LeagueUnlimited Team of the Week - Round 1 2015

The LeagueUnlimited Team of the Week is back again in 2015. Chosen by our Live Updaters, this team puts together the best performances of the Round, and builds a team worthy of taking on any in the NRL.

The new rule changes around the ruck have already had an effect on the speed of the game. Small men are coming into their own, as the bigger forwards get tired, and we're all the richer for it. Round 1 saw plenty of dummy half running and darts from halfbacks, as expected, and this has been reflected in the Player of the Year rankings. Four hookers and four halfbacks feature in the Man of the Match points in Round 1, mostly on the back of their running games, moreso than their playmaking, as is usually the case.

Fullback: Brett Morris (Bulldogs)
In his first game for his new club, Brett Morris was nothing short of outstanding. He almost single handedly kept his team in the contest at times, scoring a try, threatening the defence, and making over 150 metres from the back.

Wing: Pat Richards (Tigers)
Usually, Wingers get their accolades thanks to their blistering pace, agility on the end of sweeping backline movements, and just because they score the most points. Yes, Pat Richards can do most of those things, but this week he's getting rewarded for a different reason. Richards stood steady even when the rest of the Tigers seemed shaky - while his teammates made errors and missed tackles, Richards' game was professional in every aspect. Richards then maintained his composure to snap a field goal for his side with only 2 seconds left in the game.

Centre: Dane Gagai (Knights)
What a position for Rick Stone to be in - absolutely spoilt for choice! In a star-studded backline boasting current and past International and Origin representatives, Dane Gagai still managed to shine. Gagai showed his footwork and strength on the way to a double, but was equally as impressive on the other side of the coin, muscling up in defence in a manner we did not expect from him.

Centre: Michael Jennings (Roosters)
Michael Jennings was a handful for the Cowboys all night. Running off his halves, Jennings set up tries, scored his own, and looked dangerous every time he had the ball. Supported ably by Blake Ferguson, also handled a lot of traffic from the Cowboys outside men and came up trumps.

Wing: Semi Radradra (Eels)
What is there to say that hasn't already been said? This bloke is a one-man nightmare for opposition defences. Size, speed, skill - he's got it all. There'll be some sleepless from opposition wingers ahead of games against the Eels this season, let me assure you.

Five-Eight: Jamie Soward (Panthers)
Showing coolness and levelheadedness previously unknown to him, Jamie Soward steered his side around the park, holding them together and controlling the game. His kicking game was brilliant, and he had a hand in two of the Panthers' tries.

Halfback: Mitch Pearce (Roosters)
Is Mitch Pearce finally coming of age? We've always known Pearce had talent - you don't play for your state unless you do. What we didn't know, though, was that he could control the tempo of a game and command a team as he did against the Cowboys. The hapless boys from North Queensland had no answers.

Lock: Nate Myles (Titans)
Yes, it was an offseason the Titans would like to forget, but in a time of uncertainty and instability, and in an understrength team, Nate Myles provided some reliability. Racking up over 50 tackles, and running for over 100 metres, Myles almost pulled off a victory for his team.

Second Row: Boyd Cordner (Roosters)
The Roosters' halves and outside backs would have had a much tougher time of things, were it not for men like Boyd Cordner. Cordner ran for almost 150 metres off 12 hitups, and also picked up two tries.

Second Row: Glenn Stewart (Rabbitohs)
I almost typed Sea Eagles next to Glenn Stewart's name above, such is the level to which he was ingrained in the club. Stewart took to his new club as if he'd been there all along though, providing an extra dimension to the Rabbitohs attack.

Prop: Iosia Soliola (Raiders)
You know what you will get from Sia Soliola - it doesnt change much. This week, 120 metres, 15 hitups and 40 tackles. What more could you ask from the man.

Hooker: James Segeyaro (Panthers)
As we expected, dummy half running was on display this week, with James Segeyaro a key man in the display. Segeyaro ran for over 130 metres, and was a headache for tiring defences around the ruck. He also picked up a try.

Prop: Jesse Bromwich (Storm)
In his 60 minutes of gametime, Jesse Bromwich strung together 140 metres, 38 tackles, and a pile of hitups.

Interchange: Isaac Luke, Adam Reynolds, Chris Sandow, Paul Gallen

Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs
3 points - Adam Reynolds (Halfback)
2 points - Issac Luke (Hooker)
1 points - Glenn Stewart (Second Row)

Parramatta Eels v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
3 points - Chris Sandow (Halfback)
2 points - Semi Radradra (Wing)
1 points - William Hopoate (Fullback)

Newcastle Knights v Warriors
3 points - Dane Gagai (Centre)
2 points - Jarrod Mullen (Five Eighth)
1 points - Tyler Randell (Interchange)

Gold Coast Titans v Wests Tigers
3 points - Pat Richards (Wing)
2 points - Nate Myles (Lock)
1 points - Robbie Farah (Hooker)

North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters
3 points - Mitchell Pearce (Halfback)
2 points - Boyd Cordner (Second Row)
1 points - Michael Jennings (Centre)

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
3 points - Jamie Soward (Five Eighth)
2 points - James Segeyaro (Hooker)
1 points - Brett Morris (Fullback)

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Canberra Raiders
3 points - Iosia Soliola (Prop)
2 points - Jack Wighton (Fullback)
1 points - Paul Gallen (Lock)

St. George Illawarra Dragons v Melbourne Storm
3 points - Jesse Bromwich (Prop)
2 points - Cameron Smith (Hooker)
1 points - Benji Marshall (Halfback)

The Story so Far...

3 points - Mitchell Pearce, Jamie Soward, Iosia Soliola, Jesse Bromwich, Dane Gagai, Pat Richards, Chris Sandow, Adam Reynolds

2 points - Jack Wighton, James Segeyaro, Cameron Smith, Issac Luke, Boyd Cordner, Semi Radradra, Nate Myles, Jarrod Mullen

1 points - Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah, Glenn Stewart, Paul Gallen, Brett Morris, Michael Jennings, William Hopoate, Tyler Randell,