05/02/2018 Super League Show

Hello.

The 2018 rugby Super League

season is underway.

We're back in the land of Giants.

And the hills are once again

alive with the sound

of Super League.

# Raindrops on roses

and whiskers on kittens.

# Bright copper kettles

and warm woollen mittens.

# Brown paper packages

tied up with string.

# These are a few of

my favourite things.

# Girls in white dresses

with blue satin sashes.

# Snowflakes that stay

on my nose and eyelashes.

# Silver white winters

that melt into spring.

# These are a few of

my favourite things.

# When the dog bites.

# When the bee stings.

# When I'm feeling sad.

# I simply remember

my favourite things.

# And then I don't feel so bad!

We've re-united Danny McGuire

with one of his favourite things.

The eight time Grand Final winner

is alongside John Kear to pick out

the highs and lows of week one.

Danny, obviously now

over that Hull Kingston

Rovers, was nice to get the

debut out of the way so we stop

asking you about being a Hull KR

player?!

Yes, it was.

It was nice to get out there.

I think pre season everybody

enjoys it, it is always

tough, but the real business

is the start of the season.

I think everybody has

missed Super League.

So it was great to get out

there on Friday night.

There has been a lot of talking off

the pitch in terms of

what is going on at the RFL.

And are we going to

have a new structure for

2019.

And we're still none the wiser.

Does that affect players and coaches

going into a campaign?

In a word, no.

All players and coaches

want to do is win.

And that is all the preparation

is designed for.

And we leave the administration up

to the administrators.

We will indeed.

Staying with the theme

of favourites,

St Helens and Castleford tipped

by many as the most likely

Champions this season,

and they started off

against each other on Friday.

It was their first meeting since

that epic play-off semi-final.

Well, what a start.

Great pass!

Fantastic finish.

Brilliant contest so far.

And Luke Walsh scores.

An absolute screamer!

Saint Helens have just

produced a play-off miracle!

We are into extra time.

Luke Gale has won it!

Here is Regan Grace

out of dummy half.

To test the resolve of that

Castleford defence.

Roby.

Lomax up to the line,

the pass away for Percival.

He's got the break

and got the support.

It's going to be Ben Barba

who will sprint to the line.

What a start to a season by Barba.

What a start for St Helens.

Four minutes played

and an eye-catching

try produced already.

Trying to get out of it is Thompson.

Roby again, the pass away to Wilkin.

And he's made the cut and thrust.

Barba back on the inside.

Castleford defence is back there,

but he's got Roby and then further

left and Zeb Taia will score

St Helen's second try.

Thrill a minute stuff

at the moment from Saints.

Two tries in three minutes.

Roby.

Castleford back

on their own line again.

Richardson.

Switching direction.

Not sure where he's going.

So back to Barba.

He is asking the referee

how many tackles to go.

Just the one.

So into the in-goal area.

Lomax is claiming it.

The referee unsurprisingly

is asking the question.

But Alex Walmsley here might just

have produced something special.

He's saying no try on the field.

Have a look at this.

Walmsley going through.

His feet are in play.

He knocks the ball backwards

and Lomax touches down.

It is a try.

Spectacular stuff and Walmsley,

the architect in so many ways.

Roby.

It's going to be a kick by Lomax.

And Ben Roberts didn't

seem to make too much

of an effort to get to that.

And it is a 40/20.

So advantage, St Helens.

Terrific kick from Lomax has put

them in this position.

McCarthy-Scarsbrook.

Castleford in desperate

straits again here.

They can ill afford

to concede a fourth.

Richardson.

Quick hands.

Short, handy pass from Barba.

And Percival is over

for his first of the season.

Wonderful stuff from St Helens.

Roby.

Walmsley just to his left.

But it's back to Richardson who puts

it short for Thompson.

Castleford again in

the role of hanging on.

On what has been a flat

night so far for them.

And it might be getting

worse here, and it is.

Percival with his second

score of the evening.

And St Helens in a real

comfort zone now.

A little bit of a tangle

on the floor but Castleford

are up and away.

And here is Ben Roberts.

Who has not had a great night so far

tonight, Ben Roberts.

Kyle Amor just putting a knee

in there and it has caused

a little bit of strife.

Have a look at this.

Kyle Amor just putting a knee in,

whether something has happened

on the floor before that...

The referee has

the decision to make.

Oh, a sending off!

Ten minutes.

Yellow card is going

to be produced here.

Kyle Amor is in the sin bin

for the next ten minutes.

It is McShane.

Castleford looking for some zip.

On a night when they've been

strangely flat and lacklustre.

Can they find a gear

or two higher here?

MacShane goes out at dummy half.

Going left.

