions, more than anyone else in Super League.
Mike Cooper
Cooper committed his long-term future to Warrington last week and comes after a strong start to 2020 from the prop. It is the all-round nature of his game that makes the 31-year-old such an asset to Steve Price. His 17 offloads are the joint-second most in Super League. Cooper's defensive work is also consistently strong, having made 193 tackles.
Zeb Taia
Age continues to prove just a number for the experienced Taia. The 35-year-old has carried the ball 107 times, the most of any Super League forward. He always looks to make himself available as a runner. His efforts in the World Club Challenge were particularly notable, going toe-to-toe with a strong Roosters pack.
Liam Farrell
One of the easiest additions to this team. Wigan fans have become accustomed to Farrell's consistency over the last decade. This campaign has proved no different. No forward has made more metres or tackle busts than Farrell. The England international has also scored three tries and provided three assists, linking up well with Jackson Hastings on numerous occasions.
It's in his blood ???⚪@WiganWarriorsRL's Liam Farrell with 2 tries and an assist last night #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/a2xn2twvem
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 14, 2020
Cameron Smith
Smith spoke before the start of the season about establishing himself as a first-team regular with Leeds Rhinos and earning a new contract. He has achieved both after just five matches. Smith has shown himself to be the Rhinos' most impressive forward. He was rewarded with a new three-year contact two weeks ago.
