17/04/2017 Super League Show

Seconds out for some second helpings from Super League.

It is part two of the Easter double-header and here

Joining us in the studio is Eorl Crabtree and Richard Mathers.

Is it a little bit strange watching on the sidelines

You have been very good and come in on a Monday having been beaten

Yeah, I think we have done all the live shows

as well that time and, yet, very sorry and tired and I have

three games today that I have either been to or watched

Obviously Giants are doing pretty tough at the moment,

so I don't miss that aspect as well, getting those rollickings off

But for me at the moment, sitting pretty, it is a bit warmer

when you have got your coat on in the stands, so I am a little

Richard, Kevin Sinfield always used to say he loved Easter,

because he didn't have to train, you just played, but now you don't

have to put the spin on it, just how sore will the guys beat

tomorrow morning after these two game?

They will be sore, particularly after playing two game in four days.

They have to back up again next weekend and that is when it really

starts, so I am happy with my decision to retire and enjoy

Easter and have a few Easter eggs, but the boys will certainly

We were talking off air that we are not envious of them tomorrow.

For the first time since 1993, St Helens went into a home game

without the input of their former captain and coach Kieron Cunningham.

His statue remains, but Jamahl Lolesi and Sean Long

were again in charge for the visit of Castleford.

There was nothing spectacular about Castleford's opening try.

Paul McShane caused chaos, and somehow Greg Eden

A Luke Gale conversion and penalty had given Castleford and 8-0 lead,

but Saints hit back with three tries in ten minutes.

The outstanding Mark Percival switching the attacker from left

to right, centre Matthew Fleming finishing strongly in the corner.

Two minutes later an unexpected hole opened up in the Castleford defence.

And Scottish international prop Luke Douglas charged through.

And Percival claimed a third in the 34th minute.

Fages the architect with his perfectly weighted kick.

Five minutes after the restart, Castleford began their fightback.

Ben Roberts' step, pace and power embarrassing the St Helens defence.

Then came the type of try that we have come to expect

Nine different players involved in a mesmerising nine pass movement

that ended with Greg Eden claiming his second

Saints for a moment looked to be chasing shadows,

as Castleford moved back to within two points of the home

side and there were still 20 minutes left in the game.

But the home side have a new hero in their ranks.

20-year-old Eden Grace scored in a memorable debut against Wigan

on Good Friday and he was in again for a try which coupled

with Percival's conversion sealed the win.

Castleford tried to turn up the heat in the late stages,

but although this final attack bore all their expansive hallmarks it

Ben Roberts in for his second, but not enough to prevent

Probably hard for Kieron Cunningham to sit and watch that,

but Saints looking better in the last two game

The Saints have a new lease of life and it is a strange one when there

It doesn't feel like it should be like that,

but St Helens a bit more well structured in a strange way,

they seemed more disciplined and they were throwing the ball

The Castleford team, they are still good and they can

score a lot of points, but St Helens actually made

The structures that Castleford have, they didn't score off the back

St Helens made them work really hard and that to me means

they are working a little bit harder themselves.

It is said to see Kieron go, but something has worked.

Did the result surprise you or did you see that coming a little bit

in the way that Castleford played against Wakefield?

Yes, particularly in the second half against Wakefield.

The first half they were red-hot, but I think they have carried

a little bit of that form to this weekend against Saints.

It was an evenly matched game, two great sides, but I thought

Castleford's second half in particular against Wakefield

was disjointed and not as fluid as they had been and I think that

Young Regan Grace again came up with a key try,

What is going to be the key now to managing him?

He is actually 20 years of age, so he is not brand-new,

he is not that young, he has actually got a tiny bit

of experience, but with that obviously comes that 20-year-old

That is a great try there, but he had to finish off probably

an easy one for him, but he is so athletic, so good,

Managing him, it is an interesting one, you don't know how it will go.

It all depends on his temperament and also his performance as well.

You picked out the Greg Eden try where they just moved the ball

When they are in full flight, they are incredible

They have got effectively four half-backs on the field

in Luke Gale, Ben Roberts, Adam Milner and Paul McShane.

They all play like half-backs and all had a hand in this try.

Equally, in that, all the forwards can pass and the skills on show,

And a bit like Eorl said, this try in particular was just pure

magic and it was going to take something like that to break

the St Helens defence down, because the Saints defence

How do you think Darryl Powell will react to this result?

The game probably reflects a bit of tiredness.

Certainly some harsh words in review, because they are not

hitting the standards that they have set themselves.

