Thursday 17 August 2017 17:51, UK
The Super 8s continue as Salford take on Castleford on Friday, live on Sky Sports Arena.
Both Salford and Castleford were beaten in their opening games after showing some brilliant form during the regular season. The two sides meet on Friday and here's three head-to-heads that could decide it…
Manu Vatuvei v Joel Monaghan
It could be a battle between two former NRL wingers on Friday night and Joel Monaghan has a big role in Castleford's run-in.
It was the reverse fixture in the regular season that saw Greg Eden suffer his shoulder injury and although his return may be quicker than expected, the Tigers have to replace the league's top scorer.
The experienced Monaghan came off the bench in that Salford game and scored twice and he found his range against St Helens last weekend too.
He knows all about delivering at the business end of the season in Super League following his stint with Warrington and Daryl Powell will need his nous as the Tigers aim to seal that League Leaders' Shield.
Vatuvei arrived in England to a great deal of fanfare, but results haven't gone Salford's way since he joined.
They lost a Challenge Cup semi-final on his debut before being turned over by Hull FC in the opening round of the Super 8s.
Vatuvei individually showed what he can do against Hull FC though. The winger scored twice and delivered a typically powerful performance, carrying for 166 metres at an average gain of 8.30 metres a drive.
Remarkably that included 11 tackle busts and also three clean breaks. It's clear what Vatuvei will bring to Salford. Will it be enough for them to kick on and seal a top-four place?
Robert Lui v Ben Roberts
What a season Robert Lui's had at Salford.
He's formed a partnership so effective with Michael Dobson that they've kept Australian wizard Todd Carney out of the side for the majority of the season but with Dobson injured against Hull FC, Lui played alongside Carney.
He's been Salford's most creative force this season, with 21 assists so far this campaign he has ensured the Red Devils have been competing at the right end of the table, while Lui has also crossed for six tries himself.
His absence was obvious in the Challenge Cup semi-final as Salford crashed out with the stand-off injured. Will he be able to strut his stuff in a high-profile game come the end of the season?
It's Luke Gale who's taken a lot of the plaudits for the way Castleford have played this season, but you can't underestimate the influence of his half-back partner Ben Roberts either.
He might not have Gale's 18 try assists, but Roberts has still been a creative force in his own right, providing eight try assists, while also crossing for seven four pointers of his own.
Roberts is such a threat with ball-in-hand; an impressive average gain of 8.33 metres a drive, while making 15 clean breaks and 84 tackle busts from his 220 carries so far.
He complements Gale perfectly, so will the two half backs guide Castleford towards a first Grand Final?
Logan Tomkins v Paul McShane
Logan Tomkins has been a staple of Salford's side this season, starting 19 of their 23 regular competition matches and then continuing in the hooking position last week in the Super 8s.
He's been a solid operator for Ian Watson's side, third in their tackle rankings so far with 548 hits.
Tomkins isn't cast from the same mould as the likes of James Roby and Daryl Clark, he doesn't burst from dummy half and give the team real go-forward, but the hooker has become an important cog in this side as they aim for the top four.
Will Tomkins provide them the direction to get there?
Paul McShane's enjoyed a wonderful 2017. He's got his sights set on a World Cup place after catching Wayne Bennett's eye this season.
The hooker's defence is an impressive asset in his game; he's the side's top tackler with 714, 54 more than any other team-mate but McShane is also just as effective in attack.
He's provided 15 try assists so far this year, the third best in the Tigers side and only behind Michael Shenton and Luke Gale.
McShane will be aiming to finish 2017 with a bang, both aiming for silverware with Castleford, but also for personal honours with England come the end of the campaign.
