Episode 20 Super League Show

We are two thirds of the way to the Grand Final, though

after the latest instalment of Super League, that now

We've got all the sights and sounds and here is what is coming up.

The Dragons are marking a decades, but was it a happy return

It's getting close to the crunch for Salford as the Tigers

And fighting for fitness, the road to recovery

And here to cast an eye over the events of the week

are Hull Kingston Rovers head of rugby Jeromy Peacock

and former Great Britain coach Brian Noble.

It was party time in Perpignan on Saturday as the Catalans Dragons

We join it by Catalan leading by a Pat Richards's more

Wigan looking to build from a decent position.

That is a cheeky little kick through from Smith as well

It looks as though he might have picked up an injury here

Lee Mossop look as if he might have kicked out here.

And the referee is sending him to be sin-binned for ten minutes.

So Mossop in the sin-bin and Wigan down to 12.

Look into this right-hand side and a chance for Manfredi

Sarginson will pick up and claims the try.

Horo is convinced that he touched down, but the referee says try.

Charnley, shuffling it back towards the middle again.

Tautai will lay it back and Wigan with real energy here.

Looking to apply pressure on this Catalans line.

It is good footwork and a good offload that has got Matty Smith

And over it goes and Ryan Sutton and Wigan have their second score.

On his inside comes Sarginson, who is looking to keep

This is good hands from Wigan at the moment.

And here he comes through the middle.

Absolutely sparkling try by Wigan from start to finish.

The referee says try, but he is also looking

OK, we are just checking the obstruction.

That would not seem to be any kind of obstruction on Carney

Running away from chasing defenders and they should be given as a try.

Happy to see his return over the last week or so.

Broughton, wrapped up by those Wigan defenders.

Catalans looking back towards the middle again.

Horo tries to hold them off, and does!

And Horo will score the corner and maybe there is life in this

Wigan just looking to make yards here towards that halfway line.

It is a slow play of the ball flowed from Gildart.

Away to Smith and now to Tomkins who is the line.

Sarginson with a little chip and the chase is on!

And I think this is going to be given as a try for Manfredi.

Was it touched down in time is the question.

And that says it was and I think we are going to wrap

Lovely delicacy with a little chip through there from Sarginson.

Wonderful poise and balance from him and the finish from Manfredi.

They are trebling with numbers and they're trembling with delight.

Jeremy, surely Shaun Wane of fiercely delighted with that,

but also really pleased about how Ford has fronted up

They are not a backward team, are there, Wigan?

Yes, that is the challenge out there.

That is the challenge against paying Catalans.

Can you front up physically and it seems that they can.

They have not just great tip there, that is a hammering for Catalans

Emotionally he is good at getting his side up

Now they have got some of the big guys back, how do you think

They can't hide behind the fact that they are scratchy

The last couple of weeks they have looked physically strong.

And I think O'Loughlin makes such a difference to the team,

Tomkins is getting better and better by the week.

They've battered the Catalans, which is hard to do over there,

and a fronted up physically, and they played a brand of football

when they have gone on top that we are not accustomed

There was floating there, a bit of individual prowess as well

and you couple them together and watch the way that this try

It's nice to see Wigan throwing the ball around, having

It comes on the back of how they have been throwing.

He puts it on there does young Gildart to finish the play,

but he has gone through five or six off-loads.

We have all been singing the praises of Catalans throughout the season,

but they haven't beaten one of the top four sides.

How worrying a statistic will that be for Laurent as we head

It is one he needs to get right if they want to finish

anywhere near the top two, which they will want to do.

They're to have two in the fore at the moment, but they need

If they want to win the Grand Final, they are out of the Challenge Cup

at the moment, they need to fix that and put that right.

And it was a big day for them as well, celebrating their 10th

If on such a big occasion they are not turning up?

Well, I think the Challenge Cup the week before, they lost that game

and then they have not been able to act up another emotionally big

It will be disappointing for the club.

