Super League Wrap: Challenge Cup produces some juicy match-ups

As the eight finalists from 2014 join the Challenge Cup this weekend we have some intriguing match-ups.

Super League’s worst, Wakefield Trinity, take on the Championship’s best, Leigh Centurions. Hull KR take on Wigan after being belted 60-0 two weeks ago. Leeds Rhinos host Huddersfield after the pair fought out a 24-24 draw, also two weeks ago, and a resurgent Hull FC take on Castleford Tigers at the KC Stadium.

Vital cup match for Wakefield
As the Challenge Cup moves into the round of 16 this weekend there will be many keen eyes on one particular fixture. Wakefield Wildcats host Leigh Centurions in a Super League versus Championship match-up.

This match could be an indicator of a new team competing in Super League for 2016 with Leigh remaining undefeated in the second tier and Wakefield rooted to the bottom in the top flight. After having 40-plus points piled on them in the last nine games, including an 80-0 defeat to Warrington, the Wildcats look well out of their depth in Super League and look the team most likely to be relegated during the Super 8s.

If coach James Webster can’t get his troops up for this weekend’s clash then there will be all the more pressure on Wakefield once the bottom of Super League match up with the best of the Championship.

Dragons reignite their season
It took a late try from former Newcastle Knights forward Zeb Taia for the Catalans Dragons to register an important win against reigning champions St Helens. The Cook Islands international broke through a gap in the 76th minute and raced 40 metres to score under the post.

Fellow former Knight Scott Dureau added a field goal to seal the victory which sees the French side remain a point aloof of the drop zone. One of the problems this season for Catalans is their horrid away form. While they have been able to win their fair share at home, they have only registered one victory away from Stade Gilbert Brutus and that was only against Wakefield.

The Dragons have also conceded the second most points this season at an average of 27 per game, and only Wakefield has worse defence which is concerning for a side with finals aspirations.

Sinfield perhaps needs to be on the field
After a six-match winning streak which saw them storm into first position on the ladder, Leeds Rhinos have now only gained a solitary point in their last three games to have had their lead cut to two points over second placed Wigan.

It was tenth placed Widnes Vikings who scored their first win over Leeds for in 12 years. The Vikings went over for seven tries as they made up for a last gasp loss against local rivals Warrington last weekend.

One factor to take from the last three matches for the Rhinos, is no Kevin Sinfield. The-500 game veteran has been dropped and while he may be well past his best, perhaps Leeds are a different side when he takes the field and directs his team around the paddock. Although it is his last year in rugby league, I still believe he is an important piece towards the Rhinos’ premiership aspirations.

Wigan keeping clean sheets
Perhaps the most important factor in Wigan’s last two games is not the 88 points they have scored but the zero they have conceded. Wigan have gone two whole matches keeping their opponents scoreless and one of these opponents came out and scored 50 the weekend after.

One criticism Super League constantly and maybe deservedly receives from NRL fans is a lack of good defence and it is a good argument when you see some of the scores that pop up every weekend. It is not common for big scores to tick over the scoreboard but Wigan have showed a tenacity in their defence and appear to enjoy the challenges that come with defending their own line.

Airlie Birds steal the worm at the death
Marc Sneyd nailed a last-minute field goal for Hull FC to steal an unlikely win at Warrington. The Wolves looked to have this clash wrapped up when they led by ten points with 12 minutes left on the clock. It has been a season of mostly downs for Hull fans with the odd spot of light, like an away victory against the reigning premiers St Helens. This may be a turning point for Hull FC as they still have plenty of time to avoid the drop. They face Castleford Tigers this weekend in the Challenge Cup.

Salford Look to ban misbehaving Devils
Salford Red Devils will seek life bans for troublemakers who threw projectiles onto the surface during Friday night’s fixture against Huddersfield Giants. The club are working with “police to identify the culprits”.

The Red Devils were held to nil as the Giants ground out a 19-point victory, the troubles in the stand came after Scott Grix and Weller Hauraki were sin-binned after a punch-up. There was also controversy galore in the corresponding fixture earlier this season when Salford half Rangi Chase was suspended for seven weeks after a sickening cannonball tackle on Brett Ferres.

Salford have been struggling of late and find themselves in 13th position after being as high as third. With numerous players to return from suspension and injury, they might make a late resurge.

A touching tribute to Danny Jones
More than 4000 people crammed into Cougar Park to farewell Danny Jones, who passed away last Sunday in a fixture against London Skolars. The Welsh international suffered a cardiac arrest while playing in the League One clash. Over 100,0000 pounds have been raised for his wife Lizzie and kids Bobby and Phoebe, who were present on Sunday as balloons were released before the match.

This tragic event, like many others in both amateur and professional sport, shows at the end of the day it’s only just a game. All rugby league fixtures in England held a minute’s silence to remember and mourn for the Welsh international.