Episode 1 Super League Show

Hello.

20 years ago the Spice Girls had their first number one single,

football was coming home and rugby league became a summer sport.

Super League comes of age this year with its 21st season and,

if the last 12 months are anything to go by,

it could be quite some party.

Ryan Hall wins it for Leeds!

They have only gone and done it again.

They win it on the hooter!

By the skin of their teeth, hang on to their Super League lives!

That has set the Cherry and Whites alight.

Leeds came to Hull and Leeds win the treble!

And we are joined tonight by Kurt Gidley of Warrington

and the Batley and Wales coach John Kear.

Welcome to Super League, Kurt.

What have you made of it so far?

It's been great.

It's been a really tough off-season.

The trainer John Clarke, a great strength and conditioner,

has pushed us really hard through the off-season,

the players have responded great and I have been really

enjoying my time over here.

As a neutral, John, what are you particularly looking

forward to in 2016?

I am just looking forward to conundrums being answered.

Such as, can Leeds handle it without Kevin Sinfield,

Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai?

The Wigan youngsters being another 12 months older as well.

More experience.

Sam Tomkins returns.

You can go through every club and there is a little question mark.

So I'm just looking forward to all those questions being answered.

You will have to be a patient man.

Four months after completing the treble, Leeds were the first

team back on the field on Thursday.

Their opponents on the opening night were Kurt Gidley and the new-look

Warrington Wolves.

Shouting instructions here.

Skipping off to that left-hand side.

Leeds trying to create a little bit of an opportunity.

Burrow stands and waits again.

Again he goes left.

McGuire pumps it out.

To Sutcliffe!

He has lost it.

Lost it.

In the act of scoring the try.

The offload was terrific, as you would expect,

but he could not keep hold.

There is a problem here with Danny McGuire, just holding

on to the knee, and he is clearly in a little bit of pain

at the moment.

Dwyer from dummy half.

Sandow puts the foot down and Chris Sandow scampers over.

It has taken some time.

37 minutes before the game's first try.

But Chris Sandow shows his electrifying pace here.

Jordan Lilley taking his chances tonight in the absence of Danny

McGuire.

This is a big effort from Cuthbertson, who is held

up just short.

Sutcliffe wants it played quickly.

Burrow, on again.

And a big effort from Brad Singleton.

Powering over, the Cumbrian.

James Child is not quite sure.

They are celebrating in the background.

But hold that thought because they are having another look.

Try given on the field.

No evidence that he has not scored it so the try confirmed

on the big screen.

Brad Singleton, the scorer.

Anxious moments at the start of the season for Danny McGuire.

We are told he is not coming back on for the rest of this game.

Cuthbertson.

Ablett.

Looking for a way through, not finding it.

Lilley, down this blindside.

Joel Moon.

A sway and a swerve back in.

He has left them with that glorious footwork.

The off-load is superb, Lilley passes on and Ryan Hall rolls

over the top of Tom Lineham.

And Leeds have the lead.

Lilley and Moon instrumental in this.

Moon's footwork again, baffling and dazzling those

Warrington defenders.

They were chasing shadows.

The off-load spectacular and the finish pretty good.

Sandow.

Over the top it goes and a chance for some pace to be shown by Matty

Russell.

Back now for Rhys Evans.

It is good from Warrington but they are held up temporarily.

Hughes from dummy half.

It is an intelligent kick from Sandow.

The width out wide and Kevin Penny with his pace was not

going to miss from there.

Really good Warrington try if it is given.

Checking the onside.

Sandow takes a step forward, just to make absolutely sure.

You can see the white line.

That's onside, that's a good finish.

And Warrington are given the try.

Kevin Penny.

A big kick for Kurt Gidley.

10-10 as it stands.

If he puts this over, it might just be a winning lead

for Warrington this late in the game.

And over it goes.

They edge ahead with ten minutes or so to go.

Lilley.

Sixth tackle coming up.

That is a little chip and a chase.