They are landmark occasions and they are proud of the fact

they have been in this competition for ten years and it will hurt them

Tommy Leuluai is coming back to Wigan as a player

and they are going to like a coach, a little bit like

How big is that for the club and falls on of the younger players

in the hearts and the hookers to learn off of Tommy?

When they leave Wigan, they pull them back in like this

because there's a few that have come back and they enjoyed that area.

I think there are something like nine or ten amateur clubs

around there, so the fallout of that is more and more players

So they will be looking forward to him coming back.

Well, Widnes recorded their biggest ever Super League score

against Leave when the teams met in Round 2.

The return match was at Headingley on Sunday when another Rhinos defeat

will consign the champions to the qualifiers.

A win for Widnes against the Rhinos would almost certainly

secure their spot in the top eight, but it was the Rhinos

Rob Burrow found a purposeful Kallum Watkins who charged

through the Vikings defence to open the scoring.

Leeds were starting to find their groove and some fluid passing

soon saw the home side extend their lead further.

It is picked up and Joel Moon is going to run through.

He puts it down to the right of the sticks.

Has he found a way under the post for Widnes?

Singleton runs from acting of back up towards the ten.

With only a score between them, Widnes began to pile on the pressure

and the cracks began to show in the Leeds's backline.

Hanbury is running towards the corner.

Hanbury, and the game, the tackle there from Golding.

Has he managed to ground it yet though, Hanbury?

With the match all square, Leeds desperately search

for the winner and thought they had it with minutes left on the clock.

Brett Ferris's outstretched arm was judged to have not reached far

enough by the referee, but they was still time

To win the double over Leeds is a massive achievement for us

and the top eight for us is about where we want to finish.

We are climbing up to finish as high as we possibly can.

Probably our highest that we have ever finished in a season,

And on the back of that will come on the back of it.

In terms of us and our own personal story we are getting better

We have been on a journey for a long while, so nothing dramatically

happens tomorrow at training and for the next few weeks

at training, but certainly we want to get into the middle eight

Widnes were really unlucky against Warrington in the championship.

How much courage does it show to come back

from what was a crushing defeat for them in that respect

and to win by a point and show the resilience they show?

They were great in the Challenge Cup the week before at Warrington.

Many people thought they should have won, but you get

You either rock up the next week against the champion side,

the champion club and put it right and get yourself a performance

or you don't and you give it away and you are not

I think they have shown great result because it is still a great

challenge to go to the champions and go there and get a result,

particularly when they were 16-4 down, or 16-22 down.

So they were behind all the way through until

And for Leeds, they will be kicking themselves.

If you are 22-10 up, you should win, shouldn't you?

It should have been put to bed that game with that score,

particularly as they have lost a few games close like that this year.

I think, for me, it shows that Widnes has grown.

We were watching the game against Warrington last week

we were hoping they would go for the drop goal.

They managed to nail it this week and get themselves the wind.

If they had done it last week in the Challenge Cup,

But Leeds, I think, have been hanging on by their fingertips,

trying to get into the super eights and now confirmed

In a funny sort of way, now it is confirmed,

is it something they can build on, knowing they have got

Build on it, focus on it and know where you are at.

It takes away that feeling of not being sure of where you are going

to be at and now they know right, these are the teams

Certainly in London they are going to be playing and they will find out

You can plan and prep for that, but the then

They have never been in this position before and there will be

pressure on the club because of what has happened

How successful they have been in the last ten years.

It is going to be a nervy old time, isn't it?

Not just for the fans, but those behind-the-scenes?

Absolutely, it's going to be mouthwatering as well.

The washing machine bit of all these eight fixtures.

It is probably nervous territory as well Ryan McDermott

They have got to build their form and get their form to somewhere

like where they were at champions last year because this is no

Lack of confidence, a little bit of a fragile egg at times

and you can be in a place that you don't want to be.

Well, one man missing from the Rhinos team from the entire

season has been their second row forward Stevie Ward.

