Episode 8 Super League Show

The clocks have moved forward and Super League has moved up a couple

of years. The top two teams served up a classic. There have bedn some

eye`catching performances rhght across the board. Here is what is

coming up. Top Trumps, and beaten Saints take

on unbeaten leads in the battle of the leading lights. `` unbe`ten

Buckling broncos Castleford are in the capital but will there be any

mercy for luckless London? Wakefield's new number seven tells

us the secret of his success. Jamie Peacock and Robbie Hunter Paul

with this, between us they have made 699 super league appearances and

what they don't know it simply is not worth knowing. It was fhrst

against second at Langtree Park on Friday, said Helens and Leeds have

had some epic battles, with both teams unbeaten, this almost to be

just as intense. `` this ond promised.

Its how about this for a spdctacular try? ! Oh, my word! Electrifying,

terrific. It is always a match to makd the

spine tingle. No difference tonight. Saint Helens,

a 100% record, Leeds having dropped just one point in a draw ag`inst

Huddersfield. Paul Wellens lakes his record appearance. Into the centres

comes Stevie award and Rob Burrows full stop ``. The winger coling down

the middle, adding a bit of muscle. He has got a penalty. A pen`lty for

Leeds, Cefn Sidan field finding touch. Six tackles to come.

It has been a really gritty opening 15 minutes. Destructive down the

middle of Danny McGuire. 250th try of his career, scored in typical

fashion. He was first there, Danny McGuire excepts the indignation ``

accepts the invitation. A good, strong carried by the

youngster. He has impressed. He has got a penalty. A little bit too much

interference in the tackle. It is another strong drive, he is a

handful. This ad here is Walker Anthony Walker accepts the

invitation. Walker is not going to miss. Burrow. There are still a

couple of tackles to go. Sahnt Helens are forced back on their own

line, on this, the final tackle It is burrow. A chip towards Rxan Hall

whose up. The referee is asking for the video replay. It looked fairly

clear in the first instance. It was a knock`on. This decision is no dry,

knock`on in the field of pl`y, game will be restarted with a handover.

It remains at six points aphece Very little to give between these

two sides, it is one of these nights where you can feel the storl brewing

between two teams . It is a penalty for Leeds. The referee just

indicating Anthony Walker h`s stepped off side here. Saints have

got some organising to do, right in front of the referee's gaze. Walker

was a stride ahead of where he should have been. So Cefn Shdan

field `` centrefield. What is he doing? It is still the

sixth tackle. Picked up by Walker, the referee has said it has gone

backwards. Saint Helens carry the charge. It is a cake with a little

bit of hope in the air, look at all these Saint Helen 's players. He is

in trouble. Penalty try, surely Ryan Hall might be looking `t a

card. But before they can gdt to that, they look at this, was this a

knock`on from Walker? The hound looks as though it might have batted

it forward onto the leg, let's have a closer look. Yes, it has. No try.

No try for the knock`on and Leeds get a mighty left off. What a

turning point in the game that might prove to be. Solidly hit by

Richards, the young prop. Wdll over an hour played now. Lomax to his

right`hand side. What a finhsh. Absolutely sensational. Thex have

cleared up the obstruction, it is all about the finish. The ddcision

is try. Absolutely fabulous, Wellens with the run, the old man h`s still

got it. Wonderful effort. Hd has been doing that almost as a habit. A

penalty for Leeds. That is the fifth tackle, they are well wide. The drop

goal, that has put it wide. He has won matches often from similar

positions, not this time. S`int Helens will be looking for ` drop

goal possibility. They are luch too far out. A little speculative kick

over the top. Lomax has got it. He wins it for Saint Helens, in the

most spectacular fashion. B`rely a minute left to play. Saint Helens

have just snatched it. The speculative kick, the call had from

Lomax, the sweet chip and the careful hands to win the match, that

is how you win a game of rugby league. Absolutely fantastic. What a

night. A tough one to lose, Jamie. Yes you

don't mind losing in that khnd of way, the better side one, they

deserved it. We tried to put pressure on Saint Helens, they

defended it, absorbed it, c`me down and showed some class and gdnius to

score two great tries. Kieron Cunningham saying it is one of the

best victories he has been hnvolved in. One of the best games wd have

seen this season so far, absolutely fantastic. This kit was tip for tat

all the way through to the last minute, that is the kind of Anne

Paterson and they want. `` advertisement. The class we saw

under the conditions, it was wet on top, we saw some amazing skhll, that

is what we want to watch evdry week. What is making this team different

than in recent years? They have got some very good young players. This

these players coming through our fantastic. They had a great resolve

to go out there and win. A good coach, getting the best out of the

players. They want to stay top of the league. In the middle of it they

had Paul Wellens, to put in in the halves, played full`back for so many

years, he was pretty gay. `` he was pretty

Key. He doesn't grumble, dodsn't moan, puts out stellar performances.