That is good by Lilley.

Pushed off the ball by Ben Currie.

He is claiming he was not obstructing.

He clearly runs across Lilley's line.

The ghost of Kevin Sinfield might be haunting Headingley at the moment.

Zak Hardaker with a chance to get them all square.

He's pulled it horribly wide.

And Leeds miss an opportunity to claim a point.

It is Warrington who will get the spoils.

That is a real flapper.

A real flapper.

Kurt, how important for you guys to have got that win under your belt

and in the manner you did it?

Everyone wants to win their first comp game, that is for sure.

We knew going to be a big test, they had a huge 2015 season,

Leeds, so it was a great test for us to go up there.

Them at home, a pretty hostile crowd, which is exciting for me

to play in.

Something new.

I have never played in Leeds before.

We had a great night.

We done it a pretty tough way.

We made plenty of tackles, worked really hard in defence

but I think that the best way to win.

When you work so hard defensively, and we made so many tackles,

I think we made a lot more than them at half-time.

You made 40 odd yourself.

But we didn't complete great in the second half but to win

the game under those circumstances was great.

And the winning try, the Kevin Penny try,

is that a feel of how the squad might involve attacking-wise

as you go through the season?

Chris scored a try himself and was heavily involved

in the second try.

A great kick and great vision.

We want Chris playing off the top of his head.

We want him playing confident.

A whole pre-season under his belt with the team, he feels comfortable,

he feels confident and that is what we want out of him.

It is the kind of kicking we are used to seeing

with Lee Briers in a Warrington shirt but also the unsung heroes,

particularly Ben Currie worked his socks off

in attack and defence.

Ben Currie has been a highlight for me personally, coming

to a new team.

An outstanding attitude to training, tall and rangy, he should have been

playing backrow on Thursday night.

He got pushed to the centres because Ryan Atkins had to pull out

with an elbow injury.

He adjusted to that move fine.

He has a great attitude, he is exceptionally fast for a guy

that size and we see that there chasing Rob Burrow.

He saved us the game.

Those are big points in the game that Currie was involved in.

A tremendous break, chased down Burrow.

There we see him putting Kallum Watkins into touch but also,

instrumentally, he provided the pass for Kevin Penny as well,

on the end of Chris Sandow's kick.

He had a great night and it is very exciting and England have got a lot

of good back rowers playing Super League at the minute.

What about Leeds?

It is life after Peacock, Sinfield, we knew that,

but to lose McGuire as well is a hefty blow.

That is a massive blow for them.

I think Danny McGuire was looking forward to takeing the general's

role and stepping into Kevin Sinfield's boots and obviously

that opportunity has been taken away for the next six weeks or so.

Jordan Lilley though?

I thought he really showed up very well.

Although they played him at dummy half, I thought he showed

up really well.

And I know from his junior days he is an accomplished

half-back as well.

He will pose a problem or two to Brian McDermott

with his selections in the coming weeks.

The Hull FC owner Adam Pearson says this year's squad is the most

expensive they have ever assembled at the KC Stadium.

High expections for the new year.

It all kicked off for the Black and Whites

against Salford on Friday.

Matt Newsome saw this one.

Talanoa for Hull.

Into contact.

Houghton waits.

He loves a broken line, Houghton, and he's scampered into space.

He's got Pryce in support and he finds Leon Pryce

and he will scoot to the line.

A sparkling start for the Black and Whites.

Lui.

Kopczak.

Across to this left-hand side.

Salford on a roll here.

Sa'u gives the ball away and there is Josh Griffin

and Salford on the board.

Pressure from Hull.

Sneyd looks to go it alone.

Scrappy stuff.

Here is Houghton.

Measures the kick.

Fonua is on the far side!

Fonua touches the ball down.

Pryce.

Good hands from Taylor and there is Jordan Thompson.

It is all one-way traffic.

Out of the back to Shaul.

Down this left-hand side.

Tuimavave has found Talanoa.