They have set some pretty lofty standards, but there won't be any

And for St Helens, a fantastic win for them, they looked good

against Wigan in defeat, obviously played much

Would you, if you were in management, suits on these days,

would you sit back and see what Sean Long and

They have got the experience and Jamahl has been around quite

a while and been under some good coaches as well, so they have got

the experience and will have their little spin on things as well,

and being an assistant coach is a lot easier

than being the head coach, because you gain that respect,

you can be a bit more friendly with the players.

For them, they have got to step up to another level.

They have got to now put their message across and get

them playing the way they want to play, but they both

And that excites me as a spectator now.

Well, these two were both at Warrington's game

The two teams were in the bottom four going into this one

Ball goes to ground, but it is picked up by Harvey Livett.

Giants hoping to hit back with this attack.

For McIntosh, and Darnell McIntosh is in at the corner.

He has still got a lot of work to do.

This is Leeming, the acting half-back.

He has got Mamo coming to support him.

Danny Brough with a pass to his left.

Huddersfield not quite getting over that time.

Two points on the offing here for Danny Brough.

Puts Huddersfield four points in front.

The Warrington fans probably think this one is over,

but Huddersfield are going to say something about that.

Sam Wood and Jermaine McGilvray scores.

Danny Brough now, if he gets this kick, it levels the game.

It is a third straight win for the Warrington Wolves.

What is your overall view of the game?

I think we are both agreed it was a pretty scrappy, dull game,

but I think a little bit of excitement there with

Danny Brough had the kick from the sideline to make it a draw,

but overall it was a bit of a bitter game, it doesn't really get going,

but two points both sides needed and Warrington just

How tough for Huddersfield to lose a game like that?

Yes, I think this is probably one of the better performances

we have had as well, even though it was scrappy.

I think we were very loose in the tackles as well,

too many missed tackles, especially that Daryl Clark try,

it is just not what we have done in the past, but for us in this game

to go so close and yet so far yet again, it doesn't help

the confidence levels, but I actually think we did improve.

I think the game overall was not the standard that we would expect

of our Super League teams, but they ground it out,

both teams, and there were some good tries as well,

some scrappy ones at the same time, but overall I think a bit

of a disappointing game, especially for Huddersfield losing.

What has been in the mood in the camp through the tough

It is a question I have been asked a fair bit and externally everyone

thinks there has been a lot of crisis meetings and all of these

cliches, but there has been a quiet confidence within the group

and you have got to batten down the attitudes.

Tony has been really good at handling that.

The players have been really honest and I think one loss and then two

and then it compounds and you start to get into four, five, six losses,

But I think it was just getting that first win, however pretty,

just getting that two points and then backing it up.

They seem to have turned the corner now with I think

three wins on the bounce, four points out of Easter.

I think it has been a crucial period in the season,

but it was just getting that first win.

Which Huddersfield would love to have.

The players had a meeting the other day.

Jermaine McGilvray has come out and said that they had a player's

Have you sensed a difference from that, that the performance

The fact that they have got together is a good thing and it is something

that was mentioned with Hull FC, I think it was maybe last year

It's not uncommon, for the players to actually get together

and the leaders stand up and speak, because I do actually think

we are lacking a few leaders in our team.

We have got the players, sometimes it takes especially

the younger lads to step up a little bit, and we have got the likes

of Danny Brough who has had the captaincy taken away

I think people need to put their hands up,

look in the mirror as well and see their own performances

and then sometimes it is a case of kicking the coach out

to have a true word with yourselves, and you have got to challenge each

other mentally and physically and I don't think we have done

Hopefully from here on in, we will do.

It wasn't good enough but it was a good start.

And how key do you think having a proper full-back

The try that he scored, he just seemed to come

It is all right having a player that is electric,

but you need to put him in the space to use that speed.

We are throwing the ball around a little bit more as well.

We actually looked a bit more threatening today.

I like the fact that we are throwing the ball around, challenging

the opposition and hopefully scoring a few more tries.

Unfortunately Brough has kicked from the sideline,

it didn't quite make it, but we were close today.

Wigan of course are the defending Super League champions, but en

route last year, they suffered they suffered a 62-0

It is of course round ten this week, and once again the

Those memories of last season fresh in the minds of both these sets of

Wakefield hoping to repeat that feat, such a convincing win here

against Wigan, and Wigan in a bit better shape this time around

Had a good couple of seasons at Wakefield.

That was before joining Wigan, and he has held up.

Absolutely cracked into Anthony England there.

He comes crashing through and he's got the

And that is a great finish from Sean O'Loughlin.

And Wigan's talisman makes those fans happy.

Wood target the short side, Miller flat ball.

