NSW Team of the Week Rd 3: Turbo shines

NSWRL

The NSW Team of the Week is back! Each week of the NRL season, 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.

1. Tom Trbojevic (c)

Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. NSW Origin appearances: 5. TOTW selections: 2.

Sea Eagles custodian Tom Trbojevic wasted no time to regain his best form as the NRL made its long-awaited restart on the weekend, producing two tries, three try-assists, two line-breaks, two line-break assists and 200 run metres.

2. Daniel Tupou

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 4. TOTW selections: 1.

Daniel Tupou was consistent as ever on the Roosters’ left-hand side against South Sydney, leaping over Dane Gagai for the opening try of the match in a performance that also featured two line-break assists, four tackle-breaks and a 209 run metres including 71 post-contact.

3. Michael Jennings

Club: Parramatta Eels. NSW Origin appearances: 18. TOTW selections: 1.

The 32-year-old Jennings continues to prove himself as a major asset in the Eels’ back five, scoring a four-pointer that puts him two tries away from the 150-milestone, along with one try-assist, one line-break, one line-break assist, five tackle-breaks, two offloads and 136 run metres.

4. Bradman Best

Club: Newcastle Knights. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

The Knights’ young gun was a late inclusion for the Novocastrians in Round 3, but his two try effort would inspire Newcastle’s 14-point comeback. Best also recorded one line-break, three tackle-breaks, 186 run metres and 16 tackles.

5. Josh Mansour

Club: Penrith Panthers. NSW Origin appearances: 3. TOTW selections: 2.

Josh Mansour had a superb performance for Penrith in a rare 14-all draw against Newcastle Knights, amassing 314 run metres including 109 post-contact with one line-break, one line-break assist, three tackle-breaks and three offloads.

6. Luke Keary

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

Luke Keary helped steer the Roosters to their first win of 2020 as his partnership with new recruit Kyle Flanagan continued to improve. Keary came up with two try-assists, one line-break, one line-break assist, one forced dropout, 74 run metres and 19 tackles.

7. Luke Brooks

Club: Wests Tigers. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

The experienced halfback was again heavily involved as Wests Tigers recorded a 12-point win over the Sharks. Brooks produced one try-assist, one line-break assist, five tackle-breaks, 317 kick metres, two forced dropouts, 81 run metres, and 23 tackles.

8. David Klemmer

Club: Newcastle Knights. NSW Origin appearances: 14. TOTW selections: 2.

David Klemmer was the pick of the front-rowers in the Round 3 Team of the Week after a huge effort in Newcastle’s epic 90-minute encounter with Penrith, running for 252 metres including 93 post-contact and making two tackle-breaks, three offloads and 41 tackles.

9. Cameron McInnes

Club: St George Illawarra Dragons. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

The St George Illawarra captain was the shining light among a disappointing Dragons outfit in his return from injury, tallying a superhuman 75 tackles in 80 minutes with zero missed, as well as 69 run metres.

10. Daniel Saifiti

Club: Newcastle Knights. NSW Origin appearances: 2. TOTW selections: 2.

Daniel Saifiti was the other half of Newcastle’s representative prop duo who performed out of their skin in Sunday’s golden point thriller at Campbelltown Stadium. The 2019 Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues debutant played 70 minutes, running for 251 metres including 106 post-contact and making 46 tackles.

11. Shaun Lane

Club: Parramatta Eels. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

Shaun Lane was a significant attacking threat in the Eels’ second-row when he faced the in-form Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night. The No.11 recorded 206 run metres including 81 post-contact, one line-break, one line-break assist, five tackle-breaks, two offloads and 21 tackles, and he was rewarded for his efforts with a try in the 66th minute.

12. Cameron Murray

Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs. NSW Origin appearances: 3. TOTW selections: 1.

The newly re-signed Cameron Murray kept South Sydney in the contest against the Roosters with a much needed try before halftime. Murray’s strong display on Friday night also included one try-assist, one line-break, one line-break assist, three tackle-breaks, 123 run metres and 39 tackles.

13. Victor Radley

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.

Victor Radley earned the three Dally M votes after a standout game for the tricolours in Friday’s clash with the Rabbitohs. Radley ran for 119 metres with one line-break assist and made 47 tackles, the bulk of which stung the opposition.

14. James Tedesco

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 10. TOTW selections: 1.

The Australian fullback was back to his brilliant best in the local derby on Friday night, beating Cameron Murray on his way to a game-breaking try and clocking up 314 run metres including 79 post-contact and 113 from kick returns, two line-breaks and 14 tackle-breaks.

15. Isaah Yeo

Club: Penrith Panthers. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.

Isaah Yeo put in a huge effort to play the full 90 minutes in the middle of the field as Penrith shared the competition points with Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. Yeo made 62 tackles and a total of 225 run metres including 81 post-contact with two tackle-breaks.

16. Junior Paulo

Club: Parramatta Eels. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.

Junior Paulo caused plenty of damage in a dominant Parramatta forward pack who outmuscled the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. The Eels’ prop tallied one try-assist, one line-break assist, two tackle-breaks and four offloads while making 170 run metres including 64 post-contact, and 19 tackles.

17. Payne Haas

Club: Brisbane Broncos. NSW Origin appearances: 1. TOTW selections: 3.

The ultra-consistent Payne Haas completes the Round 3 Team of the Week with yet another 80-minute outing despite Brisbane’s first defeat of the season. The reigning Dally M Prop of the Year ran for 196 metres including 97 post-contact with four tackle-breaks and three offloads, and made 49 tackles.