Episode 24 Super League Show

The focus in Super League is who will make the

eight and who will make the pack.

After a series of shocks surprises and sensational run, really,

here is what is coming up:

It is the resurgent Red Devils against Leeds Rhinos.

Something had to give.

The Tigers are still roaring.

Could they be tamed by Hull FC?

Into the den - will the Wildcats be afraid of the big bad Wolves?

I'm joined by Warrington's Richie Myler

and former Salford coach Brian Noble, who'll cast their expert eye

on the action and also discuss the latest changes to the structure of

Super League announced this week.

More of that later!

First we focus on what looked on paper to be the tie of the round.

Salford, their play-off aspirations rekindled following three successive

victories, at home to Leeds, minus their inspirational skipper

after last week's headline-grabbing head butt.

Kevin Sinfield has caught the head of Dorn.

Last week, Leeds lost their composure and

dropped a point against Castleford.

This week they face another in-form side, Salford.

They have won three on the bounce playing some dazzling rugby and with

new young talent coming to the fore.

Chance now for Mason Caton-Brown on the left-hand side.

He has got to take them on.

He is going to score on his debut.

Mason Caton-Brown.

Incredibly, Salford had only won once in 33

Super League meetings with Leeds.

That came at Headingley in 2009 when Richard Myler was among the scorers.

So, could the Red Devils pull off a win against the Rhinos?

Dave Woods was at the AJ Bell Stadium find out.

It's Matty Ashurst who has taken Salford to within ten metres.

Locke at dummy half now.

Chance to hammer at this Leeds line which remains,

for the moment, resolute.

Tomkins.

It's Locke with a kick to the in-goal area and Junior Sa'u is

the man to chase.

But did he get there first or was it the hand of Ryan Hall?

It was very, very close.

Very close.

But the decision goes Salford's way and Junior Sa'u with the opening try

after that delicate kick from Locke.

Peacock.

Watkins with the threat.

Keeping the ball alive - at least he tried to.

Good defence from Salford.

Here comes the final tackle.

Leeds have a go.

McGuire with the kick .

Hardaker!

Diving in.

Was he onside?

Did he get there before the ball hits the whitewash?

Well he's clearly onside.

That is absolutely definitive.

Try given.

Leeds have a score back.

Very well judged and very well finished.

Trying to draw defenders in.

Away to Watkins.

There is room for Briscoe to put the foot down.

The defence is back but look at the pass!

A fabulous finish.

Within the space of a couple of minutes, Leeds have grabbed

themselves a couple of tries.

They are in the lead thanks to this wonderful athleticism

and fabulous skills and pace here.

Briscoe holding them off.

Very nearly an interception by Rangi Chase, but Watkins is there.

Tomkins.

Only a matter of a moment or two before the half-time hooter sounds.

Junior Sa'u.

Leeds desperate not to concede before the break.

Tomkins again.

Chase.

Another kick.

It is another chase.

It is another try.

Theo Farge will claim it.

The timing is perfect.

In the context of the game just before half-time, and

in the context of the finish with a run and chase by the Frenchman.

Burrow.

Leuleai.

Big effort by him.

Couple of yards away.

Promptly back towards Ablett with a step on the inside.

Ablett!

He is over.

Well, it all looked fairly soft there from the Salford defence.

But Ablett with a twist and has done enough to get to the whitewash.

Leeds back in front.

Peacock.

McGuire.

It looks like it was a forward pass, they are allowed to play

on through Sutcliffe.

Sutcliffe with the run.

Was that forward?

It was certainly close.

Leeds are going to carry on regardless.

It is Stevie Ward with the dummy!

And another easy try for Leeds.

The applause from Kevin Sinfield.

But Leeds are establishing a real comfort zone.

It is all too comfortable in terms of a Salford resistance

just at a moment.

-- the moment.

Tomkins.

Griffin.

Looking to fight their way back into this game if they can here, Salford.

Still an awful lot of time to go .

Over 20 minutes or so.

Puletua.

Leeds are famous for the way they have defended this

year and they continue in that vein just at the moment.

On the inside and Jordan worn is all the way through.

How about that for a determined effort.

-- Jordan Walne.

Well how about that for a determined effort?

Salford are right back in this game now.