That is another try for Hull.

Houghton has been so influential.

Sneyd away to Pryce, who gets it away to Pritchard.

Tuimavave will go alone!

And Hull are ripping Salford apart down this left-hand side.

Can they pick up where they left off in that first half?

Pryce close to the line, gets it away to Jack Logan.

The momentum continues.

Pritchard.

What hands he's got.

He flicks it away.

And Jack Logan is in.

Salford have no answer.

Sneyd tries to go it alone.

Picked up by Gareth O'Brien, who dummies the first man.

The ball comes loose.

Hull have snaffled it back and here is Jamie Shaul.

Goes one way, then the other.

And he has put a little kick through.

Jamie Shaul!

And Hull hit the 40 point mark.

Tomkins.

Dobson.

Salford finally playing some football.

Murdoch-Masile with a huge fend and here is Junior Sa'u and Salford

restore a little bit of pride.

Why have they left it so late to play here?

Great pass from Dobson.

Niall Evans in at the corner.

Here is Dobson.

A big switch to Murdoch-Masila and once again he's

scampering into space.

Sa'u on the shoulder and Salford will end this game with a flourish.

Largely impressive from Hull but Salford show their fighting spirit.

John, you know more than most the expectation at Hull FC.

Do you think this squad can deliver this season?

I do, yes.

I think it has been assembled with success in mind and immediate

success in mind.

It is not looking two or three years down the line.

They are looking at the here and now.

The Black and White fans are very demanding.

They pay their money so they expect the goods on the field.

Adam Pearson has presented them with that and it is

a really exciting time.

Again it is down to Leon Pryce and Marc Sneyd.

They have got to perform well at half-back in order

to get your Frank Pritchards and company running wide out.

What can we expect from Frank Pritchard?

He is the headline signing for them.

He is a handful.

I have played against him for a fair chunk of my career.

He is certainly a handful.

When he has got his head on and he is keen to play,

he is one of the most damaging players in the game.

It is just where to tackle him.

He can hold the ball in one hand, he has got offloads,

so going low on him is not going to work.

He can off-load pretty easily.

I tried to go high on him a few times and that does not work either.

It is about getting numbers around Frank at the same time and trying

to wrap the ball up.

Which is great because that draws players away so he could

be really damaging.

He can play away from the line then as well.

He has got pre-line play as well.

Yes, he will certainly be a headline grabber.

No doubt about that.

What about Salford?

What do you expect from them this season?

I expected gradual improvement.

Tim Sheens has had a full off-season with Ian Watson,

working with Salford and although some of the headline

grabbers are not there any more, I think you will see a more solid

unit as the weeks progress.

Hull FC off to a flyer but what of their neighbours

Hull KR?

They had the worst of the weather on Sunday when their opponents were

Castleford.

It is Castleford Tigers over on that far side.

Solomona still going!

My word!

Solomona - it's the first time we have mentioned him

and Hull Kingston Rovers will want to keep him quiet

for the rest of the game.

25 minutes played and despite the bitterly cold conditions

in Hull, on the field things really start to heat up.

As tempers flared, Jewitt, on his 150th appearance

for the club, got in a tussle off the ball.

Richard Silverwood stepped in.

Both players were sent to the sin-bin to make the most

of the chilly afternoon and cool off.

Just two minutes later, Castleford's struggles

were compounded when a strong tackle on Michael Shenton left the Tigers

captain in real discomfort.

A nasty knee injury saw Shenton ushered off and could be a costly

loss over the coming weeks.

Boudebza gets the ball and Donaldson scores for Hull Kingston Rovers

to the side of the post.

The match was all square going into the second half

and the wet and wild weather continued to play its part

in the match.

A kick upfield from Gale slipped through the hands of Cockayne

and left the Tigers in prime position to pounce.

Gale has the ball on the ten metre line.

Webster comes in, he will cut a swathe through and Webster

will score against his old side!

Can Rovers conjure something up?