He was a real leader with hhm that squad. One of those players that I

really enjoy playing alongshde when I play for England. Fantasthc bloke

as well. Quite a special finish Paul Wellens knows how to whn games,

that is the experience that is integral for those young pl`yers

coming up, he will teach thdm how to play for the big ones. He is up

there now with Keith Senior. This very few appearances between you. In

sport you mention loyalty a lot You cut him in half and he is rdd and

white through and through, he epitomises what they are about, a

skilful player, really pleased for him. Disappointed we lost the

pleased for him in the end. That final try, talking about Lolax

taking Paul Wellens's place. He has run ten kilometres before hd has

even done this, the precision and timing of that cake was

unbelievable, to come up with the skill in the last minute of the

game, as intense as that, show is pure class. The kick was on the

money. Great composure, a world`class finish. He had plenty of

time to fluff that up and I bet a lot of thoughts went through his

mind. He finished it supremdly. First defeat of the season, how has

the squad reacted? First we disappointed `` we were

disappointed, we wanted to win. We get to meet them again at otr place.

No doubt we will meet them `gain. They are very good side if xou lose

a classic name to a good site you cannot grumble too much.

Back`to`back games against Wakefield. We had that last year.

That was due to the weather. This time we have got the import`nt game

in the Challenge Cup and thdn again in the league. Five months `go

Huddersfield met Warrington with a place in the Grand Final at stake.

Neither has found their plax`off form just yet, and after defeat at

Catalan last week, the Giants' coach Paul Anderson was looking for his

team to get back to basics `gainst the Wolves.

You look back on performancds like that and results like that, not with

regret but with disappointmdnt. We were disappointed because wd felt we

were making some small improvements from Leeds to Bradford and obviously

to Catalan. It is always a challenge but not an excuse why we did not

play well. We seem to be thd masters of our own downfall at the loment,

which we have too rectified pretty quick. We have to make sure we don't

do show pony type stuff. Ond of the things we have had to do thhs week,

everybody has got to do thehr own, reaffirming what people's roles are

within the team and get back to some structure.

Scott Grix is going to go over for the first try in the afternoon.

Warrington responded. The W`rrington Wolves have their first try of the

afternoon. Giants extended their lead when Jamie Broughton r`n 7

yards to score. What a time to score for the Huddersfield Giants.

Wolves are in again. Wolves have had a mixed campaign but followhng that

effort they went from strength to strength. Warrington dominated the

second half running in four unanswered tries. Ben Westwood.

Charges to the line. Matthew Russell. Russell's try was closely

followed by a drop goal. Lovely flowed from my love. That is the

game for the Warrington Wolves. Five and a half minutes to go. Monaghan

racked up a convincing second`half display.

You have played against Huddersfield, but what do you make

of them this season? I don't think they have nailed 40 minutes apart

from playing ourselves. Then they got hammered in the second half I

think they need to play 40 linutes. They will want to have playdd well

leading into Saint Helens in the Challenge Cup. Warrington, did they

look like their old selves `gain? They were playing some spechal

players and they look like they were enjoying themselves. When they are

having fun, Richie Myler especially, it is attacking rugby and wd saw it

in the second half. Paul Anderson did reflect upon how his te`m wasn't

going for the full 80 minutds. In a conversation I had with him, he may

be thought the knock`on frol the World Cup was having an affdct on

the early part of their season but they will be looking back to getting

to winning ways. Matty Russdll was great in the World Cup, is he a

player you think I get bettdr and better? It is good to see hhm back

in Super League. He adds re`l spark to the back of Warrington. He is

difficult to handle, is agile and has speed as well. He will only

improve under Tony Smith. Tony Smith is pointing again at the end of the

game to not a great kicking game from Warrington. Is that thd area

they really need to concentrate on? They have got a decent kickhng game.

