Set of Six: The main talking points from the world of rugby league
Monday 7 September 2015 11:28, UK
Awakening Giants and contrasting fortunes for the Challenge Cup finalists feature in this week's Set of Six.
Awakening Giants?
Is this the year that Huddersfield finally time their run to perfection and make a Super League final? Many experts seem to think so after their 40-26 win over Castleford took them a step closer to the semi-finals.
Jermaine McGillvary was in superb form for the hosts and once again pressed his claims for an England call-up with a brace of tries, taking his tally for the season to 21.
The 400 club
Congratulations to Huddersfield forward Eorl Crabtree who made his 400th appearance for the Giants in that win against Castleford.
To top a fantastic night, the 6ft 5in, 18 stone prop scored a fabulous try to take his tally to 56 for his club – all length of the field solo breaks of course!
Hull KR bounce back
A week ago Kieran Dixon was in tears after an error-strewn display in Hull KR's record 50-0 defeat by Leeds at Wembley.
This week he puts in a man of the match performance to help Rovers to a 20-18 win over Wakefield that almost certainly guarantees their Super League survival.
"Young Kieran probably copped a little bit of stick from people outside the dressing room but we know what a special talent he is," said Rovers coach Chris Chester.
"He played very well today and scored a couple of tries. He's a confidence kid and I thought it was important we got him back out on the field as soon as possible and he did himself proud today."
Challenge Cup hangover
While Hull KR were on the way up, Leeds were on the way down after St Helens took advantage of the Rhinos' Wembley hangover for the second year in a row to break their duck in the Super 8s.
The Rhinos may have been missing Zak Hardaker, Kallum Watkins and Rob Burrow, but Saints pressured them all over the paddock and refused to let them get a foothold in this game.
They scored some lovely tries but the pick of the bunch was Adam Quinlan's effort that even Sky Sports commentator Eddie Hemmings was involved in.
League makes its mark on the NFL
We are used to league players switching codes and making a mark in the 15-man game but in NFL?
That is all set to change as Jarryd Hayne will become the first ex-Australian rugby league player to compete in the NFL after being named in the San Francisco 49ers squad.
Former Parramatta Eels player Hayne beat practice-squad player Kendall Gaskins for a spot in the running back rotation as the Niners cut 14 players to bring their squad down to the 53-man limit.
San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula said: "Making an NFL roster is an outstanding accomplishment, period. But obviously his situation is unique.
"The odds of an American who grows up in this game playing in the NFL is astronomical. Now you're talking about a guy who wasn't raised in this game and has made it.
"He's by no means a finished product but the type of person he is and the approach that he takes, he's a guy that we want here.
"It should be a celebration in Australia. I do understand the magnitude and that it's huge."
Golden point for the Dragons
St George-Illawarra have somehow made it into the NRL finals after a 32-30 golden point win against the Wests Tigers.
The Tigers were 30-8 down with 15 minutes to go but scored four tries to send the game into golden point. Gareth Widdop, who missed the game due to injury, sat shell-shocked in the stand.
Disaster then struck for the Tigers as Robbie Farah was penalised for not standing square and Josh Dugan – who took over the kicking duties from Widdop – knocked it over from almost in front of the posts.
The Dragons face Canterbury Bulldogs in Saturday's Qualifying Finals, while George Burgess could miss South Sydney Rabbitohs' clash with Cronulla after a moment of madness during last week's 30-0 drubbing by Sydney Roosters.
Burgess, who was sat on the Rabbitohs bench, threw a plastic bottle at Kane Evans as he walked from the pitch. He has been cited by the NRL match review committee and could face a two-match ban.