We shall see.

On the ball.

Cockayne gets it to Mantellato and he goes in the corner.

Rovers do fight back.

Here is Milner.

Milner passes it to Gale.

A crossfield kick to Solomona and, well, he pops it up for Webster

and that was just very poor defending.

Mulhern is in at dummy half.

He plays the pass to Blair.

Blair to Cockayne.

Out to Mantellato!

Mantellato in the corner!

Josh Mantellato is in.

With seconds remaining, Mantellato was left with a tricky

conversion from the same position he missed earlier to tie the game.

It is away.

Mantellato likes it and it is over.

It is through and, on the death, after the hooter, Mantellato kicks

the two points that means Hull Kingston Rovers draw this game.

Really proud of the resilience of the boys, the toughness,

and from one to 17, the effort was first class.

We have not lost the game but it feels like it a little bit,

but I am really pleased for Chris.

He deserves the opportunity to crack on and keep doing his job

without a fair bit of stick on his back.

Kurt, you have got Hull KR next.

They will go there really buoyed by that.

That will feel like a win.

For sure.

A tricky one that one.

I played with Josh in Newcastle and we always knew he was a great

goalkicker so it probably does feel like a loss for Castleford.

Another big, tough game for us.

Our first home game so certainly one we want to win for our fans.

They have been battered a bit in pre-season,

in the pre-warm up games, Hull KR.

That is a really big statement.

It is a big statement and it is one they needed.

It was a great riposte from the playing squad as a whole.

They lost heavily to Hull FC and that didn't sit well

with the Red and White fans.

That is a great way to come back.

Daryl Powell absolutely devastated there because they were never behind

the whole game, but Hull Kingston Rovers would not go away

and they found a way to draw and good on them.

They lost Michael Shenton as well, it looked like a nasty injury.

How big a blow to lose your captain?

It is a big blow.

He was exeptional last year and since returning to Castleford

he has shown international class form.

It is a big blow but they have got youngsters to come in.

They may well get an opportunity now and they may well unearth

a new star.

Don't forget, you can follow rugby league with us right

throughout the week.

Alongside the comprehensive coverage on your BBC local radio station,

there is commentary of Salford against St Helens

on Five Live Sports Extra on Thursday.

The Super League Show will have highlights of all the Round 2

fixtures next Monday night at 11:45pm on BBC One.

Or join us on Tuesday lunchtime on BBC Two and we will have coverage

of the World Club Series, including Leeds against North Queensland

on BBC One after Match of the Day on Sunday February the 21st.

2015 was an up and down year for the Leeds Rhinos fullback Zak

Hardaker.

He was dropped from the team at the start of the year whilst

the subject of a police investigation but ended up a treble

winner and the Super League Man of Steel.

How much of a chance have you had to reflect on what you and the team

achieved last year?

I have not really thought of it much, to be fair.

I got to spend time with my family over Christmas and New Year

which was brilliant and before you know it you are straight back

in, a new year, and everyone is talking about what we are going

to do this year.

I've had a little bit of time to reflect but not as much people

would have thought.

From your personal point of view, a tough year at the beginning.

What changed for you over the course of the year?

Sacrifices.

That was the main issue.

Wanting to be a professional rugby player but wanting to go out

with my friends at the same time.

It is one of those things where you try and juggle it

and it is a difficult thing to do but after what happened last year,

I sat down with my friends and had a serious talk and said,

I can't do half the stuff I have been doing because it is going down

the wrong path for me.

It is a bad thing to say but I did not want a 9am-5pm job

and I did not want to work with you.

My friends, I don't want to work with you in a factory.

It was one of those things and they were fully behind me

and committed to it.

All my family really helped me.

I have definitely grown up in every aspect.

It is great having a medal and a ring and stuff like that

and the award of the treble but, on a personal level,

for what I have achieved myself and where I am now compared to last

year is terrific and I am pretty happy about that.