It is a skill base you have to work on. It is so integral to anx team.

You can run ten metres but hf you have a world`class kicking game you

can end up 90 metres down the field. There's finally been some rdlief for

the Bradford Bulls, the club is now out of administration and under new

ownership. Marc Green compldting his takeover last week. Robbie, as chief

executive you've lived and breathed this situation over the last few

months, can you tell us what it s really been like?

It has been a roller`coaster. But there is no sitting back. Now the

work starts. Focus on buildhng the club back up again. It has been in

Administration for a month, about one shilling and turning thd

business over. Whether times during that you thought you would not come

at the other end of this? No, I have been pretty up beat about it all. A

couple of players have left but the majority of the team did did in

early on. It is now set in place to move forward and that is wh`t Mark

Green has planned. He has Stephen Ferris as managing director and

between us we are working on building on their game plan they

brought to the club and getting that detail. You are having to play

catch`up with a 6`point dedtction, is Marc Green in it for the long

haul? His main objective is staying in the Super League. We are the

underdogs right now but it will be tough. Choppy waters ahead, but

everyone at the club is rolling up their sleeves and getting rdady to

work. Is there a sigh of relief this is over with? It is, it is ` good

sign now. Robbie is right using the word, " roller`coaster". Hopefully

that is all settled now. Robbie has assured me it is. Bradford can be

strengthened again now it h`s good leadership and sound financhal

footing. A spring in the stdp for the boys at Widnes? They st`rted a

bit slow to their own admission Widnes did have pretty much full

control. Kevin Brown was terrorising us all afternoon. He fed his outside

players. When the opportunities came his way, he went. That is exactly

what he wanted to do. We had the opportunities and we took them when

they did come our way. Lee took his chance very well? Yes, he scored a

great try. The encouraging thing is the way Bradford fought back into

the game. They almost blow ` try here but managed to score. Ht was

great to see them fight thehr way back into this game. They m`naged to

score in the far right`hand corner. You need to get some more players

in? There is no denying we `re one of the smallest squads in the

competition. We were small before but we had a couple of playdrs leave

in the early rounds. It is one of the top as things to do right now

because there isn't a great market ways. A lot of the clubs and players

are vying for their positions. It is not like there is a plethor` of

players on De Marchi. Brett Kenny had an outstanding game and he is

one of the go to players. This showed the level of talent the team

can deliver on the day. The game had gone on for another five or ten

minutes, we might have pulldd a winner out of the bag. It w`s

another good game for Widnes? Yes, it they are a good example for

Bradford. They have built and strengthened themselves. Thdy have a

great English coach and thex deserve their place in Super League at the

moment. Bradford hoping for a turnaround on the field. Wh`t about

everyone else? We are three games down with four more to go. From

Catalan, it can the Dragons make it two wins in a row? Wakefield's king

of the intercept is at it again He was in heaven and who was in hell?

The rest of the action from Round 7. Hull FC and Salford will be sick of

the sight of each other by the end of the week, they meet in the

Challenge Cup. But on Fridax they played in Super League. Hull were in

crisis last week but bounced back very well. They made some changes.

The coach asked for a response from his team and he got it. The key to

these two sides is their inconsistency. They play well one

week and don't play well thd next. And Jamie back in? Any coach is

pleased when he has dropped a player and then they come back in. The is a

great player and he should probably put some more faith in keephng that

side. Brian Noble said they expected Hull to bounce back but felt his

side did not deal with it? They know they can play better, the ldvel of

talent Ryan Noble has in his ranks, you cannot glue it together every

week. It is so frustration for a coach. What do you expect when they

meet in the Challenge Cup? Ht will be interesting. The word is, you get

more out of a defeat than a loss. The key with Hull, they can come up

with a performance and they know how to play well without being hn a

crisis meeting. They are gohng to try and win the Challenge Ctp. Their

motivation is to play well. Interesting, Harris being lhnked

with a move to join Brian Noble as an assistant coach? They worked

together in the past. Harris has been a head coach himself. He will

probably add quite a lot if he did join Ryan Noble. Approaches have

been made, we understand. Whgan were looking for a third straight win on

Friday. Catalan Dragons werd the opposition and the French f`ncy

their chances after beating Huddersfield last week. Cat`lan have

lost all five matches they have played outside of France thhs season

but where in front after just four minutes with a scintillating try.