Leeds resisting well until this young man got his hands

on the ball and proved unstoppable.

Walton, running hard.

Nervous on the sidelines for Salford at the moment because they still

fancy they can win this game.

Farge with the expansive pass.

Now a chance for Johnson to run.

Just had his ankles tapped.

But they've got a couple of tackles to go here.

Farge again.

Here is Harrison Hansen.

Here is Junior Sa'u for the corner.

Leeds were there in numbers and as Junior Sa'u tries to keep it

alive, it is lost out of play.

They are going for it but Leeds continue to hang on.

Puletua.

Chase.

Tries the kick.

Kicks again.

Briscoe, all he can do is put it down dead.

Drop out underneath the sticks.

These are nervous moments, the clock has stopped.

19 seconds left to play.

Hardaker with a kick.

Time for a couple of more plays here.

Morley.

There is the platform.

This will be the final play of the game.

Farge.

Salford, desperately looking to keep it alive here.

The hooter sounds.

The next stoppage will be the end of the game.

Salford are hoping the stoppage will be behind try-line.

Here is Puletua.

He gets the pass away.

Still they go.

It is a forward pass.

In their desperation, they cannot quite find

a way through and Leeds hang on.

But terrific spirit from Salford here tonight.

There was a fair bit of hype in this game to the build-up.

You are doing radio - was that hype justified?

Definitely.

They both went at each other and threw the ball around.

Great tries.

Fantastic game.

Nip and tuck to the end.

Salford gave Leeds a real go. 2014 was going to be a year

to build, they changed their coach, but things are coming together?

I am pleased.

That element of patience has needed to happen,

a lot of building has been going on.

They were always going to get better and they have

been playing very well.

It is an exciting time for them.

Let's hope they keep on with the progress.

The Rhinos took a stranglehold of the game after half-time?

Danny McGuire took that on his own.

They were missing Kevin Sinfield, so they needed someone.

The first five minutes of the second half were crucial.

He would expect the defender to do better.

He is a tricky character.

He twists around and does well to score.

Leeds had the bit between their teeth and they looked

determined, and discipline is their approach to the game.

Ward was a by-product of that and got on the field.

What a substitution.

He got on the field.

As for Carl Ablett, he shows up at the big games.

It shows you how many crucial tries he gets.

Kevin Locke has Salford, barely on the pitch, was he a big mess?

It is a big ask Kevin Locke.

He has come from the other side of the world

and is under an injury cloud.

They are desperate to get him out there.

He was playing his part.

Let's hope Kevin Locke is OK and he could play in Super League.

Rob Burrow, you had a chat with him, he said it is a different Salford?

Yes, he said it is a different Salford he had ever faced.

Said he was a big battered and bruised after the game.

Salford had a good go at them.

His forwards.

about that.

It is speedy and slick, finishing at its best.

Three tries in four minutes.

Widnes showed us last week what they can do with the ball.

They have some really dangerous players.

I think that is a serious injury, I don't know what noises are coming

out of the Saints camp.

This is it again.

If you are eating, I apologise for that.

This is Stefan Marsh, I think, with the third.

He puts the hammer down and he can do that, lightning quick.

He is gone!

As you said, Saints, element of clock off,

but give credit to Widnes.

He is very good at getting in that corner and getting the ball down.

This was a strip to put the cherry on the cake.

Widnes players claiming there were two in the tackle,

but probably a fair try.

They will be disappointed they did

not get a bit closer.

Questions about St Helens, are they the real deal?

That was a horrible injury and a monumental blow to St Helens.

It is getting to the business end of the season

and you want your rudder there.

They have lost Welsh now, John Wilkins has been struggling, Lomax.

Last year they did it without them and they are still a threat.

How good a finisher is Makinson?

A couple of years ago this would not have been a try, now it is a corner.

He did a great job, a fantastic finisher.

He started the season like this and he is consistent.

We would all love to see him...

Well, not if he is playing Warrington.

Bradford's relegation was confirmed last week

so who better to face to get it out of your system and the team who beat

you 84-6 earlier in the season. -- than the team.

Wigan knew that nothing less than victory would do.

Manfredi taking it out wide, has he made it to the line?

He has.

The ball is looking for the score?

