Super League: Six classic matches from the opening round
Thursday 4 February 2016 13:34, UK
Super League returns to our screens on Thursday as defending champions Leeds host Warrington at Headingley to kick off the 2016 season.
There have been some classic opening rounds in Super League history - but can this year's crop of fixtures live up to some of their famous predecessors? We look back at some famous season starters…
Super League I: Paris St Germain 30-24 Sheffield Eagles
In 1996, Rugby League turned its back on 101 years of winter action to enter a momentous new era of Super League and summer games.
What better way then, for the sport to kick off the new world with a trip across the Channel to see the newly-formed Paris St Germain take on the Sheffield Eagles.
17,873 Parisians (and a few die-hard South Yorkshire folk) showed up on a balmy spring night and they weren't disappointed as John Kear led his side to a famous opening-day win.
French winger Freddie Banquet entered the history books with Super League's first try - but Arnaud Cervello was the match-winner; his two tries helping the home side to a landmark victory.
But that was about as good as it got for Paris St Germain; they finished second bottom of the Super League I table.
Super League VI: Bradford 31-24 St Helens
Super League VI opened with a bang as defending champions St Helens travelled to Odsal on the opening night.
16,572, the biggest opening game attendance since that night in Paris, turned up to see Brian Noble's Bulls put in a vintage display to hand Ian Millward just a fifth defeat as Saints coach.
St Helens led 24-14 at one stage with Keiron Cunningham, Paul Newlove, Sean Long and David Fairleigh all crossing, but Bradford hit back. With the Paul brothers pulling the strings, the Bulls scored three second half tries with new signing Shane Rigon going over for a hat-trick.
With the game in the balance, Henry Paul added a one-pointer to his try and five goals to seal a thrilling 31-24 Bradford win. Noble's side dominated that season and went on to win the Grand Final.
Super League IX: Bradford 34-6 Wigan
Much was expected of the Bradford 2004 vintage, especially after their demolition of the Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge ensured Brian Noble's men held all three trophies at the beginning of the year.
The Bulls dazzled on Super League's opening weekend too, destroying Wigan in a repeat of the 2003 Grand Final. Mike Gregory's men felt the full force of the volcano as Lesley Vainikolo erupted on that February night.
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Vainikolo ran round, ran through and ran over the red-and-white shirts, helping himself to five tries, back then, a joint-Super League record till Vainikolo himself broke that the next season.
Bradford's 34-6 victory paved the way for a good campaign, and Vainikolo crossed a record 38 times as they made the Grand Final before losing to rivals Leeds.
Super League XI: Catalans 38-30 Wigan
2006 saw the introduction of a new French experiment as the Catalans Dragons became the first side from across the Channel to enter the competition since Paris St Germain. Similarities were immediately drawn as they followed their doomed compatriots by registering a stunning opening day win.
Wigan were the visitors to the Stade Aime Giral in Perpignan and they held a half-time lead despite an opening try from the Dragons' Mark Hughes. But inspired by Kiwi legend Stacey Jones, David Waite's side hit back to win late on.
With just five minutes to go, Ian Hindmarsh crossed to put the home side in front before Justin Murphy grabbed a last ditch try to secure the opening day two points.
Despite that opening salvo, they still ended 2006 bottom of Super League.
Super League XV: St Helens 12-32 Hull FC
St Helens started 2010 licking their wounds after recording their third successive Grand Final defeat against Leeds Rhinos the previous year.
A Saints post-season clear out saw talismanic scrum-half Sean Long turn down a new 12-month deal to join Hull FC. Of course, fate pitted the new Airlie Birds captain against his former paymasters on the opening day.
His return to Knowsley Road after 12 years looked in serious trouble of being postponed after thick fog delayed kick-off by 15 minutes. But the game went ahead - and the fog turned to mist in the eyes of the Saints fans as Long rolled back the years with a vintage display for the visiting team.
Long crossed for a debut try - one of five for Hull FC - as they started their season with a convincing 32-12 win.
Super League XVI: Bradford 28-32 Leeds
There was a twist in the tale of the 2011 season as Super League XVI kicked off with a Magic Weekend in Cardiff.
As per tradition, Leeds and Bradford served up a derby classic on neutral soil - and not without controversy either.
Mick Potter's Bulls looked set for a derby win in his first game in charge; they were 28-10 up after an hour thanks to Elliott Whitehead's hat-trick. But Leeds weren't to be denied under their new coach Brian McDermott.
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Three tries in five minutes from Ben Jones-Bishop, Kylie Leuluai and Rob Burrow put them within striking distance. And with two minutes left - Leeds snatched it.
Jones-Bishop broke down the right wing and kicked through, only for Gareth Raynor to haul him down. Up went the square-in-the-air, and after a lengthy delay Richard Silverwood ruled penalty try.
The Rhinos snatch a 32-28 win and went on to reclaim their Super League crown that season.