The off-load.

MacShane is over!

Good hands from James Green.

And a hooker is in and is

that the start button

for Castleford's season?

Barba.

Richardson.

Slinging it along the line.

Roby.

Just finding position here.

Putting themselves

within five metres of that

Castleford line again.

Roby.

Theo Fages with the pass away.

Lovely inside ball and Ben Barba

is going to smuggle himself over,

I think he's got that down.

He has.

And it's a brace for Barba.

On a night full of

smiles for St Helens.

Roby.

Roby again.

What a great performance he's

produced as well tonight.

Wilkin there in support.

Roby waits at dummy half.

Here's Theo Fages.

Inside ball might have been

for Barba but outside ball

is an easy stroll to the line

for Zeb Taia.

Another St Helens try.

They're running amok now.

Roby.

Wilkin on to Fages.

Barba chiming in from full-back.

And off he goes!

This could be spectacular.

Barba down the left-hand side.

Inside ball.

Mark Percival finishes

with a hat-trick.

What a night for St Helens!

They have sent the message out

here at the start of this

Super League season,

they aim to impress.

Danny, as you know only too well,

they do not give this out after

Round 1 but that was quite

a statement of intent from Saints,

wasn't it?

Yes, it was.

Fantastic performance.

I think something you're

looking for, you have built

your foundation in

preseason and worked hard.

And then to come out and put

in a performance like that,

a great start from St Helens.

They look a very balanced squad.

They have got some

fantastic players and

obviously a world-class

addition in Ben Barba

who had a storming game as

well.

And a great statement

of intent from Saint Helens.

Ben Barba was really quite special.

Not just in attack

but his defensive work as

well.

He looks like he is raring to go

and going to make a huge mark.

Yes, I mean preseason has had

a great effect upon him.

Because he has dropped

a bit of weight.

He certainly looks very quick, very

enthusiastic and very committed.

As is demonstrated

with the tackle there.

And we have seen in the game

highlights, his attacking play.

He assists here for

one try supporting

John Wilkin initially on the inside.

And he was just

everywhere on that night.

He really was outstanding.

He looks silky

with his skills and he

looks effortless

with his running style.

So he really is one to watch.

And I will certainly enjoy this

season watching Ben Barba

in the Super League.

He has talked as well

about going St Helens something for

standing by him.

-- owing.

And that will count for a lot

as well, won't it, in

terms of his attitude?

I just think he looks

happy, you know.

He has had a bit of

a turbulent past in the

NRL.

And sometimes you can come

with a fresh start and it can bring

out the best in you.

And he certainly looks

like he is playing well at the

minute.

As for Castleford, embarrassing,

poor, disorganised and

sloppy, shocking attitude.

Just a few of the things

that Daryl Powell

said.

That won't have been a happy

dressing room after.

Not at all.

And in the regular season last year,

Castleford had the best defensive

record in Super League.

And it looked as if

they had lost that edge

in defence.

That desire, that commitment,

that willingness to work

for each other.

And I'm certain Daryl

will have picked up on that.

And he will obviously be addressing

that for this week and the upcoming

game on Sunday.

Obviously you got beaten last

season at Leeds, badly,

by Castleford and everyone

pounced on the team.

They are pouncing on Castleford now.

How important for them to bounce

back, if nothing else

just to take the pressure off?

I think you've got to realise

it is only Round 1.

So I don't think you need

to get too carried away.

I think you can use it

as motivation as well.

I think any time that you

underperform or you get a beating

like that, it sort of sticks

with you as a player and a team.

And they will definitely

be going back to

that during the season and realising

that is a low point.

And obviously looking

to improve this week.

Super League in Hull is whole again,

with the Red and White half

of the city promoted

to the top division.

Hull Kingston Rovers' first

game back was against

Wakefield on Friday.

Opening night in East Hull

and the Friday night Super League

lights were once again shining

on Hull Kingston Rovers.

Fantastic to be back

in Super League.

But it just seems like two minutes

ago we were last in Super League,

you know, last year was a bit

of a blur.

So it's great to be back.

We had fantastic support last year.

For the championship and that.

And it's a credit to them,

you know, the way that they

travelled and supported us.

So hopefully we did it for them

as well and they will be out

in numbers tonight even though

it is a little bit cold.

Yeah, it's great to have them back

in the Super League.

It's where they belong.

You know, fantastic memories

here as a player and as a coach.

And I wish them all the best.

But you know my future

is at Wakefield Trinity

now and we need to get

a job done tonight.

We feel we are a stronger

squad than last year.

That is no disrespect to the players

that were here last year.

But we have brought

some real quality.

Justin Horo, Pauli Pauli.