Liam Finn steps inside one, send it away.

That is away to that right-hand side with Gibson.

Brother a fantastic response, and Jack Smith will go

upstairs, and have we had the optimism popped by referee Jack

As he gets the ball away to Gibson, he checks his run, and

athletic goes through, well, for me, he's onside.

And he got their head of S Garay, lovely little spin,

pirouettes to the nine, and Wakefield have a try.

What a signing he has been for the team.

With these it away to his left-hand side, but he

Wigan are offside, and that will be a Wakefield penalty.

It was a smart move, targeting that Wigan right edge.

A little bit of a fumble their, but they went back on

the ten, and Jack's list called the play.

He's going to be held up, and then tipped into a tackle.

I think he knows what is coming here.

It was the daftest of decisions really.

The tackle had already been affected, the momentum checked, and

And Jack Smith will dish out in the yellow card,

and that is ten minutes in the bin for Anthony Gilling, and his side

Can they take advantage of the extra man here?

Peter comes across, try to put the tackle

in second time round, and that would be a penalty.

Great break by Davis, Johnson made the initial tackle.

Just know how deadly years, that so key.

He gets the ball away to SRA, and that is a brilliant try.

He has got pace to burn, the Frenchman.

Since rocking into Wigan from Catalan.

He takes to the air, and Wakefield have the try.

Escare, not had the best of games but Wigan

Williams steps towards the line, back along

A little dart from Powell, they get the ball down.

I think he may well have been held up the, that is great defence.

Did he get his body under the bowl their?

He is the man making the challenge on Powell.

And sure he has managed to keep that, he's got his

arm under the ball, there is a lead in there as well.

And that is the bravest of efforts from.

Wakefield come forward again, they are pressing.

He collided with the lighting rig and

Miller looks to the sky as if in frustration.

It is his past that looks forward, and you can see just

Williams gives it a little flick over to that

It is cruel on Wakefield and it is wicked for

Marshall's ninth try of the season and Wigan come away with the

Was that a fairly classic, two teams that are in an arm

wrestle, but you did get that slight fatigue

and that there wasn't the

If you just look at the amount of strapping that the players where

wearing in the game, it is a tough game, particularly Wigan,

but Wigan historically, not just last year,

I think they've knocked them off a couple of times when I've played

there as well, so it was a tough old game, but Wigan will just

Certainly an element of relief, a feeling for Chris Chester that it

was the one that got away, that they had the chances.

, As I said before they are, it is one of those games

that they know they can win, because in the past

It gives them that bit of self belief, going into the game,

that they can beat Wigan on their own ground,

and unfortunately for them it didn't come off, and they

There was a couple of jammy tries, almost

intercepts, but it bounces off, ricochets off the player, goes into

the corner and they go on to win the game.

They will be happy to get through that one, because of the

strapping and it is not coincidence, over the Easter period, playing that

many close games, Wigan, the way they play, so tough, so physical,

This was a bit of a missed opportunity

Scott Grix, a player you both know well, not somebody who

gets the headlines, but was he brought to

From what I've heard, his level of professionalism has been

He has notched that up and I think his experience,

particularly from some attacking clips here, his all-round game

and his experience and the defensive line as being a leader.

Very professional, one of the fittest if not the fittest

He can go down short sides, he can kick a dummy

the dumbing -- big players are of the back.

He looks like a different player because he doesn't look like

he has been given an opportunity to play how he was to play.

As a fallback, how impressed have you

The best I've ever seen a couple of years ago, and an unbelievable

support player, just looks a complete player,

Wigan have shown that they have faith in him, but he has been

Had he been surprised defensively by him?

He has been in the Wigan system, it is

a ruthless system, and I think the press

release praised the job they

had done with Escare and yesterday drew a complete player.

It will be interesting when Sam Tomkins back

We are heading towards the end of the

Easter period, but lots more rugby league to company BBC this week.

There's commentary on Saint Helen 's game

on five live sports extra, that

The Challenge Cup resumes this weekend,

and head to the BBC sport website from three o'clock on Sunday for

live streaming of Whitehaven versus Halifax.

And the Super League show is back next Monday night at 1145

with a repeat showing at 715 on Tuesday morning.

Now it shortly we will see the latest meeting between

Leeds and Widnes, but before that we will head back in time to a very

windy Central Park when the two teams met in 1984.

COMMENTATOR: Despite the gales, we still have a John player

I'm afraid we only have one and a half goalpost

A victim of the ferocious winds this morning.

Leads and maybe in the lead by 14 points -

ten, but it is still very delicately balanced.

