Barrie McDermott: Super League sides will have gained from Australian experience

With Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC and Wigan all returning from Down Under, Barrie McDermott reflects on what each side will have gained from their experiences ahead of Round 3 of the Betfred Super League.

Hull FC's trip to Australia didn't deliver victories, but McDermott is of the perspective that Lee Radford's side will have taken a lot from their time away, with the Rhinos and Warriors also benefiting from their respective trips.

"Of the three teams that went over, I think that Hull FC have come back with a reputation for really grabbing this opportunity by the scruff of its neck," he said on Sky Sports News.

"Hull FC should have won that game against St George Illawarra - they'll look at it and take a lot of credit from that game. I've predicted that Lee Radford's side will have another good year.

"They won the Challenge Cup last year, and the year before, and I think that it's good times for the black and whites."

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Radford's team face Castleford Tigers live on Sky Sports Arena on Saturday and McDermott has predicted it will be a 'cracking game' at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Leeds Rhinos' World Club Challenge encounter with Melbourne Storm ended in a 38-4 defeat - after a promising start the clinical home side dominated on the scoreboard. However, McDermott believes that the Rhinos' focus will be on more than just the full-time result.

"Ultimately I think that Leeds will look at this as an experiment. A good time together, good quality time on the training pitch," he said.

"They had a shorter experience than the other two sides - Wigan and Hull in their respective matches - but they shouldn't be too downhearted.

"They have a tough assignment on Sunday against Widnes on the 3G pitch over at the Select Security Stadium and it will be a tough one for the Rhinos."

The other Super League side to experience the warmer temperatures of Australia were Wigan and this week they announced that Frank-Paul Nuuausala has been released from his contract.

Nuuausala joined them midway through the 2016 season and in only his 11th game in England helped the side to win the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

He was dropped for their Round 2 game against Hull in Wollongong and did not take part in their friendly against South Sydney last Saturday. McDermott reflected on the gap that his departure leaves.

"He made an immediate impact and it's been rumoured that he hasn't been happy for a while now.

"With 47 appearances for the Warriors it will leave them a little bit light in the front row and I think that they probably considered themselves to be a bit light already," he stated.

"So I suspect they'll be going into the transfer market and looking at who's available both in this country and overseas and looking to strengthen.

"Short-term, there will be a bit of an impact but long-term, if a player is not happy, then you've got to go with the players' wishes."

Away from the departure McDermott is confident that Shaun Wane's squad will have also taken plenty from their time away.

"For both Hull and Wigan, going over to Australia with temperatures in the late 20s means they can get quality time on the training pitch.

"It also means they get time together, on and off the training pitch, where they can bond and form those close links and relationships they need throughout the year.

"Both Wigan and Hull took big squads and if you look at that second South Sydney game, Wigan played a lot of players.

"The game itself was interrupted with how many players Wigan played in that match. But, the experience that those players will have gained throughout that match, and the two weeks, I think will stand them I good stead. Again, a bit of short-term pain for long-term gain."

"We often say that it's not actually your 13, or your 17 best players that win you Championships, it's your squad. It's when you're getting into numbers 28, 29, 30 and Wigan are renowned for doing that."

Watch the start of Round 3 of the Betfred Super League on Friday as Warrington host Wigan live on Sky Sports Arena on from 7.30pm.