Southern Districts dominate the team of the week, following the Rebels’ big win over Hunter in Newcastle on Saturday evening.

There are also a handful of repeat offenders popping up every few weeks.

It’s not because we’re lazy, but because these players have been as consistent as they’ve been quality in the opening eight rounds.

Check out the round 8 team of the week below:

1) Ivan Fepuleai – Manly

Big Manly prop Ivan Fepuleai was impressive at set piece time against the big, strong Two Blues pack, and took his opportunities against a tiring defence twice to score two important tries for the Marlins. 

2) Thomas Maka – Gordon

Another week, another hat-trick for Thomas Maka. He’s now scored seven tries in two weeks and is tied with Andrew Tuala as the competition’s top try scorer. Maka looks to have learnt a lot from Mahe Vailanu, which can only be a good thing for Gordon and the Waratahs in the years ahead. 

3) Alex Pappalardo – Eastwood

A big 75-minute stint against two of the best props in the competition in Martin Mulhall and Sateki Latu. Pappalardo held his own at scrum time and did a mountain of work around the park. 

4) Phil Potgeiter – Southern Districts

The Rebels skipper is the type of no-nonsense forward that every side needs and he finally got some reward for a really strong individual start to the season. It’ll be his job to help coach Jayson Brewer get the Rebels to repeat that performance in the weeks to come and find a bit more consistency this season. 

5) Cormac Daly – Randwick

It’s really hard not to pick Cormac Daly every week. The big Irish lock was outstanding again for the Galloping Greens. He makes a heap of tackles, works well around the park and provides plenty of power at scrum and maul time. 

6) Ben Houston – Randwick

We’ve shifted Houston from No.8 to No.6 to fit him in the side this week after another massive performance against the Pirates. Houston made 21 tackles and was a big reason why Randwick left with the points on Saturday. 

7) Archie Hosking – Southern Districts

Big English No.7 Archie Hosking played his best game in the Shute Shield in the Rebels upset over Hunter. Hosking showed good strength to score twice from close to the line and get his side home in Newcastle. 

8) Angus Allen – Southern Districts

One of the most underrated players in the competition, Angus Allen made metres and beat defenders every time he touched the ball against the impressive Hunter forward pack. 

9) Harrison Goddard – Gordon

Goddard hasn’t quite been able to crack it at Super Rugby level but Saturday provided more proof that he has the ability to do so. Goddard reads the game so well and knows exactly when to snipe from the back of the ruck. He scored three tries from doing just that against Uni. 

10) Coby Miln – Randwick

Miln is on the list for most improved players in 2023 and should now be talked about as one of the best playmakers in the competition, based on his performance on Saturday. He sparked a brilliant try from inside his half that turned the match against West Harbour in Randwick’s favour. 

11) Nathan Russell – Northern Suburbs

Nathan Russell had too much pace and class for the Easts defenders on Saturday and made a mountain of metres every time he touched the ball. 

12) Harry Burey – Northern Suburbs

While Jude Gibbs has rightfully earned a lot of praise for his form so far this year, skipper Harry Burey has been equally as impressive and takes a lot of pressure off the young playmaker inside of him. A big stint in a tough, tight match. 

13) Jackson Ropata – Southern Districts

In his last game before heading off against the Junior Wallabies, Ropata made metres out wide all evening in Newcastle against a very talented Hunter backline. 

14) Yool Yool – Manly

Yool has hit a serious purple patch of form and scored another two tries against West Harbour, even if he was a mile offside for one of them. His effort levels, and some clever coaching, allow Yool to have a lot more touches than most other wingers in the competition. 

15) Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 

Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was brilliant in the Rebels big win over Hunter and made the classy Hunter backs look silly at times. He ran for 138 metres and beat 7 defenders and continues to be one of the best on the park, week after week.