Can Williams get it?

He can.

Can he get to be off-loaded in?

Great support from Arundel.

Playing deep and getting the off-loaded deep

in their half, another error.

Great tackle from Gaskell.

Pushing out wide, looking for another score.

The ball is making a bit of a mess of it.

Wigan pushing out to the left, desperately trying to get back

in this game after a stop start performance by their own standards.

Ball along the floor, can mount freely get his second try?

-- Manfredi.

Desperately pushing on but it will not come from something like that.

Gaskell still going, has he got the legs to go in the corner?

That is surely going to give them an unlikely victory.

The referee has not given it.

Gaskell chipset into the corner, it is out of play, and what

a result the Bradford Bulls.

Their first win in seven and the first with James Lowes as the coach.

That was the eyebrow raiser of the week,

was it the release of pressure, we are down, let's have some fun?

It could have been the clarion call from Jimmy, saying

we need to finish the season well.

There is the element of, we are relegated now,

do we keep playing, implement stuff we want to take into next year?

The Bradford fans will expect support of the club and they

thoroughly deserved that win, they were the better team, not by a mile.

But you can't take anything away from them.

Plenty more still to come.

After a miserable month, could Hull find some rays

of sunshine at the KC Stadium?

Would the Dragons be slayed in the land of the Giants?

On Thursday the rugby football league finally announced

how the league and play-off structures for 2015 would work.

There was confusion in some quarters.

2015 will be fantastically exciting.

There will be a 12 team Super League come petition and the 12 team

championship competition.

Each team will play each other home and away and the Championship have

their summer bash weekend and Super League has the Magic Weekend.

The bottom four teams in the Super League and a top four in

the Championship will meet in what is known as the qualifiers and will

fight out for a Super League birth, and the bottom eight will play each

other in the championship she - Championship shield. The first team

and the fourth team will play each other in the play-offs.

In the qualifiers the top three teams at the end of the seven weeks

will go into Super League and then there is the million pound game

between fourth and fifth, the winner takes all and the loser is back into

the Championship the year after.

The Challenge Cup gets a refresh so the top eight teams from this year's

Super League and petition will enter around later, in Round 6, and they

will join another top eight teams from the Super League championship

and all the other teams who play in the championship cup.

I just want to know if you think this is exciting.

I do, I think it is innovative and when

you look at what he says about every game meaning something it does.

There is a special game, ?1 million game, so let's hope it generates

some revenues that the game needs.

Do the players like it?

Definitely.

We needed something off the back of the World Cup,

we needed to kick on, especially in UK rugby, and this is a big push

for it, and hopefully we will get some sponsors and some big players.

How realistic is it that a team from the Championship will gain

promotion?

It is a challenge for sure but they have the opportunity.

If they can plan properly, I think this particular structure for

If they can plan properly, I think this particular structure for

the Super League through the year, you are going to have to plan for

every situation, and it boils down for the seven - to the seven games.

If you are London or Bradford and you have been relegated or you

are Halifax, you have to plan for the seven-game programme

and get your resources sorted.

Finding resources is crucial.

Victory was vital to both teams on Sunday,

Warrington against Wakefield.

A great start to the game, then shows what kind of pace he has.

-- Ben.

Wakefield came with a plan.

Who was this impressive winger on the left?

It has come back to bite us a bit.

Wakefield had too much.

They really took it to us and they are and did us.

The boy Riley has done well on a terrific game.

I think a lot of the Warrington players will be thinking,

well done for doing it against us.

It was not a great game for Richie Mathers.

This is, I guess, the reason Chris is allowed to go alone,

the competition you have out wide.

You have to say hats off, he has scored three tries.

It was a terrific up-and-down game, it was 28-26 or something

near the end.

Smith going back to Wakefield, I think he has made a big difference.

We touched on him being the key player for them

We touched on him being the key player for them

and really steering the ship.

I think he was the catalyst to them getting the victory.

It was a real nip and tuck game but Wakefield are always ahead.

It was a two point game when Ryan Atkins touched down then.

We always had hoped and we threw everything at them but Wakefield

undid us well with a couple of did us well with a couple of players.

Brian mentioned as we saw Chris Riley score a hat-trick,

as a team, Warrington, you would be pleased him to do what he has done.

