StoreLocal Hospital Cup’s Round 8 team of the week; Key players so far
Revealed: The Hospital Cup Rd 8 Team of the Week, plus all nine club’s best player so far this season. Read your first grade club rugby scoop here.
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The East Tigers enter round 9 of the StoreLocal Hospital Cup season the last unbeaten team as the competition begins to take shape after a closely contested opening two months.
The Tigers (34pts) lead Brothers (30pts), Wests (25pts), Bond University (20pts), Souths (19pts), GPS (18pts), Norths (13pts), University (12pts) and Sunnybank (10pts).
Inspirational lock Will Sankey and brilliant breakaway Alex Smit have led the Tigers charge and are recognised here as part of a Dynamic Dozen who have been key for each first grade outfit.
Read on to see that, plus the round 8 team of the week after Brothers beat Uni 31-20, Easts escaped Sunnybank 38-36 winners, Bond Uni toppled GPS 31-24 at Yoku Road and Wests edged out Norths 45-19.
ROUND 8 TEAM OF THE WEEK
15. Mitch Treleavan (GPS)
14. Ollie Harvey (Brothers)
13. David Fusitu’a (Brothers)
12. Ryan Heaton (Norths)
11. Glen Vaihu (Wests)
10. Lachie Kirk (Easts)
9. Louis Werchon (Wests)
8. Taine Roiri (Sunnybank)
7. Nick Baker (GPS)
6. Kobe Walters (Bond Uni)
5. Taine Tata (Sunnybank)
4. Hamish Muller (Brothers)
3. George Tuineau (Brothers)
2. Max Craig (Easts)
1. Rhys Sheriff (Bond Uni)
TREMENDOUS 12 OF THE SEASON SO FAR
Oliver Harvey (Brothers)
Harvey has got off to a flying start in 2025 after a splendid second grade season last year.
The Brothers winger played every game before winning the 2024 Reserve Grade Player of the Year award.
Not once did he start in the Hospital Cup team.
In 2025, he has hit his straps and is thriving after a positional change from No. 8 to the wing.
He has been Mr Reliable for Brothers and Dangerous with a capital D.
Junior Laloifi and Taine Roiri (Sunnybank)
The Dragons duo have been massive in a rocky start plagued by injuries to key men Eli Fakailoatonga, Jacob Roiri, Liam McNamara and Pita Halaifonua.
The team captains and key members of the club’s leadership group, fullback Laloifi (VC) and lock Roiri (C) have galvanised the team to stick tough, stay motivated and hungry despite losing results.
On the field, their deeds speak for itself.
Leo and Harry Langbridge (Norths)
The Langbridge brothers have been at their best for the Eagles.
Flanker Leo has been so good that each week he could be picked for man of the match honours. He is that busy.
In the backline, his brother Harry is a crucial, game-driver with the keys to unlocking the best from the Norths back division.
“When he (Harry) doesn’t play, it is noticeable,” said coach Dan Ritchie, referencing his tangible impact.
Dion Samuela (Bond Uni)
Are we looking at Bond’s most influential back?
Just last Saturday Samuela had his first run at flyhalf, ever, and did a cracking job in a win against GPS.
An x-factor player for Bond, Samuela’s elite footwork, effective kicking game and catch-pass skills are working wonders for the Coast side.
Samuela has been one of the top finds of the season at The Canal after he tore up in second grade trial matches to earn a first grade call up.
The fullback or flyhalf was a whisker off making the team of the week and has not looked back after coming out of the woodwork to be a big time player for the Bull Sharks.
Will Sankey and Alex Smit (Easts)
Lock Sankey and flanker Smit have been simply sensational through eight rounds.
The towering Sankey has been thriving after a formidable pre-season and alongside him, breakaway Smit has given opposition players headaches with his work rate.
Smit gives the impression he could play for 120 minutes straight.
Leopino Maupese (Wests)
Wests have recovered from a start not up to their usual high standards to be sitting pretty in third with a 4-4 record.
Through it all, Kiwi terror Leopino Maupese, the Wests hooker and captain, has been incredible with regular 80 minute performances and great leadership.
A glue guy for the Wests pack, Maupese has impressed coach Elwee Prinsloo with his captaincy in what is his first season at The Kennel.
“How he’s keeping these boys together … He’s one of the best captains I’ve coached,” Prinsloo praised.
“He has a softer approach and is very in tune with people and how they feel.”
Kohan Herbert (Souths)
Herbert has been up to his usual tricks for Souths, but the openside flanker has also grown considerably in his role as a leader and captain.
A regular standout due to his immense work rate and skill, Herbert prepares like a professional and plays like one.
His fantastic flyhalf Lachlan Stewart has been all right too.
Nick Baker (GPS)
Baker has brought his best, and a little more, to his boyhood club at Yoku Road.
A revered player by opposition coaches and players, flanker Baker would have to be GPS’ mid-season MVP given his consistency, lineout work and defensive presence.
Baker having a bad game is about as rare is finding a four leaf clover — it just doesn’t happen.
Ethan McFarland (University)
Red Heavies outside centre Ethan McFarland has long been an exciting player at the club and he has taken his game to new heights in 2025.
An elite Colts 1 player earlier this decade, McFarland has come into his own and given opposing midfields hell with his mix of speed, power and ball skills.
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