THE QUESTION should not be, ‘Are you entertained?’ more like, ‘Have you thawed out yet?’
To say the weather had an impact on Super League is an understatement and after Castleford’s game against Wigan was called off, they now have to fit in two matches.
But there was still some action as Leeds hammered out a message to the rest of Super League by ending St Helens’ perfect start.
Salford shrugged off the sale of Gareth O’Brien and many forecasts of impending doom to defeat Hull, while Hull KR were excellent in their win at Huddersfield.
The less said about Catalans’ showing as they lost 26-0 at home to Warrington, the better while here’s hoping Alex Walmsley makes a full recovery from the broken bone in his neck and gets back playing towards the level he was at.
So what did SunSport spot during the last seven days, when sometimes it was hard to see anything?
HULL K A-HA!
WELCOME Hull Kingston Rovers to Super League, because at Huddersfield Tim Sheens’ men looked every inch a top flight side, both in defence and attack. It took a few weeks but they appear to have finally found their feet and capable of troubling every side in the top flight. And Robbie Mulhern’s run for James Greenwood’s try currently stands at 46 miles while shrugging off 184 players, doesn’t it?
GIANT PROBLEMS?
WHILE Rovers were superb, Huddersfield were awful. No dressing it up, no sugar coating it, Rick Stone’s men looked like relegation candidates as they were crushed 38-6. Coach Stone admits he is waiting to hear if he will be offered a new contract for next season as his rebuilding job is nowhere near over. There is still plenty to sort out, both on and off the field and some of them are beyond the coach’s remit.
CHARN OFFENSIVE
IT WILL be strange to see Josh Charnley in the primrose and blue of Warrington after he returned from Sale Sharks RU, but his signing is just what they needed. For all the spending power of Steve Price’s side, there were gaping holes that opponents were picking off, both in ability and character. Charnley has both and he will be looking to prove a point after scoring just four tries during 17 months in the 15-a-side code. Perfect!
LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT, ER, GO AWAY
IF ANYTHING the most impressive performances at the weekend were not from the players but from the ground staff to get four games played as the snow struck. Wakefield worked wonders, frankly, to even get 26 minutes of their game against Widnes played before common sense prevailed and it was abandoned for the first time at the ground since 1991. Players and fans deserve every bit of praise for braving the elements, as do the in-goal judges who must have wondered what they had done to deserve that.
DEVIL OF A JOB
LISTEN to some Salford supporters and you would be forgiven for wondering why they bother. The sale of Gareth O’Brien, for a fee believed to be in the region of £160,000, left some contemplating life in the Championship or even not having a club at all. However, Ian Watson and his players have much more than they are given credit for and the 24-8 win over Hull ended another turbulent week on a high. Top eight? Maybe. Spirit and character? Definitely.
LEED-ING THE WAY
IT IS official, Leeds Rhinos are annoying. Annoying for how they seemingly always produce in the big games. The trip to St Helens was the biggest test for Brian McDermott’s men, with a number of players out injured, but they came through and won 28-20. Throw in the showings of youngsters Cameron Smith (who must be tired of the comments about his name) and Mikolaj Oledzki and there was even more reasons to be cheerful if you are of a blue and amber persuasion. Annoying, isn’t it? How dare they have the mentality and produce young talent that can thrive in the big games!
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