He is a really nice lad and a good friend as well.

It is good to see him score three tries and do well for Wakefield but

I wish he hadn't done it against us.

He has had some adversity and he had to go out alone

from the start of the year. -- on loan.

It would not have been an easy place to come and he scored

If Castleford have been the competitions surprise package

this season, then the demise of Hull FC has been equally as puzzling.

Lying in 12th position, the Black and Whites defeat at Wigan

last week was an embarrassment according to coach Lee Radford.

Dave Woods was on hand to see if they could bounce back, but before

the game tributes were paid to legendary scrum-half Tony Dean, who

played for both sides, winning the Challenge Cup with Hull FC in 1982,

who recently lost a battle with cancer.

He is fondly remembered.

Step back on the inside.

I think it might have been lost.

It was.

By Jordan Rankin.

It is the closest we have come so far to an opening score in the game.

Has provided plenty of tenacity from both sides.

Thought about the kick.

Testing their defence.

Yeaman draws in the window.

16 minutes played and Hull have the opening score.

Castleford Tigers got a bit of room.

Here comes the need.

Options right and left will stop on the scoresheet.

The man who will be a Hull player, Marc Sneyd with the break.

Shenton just about keeping his composure to score.

Looking for a straightforward way through the middle.

Going to be held up over the line.

It is right through the middle from Jordan Abdull.

The youngster.

He carries plenty of power in the half-backs body of his.

He has cut a swathe through the Castleford fans.

Heremaia.

Terrific performance Hull are putting on tonight,

given the depths from which they emerged against Wigan last week.

They are playing with character and pedigree.

Kirk Yeaman crosses, three minutes into the second half.

They are building up a decent lead.

Questions were being posed this time last week.

Tonight they are being ransacked.

Driving effort from Garreth Carvell.

Here comes Shenton.

Marc Sneyd goes over.

Are not done and dusted yet.

12 minutes left on the night and they are back Shenton was

absolutely sublime.

Claire is being urged to go for the corner.

He goes for the corner.

They are back within a score.

Richard Whiting has a finger to point.

Castleford are given the try.

It is an extremely good finish from James Clare.

He was thinking about the pass inside and his team-mates

were pointing to the corner.

How well he finished.

Two minutes to play.

Castleford still fancy their chances.

It has been a dramatic and nervous finale.

There might be another twist.

The referee has stopped the clock.

Jordan Abdull is injured.

And again, he gets two routes to the head.

The second one especially.

It is put on report but no sign of a penalty.

Castleford are still going to get to play-the-ball.

Jordan Abdull is being carried off.

Here comes the first drive.

Massey held up.

A lot of time for Hull's defence to gather itself.

Marc Sneyd.

Kept alive.

Marc Sneyd again.

Kicks to the corner.

James Clare have scored again.

Castleford have drawn level.

The Hull fans don't know what to believe.

It looks as though they had one but Castleford have grabbed it out

of the bag.

It is an excellent kick.

Marc Sneyd, kick this and wins the game.

It has just gone wide!

It remains all square.

What a finish?

It sums up Hull's season so far.

They just need to close the game out but Castleford comeback

with all guns blazing.

Fantastic kicking by Marc Sneyd at the end.

It shows you if games are close, Hull don't tend to win them.

What does that tell you?

I was at Castleford the first time Hull were beaten in

the last second down in the Jungle.

Hull are not quite finishing games perhaps as they would like to.

Hull are not quite finishing games perhaps as they would like to.

It might be a growing process.

We keep calling Castleford a surprise package.

They are not sneaking up on people any more, we know what they can do.

They can play football.

Darryl Powell, his comments where he thought they

were slightly off the pace.

Tell me about this guy, Richie. He changed this game?

Having a great season.

His change of pace is elusive.

We have shown on the last try, to even it off.

The kick, reaction plate was straight on the money.

He scores it in self as well.

He has been on fire.

He has got skills hasn't he, Brian?

The crazy thing is, Lee Radford is SAP there and he is

thinking, I know that is the reason why I signed him, but I cannot say

that in the press conference.

Second play with two minutes to go.

He is going to Hull FC and he could be playing with Jordan Abdull,

who looks very exciting as well?

