AND SO another week brings another load of talking points in the world of rugby league, a place where talking points are definitely not under threat.
Mid-season transfers, with Salford’s Gareth O’Brien heading to Toronto and Hull’s Liam Watts Castleford-bound, are now starting.
Then there are the developments off the field, with Everton’s Robert Elstone believed to have agreed to become Super League’s next chief executive.
All we need to know now are what will the top flight look like, when will any changes kick in and where will we be able to watch it?
For the moment, though, things are starting to warm up on the field on both sides of the globe.
Here, SunSport takes you through six of the things that caught our glare over the past seven days.
MIND THE GAP
SO the NRL is back and immediately one of the biggest differences between that and Super League was highlighted. The intensity levels in the opening fixtures of both were noticeably higher Down Under. Five of the eight games were decided by six points or fewer, meaning almost as many players as the whole of Super League had to cope with increased tension, increased pressure and increased consequences for errors right from the off – that difference counts in internationals.
LOAD OF BALLS, 1
SO NOW it appears the practice of throwing the ball into opponents and claiming a penalty is coming back. Wakefield’s Tyler Randell was guilty of launching it into an incredulous Sean O’Loughlin during their game at Wigan and he was awarded a penalty. Michael McIlorum of Catalans did similar against Hull KR. Cut it out, now. Maybe refs giving penalties against the ball thrower is a way of stopping it.
LOAD OF BALLS, 2
ONE of the first things you are told when you start playing rugby league as a kid is, ‘Never let the ball bounce.’ So why did Warrington do it against St Helens five times? Tyrone Roberts was the biggest culprit for inexplicably allowing the second half kick-off to ricochet off him and into opposition hands, from which they scored. Wolves boss Steve Price said after the game, ‘We don’t train for that.’ There is a common response to that involving the most famous fictional detective in history…
OH, DANNY BOY
YES, Warrington were the architects of their own downfall but it was brilliant to see St Helens’ Danny Richardson doing what he does best. His scamp through the defensive line was good enough but then to show the presence of mind to put in a perfect kick for Mark Percival to touch down showed he can switch quickly, which is what is needed at the highest level. Richardson made the England Knights squad but if he keeps this up, a place in the main squad may await.
CENTRES OF ATTENTION
TWO games, two wins, two English centres at the heart of their sides’ victories. A few years ago one of the main whinges was a dearth of top quality English backs in the game. Well, the performances of Kallum Watkins and Mark Percival certainly showed there are two capable of producing the goods. Five tries and three assists between them for Leeds and St Helens against Hull and Warrington respectively should give great comfort to England bosses. This week, they go head to head!
SISTERS ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES
ONE PERSON at Wigan v Wakefield broke through, and we are not talking about any of the players. Instead, it was in-goal judge Tara Jones who became Super League’s first ever female official. What a shame then that no-one knew before the game and some may not have noticed during it. Tara will line up for St Helens ladies this season as the Women’s Super League launches. Hopefully, she will be seen officiating at more men’s matches too.
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