There is a high tackle from Kieran O'Loughlin.

And I don't think there was anything wrong with

That brings them that coveted John player special trophy.

Times have changed a bit, haven't they?

Back to the present day and the 2017 version of lead against Widnes,

you know the Rhinos well, how do you think they are going to get on?

I think they have really turned a corner.

Everybody keeps talking about them just having found a combination

Yeah, it's not often you see this one come

ball bounce or come off of the crossbar, but I think the

combination of passing has been going really

well, the shift in the

half-backs has really revolutionised Leeds's attack and we see how

He has really boosted the Rhinos attack.

Has he given them a bit more freedom, do you feel?

It has allowed Danny McGuire to sit back and be the organiser, and guide

the side around, but also enable Karen Watkins to get to the ball,

and for them to be in sensational form.

It is tough -- tough time for Widnes, isn't it?

They've given themselves a chance of winning it,

but again, great support on the inside, they just

You know, throw the ball at the back, there is somebody there,

This typifies what Widnes are doing at the moment.

The body language by winners as well, a little bit disappointing.

They do give themselves a chance though.

How much will Dennis take from this comeback in the second half?

I think you have got to take the positives and try and knock out

these negatives, because they have got some ability and they do play

well and they work hard at the right times.

That looked a little bit of a dodgy final pass, but you take what

Overall I think they will be a bit disappointed because a little

bit like ourselves they have got to do something

That is great skill to get over the line there and work that second

Do you think them coming as close has woken Leeds up again?

I think they are scoring again and Callum Watkins, I don't

think there is a centre in the world playing as well as he is.

Parcell seems to have fitted in really well, hasn't

No team came out the Easter weekend in better shape than

Their Good Friday win against Leigh was their

fifth on the bounce and they took that form to Catalan on Easter

Big numbers following them here tonight knowing that a victory

could take them joint top of the Super

They are being tested here, the Salford defence.

Looking to create those numbers wide, the

A smash and grab raid by Vincent Duport.

Bouncing in and twisting away and thinking about the

offload, but he has to go down with ball in hand.

But Carney is too close to the touchline.

A little bit of space there for him to

Runs into trouble a little, but he has

And Anderson will squeeze his way over.

It is Vincent Duport who gets a hand on.

The referee on the field has given the try, so the

What a real chance here for Catalan to build on what they

He had every right to get up there and

The referee said he was tampered with.

Luke Walsh kicking towards the swimming pool end of the ground.

He has put it over and Catalan extend their lead.

And it is taken in midair by Krisnan Inu.

The leap gave him the advantage. They are looking for the onside

here. It is tight. His leap is prodigious and nothing wrong with

what came next. The onside is OK. Catalan have a try. It is OK. It is

another for the French side. The kick from Myler waited superbly and

look at the leap. Waltz to his left. Myler is looking for the inside

ball. Salford have it covered. It is a dominant performance. Another

testing kick from Walsh this time. But it is taken superbly by Carney

and he is on his travels, just in Carney. Can he go the distance? You

bet he can go the distance! What a terrific pride that those from just

in Carney! Had to do the defence of work in the first place. The kick

from Walsh, almost back on his online when it comes down. He can

claim this as a 100 yard. They were in hot prosciutto but not for long.

-- pursuit. Carney with a memorable moment.

Three tackles to go in this set for Catalan. They are kicking early from

Walsh. Attacking kick. The bounce takes it away from O'Brien! And

Myler is there, poacher in chief he celebrates his newborn baby with a

try. The sun is shining for Catalan now. An early kick. A shock play, a

shocking bounce from Salford's point of view and Myler isn't. -- is in. A

hop skip and a jump with the willing Catalan defenders. Stepping on the

inside here, Robert Louis. He has got support as well. He has given it

away. He is away! Breathtaking! Eye-catching! And a role to

celebrate at the end. It is proving to be very day. They are having a

party. And here is the gift. Gigot with the interception. Wonderful

sidestep. And then the rest is all smiles and celebrations. No need for

a translation. It has been try, try and try again for couple on today.

No doubt were the points are going. It is going to be a one point here.

Walsh adds the extra. One point. Almost certainly guaranteeing the

two points. The Salford defence trying to push forward. He is being

urged to run here. Cul-de-sac. Down he goes. They'd head by Gryphon.

Walsh is going for another one! He is in the drop goal mood. Two to his

name now. Catalan edging closer to glory. They have enjoyed seeing

their team back home again. Walsh, for a moment thought he might be

going for a hat-trick of drop goals. That is a good push. Penalty.

Salford involved far too long trying to slow down the urge and search.