Jordan Baldwinson

and Ryan Hampshire.

So all competitive characters

and you know, all play an important

part this year in this

Wakefield Trinity team.

Rovers recruits were headed

by Danny McGuire, bringing

Grand Final experience to that

already offered by Shaun Lunt.

Tom Johnson was back for Wakefield

and it was the visitors who did most

of the smiling in the first half.

Just 12 minutes into their latest

Super League life, the home side

were down to 12 men.

Tom Johnstone broke down the left.

And as Bill Tupou looked to provide

try scoring support.

Matty Marsh brought him down

and was sent to the bin.

And with Rovers short numbers,

Wakefield took full advantage.

Here comes Finn.

Finn to his left has got options.

It is out towards Johnstone.

And Johnstone acrobatically

dives in in the corner.

Here is Wood.

Wood in turn finds Finn.

Finn along the line to Miller.

Tupou is in.

And Tupou scores the second.

It is a real pressure, this.

Here is Wood.

Wood to Finn.

Finn goes himself.

Finn is there and Finn

scores the third Wakefield

try of the evening.

Now it's Wood, Wood to Finn.

Fast hands from Miller.

Out towards Johnstone.

And Johnstone has his second.

It had been a first-half to forget

for the expectant home crowd

as Rovers remained scoreless

for the first 40 minutes.

Back up to 13 they did work their

way into some decent positions.

But rarely troubled

the Wakefield line.

Finally after 18 minutes

of the second half, Rovers

were up and running.

Here is Maguire, up

to the Wakefield line.

Marsh.

A chance maybe for Salter, too.

Asserts his influence on the game,

first carry of his evening.

Now Maguire with it.

Cuts out past, great stuff.

Clarkson scores.

Hull Kingston Rovers' first try.

But the relief was short

lived and when Johnstone

completed his hat-trick on 60

minutes it continued,

a night to remember for Wakefield

and the winger who had been out

for nine months with a knee injury.

Now Hampshire finds Finn.

Finn along the line to Miller.

Out to Johnstone who

is on a hat-trick.

And if he has finished

that it is already a contender

for finish of the season.

And my goodness me, he has.

Finn finds Ashurst.

Ashurst is eventually stopped

by Maguire, Quinlan and Salter too.

Hampshire.

Three metres out.

Worrying signs.

Hampshire from dummy half.

And he is over.

Hampshire crashes over.

And the Wakefield players celebrate

in front of their supporters.

There's not many teams who will come

here and get a result.

We weren't pretty, but the main

thing was to get a result.

And you know, we have been real slow

starters these last couple of years.

Certainly last year as well

when I was in charge,

we didn't win the first two.

But it's always nice to get

the season off to a flyer.

We talk about getting beat or losing

a game, we lost the game

but we didn't get beat.

By that I mean, no one gave up.

We were a new team at the start

of last year and we've formed

together and we're starting to get

a real roll on with each other

and we've added some

new people like Justin Horo,

Pauli Pauli, Ryan Hampshire.

And they've all slotted

in to the team perfectly.

And they're real big guys

and they are doing a lot of damage.

And it's helping us

a lot on the field.

So it just feels like it's a special

team and we're looking forward

to doing something good this year.

Danny, tough on the scoreline

but quite interesting

from Tim Sheens there saying

we didn't get beat, in terms

of didn't get beat up out there.

Yeah, I don't think anybody

could question the attitude

or the desire from the players.

I think we worked

hard for each other.

We just coughed up a bit too much

ball and missed one-on-one

tackles and you know,

Wakefield are very good team.

And they punished the mistakes.

And obviously with the tries

on the clip as you saw,

executed really well.

And some great finishes

by Tom Johnstone.

But we are disappointed,

obviously wanted to get

off to a winning start.

But you know, some good things

to come out of the game.

A lot for us to work on.

Is it something that actually

possibly you needed that opening

game as well for some of the players

who don't have as much Super League

experience to realise

what the step up is?

And also quite a few

of you are new as well.

Yes, I think we are still gelling

together as a team.

We obviously have some new players,

myself, Tommy Lee, Shaun Wood has

missed a lot of preseason

with a shoulder reconstruction.

So I think we will improve

as the games come on.

But in Super League you haven't got

a lot of time to find your feet.

We need to start picking up

some points and yeah,

we were disappointed

with the performance but obviously

looking to improve this week.

And what about the atmosphere, to

have Hull KR back in Super League?

Yeah, it was great.

It was obviously the first

game there for me and it

was a great atmosphere.

Obviously everybody knows that

Rovers are a Super League club.

And I think the competition

missed Rovers last year.

And hopefully we can put

a better performance on next

time we are at home.