He picked up a knee injury on the night the Rhinos claimed

the league leaders shield last year and has been on the road

That night was a massive learning curve for me,

and it was a massive thing to show the complete different

ends of the spectrum of Rugby League, really.

I went to my nana's funeral that day.

I'd not told many of the lads about my situation because we had

a big game, we had to win the League Leaders Shield,

and I told myself that because of my nana, I had

A a few minutes in, I'd scored, and I thought, the writing's

on the wall, we're going to win the League Leaders Shield.

And, hopefully, I'm going to have a massive

And, then, four minutes to go, I had this tough

I can remember JP and Cuthbo screaming, get up, get up!

And I knew, as soon as I felt it, I knew something had gone.

Telling myself I'd get back and play in the Grand Final.

But, you know, it weren't going to happen.

He wins it for Leeds in the most dramatic of circumstances!

You just want your team to do so well.

But you have on the back of your mind, you think,

Especially after all that year's effort and how much I put-in,

and how much I'd put myself through, I just thought to be involved,

that would have capped the year off for me.

I've lifted the Grand Final once before, in a shoulder sling then,

And then we've won it again and I couldn't lift it properly.

I had to have someone to hold it with me.

That night was brilliant because we won it, we'd done

the treble but it was a tough thing to deal with.

There is a bit of an echo, it is a bit weird, and just me

and Andy just working hard but that's what these

You don't go straight to the stadium and go in front of 20,000 people.

These yards have to be done, and this is the hard work to get

Obviously, there is some tough times for players when they are out

All we can do is get back training and play,

keeping it varied, changing it up, seeing what they can do

within their limits of injury is very important.

Physically, obviously, I'm not out there.

I'm not getting the wax and guts or going through the

Because we went through such a rough patch, it kills me because I can't

do anything to help them out, and actually take hold

of something and prove it, it's hard, and it would be

easier through winning and we were doing well,

because I could just think I've got my own battle

rather than thinking about another battle, too.

How tough a decision for you to talk about your own

I felt it was something I needed to do.

Because there's far too many people that do it alone, and there's far

too many people that get into a situation where it's too

I had an e-mail, looking through my e-mails, the feedback.

One lad, 117-year-old lad just said, I've been struggling a bit

but you make it seem as if it's something you get

And I thought that completely encapsulates what I've

Something which musicians go through, and different people

Any champion, any champion you speak to or great person,

They have had to incur some trouble or some fight they've had

So, hopefully, when I get back playing and I get back

in the mix of things, mentally, I'll be tougher for it

So when something crops up in a game, which is,

you know physically hard and mentally you have to overcome

it, hopefully, it'll be an added edge.

And something that I can just put to the side and say right,

Jamie, he's a young man you know extremely well.

And a young man intent on growing himself and finding

I think something you can level players that come through nowadays,

they are a bit too obsessed with Rugby League.

But I think Stephen's got real strength and depth in his character,

and I think he's shown that all the way I was involved

with him, as a 15-year-old, because he was a little

bit different, there was a little bit more about him.

And, as a player, there's one game that stands out to me that I thought

We were playing against Northern Storm in the World Cup challenge,

and he absolutely tore into this Storm team.

He had no regard, no respect for who he was playing against.

I thought, this kid's got a real chance.

Rugby League's been quite good about the mental side of the game,

we've got the State of Mind coming up.

How important is it that young men like Stevie come out and talk

Not just to help other people in Rugby League,

but, as he talked about, a young 17-year-old?

I think we are privileged to see a young guy who's got character,

And the character and substance who is prepared to turn around

Everybody goes through dark moments and dark times, and when things

He is coping with all the distractions, and having

strategies for that, and to come out in the open,

it'll give a lot more people the chance to have the facility

to say, I am struggling digital bit and I need to get better.