At the height of it all, in the disciplinary process,

did you think this could be it, I might lose my career?

Definitely, there was a point where in tears at home,

thinking what could be.

Thankfully, I have come out the other side a lot better

than when I went in.

I think now, 24 years old, I do know what is good for me

and bad for me and it has probably taken me a few years of doing that,

but the only way is up now.

For a couple of seasons there has been a debate about who is the best

fullback, you or Sam Tomkins.

When he comes back from injury, you can be compared against each

other, is that something you are looking forward to?

I can't wait.

I love the rivalry.

I love the challenges.

We spur each other on.

If he plays ten out of ten games I have to play 11 or 12.

I got Man of Steel last year and was over the moon and could not

believe it, but this year, I will do better than last year.

That's my goal.

That is what I set out to do.

I'm not sure what the team will do because I can't speak for the others

but on a personal level I will go out to do better than last year,

so that is my personal goal and if Sam does better so be it,

but I will make sure I give my best.

2015 turned out to be an incredible year for Zak Hardaker,

what have you made of him?

I am starting to learn, all the Super League players,

how they work and work well in their teams.

He reminded me of Josh Dugan back in Australia, the tall

rangy back-rower.

A handful to tackle.

Their back three were really strong the other night and will be

the whole year.

The tall ranginess, good on his feet, he is really talented.

Can you see him developing into a leader, particularly

now with McGuire, he can take on a leadership role?

He will need to do, it is a different group dynamic

at Leeds and people such as Zak have to step up to the plate.

I am certain he will.

It has been an interesting journey, he started at Featherstone

in the Championship, spotted by Leeds and brought

into the Leeds culture, which is very disciplined,

from Gary Hetherington at the top all the way

through to the junior players.

I think he knows it has to be a lifestyle choice.

If he wants to be a full-time, elite professional athlete you have

to make lifestyle choices that allow you to do that.

We heard him talking about the rivalry between him

and Sam Tomkins.

He can't wait.

The decision for who will play at fullback for England,

will now be Wayne Bennett's, as the new England coach.

What did you as an Aussie make of him being appointed

England coach?

It is a good move.

In Australia we have plenty of coaches from different countries.

It is about getting the best coach available at the time

and who is going to get the best out of the players.

Wayne will get the best out of the English players.

They will probably be in awe of Wayne.

He carries an aura about him and seems to say the right things

at the right time in the least amount of words.

It sticks in your mind and motivates you.

What was it like for you at Newcastle when he came into coach?

Was there an aura about him, what was so different about?

Yes.

There is certainly an aura about him.

I don't think Wayne wants to portray that but some guys are nervous

around him, shy, whatever it might be.

He wants everyone to be comfortable.

He wants everyone to do their best.

He showed that during 2008, when he was assistant coach

for the Kiwi team who went on to win the World Cup.

They had a great coach in Stephen Kearney that year.

I am sure Wayne had a huge influence on a lot of the Kiwi guys

in the team.

How do you see it working?

He has a full-time job down under.

He would not know all the English players.

How would you like to see it set up?

I think they will use some of the elite English coaches to work

alongside Wayne and be his eyes and ears of the Super League.

I am certain a Daryl Powell, Brian McDermott, Shaun Wane,

Paul Anderson, they will be considered to work alongside him

because he is the best coach of his era.

There is no doubt about that.

You don't last as long and win what he has won without being gifted

and when he says something, you listen, so he is

halfway there straightaway.

It is a great opportunity to develop the successor to Wayne Bennett

after 2017 and a great opportunity for Wayne Bennett to put

the finishing touches to what Steve McNamara started

and bring home either the Four Nations or World Cup

in the next two years.

Or both, that would be nice, wouldn't it?

It would.

Sam Tomkins was amongst the somewhat drenched crowd at Wigan

on Friday night.

They were up against the Catalan Dragons,

when the French team were celebrating their 10th

birthday.

COMMENTATOR: Gets the ball away.

Terrific hands.