Obviously you're not

at Wakefield any more,

moved over to the Bradford Bulls.

But young Tom Johnstone,

I know he is a start you have talked

about for a long time.

He has had his injury problems,

but boy what a talent.

He is an outstanding

wing man, he really is.

He is going to be an England player,

there's no doubt in mind whatsoever.

He has put the hard

yards in with his rehab.

Recovering from a knee

reconstruction.

And I think you can see

from his athleticism and his ability

to finish from virtually nothing,

that he really is very exciting.

But he does not only do that, he's

also very good bringing the ball out

from his own end as well.

Because he is very,

very strong indeed.

And there is an England

winger in the waiting.

What do you think Wakefield

can do this year?

They will get in the top four,

I'm pretty certain of that.

Because you can sense there

is a confidence around the players.

They were a good team last year.

They will be even better at this

year because they have

got that experience,

they have recruited

and they have got their

0ne-six-seven-nine sorted out.

So they will ask questions

of anybody they play against.

Next up for Rovers it's

a trip to Elland Road,

to take on the Champions.

It's only two months

since the World Cup when England

made it all the way to the Final.

Their player of the tournament

was Jermaine McGillvary,

who's now back home

with the Huddersfield Giants.

I'm a pretty normal person.

Just make my family proud,

that's my main aim playing rugby.

For people to say that I've

inspired them is crazy.

McGillvary!

The opening try of this World Cup!

I just wanted to be

a Super League player, you know.

Just try to make a living

from Super League and you know,

to be playing on the world's biggest

stage and you know, kids buying my

tops and saying I've inspired them.

I got loads of messages

when I came back.

It's a really special thing,

I'm a guy, I like to

keep myself to myself.

You wouldn't even

recognise me on the street,

I'm just a normal guy.

I'll have my hoody

and my tracksuit on.

You would probably look at me and be

scared more than anything!

I'm just a normal guy and the main

reason I play rugby and do things

other than that is for my family.

They were really proud

of me, especially my

sons as well, you know.

Sending me good luck messages

and watching all the games

and stuff like that.

And all their friends

talking about it.

You know, to see them

with a smile on their face

and be proud of their dad,

be proud of what I'm doing

and what I've achieved, is amazing.

Dad, good luck for tomorrow.

We love you.

Come on, England!

Come on, England!

McGillvary comes back

in on the inside.

Jermaine McGillvary scores again.

He is literally unstoppable.

Because he's got these.

Muscles.

And it goes to Jermaine McGillvary!

Nine tries in nine successive Test

matches in an England shirt.

I loved every minute of Australia

and I think the group

of people I was with,

the players and the staff, just made

it even more special for me.

Not just on the field,

the rugby stuff, just

visiting like different

cultures, different people.

You know and the surrounding areas.

A life experience.

It was amazing.

As soon as I came back I was hiding

away, I waited a week and then

I went away on holiday just

to get my mind off for a bit.

I hadn't even reflected on the

final, I haven't watched it back.

I'd seen it a come on a couple

of times on the highlights but it's

not one I want to watch back.

What about this ankle

tap from Dougan?

He was gone, Kallum Watkins.

Oh, don't do it to us!

There was a lot of talk that

you would be moving to the NRL.

Has anybody approached you,

or was it never going to be a thing?

That's it, no one's approached me.

I think a lot of it was

more media speculation.

But no one has directly

approached me so all I can do

is focus on doing my job for England

and for the Huddersfield Giants.

I know I have to give

back now, especially

to the younger lads in the team.

I've always kept quiet

and just done my job,

let my performance do the talking.

But I know I have to give back now

especially to the younger lads

in the team, you know,

hopefully it rubs off.

When you give him that much space,

he's not going to waste it, is he?

Jermaine McGillvary.

Back to reality now.

This cold weather on the pitches,

you know, slippy balls again.

So you know, I just have

to get on with the job.

Well John, he topped the stats

for clean breaks, metres made,

tackle busts and hand carries.

He scored seven tries

in seven games.

What has it been with him

at international level,

he seems to have really stepped up?

He has, yeah.

I mean it is another level

up from Super League.

But he just took to it

like a duck to water.

And it was absolutely sensational.

I think he is very underrated

in Super League as well.

And you see here, a wingman's job

isn't simply now scoring tries.

It's getting the sets going early

on when you're bringing it out

from yardage at your own end.

And he does this really well,

whether it's against the French team

where he made a break there.

Or against the Australians

who we were really struggling with.

And you see here once

again his power really takes him

through that tackle.

And he really is a handful,

as you mentioned, with these carries

and against so many yards.

He is a massive, massive asset

to his team and his team-mates

as Kallum Watkins benefits

there from him.