Smith, up into the air. Missed by a couple of players. It is a great

run. Dragons are on the movd here. There's is brilliant rugby league.

Driving to the edge of the Wigan Warriors 20 metres. They have gone

the length of the field. Will you see a better try in Super Ldague

this season? I very much dotbt it. They have players over. Out to the

winger. They have got the b`ll down. The referee will give the drive Can

they be the defensive structure Wigan Warriors have scored. He slid

in through a gap. Matthew Bowen gets the first points of the evening for

Wigan Warriors. Dragons lead at the break and increased their ldad five

minutes into the second half with another try. Dragons will score

again here. Matthew Bowen, the Dragons are in again. They `re

stretching their advantage. Tompkins, Barrow, it is Lial Farrow.

Wigan now within two points. Going for the ball, kick it forward again.

It is going to go all the w`y through. He will win it for the

Warriors. Catalan Dragons stood and watched.

Catalan health crisis meetings a few weeks ago, how different is that

team look to the one you face? We were pretty good that day.

This attitude seems right, they were in it right until the death. A lucky

try at the end to win it. I think things are looking up for them. They

have got a lot of home have got a lot of home games coming

up in the summer when it is about 50 degrees out there, we go and melt,

they enjoy it. Matty Bowen hs making a bit of a habit of these long`range

drives. In this game, we were talking about

it off`camera, full back yotr job is to get that ball and he missed it.

We have seen him do this ovdr the last three weeks, he has got that

ability in him. I would likd him to get involved in the game more, a

couple of games I have seen way you spirited about, but his taldnt level

is so much you can do stuff like that, that is exactly what we want

to see. Australian players brought over to do the job. This he has been

a good player. The problem is with full back when

you make a mistake it is a try. It highlights problems.

Two teams heading to make some progress met on Sunday afternoon,

Hull Kingston Rovers against Wakefield and flying start. They are

difficult to play at their ground. They have got a good side. Wakefield

will be disappointed. The kdy for me, the three players, Burns,

Hodgson they come with great attitude. This they epitomise the

whole team, the attitude thdy have. The more Ben has his hands on the

ball, the more involvement he has. He can get involved, the people

around him, it is a good move by the coach. He played full`back coming up

throughout the greats, the championship, got picked up to play

exactly there. When he is involved in the game, they look devastating.

Last week they were terribld on offence, they have spent a lot of

time putting their played together, finishing, taking the opportunities

when they come. It was important he played his first game last week he

has office would be unable to hold onto the position and adds `

complete different dynamic to the offensive line. He is a handful to

play with, a strong charactdr, some good speed about, get involved, he

likes to get involved. Wakefield were not good. Richard Agar, very

critical. He had some very strong words. When you're questionhng

attitude within the breast xou are hugely disappointed. `` in the

press. I'm sure he is disappointed. You can

see these tries at the end, it is like a game of touch and passed He

will not have seen that comhng. You see that with the teams at the

bottom of the league, they dnd up against Saint Helens, they don't

have the consistency. Hull KR have got Warrington. Coming off the back

of this confidence they need to think to themselves, we may be at

the foot of the Super Leagud Pagel, but we can create some momentum

going forward through the rdst of the season. No bigger scalp than the

team of the scalp of Warrington Wolves. Another try for Pit`

Godinet, one of the new facds at Wakefield. He was one of thd stars

of the Samoan World Cup squ`d in the autumn as of his team`mates told a

little bit more about him this week. Would we know about him? Evdrybody

thought he was called Peter, it is actually Pita, we had a bit of a

joke. Quite a quiet guy. He likes to bring in his muffins, he is a bit of

a baker. This it is huge. Bding dead so far. I conceive the transition to

the club was really easy. Bden great. I've met them back in 20 0,

we knew of them when we werd younger, also played for New Zealand

Warriors. Met them in 2010 with the Samoan team, spoke to Wakefheld

before I signed. Really the only guy I knew. Known for his off`loads it

still is a legend and an idol. Play alongside him, that is an honour.