How important to see how lonely road it is back

Yeah, it's difficult, especially when you're used

to being involved with the team and seeing them every day,

and winning and losing, and sharing those

You've no one to share that with, and you feel you are

You'd like to say stuff in video reviews but it's not your place

I remember you talking more than once last season about him

being one of the players that have really stepped up,

Better than he was last season, do you think?

He's a very hard trainer. He is diligent in what he does.

Leeds have missed him because he can play 80 minutes.

He can break the line and he's got a great rugby brain as well.

And those three ingredients make a great player,

and he has been a great loss for the Rhinos.

It'll be great to see him back out on the pitch.

Now, Jamie Peacock was more than an interested spectator

when his team were at home to Warrington on Friday.

It all got a bit heated at the end of the first half.

Two players, Jordan Cox, who used to play for the club,

You can't see what happens there, but there is a bit of afters first

It's like fight night on Friday night!

I mean, unfortunately, he got sent off.

But, your team showed a huge amount of character and resilience

The losers are definitely in the qualifiers.

They will give you a tough run, won't they?

They've beaten us twice this year already.

There is two different Huddersfields that have played this year.

There is one that got beat by Wakefield that

And the one that turned up against Hull that was the honest side.

You will be hoping it's the Wakefield, I'm guessing!

Salford will appeal against their 6-point deduction

for its salary cap breach this week in a complete reversal we will see

Just two points were on offer when they played

Castleford lined up to that left hand side.

He was looking a moment ago, and now he's crashing over to score.

Salford shuffling into position here at the moment.

Josh Jones is held up, and Tomkins will go from dummy half.

Coming in from fullback is Gareth O'Brien who finds a way

And Salford have their response in double quick time.

Lui with a drop of the shoulder and a passout to Josh Jones again,

but Castleford's defence is smarter the moment.

Robert Lui tries to trickle one through.

It is Dobson's that's chasing, and will get there first to score.

Castleford looking towards this right-hand side, where they find

Junior Moors standing in that right side

Back it comes to Gale, who looks left, and Dorn...

But it is a glorious ball from the fullback that

This is really special. All Webster has to do is catch it and score.

Castleford looking to build here if they can. They have got a bit of

space. Luke Dorn is the man to run into the past and through a swathe

of empty Salford defence. Castleford have another and it is Luke Dorn

again who is the star. Here is Lui. Mason Caton-Brown back into finish.

Just what they needed and at just the right time. It is a high tackle

by Milner, according to the referee. He was slipping, but Milner's arm

was still a little high. You will put money on him. It is all square

at 18 points APs. -- a piece. Tomkins. On the inside. Looking to

get the ball away. Tomkins is on his way. There is an appeal for

something here. Maybe a claim of a high tackle. Dobson staying down.

The referee has decided that was a high tackle and the penalty has been

given. So a chance here from 40 plus yards for O Brien to give his side a

two point lead. Has he got it? You bet he has got it. Aid to refit kick

from O'Brien. Nerves of steel. Worrying moments for the Castleford

coach. This is going to be another penalty. Time has just about gone

anyway. This will cap it for Salford. A swing from Danny Tickle.

Salford had it won anyway and there is absolute confirmation. Two points

them to night. They just about keep their top eight hopes alive. Have

you seen growth with that first team place? When they are at a club and

are passed around is then they go where they are wanted, it makes a

difference. You can see that with Gareth O'Brien. He has delivered for

Salford. Salford have lost a few of those close games, how important for

them to get over the line? It's good. Their form needs to be good.

They are the nearly boys. They have had a lot of scorelines. The

structures are good and they are followed. They looked like a solid

team. Building that team has taken some doing. Then seemed to be on the

right track. It has been said that the cloud has gone backwards. Are

they struggling for an identity. I think so. The club moving from the

ground to this one, some of the fans have not come with it and they have

stayed away. They have been winning games this year. They will easily be

in the eighth. Marlon is upset about that. He has put money and time in

the club and he has got nothing back from the local community. In terms

of Castleford, they ran out of players. Lost three, a few injuries.