And it's the physique

of him as well, isn't it.

You can see him finishing off

the tries, but he's built

like a prop, almost.

He is, he's a huge

man, he really is.

But he's also very, very quick.

And he is very evasive as well.

We have seen in power

through tackles.

But he's also good

on his feet as well.

So as an all-round package,

he ain't a bad wingman!

Are you surprised to still see

him in Super League?

Partly, yes.

Partly, because I thought

they would have been gathering

round him and trying

to pick him off there.

But it is obviously a big

bonus for us that he has

remained in Super League.

But the biggest bonuses obviously

for the Huddersfield Giants.

It is indeed.

Well Jermaine was still nursing

an injury he picked up

at the World Cup so sat out

the Giants trip to

Hull FC on Thursday.

Dave Edwards has the details.

The home side took an early

lead in their opening

home Super League clash,

Marc Sneyd scoring two

penalties in nine minutes.

But it wasn't long before

the visitors responded,

first through Ryan Hinchcliffe

on the quarter hour mark,

then the Giants were on the hunt for

a second just three minutes later.

A neat little kick from

Adam O'Brien was picked up

unchallenged by Ukuma Ta'ai.

Roth's conversion giving

Huddersfield an 8-point advantage.

Hull hit back only minutes before

half-time, Albert Kelly

making his presence known

by powering through the defensive

line and giving his team a lifeline.

The Black and Whites were quick out

of the blocks in the second half.

A huge 40-20 from Sneyd

set the grand work.

And Fetuli Talanoa with brute

strength, dived in at the corner.

From then it began to feel

like one-way traffic.

Sneyd's boot was instrumental again

as a perfectly weighted chip

was scooped up into the waiting arms

of Talanoa to get a second

try in four minutes.

Hull looking for their fifth opening

round victory in a row.

And as the hour mark approached it

didn't seem in doubt.

Jake Connor putting daylight

between the two sides.

With Huddersfield struggling to stem

the tide and some slick passing

from Lee Bradford's men,

Talanoa was able to secure

a hat-trick in style.

-- Lee Radford.

The final wound inflicted on the

visitors came after 63 minutes.

A hit and hope was lost and dropped

by the returning Jake Mamo.

And Jamie Shaul rounded off

an impressive second-half

performance and convincing home win.

Lee Radford saying not perfect,

but he was pretty happy

with that as a start.

Do you see this Hull FC as the club

that are really building,

having won the Challenge Cup last

two seasons, building to possibly

being in the Grand Final?

I do, I think they have a very

strong squad this year.

They have been there or thereabouts

for the last two or three years now

obviously within the Challenge Cup.

I think being over the other side

of Hull, there's a lot of talk

about them obviously wanting to win

the Grand Final this year.

And I definitely feel they have got

the squad capable of doing that.

You don't have to be a perfect

Round 1, but obviously

they have got the win.

Obviously they will be

really pleased with that.

And Lee Radford was talking

in preseason about needing

a bit more consistency.

They went in patches

last season, just maybe

being a bit more consistent?

Yes, I think there is

that element to it.

But I also think they did take

strides forward last year.

Because when they won

the Challenge Cup in the first year,

they completely fell away.

Whereas last year I felt

they remained competitive

for the rest of the season.

So I am certain they will be

in the latter stages

of the Challenge Cup

and in the latter stages

of the Super League as well.

And they could be

challenging for both.

And for Huddersfield,

they had a really poor start to last

season which really put them

on the back foot.

They did come through

and make the eights.

But they will want to get

on the winning road again soon

because that will be in their minds.

Very much so.

Obviously Rankin in the halfs

and Mamo at full-back.

They need to gel together.

Because them playing together,

it is new to them at the minute.

So they might well be a little

clunky are not quite

there as efficiently

as they will want to be.

But they will realise the urgency

to get some points posted

on the Super League ladder.

Clunky as a word of the first

round really, isn't it!

Hull and Wigan are travelling around

the world for their next fixture,

they meet in Australia on Saturday,

but before that Wigan travelled

around the corner for their opening

match of the season.

They were at Salford on Friday,

and the commentator on this

one is Matt Newsum.

Salford in a good position here.

Niall Evalds will go

to the right of the ruck.

O'Brian slides in the kick.

Chris Wellen gets there first

and he'll take it round to behind

the sticks to score.

Thomas Leuluai.

Williams.

They've got so many options

out on this right edge.

Powell to Tomkins.

Through the hands it goes.

Away to the corner for Tom Davies!

Fine try, Wigan.

Leuluai back to the ten.

Williams with the kick.

Delicately poised.

Sent in and chased.

And it has been put down.