Five tackles to have a real go on this Salford line. They only need

the one. With the kick to the corner. He will claim a hat-trick on

what has been a memorable day for him and his side. Catalan looking

the real deal. How short a straw is a soup get Catalan and with them

having had rest? It is awful having the trip in general but on the Bank

Holiday Easter Monday that is a shocker. Especially with a couple of

days before, if you are already shot to pieces it is always tough to go

there. Catalan are fantastic and they looked like a different side,

confident and strong and they would just pushing the tackles and it

looked like a block in the park. I think it was a step too far for

Salford. A real confidence shift for Catalan. Ten days ago they looked

shocked. Three wins in the bounce will stop how important for them to

win at home? Massively. The manner of them was pretty comprehensive.

Some of their tries, high-quality skill. Winning at home is massive.

You feel sorry for the Salford boys, they looked shattered. Ritchie has

had a busy time. Being a dad for the second time. What do you make of him

for Catalan this season? I think he has been instrumental. Particularly

in the last couple of weeks, on fire today. Had a hand in a number of

tries. This is what he does on form. His pace. He looked like he was

enjoying himself. I think they have got a Brit of freedom to play. This

is great linkup play. He chases hard. He shouldn't be getting near

this anti-gets a bit of a bounce. Celebration as well. A fitting end

to his game and getting that try for the baby. We talked a lot about

people missing. How much was dated was it for them to get the win? It

was tough. It is great with the confidence that they can come out

and put in a performance without their leader. Salford have Toronto

who will be gunning for them in the Challenge Cup, how tricky will it be

on the back of that? It will be because you can't take them for

granted. They are a good side. They have got a bit of attitude because

they want to show everybody how good they are and I think they are

fantastic for the sport and Salford can't take them lightly. It will be

big for both sides. That's round up the Bank Holiday with a trip to

Leigh where whole city where. They needed a big response. I think

they've altered a bit. Hull needed to bounce back. The first try going

over. They looked big and powerful. This is? For Leigh because they are

used to winning and now it is about the mental attitude after losing a

couple of games. The toughness of Super League. Great skill and

strength to dive over on the left-hand side. Player Albert Kelly

is absolutely fantastic this year. A shoo-in for one of the possibilities

this year. That pick-up is sensational. 18-0 up for Hull at

half-time. The game was pretty much over. Breaking through here. This

little pass. It was a stroll in the park. Have you been surprised that

Hull have wobbled? Yes, and the manner. Over 100 points. Rock solid

defence. Attacking flair but a solid defence. The big focus but the

players this afternoon would have been the defence and scoring some

nice tries on the back of that. Leigh came back but it looked pretty

comfortable for Hull FC. Five defeats in a row for Leigh, they

have got Hull KR in the Challenge Cup. It was a good opportunity.

Leigh have got the quality and personnel. We have seen them win

games and they can do it but backing it up each week is tough. You have

to get through that and start winning games again and try to build

the confidence and momentum. So while the players and pundits head

for the recovery sessions its check on the standings in the Super League

table. Leeds are level on points with Castleford at the top although

the Rhinos have played a game more. Catalan up to six and Warrington

moved above Leigh internet. Four matches this week featuring the top

eight from last year. Champions Wigan Warriors take on Catalan. Home

game for Widnes and Warrington. Challenge Cup action as well. You

have talked about how difficult Easter is and coaches always juggle

with it, but they are already planning for the double weekend

again in just over a month? Certainly. I think Easter is a

tradition. We know what we are getting. The next Easter in May

quite frankly is a joke. No reason for it. I think the planning has

been making the congested fixture list worse and the players have to

go through it again. For the top players some have to go down under,

then the Challenge Cup, then Magic Weekend, double weekend, when would

you say the players settled down after Easter and when will it hit

into the congestion period? They already try to recover as quickly as

possible and they agree with Richard, what we are trying to do is

fit in more and it is now having effectively two Easter periods. What

worries me is the players but also the quality of the game if we wanted

to get better, you can't just keep an fitting Morand war games because

there are more injuries -- more and more difference. That is not a good

advertising for Super League. It seems ridiculous but we seem to be

trying to fit Morand war games and I don't think it is right. If it takes

players a couple of weeks to record from Easter when do think we settled

down back after May? Well into June but that is a crucial period. The

scrambling for position is a crucial part of the season. In terms of

injuries potentially picked up it could make it even tougher in that

period at the end of June. You still made the right decision to retire?

Two Easter periods, definitely. That is it. Thanks for joining us. We

will see you next week. Until then enjoy your Easter eggs. Goodbye.