Super League Dream Team announced with surprise picks and shock omissions

Wigan Warriors lead the way with four inclusions in competition's team of the year awards but there's some big names missing out as ELEVEN debutants named

Paul Sculthorpe hailed Betfred Super League’s “outstanding” quality after a Dream Team featuring ELEVEN new names were announced.

Wigan’s classy centre Jake Wardle is the solitary player to retain his spot from last season. Warriors and England team-mate Luke Thompson is the only other to have been selected before - and that was with St Helens in 2019. League Leaders’ Wigan have the most inclusions with four, Super League’s top tryscorer Liam Marshall and young gun second-row Junior Nsemba both debutants.

Warrington full-back Matt Dufty is the only Aussie in the mythical 13 and he’s joined by Wolves team-mates Danny Walker and Matty Ashton. Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis has pipped reigning Man of Steel Bevan French to the stand-off slot while Salford’s Marc Sneyd has beaten off the likes of England captain George Williams and Leigh’s Lachlan Lam to the No7 shirt. Two-time Man of Steel Sculthorpe, the former Great Britain captain who will be inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame next month, will present the players with their shirts on Monday.

He said: “I’ll be honoured to present the players with their Dream Team jerseys. It’s a reflection of outstanding form all through the Super League season, and it’s great to see that recognised. We’re lucky to be able to watch these guys week in week out, and now going into the play-offs.”

Hull KR loose forward Elliot Minchella is in after leading title-chasing Rovers to their highest-ever Super League finish of second while St Helens prop Matty Lees and Salford centre Nene Macdonald are also recognised. Leeds’ goalkicking second-row Rhyse Martin is the only player not involved in the play-offs to earn selection for the Dream Team.

But Leigh, who visit Salford in a mouthwatering play-offs eliminator on Friday, have missed out on any picks.

Betfred Super League Dream Team 2024:1. Dufty (Warrington) 2. Ashton (Warrington) 3. Macdonald (Salford) 4. Wardle (Wigan) 5. Marshall (Wigan) 6. Lewis (Hull KR) 7. Sneyd (Salford) 8. Lees (St Helens) 9. Walker (Warrington) 10. Thompson (Wigan) 11. Martin (Leeds) 12. Nsemba (Wigan) 13. Minchella (Hull KR)