Oliver Gildart.

Quick tap from Wigan.

Keen to get on with this.

Tompkins lifted out of the

horizontal there by George Griffin.

A shove in the back

from Sam Tomkins.

Tempers flaring.

Robert Hicks has no option

but to send George Griffin for ten.

Tautai.

Out the back it goes to Williams.

Coming away to this left-hand side.

Oliver Gildart gets it way.

To Marshall.

He has got space in front of him.

He will send a little kick through.

The chase is on.

Morgan Escare will pluck it out

of the air and touch it down.

Wonderful try.

Sam Tomkins.

To Powell.

William stepping at the line.

So many options for Wigan.

It is a loose off-load.

Back to Sam Tomkins.

Who will slide the kick in himself.

Gildart is there.

Marshall is there!

And the winger is on the board.

Wigan have looked really slick.

It goes away to this left-hand side

with George Williams who sends

a little kick up into the air.

Chase is on.

It is Marshall, lovely footwork.

And Niall Evalds had

to get there and didn't.

It will be Liam Marshall

who gets his second.

Wonderful footwork.

Thomas Leuluai.

Williams.

Glorious wrap around.

Then he gets it away to Marshall.

Now he has got space.

He's got Gildart inside him

and Gildart will scoot to the line.

Wigan on top.

Leuluai pushes off

a tackle from Kopchak.

Now it is Tony Clubb's turn

to open up and score.

Too strong.

Have Salford got a late

response in them?

O'Brian works it away,

to the corner for Evalds.

A fine opening night for Wigan.

Shaun Wane was talking in preseason

about having different options now,

more attacking options,

more attacking flair.

What to make of Escare coming

on part way through the game,

coming into full-back

with Sam Tomkins moving up?

I think Wigan seem highly motivated

team after obviously

a disappointing season last year.

But they've got some fantastic flair

players in that team.

I think it could be the making

of Sam, to be honest with you.

I know he started out

as a half-back in the academy.

And when he got into the first team,

similar to Darren Locke,

he went from full-back up

into the house.

-- halfs.

And obviously everybody

knows about Escare.

You know, a few fantastic

seasons with the Catalans.

A really dangerous player

when he has the ball in hand.

Speed to burn.

You know, it can be a real key

combination for Wigan this year.

They look very different

already on week one?

They did, yes.

Very much so.

I thought the shapes

that they were playing were in stark

contrast to last year.

They were a little predictable last

year with the ball in hand.

But they have certainly

mixed and matched it.

And they have got some quality once

they get it out to the wings

in both Marshall and Davis

who are out there.

And we have talked about

Sam Tomkins at full-back.

And Escare.

So yes, they will

pose some problems.

A tough opening match for Salford,

wasn't it, with a Wigan

that was clearly very intent.

Yes, I think obviously

Shaun Wane has been into it

all preseason you know,

by reading some of the things,

they have had a tough preseason.

So you know, Wigan,

they are a fantastic side.

They are littered

with great players.

So I think they were missing

Sean O'Loughlin that night

who was the leader and you know,

the big motivator for the team.

So a great start from Wigan.

No team has changed as much over

the winter as Warrington Wolves.

They're looking to avoid

the Qualifiers this year,

and started the season at home

to the Champions Leeds.

Warrington have five new players,

and a new coach in Steve Price.

Here he is with all the comings

and goings at The Wire.

He's a quality football player.

He understands the game really well.

I'd like to think that he can adjust

to all different type of conditions.

Especially over in the English

Super League, it can

throw up a few variables.

He is a naturally

instinctive football player.

Sit is from a Tongan background.

He is a really enjoyable,

likeable player.

All the players have really

gravitated to him in

a short amount of time.

He is a player that puts himself

before other people and you know,

he loves playing football tough.

I had a little bit to do with Bryson

through his younger years.

Back in New Zealand.

He is a player I would

certainly like to coach.

He competes hard and

he's a goalkicker.

Likes to play aggressive.

He is attacking, an ex-Kiwi

international and I thought

he was one of the top three

performers in the Rabbitoes

especially last year.

I know what I'm going

to get from Mitch.

He can play on the wing,

he can play centre.

Play at a pinch at full-back.

And as an outside back it's

important that you got the ability

to be able to adjust and play

different positions and Mitch

certainly fits that criteria.

Yeah, he's a damaging

big lad, isn't he?

He can certainly break a tackle.

I'm amazed on his leg speed and how

fast he can get across the ground

for such a big body.

I'm really looking forward

to working with Ben because he's

certainly a quality football player.

So the start of a new season

and new aspirations as far as

the Warrington Wolves are concerned.

