Round 2 Team of the Week

Betfred Super League picked up where it left off in Round 2 with another week of thrills, spills and drama. Three players make their second consecutive appearance in the Round 2 Team of the Week following another weekend of eye-catching performances.

On Thursday Night, Daryl Powell’s Warrington Wolves comfortably beat his former team, Castleford Tigers, to maintain their unbeaten start to the new campaign. It was a happy reunion for former Tiger Peter Mata’utia, too – the Wolves centre crossed for a try against his former employer, as well as running for 118 metres from 20 carries. Star half-back George Williams is continuing to grow into his new role at the Wolves – he contributed to their Round 2 victory with a try, two try assists, a line break, seven tackle busts and 221 kick metres.

Whizzy Rascal 🏎️🏉

One of the more unconventional ways of delivering the match ball before tonight's game 😂#SuperLeague #SLWarCas pic.twitter.com/aypPRMeQzY
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 17, 2022

Williams’ former side, Wigan Warriors, also continued their 100 percent start with a strong win at home against Leeds Rhinos. Jai Field was again the star of the show for the Warriors, scoring an impressive hat-trick and running for a colossal 261 metres from 20 carries. The ever-reliable Sam Powell crossed for a brace of tries as well, whilst making a solid 45 tackles during his 80-minute stint at hooker. And young talent Kai Pearce-Paul looked the part in the centre position once again – he ran for 121 metres from 15 carries and set up a try with an ingenious grubber kick from close range.

A hat-trick and try-saver 🔥

Jai Field's performance for @WiganWarriorsRL on Friday 💯 #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/xeyXwEzZxS
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 21, 2022

Champions St Helens registered the only away win of the round with a dominant display in tough conditions against Hull FC. Alex Walmsley led his forward pack and was unplayable at times - he ran for a huge 210 metres from 15 carries – that’s 14m average gain a carry! Back rower Sione Mata’utia continued his strong start to the new season as well – he registered a try, a line break, five tackle busts and 107 run metres, proving to be a constant threat out on St Helens’ edge.

Sliding in for @Saints1890 🌊#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/5usQzjmjjZ
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 19, 2022

Ian Watson’s Huddersfield Giants picked up their second win in as many weeks after beating Hull KR at home on Saturday. Skipper Luke Yates put in a captains knock for the Giants, scoring his first try of the new campaign whilst running for 152 metres from 16 carries. Yates was also a rock in defence, making 33 tackles and missing none. The experienced Chris McQueen was influential again for Huddersfield – he crossed for two tries, ran for 142 metres and made 38 tackles during a solid 80-minute performance.

Meat 🥧 for the skipper 💪#SuperLeague #SLHudHKR pic.twitter.com/zAGsSClN9w
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 19, 2022

Elsewhere, Catalans Dragons secured their first win of the new season after a closely fought battle at home against Wakefield Trinity. Young, no-nonsense forward Joe Chan made the most of his opportunity in the front row after the Dragons lost a trio of props in Round 1. Chan made an impressive 142 metres from 17 carries following his introduction from the bench, in the end grinding out a tough 59 minute performance. Trinity winger Tom Johnstone is quickly getting back to his best, as well – Johnstone was impressive in defeat for Wakefield, scoring two tries, making seven tackle busts, two line breaks and running for 142 metres.

Great day for it 😅☔️

4️⃣ tries for Ken Sio this afternoon 🤝#SuperLeague #SLSalTou pic.twitter.com/GdgnqNCnez
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 20, 2022

The final match of the round saw Salford Red Devils go two from two after a convincing win against Toulouse. 2021 top try scorer Ken Sio crossed for four tries during a wet and windy Sunday Afternoon, including a length of the field intercept to conclude the scoring. Salford’s new overseas half-back, Brodie Croft, is quickly settling into life in Super League, too – Croft set up two tries and ran for 117 metres from just seven carries  - averaging a 17 metre gain - during an accomplished display at the AJ Bell Stadium.