SIX TALKING POINTS....... FROM SUPER LEAGUE ROUND 1

Sandow scores v. Leeds Rhinos.

1.

Warrington Wolves looked like a team who could be back challenging for honours again in 2016 after a lacklustre, by their recent standards, 2015 after a superb performance in their 12-10 win over Leeds Rhinos. I always thought that Chris Sandow would have a big impact on Super League and although he struggled at the end of last season after his early move from Parramatta, he looked to be in top form against the Rhinos and scored a superb solo try to open the scoring. Ben Currie was also outstanding for the Wolves whilst prop Jordan Cox showed why Hull KR should not have released him with an outstanding debut from the bench.

Danny Maguire injured v. Wolves.

2.

Meanwhile, the Wolves opponents and defending treble winners Leeds Rhinos will be fielding predictable calls that they won’t be the force that they were last season when they took out the Challenge Cup, League Leaders Shield and Grand Final. It would have been a struggle to be that same force anyway without losing the quality and experience of the players that they have. I have said before that I don’t think that the replacement players they have brought in are anywhere near the standard that they needed to fill the huge holes left and on Thursday night they looked a little bit slow and unimaginative at times. They weren’t helped by losing new Captain Danny Maguire to injury in the first half, he will be out for around 8 weeks, and his half back partner Liam Sutcliffe was also struggling as well. I thought Jordan Lilley, who played as back up hooker to Rob Burrow, was outstanding.

Danny Houghton - outstanding v. Salford.

3.

Hull FC started off the season as expected and easily defeated Salford Red Devils 42-20 in an attacking display that has got all of my Hull FC friends creaming in their pants and fully expecting that the Super League trophy be handed over immediately to take up residence at the KC Stadium. It would be fantastic for the sport if a new team away from the only 4 clubs that have won it since 1998 – Wigan, Bradford, St. Helens and Leeds – could win the Grand Final and whilst I expect Hull FC to have a much improved season (he says through gritted teeth) I’m not sure that they will be good enough to take out the Grand Final. Their squad is very strong and if they fail to make the top 6, MINIMUM, then I think they will need to look at their Coaching set up. This week’s round 2 game away at Catalans Dragons will be a good marker for their season to come.  
See highlights of the Hull Fc win here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvg4UIHAKB4

'The Coal Train' - Dave Taylor.

4.

Talking of the Dragons, I was really impressed with Dave Taylor on his debut against the Warriors on Friday night. He is a huge man with a big reputation who has never really fulfilled his potential in the NRL despite playing 8 games for Queensland in State of Origin and a solitary Test Match for Australia back in 2012. He has lost his way a little bit over the last couple of years and there was even talk of him heading to Japanese Rugby Union before the Dragons came in and offered him a lifeline in Super League. The Coal Train is only 27 years of age and may have the best years of his career ahead of him if he can keep away from the fine French cuisine in the South of France. I was also impressed that the Dragons stuck to their task against the Warriors where, in previous years, they would have fallen away and conceded a hatful of points. I think the Dragons could end up in the top 6 this year if they can get 3 or 4 wins away from home but the loss of hooker Paul Aiton for the next few weeks with a pectoral injury will be a blow.
See this link for some Dave Taylor career highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyc8KdPIcj8

Michael Shenton - out for the season?

5.

It is never good news when one of a team’s pivotal player’s, and captain, is ruled out for possibly the entire season so early in the year. It has been confirmed that Castleford captain Michael Shenton may miss the rest of the year after suffering an ACL injury to his knee in the 16-16 draw at Hull KR on Sunday. Call me a biased Hull KR fan if you wish, but there seems to be a little bit of a witch hunt going on from the Castleford area towards French hooker John Boudebza who was involved in the tackle that Shenton was injured in and I have to say that I think the comments emanating from Castleford coach Daryl Powell and Shenton himself are totally out of order. I think those comments have gone a long way to helping the RFL Disciplinary Panel decide to ban Boudebza for FOUR MATCHES rather than the usual 1-2 matches for a, supposed, Grade B offence. The fact that he was charged was ridiculous enough but FOUR  MATCHES is a disgrace. I was at the match on Sunday and could see nothing wrong in Boudebza’s tackle and I have watched it back since and have the same view – Boudebza did not throw himself at the back of Shenton’s knee’s at all and there was no malicious intent to hurt Shenton. It is clear to see on the video that none of the Tigers players reacted as if the tackle was dangerous. I note also that no comment has been made about a more dangerous cannonball tackle carried out by the Tigers forward Lee Jewitt in the first half.  Unfortunately, rugby league is a tough sport and injuries happen – sometimes players need to be cited and banned for the challenges they make, this wasn’t one of them and I am outraged at this decision.  Check out the link to the match highlights and decide for yourselves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgx2k8YtWI0 
The match itself was played in poor conditions and was a tough outing for both sides. Italian international Josh Mantellato was the hero for Rovers as he scored two acrobatic tries and kicked a last second conversion of his to level the scores. Former Hull KR star Jake Webster replaced Shenton and was outstanding, scoring two tries.

Luke Robinson - immediate retirement.

6.

Both Danny Brough and Eorl Crabtree have said recently that the Giants were light on numbers and needed to bring some new players in, especially in the wake of the unexpected loss of Brett Ferres to Leeds Rhinos. The Giants suffered other blows to their squad on Friday night at St. Helens with first choice full back Scott Grix dislocating his shoulder, which will give him a lengthy spell on the sidelines, captain Brough suffered a dead leg and is unlikely to be fit for round 2 and Joe Wardle is out for a month after damaging a quad muscle. Add in injuries to Craig Huby and Kyle Wood in pre-season and the last thing they needed was one of their most experienced players, Luke Robinson, to announce his enforced and immediate retirement from the game. Robinson has a hip injury and has been told that his continuation in the sport will severely handicap his future well-being. He will be a big loss to the Giants but it is only right that he is thinking of his future away from rugby league and ensuring that he can be the husband and father he wants to be for many years to come. The Giants are giving a trial to former St. Helens, Hull FC and Bradford Bulls winger Jamie Foster and were also close to signing Hull FC utility back Curtis Naughton on loan for 2 months as cover for Grix until FC held this signing back due to potential injury problems of their own. I think the Giants will need to strengthen much more if they are to challenge for top 4 again this year.