Looking to improve dramatically

on what they produced last year

with a clutch of new signings.

Back in the hunt for silverware.

They will hope that these

are the champions.

The Leeds side that won

the Grand Final last year.

One or two changes

in their line-up, too.

Steve Price the new Warrington coach

looking down from his new home.

Leeds are going wide here

and Ryan Hall has an opportunity

down the left-hand side.

Quickly up there is Sutcliffe.

A delicate dab kick by Moon.

It is down with Jones-Buchanan!

And Jamie Jones-Buchanan,

superb, and hangs on to

what he thinks is a try.

We've got try.

Check the grounding, please.

Phil Bentham says try on the field.

Is there a knock-on?

No.

Jones-Buchanan keeps a hold of it.

And reaches over and scores.

That looks good.

And there is the confirmation.

Leeds with an early score.

Wonderful little flighted

kick by Joel Moon.

There were three

Warrington players there.

McDermott looking on.

Here is Jamie Jones Buchanan again.

Leeds continuing to press.

Still to see the best of Warrington,

you feel, so far tonight.

It is Sutcliffe.

Just managed to hold his line,

otherwise I think there

was an obstruction penalty to be

given away there.

But he managed to hold out.

Jack Walker just ahead of him.

Taken away by Parcell to that

left-hand side again.

Another leap from Ryan Hall!

Well Warrington defenders stood

and watched and Hall was the man

who went prodigiously high and Leeds

have their second

with 18 minutes played.

It curves left and this is looking

better for Warrington at the moment.

Back on the inside.

Bryson Goodwin, on his debut,

might have scored here.

Again we are going for the video.

The referee thinks it's a try

and there is absolute proof.

And Warrington have their opening

score of the season

and it's Bryson Goodwin

who gets himself over.

Puncturing the line here,

cutting back against

the grain of the defence.

Richie Myler, enjoying

himself no doubt.

On his former home field.

Ryan Hall, off he goes.

Ryan Hall, look at the pace here!

Hands off Ratchford and Ryan Hall,

turning back the years

with a fabulous eye-catching try.

The power and the pace

was phenomenal.

His second of the night.

There is still time

here for Warrington,

whether there is a will or not

remains to be seen.

A good bit of carrying here.

Murdoch-Masila gets it away.

Atkins for the line!

Well, the defenders got there.

He went very high but he couldn't

find the landing strip here.

Great defensive work, though,

by Jack Walker, to go in his face.

Frustration for the coach.

Spun along.

Atkins.

Can't find a way through.

Time ticking by.

Warrington hoping surely

for consolation and no more here.

Up it goes, Walker underneath it.

Oh, he has missed it!

Walker has missed it.

And it is going to be touch

down by Tom Lineham.

Well it is the first and only

mistake that the young

full-back has made tonight

on an impressive performance.

Into the final play.

Can Warrington snatch

a dramatic victory here?

Daryl Clark stands and waits.

The whole of the HJ

stadium on their feet now.

They try and plunge

again through Westwood.

He is going to be held up.

And that is that.

The hooter sounds.

The whistle is blown.

Warrington's final desperate

efforts come to naught.

It is a victory for Leeds.

We saw young Jack Walker coming

through to the back end of last

season.

He seems to have bulked up a little

bit more, doesn't he.

I mean, he is an impressive

young talent at

full-back.

Yes, he is a great player.

He's a mature player

for such a young boy.

He just knows where to put

himself, he just has

got that natural instinct that

I suppose is in-built and some

players.

And I think defensively

he was very sound of this game.

But you know, very

confident with a high

ball.

Nothing seems to faze him.

And to hold up Ben Murdoch-Masila

that takes some doing.

That is a tremendous

effort, it really is.

He saved two tries there.

That is as good as

scoring them, is saving

them.

I think it is often forgotten

in the modern game, where we look at

full-backs as an extra pivo

and an attacking threat.

But the job of full-back

as well is to defend the

line.

And this kid does it very indeed.

So what did you make

of your replacement, Richie Myler?

I thought he played really well.

I thought he had a really

good, really strong

debut.

I think the combination

between Ritchie and Moon I thought

something that will be

really good for the team.

Ritchie likes to control

the game, control the team.

And I think it will free

up Joel to be able

to play off-the-cuff,

which

he is very good at.

Did Warrington look that

much different to you

under Steve Price?

No, I think they are still

finding their way, to tell

you the truth.

A new coach and new players

in pivotal positions.

They will need three

or four games before

they start hitting their straps.

But Leeds of the two

teams, they look

the more comfortable.

I think that was understandable.

Do you think they will

be a very different

Warrington under Steve Price?

It is hard to say.

I mean at this moment in time

it was difficult to say.

