Set of Six: The main talking points from the world of rugby league
Tuesday 15 September 2015 14:32, UK
A touch of class from Todd Carney and more tries for Jermaine McGillvary feature in this week's Set of Six...
Class from Carney
Catalans playmaker Todd Carney produced a piece of brilliance against Leeds, throwing a stunning flick pass to release Jordan Sigismeau for one of the Dragons' eight tries.
The less said about Carney's off-field antics the better, but on the pitch the Australian is a class performer.
The 29-year-old is rumoured to be seeking a move back to the NRL but Catalans should pull out all the stops to keep him in France.
Had Carney not been dogged by injury this season, would Catalans be Super League contenders? They would certainly be higher up the table, although it may take more than the talented half-back to cure their away day woes.
Lacklustre Leeds
Leeds' Challenge Cup hangover continued in Perpignan on Saturday when they were taken apart by a rampant Dragons side.
Phil Clarke suggested that the Rhinos would struggle in this part of the season and he's been proven right so far with two losses from two.
Brian McDermott's men remain on top of the Super 8s table, albeit on scoring difference, and Castleford would like nothing better than to dash their local rivals' treble hopes when they visit Headingley on Thursday night.
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Comparisons have been made to last season when Leeds suffered a similarly poor run after winning the Challenge Cup but McDermott doesn't agree.
"Before last year's cup final we lost two in a row and the signs were there," he said. "I don't see the same signs this year that I saw last year."
Rabbitohs' reign comes to an end
South Sydney's reign as NRL champions is over after they were defeated by Cronulla in Sunday's elimination final.
The Rabbitohs crashed to a comprehensive 28-12 defeat at Allianz Stadium - their fourth straight defeat - with their two tries coming at the death when the game was long over as a contest.
Three Burgess brothers featured in last season's Grand Final but only Tom was in action on Sunday, with Sam now playing union and George suspended for throwing a water bottle at an opponent.
There were contrasting emotions for two Englishmen in the other elimination final between Canterbury and St George Illawarra. Gareth Widdop kicked three goals in the final nine minutes to draw the Dragons level, but he missed a drop goal attempt in extra-time and then put a 40/20 attempt out on the full.
James Graham's Bulldogs capitalised, with Josh Reynolds snatching an 11-10 golden point victory with an 84th-minute drop goal.
Win or bust for Leigh
Leigh's hopes of playing in Super League next season were dealt a massive blow on Sunday when they crashed to a heavy loss at Halfax.
The Centurions shipped five tries at the Shay as they fell to their fourth defeat in five games in the Qualifiers.
It sets up a crucial game on Saturday against fifth-placed Bradford and nothing less than victory will do for Leigh.
Paul Rowley said last month that promotion to Super League was "an impossible dream" for Championship sides, and all four lower tier sides have struggled in the Qualifiers.
Only Bradford have beaten Super League opposition and while there have been some close contests, there have BEEN too many one-sided mismatches.
McGillvary takes top try-scoring spot
Jermain McGillvary moved clear at the top of the try-scoring charts by scoring four in Huddersfield's landslide win over Warrington.
The 27-year-old winger has scored 25 tries in 28 appearances for the Giants this season, and he also leads the way with 31 line breaks.
McGillvary is in the top 10 for carries and metres made and looks certain to win his first England cap when New Zealand visit in November.
The Giants are on a four-game winning streak and have already secured a semi-final place. They sit third in the table, three points behind Leeds and Wigan. Is finishing top out of the question?
"Probably," said Giants coach Paul Anderson. "Maybe mathematically not, but it may be too tough to get there, but second or third is certainly possible.
"There are 27 days between now and the Grand Final. Hopefully we will be rewarded with a trophy and very, very big headache!"
Nervy farewell for Morley
Trailing 18-6 after 20 minutes, it was safe to say Adrian Morley's Salford farewell was not going to plan.
The 38-year-old announced he will hang up his boots at the end of the season but part-timers Sheffield looked set to spoil what could be his final appearance at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The Red Devils recovered, coming out on the right side of an 87-point thriller to keep them on track in their quest for Super League survival. They sit third in the table, four points ahead of Wakefield with two games remaining.
The only active player whose career pre-dates the Super League era, Morley will become a club ambassador for Salford, and many of his former team-mates have been paying tribute to the Great Britain international.
"It has been a privilege to play alongside a true great of the game," said Jamie Peacock.
"He is the toughest player I have ever had to compete against."