What a try.

It is an explosive start to the life of the Catalan Dragons.

Oh, my word!

Unbelievable.

A bigger slog tonight in the mud at Wigan than it was at the first

meeting between these two in Perpignan.

A high kick by Smith.

Who only gets fingertips to it.

It bounced off the shoulder and gone to ground.

Michael McIlorum has picked up and scores.

15 minutes played.

The referee is asking the question.

Seems to have lost it clean.

Never quite regathers.

McIlorum is sharp enough to see the loose ball.

A clean pick-up by him.

This is surely going to be confirmation of the opening score.

Michael McIlorum's first of the season and Wigan

up and running.

McIlorum.

Usual physical presence right down the middle.

McIlorum from dummy half again.

Squeezing it back.

Williams with the step.

Looks as though Stewart was trying to take him down.

Back to McIlorum.

He is claiming a second.

Referee is asking another question.

If it is a double movement I am going to come back and give

Wigan a penalty.

Attempted trip is what they are looking for.

Stewart.

If it is a try, they will not bother going back to that,

but it is a question about the double movement.

It appears McIlorum kept his arm off the floor.

He has.

Second try for McIlorum in the space of three minutes.

The rain still absolutely hammering down, the pitch

is a quagmire.

A slog in heavy weather.

A grubber kick.

Just about gets it away.

Hang on a minute, because the Catalan players are asking

for a review of this.

The referee says no try, but Justin Horo is claiming it.

And with good reason.

Justin Horo has a hand on that.

Tierney has failed to clear and early in the second half Catalan

have a try back.

Wigan fans lifting the noise.

Sensing an opportunity for their side.

Bateman driving it in.

Waiting at dummy half but it is a penalty.

Mounis hanging on too long.

A real wrestle going on here.

A wrestle that went on a couple of seconds longer than it

should have done.

Matty Smith puts the kick between the sticks and Wigan

extend their lead, 12-6.

Powell, sharply away, Wigan probing left.

Farrell, Sarginson, the ball has gone to ground.

And somehow finding a way through.

That took some scoring.

There is a conversation going on here.

Saying it was definitely a knock-on.

The referee wants to see video confirmation.

Did it come out backwards or was that forwards?

That is what they are judging on.

No problems with the finish.

It is about how it started.

Shaun Wane is rueful but Wigan still in command.

Quite interesting hearing them say they have trained in 20 degrees.

They had to water their pitch back home.

I suppose the errors we saw in the first half were not

a surprise from Catalan.

Yes, from a coaching point of view, this time of the year

you want to complete and kick and kick chase.

It seems like a simple game.

Training, the conditions make a difference.

Training on this side, I guess compared to Catalans.

You get used to those conditions, training outdoors

and during the week.

It must've been like playing on ice rink at times.

It doesn't look great.

It is about completing sets.

A simple game plan.

If the other team is giving the ball away and you are completing...

I think...

We speak about Catalans.

We have always said Catalans, should they learn to win in England,

consistently, they will be a threat to anybody.

They know how to win in the south of France.

That is one of the challenges they have to face.

We can look at the weather report and it should not have been a major

shock it was going to hammer down.

It has hammered it down since November in England.

You have to practise for that and make sure you can

adapt your game plan, your tactics for that.

That is the challenge they've got, they've got to come up

with something that allows them to win in England and win in the mud

in England and in the good weather in England.

Fair to say Wigan managed to do just that.

St Helens and Huddersfield fell at the semi-final stage last year,

both made it to within 80 minutes of the Grand Final.

They were in opposition at Langtree Park on Friday,

what did you make of this one, John?

I thought it was a pretty good game.

It is a few miles down the road to Wigan.

We saw what conditions were like there.

The field looks as if it stood up to it better.

Interesting as well how many tries were scored within ten metres

of the opposition line.

They were playing, as Kurt suggested, field position rugby,

completion rugby, but that was a pretty nice try for Alan Murphy.

Look once again.