He is a big lad for 18 years of age.

Not the traditional half-backs.

He does not look like me!

Strong and powerful.

He is a real threat.

His size helps him, but he does not lack pace.

Deceptive pace.

He is a bit deceptive.

What about this?

I think Jordan Abdull was injured before he went into that

in relation to the tackle.

He has been charged for that.

Will he be banned?

It depends how good his lawyer is.

It's fair to say that both Huddersfield

and Catalan have suffered somewhat topsy-turvy seasons.

Before kick-off on Sunday they lay 6th and 7th in the table, a fair

reflection of their form you'd say.

But there's no doubt come play-off time they'll both be

a very dangerous team to meet.

Catalan have not travelled well this season

and made a poor start to this one, conceding after only five minutes.

Kyle Wood the scorer.

35 metres out.

Chip kick up.

The chase is on.

Murphy has come all the way up the field to get it.

Across goes Murphy!

Murphy crashes over.

Kyle Wood, McGillvary.

Did he get it down?

Think he did.

Pelissier.

Goes himself and he is over.

He darts down under the posts.

Any thoughts of a Catalan comeback was snubbed

out early in the second half.

A careless pass picked up by Joe Wardle and he sprinted almost

half the length of the field to keep the Giants in control of the game.

Brough on the short side.

Drops it off.

Dummies the pass.

Robinson.

They have an overlap here.

George McGillvary right-hand side.

McGillvary is in there.

He fended off the tackle and drops the ball down.

Whitehead.

Pomeroy.

This is in.

The Huddersfield Giants are pegged backwards again.

Tim Robinson.

Brough with a little kick.

It is Wardle.

What a try.

Huddersfield completed their scoring with another pinpoint

Danny Brough kick to the corner and Brett Ferres eventually gathered

it up and powered over.

There was still one more try to come from the Dragons.

Only consolation but Morgan Escare finished off a wonderful move with

his 21st of the season.

Catalan keeping the ball alive.

Millar has the pace down the left-hand side.

Back inside to Escare.

Wonderful score.

A word on Jermaine McGillvary.

17 tries.

That was his 100th Super League tried.

Make incident as well, who is the most exciting finish,

who would you say?

We are spoiled for choice.

I will have two stay loyal.

You have to look down the list.

There are some players you think should not get in there,

and they do.

People like Ryan Hall, Carney at Castleford.

Burgess, done well all year.

Sometimes it is about the players who create those opportunities.

One name, Brian?

Expected two points at The Hive.

Justin Carney.

London are planning for life in the Championship and have been

really for some time, having made 14 new signings already.

Hull KR however, still have designs on a top eight

finish and Brian they picked up earlier, will they win again?

I am not sure they will.

Looking at them here and the impetus the other clubs need to finish where

they finish in the league.

They are building next year.

We have seen that in their recruitment.

Amber flares going up all over the place.

Hull KR, Roy has had a brilliant season.

Hull KR, Roy has had a brilliant season.

What about Greg Eden.

This is his second try, at the disciplinary problems but

on his day?

No disrespect to London, this was against London now.

He was given another opportunity.

He has been told to get his act together.

There won't you many more times he will get away with it

so he needs to back it up.

London, you can see what they are trying to do and how they are trying

to do it but Hull KR were too slick.

They are building for next season.

Will results like this have any bearing on what they do next season?

They have had a tough year.

Missed the preseason trying to rebuild the squad.

It is hard when you come into a Super League season which is tough

enough having a strong three season.

They were always behind from the start and did not find their feet.

They will go down, they will build from next year,

keep the nucleus of the team and bring in a new editions.

Hull KR's focus was good in this game.

Not a big crowd, 30 degrees heat, but their focus was good?

You have to generate your own enthusiasm.

Among the players, the focus has to be, we will make

our own excitement and energy.

It is a different challenge.

Something easy to get motivated for.

When you are playing in front of 1000 people,

it is red hot and you have had a long journey down, it is tough.

Great for Hull KR to get the win.

So we've shown you all the action, here's what it means to the

First Utility Super League table.

That is your lot for this week, thank you to Brian and Richie.

We will see you next time.

This is the real deal.

The next six months...

..will define the rest of our lives.