Six talking points from Super League Round 1

Super League is back, having kicked off over the weekend. So what were the talking points out of the first week back?

1. Warrington Wolves could challenge for honours again in 2016
After a lacklustre 2015, a superb performance to win 12-6 over Leeds Rhinos bodes well.

I always thought Chris Sandow would have a big impact on Super League, and although he struggled at the end of last season after his early move from Parramatta, he looked in top form against the Rhinos, with a superb solo try to open the scoring.

Ben Currie was also outstanding for the Wolves, while prop Jordan Cox showed why Hull KR should not have released him, with an outstanding debut from the bench.

2. Are Leeds spent?
Meanwhile, the Wolves’ opponents, Leeds, are fielding predictable calls that they won’t be the force that they were last season, when they took out the Challenge Cup, League Leaders Shield and grand final.

It would have been a struggle to be that same force without losing the quality and experience of the players that they have.

I have said before that the replacement players they have brought in are anywhere near the standard needed to fill the huge holes left, and on Thursday night they looked slow and unimaginative. They weren’t helped by losing new captain Danny Maguire to injury in the first half – he will be out for around eight weeks – and his halfback partner Liam Sutcliffe was struggling as well.

Jordan Lilley, who played as back-up hooker to Rob Burrow, was outstanding.

3. Hull FC reignite hope (again)
Hull FC started the season as expected, easily defeating Salford Red Devils 42-20 in an attacking display that has all my Hull FC friends expecting the Super League trophy to be handed over to take up residence at the KC Stadium.

It would be fantastic for the sport if a new team away from the only four clubs that have won it since 1998 – Wigan, Bradford, St Helens and Leeds – could win the grand final. While I expect Hull FC to have a much improved season (he says through gritted teeth) I’m not sure they will be good enough to take out the grand final.

Their squad is strong, and if they fail to make the top six they need to look at their coaching set up.

This week’s game, away at Catalans Dragons, will be a good marker for their season to come.

4. Dave Taylor looks good
Talking of the Dragons, I was really impressed with Dave Taylor on debut against the Warriors on Friday night. He is a huge man with a big reputation who never really fulfilled his potential in the NRL, despite playing eight games for Queensland in State of Origin and a solitary Test for Australia in 2012.

He lost his way a little bit over the last couple of years, and there was even talk of him heading to Japanese rugby union before the Dragons offered him a lifeline. The ‘Coal Train’ is only 27, and may have the best years of his career ahead of him if he can keep away from the fine cuisine in the South of France.

I was also impressed that the Dragons stuck to their task against the Warriors. In previous years, they would have fallen away and conceded a hatful of points. The Dragons could end up in the top six this year if they can get three or four wins away from home, but the loss of hooker Paul Aiton for the next few weeks with a pectoral injury will be a blow.

5. Castleford already in trouble
It is never good news when a player is ruled out for possibly the entire season so early in the year, so it’s sad that Castleford captain Michael Shenton may miss the rest of the year after suffering an ACL injury in the 16-16 draw at Hull KR on Sunday.

Call me a biased Hull KR fan, but there is a bit of a witch hunt going on from Castleford towards French hooker John Boudebza, who was involved in the tackle that Shenton was injured in. The comments emanating from Castleford coach Daryl Powell and Shenton himself are totally out of order.

I was at the match on Sunday, and saw nothing wrong in Boudebza’s tackle – and I have watched it back since. Boudebza did not throw himself at the back of Shenton’s knee’s at all, and there was no malicious intent. Nor has there been any comment made about a more dangerous cannonball tackle carried out by Tigers forward Lee Jewitt in the first half.

Rugby league is a tough sport and injuries happen – sometimes players need to be cited and banned for the challenges they make, this isn’t one of them. I will be desperately disappointed if Boudebza receives a ban.

The match itself was played in poor conditions and was a tough outing. Italy international Josh Mantellato was the hero for Rovers, scoring two acrobatic tries and kicking a last-second conversion to level the scores. Former Hull KR star Jake Webster replaced Shenton and was outstanding, scoring two tries.

6. Where are the Giants’ replacements?
Both Danny Brough and Eorl Crabtree said the Giants needed to bring new players in, especially in the wake of the unexpected loss of Brett Ferres to Leeds Rhinos.

The Giants suffered more blows to their squad on Friday night at St Helens, with first-choice fullback Scott Grix dislocating his shoulder, which will give him a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while captain Brough suffered a dead leg and is unlikely to be fit for Round 2, and Joe Wardle is out for a month after damaging a quad muscle.

Add injuries to Craig Huby and Kyle Wood in pre-season and the last thing they needed was one of their most experienced players, Luke Robinson, to announce his enforced and immediate retirement from the game.

Robinson has a hip injury and has been told that his continuation in the sport will severely handicap his future well-being. He will be a big loss to the Giants, but it is only right that he is thinking of his future away from rugby league and ensuring that he can be the husband and father he wants to be for many years to come.

The Giants are giving a trial to former St Helens, Hull FC and Bradford Bulls winger Jamie Foster, and are close to signing Hull FC utility back Curtis Naughton on loan for two months as cover for Grix.

They need to strengthen much more if they are to challenge for top four again this year.