They played the ball within the ten metres.

It is dabbed along the ground.

Numerous kick tries and numerous short-range tries.

Again as demonstrated by Mark Percival.

Paul Anderson talked about Luke Walsh's kicking.

You know him well.

He can really control the game.

He is wonderfully skilled, Luke Walsh.

A great passing and kicking game.

You cannot give him that much time.

There have been so many tries in games at the weekend scored

within ten metres of the try-line, or off kicks.

If I was a coach I would be drilling some hard defence on your own line.

Huddersfield struggling injury wise.

Wardle did not start the game.

Grix went.

Danny Brough went.

They will need their youngsters.

It isn't the biggest squad Paul Anderson has had.

People like Jake Connors will have to put their hand up

and come through.

I am sure they will be looking around, scouring clubs to see

who is not getting in.

Perhaps looking in the Championship to replace people like Grix,

because it is a here and now situation.

It is a long season but you do not want to get left behind

at the start of it.

We've often been accused of asking silly questions on this programme,

and this year we're going to do just that.

This is Last Tackle, when you'll find out everything

you need to know about the stars of Super League,

but were afraid to ask.

First in the hot-seat are the Warrington Wolves.

I would have to say I met Anthony Joshua when I was out

on holiday in Ibiza.

I would probably say Anthony Joshua the boxer.

That's a tough question.

Rio Ferdinand.

He came to the changing rooms after a good win one weekend.

Maybe Andrew Johns.

Steven Gerrard, once.

Maybe not met him, but walked past him.

He is one of my idols.

Probably Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I was on Santa Monica Strip and he was on a bike and I saw him.

So I jumped on my bike, spun around.

Started changing him down the strip.

"Put that down!"

Probably thought what an idiot!

But that is the most famous person I have met.

Probably definitely Jordan Cox.

Coxie.

Jordan Cox.

His breath stinks!

Jordan Cox because he is big and he stinks!

No, he's got a lot to say and a lot of stories.

He never shuts up.

Rhys Evans.

I wouldn't even bat an eyelid.

One of my favourite actors, Will Ferrell.

I'm not saying I'm funny.

I like to see him act.

What's his name from Braveheart?

I've been told a few times I look like Channing Tatum.

I would choose him to play me.

There is a couple.

My twin is Channing Tatum.

I look like a lot.

Russell Crowe.

Bruce Willis.

Leonardo DiCaprio.

That classy good-looking look.

Forrest Gump.

Not Forrest Gump.

Tom Hanks, who plays Forest Gump.

Tom Hanks.

You'll have to cut the Forest Gump bit out.

There are a few lads.

Ben Evans rates himself.

Rhys Evans rates himself.

He needs a reality check.

I think.

Jordan Cox again.

Jordan Cox.

Jordan Cox again.

LAUGHTER.

George King rates himself.

God knows why.

Jordan Cox or George King.

The true good-looking lads like myself.

Simsie.

Who else, we all don't rate ourselves because we know the score.

Probably Geno thinks he's pretty good.

He's got the hair.

Geno.

He is very good-looking, especially when his hair is down.

He looks really nice when his hair is down!

Chuckling along.

Have you learnt a few things about your team-mates?

I've learned a few more since those questions were asked.

Jordan Cox is the product of a fair few jokes.

He obviously brings it on himself as well.

He does.

And don't forget to let us know the questions you'd like us

to ask your team, just get in touch using the hashtag last tackle.

Now the last time Wakefield were at Belle Vue it was for the million

pound game in October.

The Wildcats won that match to save their Super League lives,

and their 2016 campaign began at home to Widnes.

Will either of these teams break into the top eight,

John?

That is the big target for both these teams because they certainly

want to avoid that late and possibly the involvement

in the million pound game.

When he throws this dummy.

Close to the line.

A great start for Wakefield.

You can never ever write off Widnes and while they have Keven Brown

with that lovely short ball playing for them,

they open up defences and that was what they were

doing against Wakefield.

