Steve Menzies kicked off his final Super League season in style as Catalan Dragons held off a late fightback to record a 32-24 win against Hull KR on Sunday.
Menzies, the former Australian Test back-rower, announced in the summer that at the age of 39, this will be his final season.
And he crossed twice in the first half as the French side raced into a comfortable 22-2 lead that looked like being more than enough.
But Michael Dobson ensured a dramatic finish, the halfback crossing for the first of four second-half tries for the home side that put the game back in the balance.
Brent Webb, making his debut after signing from Leeds Rhinos in the off-season, went over late on for the Dragons to put the result beyond doubt, ensuring the French side started the new season with a bang.
Elsewhere on Sunday, title favourites Warrington Wolves put Castleford Tigers to the sword in a 42-24 victory.
Brett Hodgson supplied 10 points with the boot, while Ben Westwood crossed for two of the home side’s seven tries.
Michael Shenton scored one of the Tigers’ four tries on his second debut for the Super League outfit.
Jarrod Sammut’s double was the highlight for Bradford Bulls as they got their 2013 campaign got off to a winning start with a 40-6 win over Wakefield Wildcats.
Jamie Foster, in his first Super League start for the Bulls since moving from St Helens, added a try and six goals for a personal haul of 16 points.
Elsewhere, Tony O’Shea’s London Broncos side were made to pay for a slow start as they fell to a 28-14 home defeat by Widnes Vikings.
The fixture gods had decreed that Nathan Brown’s first game in charge of St Helens would come against his former club Huddersfield Giants and it was something of a nightmare for the former St George Illawarra head coach on Saturday.
The Giants ran out 40-4 winners at Langtree Park, with Leroy Cudjoe running in two of their seven tries.
Five Danny Brough goals helped the visitors to assemble a 22-0 half-time lead and it was more of the same after the break, as Mark Flanagan could only muster a solitary consolation try for St Helens late on.
On the opening night of action on Friday, defending champions Leeds Rhinos ran out comfortable 36-6 winners against Hull FC.
Andy
Guest
If Manly don't sign him someone else will.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
Honestly, I hope Manly sign him in some form, whether it be as a talent scout, assistant coach in the lower grades or doing something behind the scenes. He made his debut in the ARL 6 days before I was born. I start to feel old when I think I'm almost 20, then I look to Steve for inspiration. It's crazy to imagine someone playing a sport as physical as rugby league for such a long period of time, and to play in the forwards makes it even more remarkable. What a legend.
Andy
Guest
Bring him back to manly. Need someone to replace trex.
Tom
Guest
Gee he is still running around. He was a great player, loved watching him play.
Rod
Guest
What a player, the cliffy and beaver show in the mid nineties was one of the best combos I have seen. Great player, should have been an automatic selection for origin every year. I,m not a manly fan either. Ranks along side the best players I have seen play the game. True legend of the game!
kiwiinoz
Guest
Great great player. I just wish we could see some Super League action on free to air.........
Andy
Guest
Manly Legend.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The game needs more of the ilk of Steve Menzies.A true ornament to the code and a gentleman.One of my favourite players.Surely a position within the code when he retires,is not out of the question.
Adrien
Guest
at catalans I've watched players like Stacey Jones, Adam Mogg, Jason Croker, Greg Bird. Jones was a wonderful organisator, Mogg was sensational, Croker was a warrior, Bird was highly talented, and Menzies is a legend.
Adrien
Guest
Already an absolute legend here in perpignan.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Beaver...he truly is a champion. A heart of gold and the bodily constitution of an ox. I must admit to nearly shedding a tear when he ran in that 73rd minute try in his final game for the sea eagles in the 2008 grand final...pure poetry. That is a happy ending that no "massage" parlour or cheesy, over-processed Hollywood tripe can provide. And I'm a Parra supporter. Even more satisfying, when you consider the sea eagles flogged the cap rorters 40-zip. Didn't seem to help Melbourne much in that game, did it. :)
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
Still one of my favourite players of all time. I am only old enough to remember from about 2004 onwards, but bloody hell he was a good player. Nothing greater then seeing him score a try in the 2008 Grand Final to cap off a stellar career in Australia.
Bearfax
Guest
Almost like Cliff Lyons was there in spirit sending him through those gaps. Menzies has been a unique forward. A classic around the ankles defender, an 80 minute player and the greatest try scoring forward in the history of Australian Rugby League first grade premiership history by a long stretch. He took what Bob McCarthy started in the late 60s early 70s and moved it to the next dimension, that being acting in attacking style like a third centre. He had a body that seemed to be able to avoid long term injury and a fitness that even challenged that of Des Hasler. But more than that he was a stand out example for the younger players, a highly respected good guy who inspired other players around him to greater efforts.. Manly's remarkable Grand final 40-0 victory over Melbourne a few years back in Menzies' final year at Manly, was in part inspired by a desire to give the Beaver a fitting farewell. Little wonder Manly named one of its major Brookvale Oval stands after him and Fulton. He'll no doubt be back to work behind the scenes at Manly when he retires from football (will it be this year?) and he will bring back that 'spirit' he holds within himself that so inspires others and is so loved by his fans. You're a champion footballer and person Beaver
Greg Cross
Guest
Menzies is a smart player and a real professional.One of the greats.