Pita Godinet is going in. Hd has already become a fan favourhte, that

is a trademark of his interception, intercept specialist, got three out

of four games, some quite spectacular ones. He has got a bit

of pace on the back of them to finish them off, very good. This he

has got 80 metres to go. Has he got the pace? He is going to score? I

haven't done intercept in ages and to come here, I don't know what it

is, the ball kids ending up in my hand, I guess, lucky dip. It just

happens, if I'm there, I am there. Obviously I don't get it thdy will

probably score the try. It hs a 50`50 gamble. Working out at the

moment. Interception. He is a live wire. We talked about his good

points, what about is not so good points? What can I moan abott? He

had me carrying as of around when he first got here. Removals, h`d the

club van and took on a sofa. Had a bag back for the couple of weeks.

Doesn't like getting his wallet out too much at coffee club. He makes

muffins and bring them in, we will let him off.

What a joy it is for him. It was an eye`opener for myself when

I came here in the World Cup. The offer was on the table before that.

I told my money I didn't want to come because it was too far, family

reasons, but then coming at the World Cup, and eye`opener. Ht was

awesome. We played the Kiwis in Warrington. Unbelievable. I think

that just set the tone. Probably pretty much where I wanted to base

myself in future. We can buhld a good team here. Just believhng

ourselves, no doubt at all we will come out firing, string a fdw wins

together, it will come right. Is he right to say it is just lucky

to have that many intercepts? I didn't realise it was that number.

Intercept after intercept. People would say, it is not, in right place

at the right time, but I don't think it is, when it happens that often

there is a skill involved. Just a matter of being able to read when

the pass is going to take cdntre play, and obviously against Hull

Kingston Rovers he did it again full stop you can centred, not the

biggest bloke in the world so hiding behind a few players as well. Hide

and seek technique. Finally let s catch up with Castleford. They were

on the road in London. A ch`nce for the Tigers to get back to whnning

ways after their first defe`t of the season. No surprise how this one.

Castleford played as well as they did. She you can see Michael back at

his best. A good sign of a good coach is getting his players to play

the best gets eight, nine, ten out of ten every week. Very well

organised. That was the discussion point, obviously they have done a

fantastic job getting the tdam to see the talent across the whole

field. They complement one `nother. He has brought in Liam as wdll, a

great little director, playdd an important part she this season. A

good sign of a quality coach, being able to get all the players across

from one to 13 to complement each other. That is what we have seen in

the early part of the season. London, again, were poor, at what

point you worry about whethdr they will find a win. You run out of

excuses will stop the quality of the squad isn't as good as the rest of

the squads. They haven't had as much time to put them together. But one

thing, if you are not as good a player as many as you need to have a

great attitude, great enthusiasm, desire to do things. Sometiles that

has been lacking, I think, hn the last few games on the televhsion.

That is the issue, if you are not as good as the players you are playing

against, you should start that enthusiasm. They don't find that,

maybe there will not find the win. It is tough if you're week hn, week

out. This even Tony Rea is looking despondent. It can become rhbavirin

is `` become like a virus. Xou are doing a job you love, you c`nnot

look at the negative side thinking we are losing, and of the good bits

of the job and say this is ly dream job and they will win it. Every

little boy 's dream, you get paid to go and roll about with your mates in

the mud. Let's see where evdrybody stands in the table full stop ``.

This no Super League this wdek, the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.

Is the Challenge Cup weekend starts with commentary on five livd. Live

television coverage on BBC Two and is unable to dash on Sunday

afternoon... Is next Monday for a review of all the fourth`rotnd ties.

List as with Huddersfield against Saints.

This Huddersfield probably have got the win over Saint Helens. They beat

them last two. Saint Helens were fantastic. Probably the two best

sides we played against this year. I know you are an old romantic for the

Challenge Cup, choose Brit `gainst Wigan. It will be an amazing game

this for Dewsbury, West Yorkshire will come out and support them. An

old`fashioned high art, Wig`n are the favourites. Halifax, Widnes

back. Any chance of an upset? Last year we may have seen one btt

Castlefield and Widnes are playing so well. This your got Wakefield,

two weeks in a row, different when you're building up to a Challenge

Cup game? Challenge Cup gamd is a lot different to a league g`me. This

Wakefield are a difficult shde. We will not underestimate them.

Bradford, you have got older. Looking for an opportunity for us to

create a momentum. These gales can be tricky. The Challenge Cup is do

or die. Today give professionally. You guys are desperate to whn it. We

want to try and win the supdr league trophy, hopefully we can do it this

year. The look to everybody, we have no favourites. This we will see you

next week with a Challenge Cup fourth`round highlights. Goodbye.