And also when the

pitches start drying

out as well, that is another factor.

Because at the minute you have got

to roll your sleeves up in the mud

and the cold and wet.

And you have to grind

out a win as much as

anything.

And congratulations

to the Warrington captain Chris Hill

who left the field during that game

when his wife went into labour.

They made a quick dash to hospital

in time for the arrival of Iris-Kay.

Finally then to Widnes,

where preparations for

the new season have been under

a cloud after the death

of Kato Ottio.

The Papua New Guinea international

sadly passed away before

arriving at the club.

The Vikings' first match

of the season was against

Catalan Dragons, and Matt Newsum saw

this one.

Widnes inside the Catalan ten.

Mellor skirts the line.

Cleaned out by Sam Moa.

And the ball is worked

away to Hanbury.

There is a bit of a scuffle

between Chris Houston

and Michael McIlorum.

And Ben Thaler has sent

Sam Moa to the bin for ten.

Catalan have given away

a string of penalties

in this first half already.

And now they're down to 12.

Here comes Chris Dean.

Raiding the line.

Pushing away and scores.

Catalan soft in defence.

McIlorum.

Gets one away to David Mead.

And another pile of bodies.

A debut try.

Samisoni Langi.

Hangs up the kick.

The chase is on.

It bounces off and there

is Benjamin Jullien.

On his debut.

Away to the right-hand side.

Chris Dean has shown he's got

some skill and he has

sliced his way through.

He has got Mellor in support.

And it is a scoot to the line.

Lewis Tierney won't catch him.

Widnes are flying.

A really good game so far.

Tom Gilmore pushes the kick

into the in-goal area.

There is Krisnan Inu

who comes up with the try

against his former club.

Mellor.

Lovely short ball.

And Chris Dean will just coast

through for his second.

It has been a really strong

second-half for Widnes.

Gilmore away to the left edge.

It is a great run, lovely off-load.

And into the corner, Patrick Ah Van.

They have really piled

on the pressure.

Long, high kick.

Not dealt with at all.

Rhys Hanbury has come up with it.

The ball away to Houston.

Keeping it alive here, Widnes.

Over on that far side and it will be

touch down in the corner.

Charly Runciman.

Catalan have been on the end

of one-way traffic so far.

The ball picked up by Krisnan Inu.

He is going to race

away, he is going to be

caught by Lewis Tierney.

What a lovely pass!

Stefan Marsh for the corner.

He will flick on the turbos,

come back inside and

score a wonderful try.

That is 34 points unanswered

and we were not expecting that.

Denis Betts was not

surprisingly absolutely

delighted with that start.

Well, he will be, yes.

And they seem to have had

a really good preseason.

And they seem to be growing

in their trial games

and that was obviously

a polished performance there.

And the Catalans will have been very

disappointed indeed.

But you can only play what is in

front of you and Widnes played that

game very cleverly indeed.

One of the things they have talked

about is through the struggles

that they had last year,

a lot of the young players have come

in and they have got a lot of game

time and experience.

And that will help them,

you know that at Leeds,

sometimes youngsters coming

in difficult times and they really

do grow through that.

Yes, definitely.

They have had some tough situations.

But I think obviously

a lot of people write off

Widnes this year as well.

I have seen some predictions

and I think quite a lot of people

are putting Widnes at the bottom

of the table.

They will definitely be

using that as motivation.

They have two very good young halfs

in Mellor and Gilmour.

Who controlled the game.

And you know they will

be out to prove a lot

of people wrong this season.

Catalan were not good,

a penalty count of 15-4.

But also tackling was appalling,

Steve McNamara said.

That might be a consequence

of the penalty count as well.

Because obviously if you are giving

the opposition so much ball,

ultimately fatigue sets in.

And that is when you start

dropping off tackles.

And there were some poor

one-on-one misses there.

Chris Dean went through twice simply

by evading a one-on-one tackle.

And obviously Widnes were great,

pouring through and finishing.

But certainly worrying

signs with the discipline

and with the defensive display

for the Catalans Dragons.

And given the season

they had last season,

is it not as scary place to go

as Catalans, it always

seemed a really hard trip?

Yes, it is a tough place to go

and get the win, over in France.

You know, they lost Richie Myler

so there's a lot of pressure

on Luke Walsh to steer

the team around.

Mickey McIlorum coming in so they're

still working on their combinations.

Obviously Steve McNamara

a new coach as well.

Probably still learning

the way he wants to play.

It is only weak one, isn't it.

So Round One is in the history

books, my thanks to Danny

and to John for joining us.

The Round Two highlights include

Wigan against Hull in Australia.

Join us for that next week.

But until then, goodbye.