Monday, 29 March 2021

Late Mail: Super League Round One

 Super League is back and with a bang! An exciting first round of action saw six games, all live on Sky Sports. Here's my round-up of the weekend's action...

The year started with reigning champions St Helens defeating Salford, now under the guidance of Richard Marshall, relatively comfortably. The Saints' opponents in last year's Grand Final, Wigan, were given a huge scare by newly-promoted Leigh Centurions, who raced into an 18-0 lead. However, the Warriors, without Bevan French, Jackson Hastings, Oliver Gildart and Dominic Manfredi, rallied to win the game after a strong comeback. Wakefield and Leeds played out an exciting encounter which the Rhinos eventually came out on top in, before the game of the round between Catalans and Hull KR. Steve McNamara's team raced ahead but a hat-trick from Ryan Hall on his return to Super League helped send the game to golden point, which the Dragons won thanks to a drop-goal from James Maloney. The Brett Hodgson era at Hull FC got off to a good start as they comfortably defeated Huddersfield with an impressive performance, before Castleford produced a very solid display to get a deserved win over a disappointing Warrington side.

Round One Results

St Helens 29-6 Salford Red Devils
Leigh Centurions 18-20 Wigan Warriors
Wakefield Trinity 22-28 Leeds Rhinos
Catalans Dragons 29-28 Hull KR
Hull FC 22-10 Huddersfield Giants
Castleford Tigers 21-12 Warrington Wolves


Top Five Players of the Round

5) Ryan Hall
Arguably Super League's greatest ever winger, Hall returned to the competition after two years in the NRL with a bang, scoring a superb hat-trick as Hull KR ran Catalans oh-so-close.

4) Josh Reynolds
FC were always going to struggle to replace the mercurial Albert Kelly but in the signing of Reynolds it looks like they have done so. He ran the show from the halves and got a try as the Brett Hodgson era kicked off in style.

3) Paul McShane
Last year's Man of Steel has started 2021 in supreme fashion with a wonderful individual performance as Castleford defeated Warrington. He moved from 9 to 7 early on in the game and did the job of a half-back admirably, dominating proceedings in both attack and defence.

2) Tom Johnstone
Two sensational tries for this brilliant winger, who opened his account for 2021 with a pair of long rangers. What a marvellous player to watch. How many other wingers in the competition could have scored those tries?

1) Zak Hardaker
Sometimes when your team is struggling, you need someone to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and drag you back into it. That's exactly what Hardaker did, back at full-back, getting Wigan back in the game and helping them to victory.


Top Five Tries of the Round

5) Jake Connor
A lovely show-and-go from the full-back who is clearly learning the attacking side of the game from new coach Brett Hodgson. Makes this look easy.

 4) Daryl Clark

Jason Clark makes a superb break through the middle after a Gareth Widdop pass and shows the awareness of a half-back to find his namesake on his shoulder, who beats a few men and finishes in a rare bright Wire moment from Sunday.

3) Ben Hellewell
A great team try from Leigh Centurions. A clever offload finds hooker Liam Hood, who had a quality game. Hood makes a line break and then cleverly and accurately kicks ahead for second rower Ben Hellewell to chase and ground the ball.

2) Tommy Makinson
We're used to acrobatic tries from Makinson but this one is a bit different. The winger receives the cross-field kick from Theo Fages, re-catches the ball after an initial fumble, and then manages to ground the ball while in the act of almost sitting down. Incredible athlete.

1) Tom Johnstone (1st try)
Nearly a full-lengther. Collects the pass out wide, initially beats his opposite number and then unleashes his pace, before effectively dummying to give himself a free run to the line. One of the top two wingers in the league right now.




Team of the Round

Full-Back: Zak Hardaker
Hardaker played at centre all of 2020 to accommodate Bevan French at full-back. But on Friday, Hardaker reminded everyone what a top quality full-back he is. Wigan have got a big decision to make now because he's wasted at centre.

Winger: Tom Johnstone
A brace of incredible tries from Johnstone, who kicked his 2021 off with two long-rangers. A breathtaking winger who didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

Centre: Jack Broadbent
Leeds were missing pretty much all of their first-choice back rowers but youngster Jack Broadbent stepped in and was one of the most impressive players on the pitch. Looks like they've found another gem.

Centre: Matthieu Laguerre
On the same theme, young debutant Matthieu Laguerre was terrific for Catalans in their narrow win over Hull KR. He was confident in possession, solid in attack and bagged a debut try too.

Winger: Ryan Hall
A hat-trick for the returning Hall. His finishing ability is clearly still there and this could be what helps keep Hull KR up this season.

Stand-Off: Jake Trueman
Castleford's star half-back kicked Warrington to death on Sunday. They couldn't deal with his short kicking game and he once again showed everyone why he is so highly-rated.

Scrum-Half: Josh Reynolds
A real addition of star quality for Hull FC. This is a half-back who has played in State of Origin and that experience and knowhow showed as he made the game his own at the weekend.

Prop: Alex Walmsley
The best prop in the competition. Unbelievable metres every single week and a try to boot this round as well.

Hooker: Paul McShane
The best player on the pitch in Castleford's win over Warrington. Ran the show from the halves after moving there from hooker, showing his versatility.

Prop: Grant Millington
Cas dominated in the forward pack on Sunday as they punched holes in Wire's defence. Made metres galore and led their pack.

Second Row: John Bateman
His first game in Super League for two years after his time in the NRL and he had a good one. Yes, there were a few mistakes but he had a hand in Wigan's positive play and got up from a massive hit.

Second Row: Joel Thompson
A very impressive Super League debut from Saints' new back rower. Linked up with his team-mates well and showed his NRL quality.

Loose Forward: Jordan Lane
A player who is really starting to impress. Operates well in the 13 role for Hull FC and is becoming a very promising young talent.


Next Time Out...

Round Two is opened up with Wigan against Wakefield, as the Warriors look to make it two out of two. St Helens will hope for similar fortunes when they play Hull KR at their home ground. Good Friday kicks off with Warrington against Leigh before Leeds against Castleford - both winners in Round One. Easter Saturday sees Salford take on Hull FC and Huddersfield clash with Catalans.


@ALooseWire

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