A tough time. It is tough, but they have produced some champions and

performances. Darryl seems to manufacture a performance. They were

unlucky, they ran out of troops. They were knocks here there and

everywhere. Luke Dorn has been very influential. Absolutely. I'm

wondering whether or not he thinks it is a good idea to make a pin.

Now, a man of the Jungle has returned. The Tigers fans will be

hoping for more moments like this. Castleford coming away. Has he

delayed it too long? He scores! Jamie, you spoke about finding a

place at Castleford. Rankin need someone who can look after him away

from the game. On the pitch, he is skilful and produces more moments of

magic than anyone in the competition. His issues will be away

from the field. Darryl is good at that, he gets the best out of his

players. How do you see him and Luke Gale. Potentially brilliant. Fans of

rugby league should be happy that he is playing. We need stars and I

think he is great. And a big boost for Castleford 's? They have been

struggling with injuries, etc. -- Castleford? They have struggled, but

they have got on with it. They have not winched or moan. Coach Powell

will be thinking, we have made a mess of that, but the tent one --

but the Rangi Chase is a good one. Let's cross to the game between

Wakefield and St Helens. High tackle, but Jo Cox says play

on. What's the thing, goes to the line. -- but Joseph Cox says play

on. Lomax, delayed pass. Mark Percival has a simple finish.

Through the hands it goes. He is going to rumble his way through.

Touches down for Saint Helens. They go ahead. Based in sunshine,

Bellevue. Miller, out the back it goes. There goes Tom Johnston to

lee-macro John finish. -- there goes Tom John Stones. Gets the ball away

to Roby. Offloads to Turner. Turner is on the breakaway. Lomax on the

inside. Back-to-back scores for Johnny Lomax. Turner is going to

dive on it. It is a one in one tackle. Miller for his second, just

on the route. -- on the hooter. Streams through. Too simple, too

easy. There is Morgan Knowles backing up. St Helens are ahead.

Wakefield being made to pay for every error. Here is Walmsley. Only

as far as Jacob Miller. Have Wakefield got a route back into this

game? Roby is dominant. He has gone straight through. Will he get to the

line? Wakefield tried to stop him, but they can't. The Saints dynamos

is on the board. It has been a game of touch and pass. Strides through.

They are on their way. Good finish from Ben Jones-Bishop. Right in the

corner. Throwing the ball with abandon. Turner forces his way

through. Can they hold him up? No, they can't. St Helens running away.

Raby has picked the gap once again. He has been unstoppable today. --

Roby. Matty Fleming will put this game to bed. Saints have won it.

Wakefield are out of steam. Eye-catching tries, but defence not

to the fore? I am confident both coaches will want to improve their

defence until they get to the tricky stuff. What about St Helens? They

have beaten you, they have beaten Wakefield. Are they improving? They

need another couple of runs. Wakefield are near the bottom --

Wakefield have leaked too many points. They can score them, but

there is the other side of the game. Will it be a problem getting into

the top four? You need to have a system. You need to practice it

through the week. You cannot afford to be focused on what you have not

got. From Wakefield's interview, will Chris Chester be worried about

the points they are leaking? The cup is a welcome distraction, but they

need to secure a place in the league. They have difficult games

coming up. They need to get one of them. Is there a danger Challenge

Cup semifinal is a distraction for them? A positive distraction. It is

important they secured their place in the Super League, absolutely

right, but there is a trophy on offer and they have two be focused.

They need to treat them separately. Their form is the issue. Do you

think St Helens have enough to get into the top four? They are only

four points away with ten games to go. There are chances for them to do

it, but it is their defence. If they don't sort that out, maybe not.

Back-to-back wins for St Helens and after some eye-catching wins, this

is how things stand in the First Utility Super League table.

That is all we have time for. My thanks to Jamie and Ryan for joining

us. We will see you at 11:15pm next week. Goodbye.

What is that?! ..and show us that cheaper food...

Gregg and Chris are back to help us slash the weekly food bill.

They'll look at the mistakes we make...