ANOTHER week is over and there is no shortage of things to talk about.
Massive crowds off the field, huge swings on it and perhaps the less said about the NRL and the Denver Test, the better.
But has the latest round of Super League action pointed the way things should go in the future, both in terms of the way games are billed and the way some players approach them?
There has also been the first coaching casualty of the season, with the odds on one or two others’ futures shortening by the day.
But what six things did SunSport spot over a weekend that not only saw the top flight seemingly settle down but, whisper it, the weather started to perk up?
Here we discuss what we saw before the Easter double-header, which should provide all number of discussion points.
LEARNING CURVE FROM BEING BAD?
FOR 25 minutes, Castleford were sensational as they racked up a 24-0 lead over Leeds, showing the form they could only have dreamed of at Old Trafford last October. But it is a fair bet that coach Daryl Powell would have learned a lot more from the next 55 minutes, as the Rhinos roared back and had Kallum Watkins slotted over his touchline conversion, the Rhinos would have won. Not least Luke Gale’s drop goal in the 40th minute, which proved the clincher.
ON THE MOVE
LEEDS made a bit of history by notching their record Super League crowd of 23,246 for the game against Castleford at Elland Road on Friday, but have they also showed other Super League clubs the way? That match felt like a genuine big occasion and the competition should have more, so more clubs should move more matches to bigger stadia. Here’s a few suggestions: Leeds – Elland Road, Castleford – Barnsley, Wakefield – Bramall Lane, Warrington – Bolton, Salford – Etihad, St Helens – Anfield, Widnes – Goodison Park and Catalans – Barcelona?
RIVALRY RISING
IT IS a sign of how much the rivalry between Leeds and Castleford has grown that many Tigers fans will pause for a second when asked if the most-hated team is Wakefield or the Rhinos? Friday’s event felt like a big game and lived up to the billing, especially after Castleford blitzed their way to a 24-0 lead. Is Leeds v Castleford now third in the list of rugby league rivalries after Wigan v St Helens and Hull v Hull KR? The way things are going around that fixture, it soon will be if it is not already.
STONE THE CROWS
SO RICK Stone is the first Super League coach to lose his job after being sacked by Huddersfield, but will a change of man in charge of the team solve the problems? The Australian always had the look of a man who had been told one thing, only to find far more needed fixing after walking in to the place. Huddersfield’s spending power cannot be denied but is Ken Davy’s money being spent in the right way? There seems to be far more issues to sort than just an underperforming team.
OLPH THE MONEY
SALFORD had no-one to blame but themselves for the loss at Widnes after penalties and errors gave the Vikings position to pounce. Biggest culprit was debutant winger Derrell Olpherts, who needlessly stepped across an onrushing player as full-back Niall Evalds looked solid under the high ball. Penalty conceded, Widnes scored and the game turned. Red faces off the field after a rude number plate was read out over the tannoy system, there should be red faces on it for that crucial error, that was as needless as it was blatant.
DOUBLE TROUBLE, OR BUBBLE
AND SO Super League enters its traditional Easter slog of two matches in three days. Derbies galore on Friday, with the sold out signs already out at St Helens for the game with Wigan and you can be sure they are being dusted down at Hull KR ahead of the visit of nearest and not-so-dearest Hull FC. This period, and the game after it, can often make or break sides’ hopes of making the top eight and there will be plenty of sides desperate to stay in touch. Catalans’ games at Salford and against Huddersfield look particularly large.
Leave a comment