The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Spotlight on Super League: week eight

Two form sides face off when St George Illawarra host Brisbane. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay)
Roar Rookie
16th April, 2014
2

This week’s spotlight is on Bradford, with the Rugby Football League has granted the club right to appeal against the deduction of six competition points now that their ownership situation has been resolved.

This is an unprecedented situation and there are three possible outcomes – the deduction stands, it is reduced by a number of points, or the deduction is removed completely.

Bradford have reportedly suggested that administration was unforeseeable and unavoidable, although the club have made no further comment and are unlikely to do so until the hearing date is set.

I suspect the original decision to deduct points on the basis of administration will stand. Bradford’s financial woes have rumbled on for a few years and the most recent infringement had broken licencing rules.

Naturally the players will be pleased that the club are appealing, and I fully understand that. Brett Kearney said, “That’s something that’s not in our control but, as a player, at least you can feel the club are fighting for you.”

However, a decision shouldn’t be made on a nostalgic or romantic notion that this club, who were so successful over the past 15 years, have a divine right to remain in our flagship competition. Bradford will do everything they can to remain in Super League, but the correct decision is to uphold the penalty handed down to them in January.

Try of the week
Tommy Makinson reaffirmed my belief that he is the best finisher in the competition with another spectacular finish in the corner against Castleford. You can view this try, as well as all the others from this game below.

Advertisement

England coach Steve McNamara must take a serious look at this young man.

Class in a glass
Rangi Chase was at his showboating best for Salford against Bradford. He picked up a loose ball and, with an outrageous pass, found Francis Meli to score in the corner.

Carney finds his Tiger feet
Justin Carney has pledged his future to Castleford by signing a new five-year deal. The powerful winger, who was the Tigers’ top try scorer last season with 21, has already crossed eight times this year, including a hat trick against Catalan in week two.

I expect to see a lot more of him in the next couple of months, with a call up to the Exiles squad a distinct possibility if his good form continues.

C’ya Soliola
Former New Zealand and Samoa international Sia Soliola will leave St Helens and return to Australia at the end of this season.

The back rower has been a fantastic signing and possesses the talent to interest many NRL clubs. Having played in his 94th game for Saints since singing from Sydney Roosters four years ago, it is expected he’ll join the 100 club before he leaves.

Advertisement

Leaderboard (W-D-L)
Huddersfield drop out of the eight after a heavy defeat away at Hull FC on Thursday night, while Salford’s victory away at Bradford lifts them into the final playoff spot on eight points.

St Helens continue to lead the competition after coming from behind to beat Castleford, but poor London remain the only club with a win so far this season. They sit second bottom above Bradford, who are still on -2.

1 (-) St Helens 8-0-0
————————
2 (3) Leeds 6-1-1
3 (2) Castleford 6-0-2
4 (5) Wigan 5-0-2
5 (4) Widnes 5-0-2
6 (7) Hull FC 4-0-4
7 (6) Warrington 4-0-4
8 (9) Salford 4-0-4
————————
9 (10) Hull KR 3-1-4
10 (8) Huddersfield 2-2-4
11 (-) Wakefield 2-0-6
12 (-) Catalan 2-0-6
————————
13 (-) London 0-0-8
14 (-) Bradford 2-0-6*

*Bradford deducted 6 points for entering administration.

Injury update
Hull KR’s in-form prop forward Adam Walker will miss Thursday’s Hull derby after injuring his ankle in Friday’s win at Warrington. Walker is expected to be on the sidelines for a substantial amount of time.

Willie Manu will miss the next two months of the season after the St Helens forward dislocated and broke his thumb. Anthony Laffranchi will miss the Wigan game with an arm injury.

Player movements
Ex-North Queensland Cowboy Wayne Ulugia has signed for Hull KR but isn’t expected to play in Thursday’s derby game.

Advertisement

Huddersfield have recalled prop forward Anthony Mullalley from Bradford, but Warrington’s Danny Bridge will remain with the Bulls until the end of the season.

Record-breaking Wellens
Congratulations to Paul Wellens, who has now played in more Super League games than anyone else and marked his 414th appearance with a try in St Helens’ 30-28 win over Castleford on Friday night.

500-club Peacock
Congratulations must also go to Jamie Peacock, who grabbed a try on his 500th career game as Leeds comfortably beat Wakefield 42-6 on Friday night.

‘Magic’ ticket sales
Staying with record breakers, the RFL have announced that over 30,000 tickets have already been sold for next month’s Magic weekend, which takes place at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

This is fantastic news and shows there is a real appetite for the concept, which sees a full round of Super League matches played in one venue over two days.

Quote of the week
“He’s a freak this kid!” Mike ‘Stevo’ Stephenson, live on Sky Sports after Tommy Makinson scored his incredible try against Castleford.

One for the Aussies
Here’s ex-Australia and New South Wales representative Michael Weyman turning back the years as he outpaces the Warrington line to score under the sticks for Hull KR. He grabs a second later in the clip.

Advertisement

Final thought
The RFL have announced that the Magic weekend Hull derby will go ahead as scheduled. With Hull City AFC reaching the FA Cup final, which kicks off at the same time (5pm) as Hull KR v Hull FC on May 17, there were calls for a change to be made.

I’m happy to learn that the RFL have held firm and decided to stick with their original plan.

close