Round 4 Team of the Week

Attack ran riot in Round 4 as only St Helens and Wigan Warriors maintained their unbeaten starts to the new season. Last year’s League Leaders Catalans Dragons ended Warrington Wolves 100 percent record whilst Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers earned their first wins of the new campaign.

Ash Handley inspired the Rhinos to victory on Thursday Night – the winger crossed for a hat-trick during an impressive display at Wakefield. Handley clocked over 200 running metres and was a constant threat going forward during Leeds’ first win in 2022. Young back rower Morgan Gannon again showed his endless potential with a try scoring performance on the Rhinos edge.  

Ash Handley in fine form last night 🔥#SuperLeague #SLWakLee pic.twitter.com/uzP1ZmG4DZ
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 4, 2022

Champions St Helens continued their dominant start to the new season with a commanding win away at Hull KR. Exciting youngster Lewis Dodd is getting better every week in the scrum half role – he crossed for two impressive tries, as well as controlling the game with his kicking game, finishing with 285 kick metres and 6 attacking kicks.

Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel leader Sione Mata’utia showed no signs of slowing down in Round 4 either – he crossed for two tries and set up another – demonstrating his immense talent in attack as well as defence.

Catalans Dragons showed tremendous resolve to win away at Warrington Wolves despite missing several high-profile players. Mike McMeeken stepped up to the mark again, filling in at prop and working tirelessly down the middle. His 69-minute stint was nothing short of heroic and he was a deserved Player of the Match following his 148 run metres from 17 carries.

Mike McMeeken, quality in the middle again tonight 💪

The @Betfred Player of the Match 🏅#SuperLeague #SLWarCat pic.twitter.com/4xtZNhzOmm
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 4, 2022

Absences in the Dragons squad meant more of their exciting French talent had a chance to shine – and Arthur Romano did just that. The hard-working centre missed the entirety of the 2021 season through injury but showed his immense potential against the Wolves on Friday, scoring a well-earned try after his tireless work on the edge.

Toulouse Olympique went agonisingly close to their first win in Betfred Super League, coming up just short against Wigan. Tony Gigot was at his mercurial best in defeat, setting up three tries and crossing for one himself. Zak Hardaker stepped up for the Warriors with both ball in hand and at his feet – he crossed for a crucial try and had ice in his veins to kick 4 important goals on the way to victory.

Just short of their first #SuperLeague win

But what an effort from Toulouse 💪 pic.twitter.com/FPWLjtMwNa
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 5, 2022

Elsewhere, Tui Lolohea was once again imperative to Huddersfield’s success – the half-back turned full-back set up another two tries in Round 4 – taking his season total to 9 – as well as making 11 tackle busts, 1 clean break and 139 metres from 20 carries. Fellow new recruit and seasoned front rower Chris Hill was just as valuable down the middle – Hill ran for 146 metres from 18 carries and crossed for his first try in Giants colours.

The final game of Round 4 saw Lee Radford down his former side at the Jungle. Greg Eden made an eye-catching return to the Cas side with an impressive hat-trick – that along with 3 tackle busts, 3 clean breaks and over 150 metres capping off a standout performance from the winger.

Former Hull FC man Joe Westerman has been a consistent figure for the Tigers this year and was influential again on Sunday – Westerman made 32 tackles whilst running for 154 metres. George Lawler – playing out of position at hooker – was great value for Cas as well. Lawler was reliable from dummy half and a rock in defence, making 35 tackles in the middle.