They ended up as if they had Wakefield at arm's length.

Again that lovely ball.

They can play good football, can Widnes.

They will constantly do that.

Again, we see perhaps not the best decision from the young wing man,

Johnson, who fields the ball.

There is no crime to link, but it is the execution of the link

to Jones Bishop.

Puts him under too much pressure.

That broke the hearts of the Wildcats fans.

Brian Smith was saying if we cut the errors we will get something.

Is it the early weeks, the kind of thing coaches say?

It's probably the frustrating part as a coach.

You train in the off-season and try to drill into the players,

keep the errors down, play the percentage game.

Unfortunately these players get too excited sometimes.

We go away from the game plan.

Teams that complete well, get to their kicks, kick chase.

Defend well.

It is a circle of pressure.

And they built that, they really did.

Nice to see Lloyd White crashing over, a Welshman.

Looking good for the Welsh national team for the World Cup qualifiers.

Widnes confident they can make it?

Very much so.

They have been written off by pundits and I know it has

irritated one or two of the Widnes boys and they will make sure

they play to their maximum to avoid that middle eight and qualify

in the top eight.

Finally let's celebrate the start of Super League's 21st season

with a dip into the BBC archives.

This is from the opening night in 2004, when the Volcano

erupted in Bradford.

He is a beast.

Players say that.

He is going great for us and the thing I like most he's

a fantastic bloke and a great character as well.

Is it fair to say there might be doubts?

I think the first year questions were asked.

A new player to a new club, different country and lifestyle,

a couple of injuries he could not shake.

I am sure questions were asked.

I suppose, what are the tactics, just give it to him?

If you go up against him you get beat.

He is strong, with great strength.

His catching is outstanding.

He is quick over 20 and can maintain his speeds.

COMMENTATOR: All the way.

Brutal finish.

He is a great catcher of the ball, we always knew that.

He works himself hard in practice.

The result of his hard efforts.

Simply unstoppable.

Kurt, you were coming out in a cold sweat.

Tell us about your encounter with Lesley Vainikolo.

I still have nightmares about Lesley.

I played him in a second, first grade game, I think

Huddersfield, the 2002 World Club Challenge.

When Newcastle won in 2001.

I was 19 years old, probably 80 kilos, ran out on the field.

Freezing cold, raining, windy, looked up and it was Lesley.

Not a great night.

He was a steam roller.

Physically he was big, intimidating.

I think it is the hair as well.

Makes him look bigger.

Looks like a cranky dude as well sometimes.

Not one to remember that one.

John, they started in the Championship.

We can't go without mentioning Batley's win over Leigh,

quite some result.

I am guessing you enjoyed upsetting the pundits.

We enjoyed it thoroughly.

We targeted that game through preseason, saying it

would give us a benchmark to what we can achieve

and where we can set our sights, should we be competitive and play

well against them.

The players did more than that, they were exceptional.

They found a way to win, even when Leigh had 15 sets

to our five, we hung in there and came up with the goods

at the end.

We are happy at the minute.

You have been grinning since you came in.

Can you see a team from the Championship making it

through the qualifiers into Super League?

It would justify the system and some say the system needs justifying.

It may well happen this year.

Leigh had a lot of new faces.

They have to bed in as well and I am certain they will improve

as the season goes along.

So you would bet on Leigh?

Halifax were exceptional and Sheffield made it

to the middle eight.

Maybe Batley can upset a few people.

Perhaps we can get in there.

That's it for this week, my thanks to Kurt and John

for joining us.

Week one is done and dusted, but there's plenty more rugby league

to come on the BBC in 2016.

Goodbye.

Mahrez heads it up in the air,

I think he was being nudged there by Moreno.

Mahrez kept control of the ball, looking for Vardy,

Lovren gets a cross... Sakho is looking... Shot!

What a goal! Sensational volley from Vardy!

Unbelievable!

Fancy shaking off the winter blues?