Brian Carney: Three that caught the eye
Tuesday 27 February 2018 13:59, UK
After another action-packed weekend of rugby league action, Sky Sports' Brian Carney discusses three elements that caught his eye – results, centres and a renaissance man.
Results
Round 3 of the Betfred Super League didn't throw up any eye-catching results. Notwithstanding Salford were very good in getting their first win of the season, Wakefield remain unbeaten and Widnes continued their great home record of recent years against the Leeds Rhinos.
The real standout results came from Championship and I had to choose between the two headline-grabbers; Toulouse beating the Leigh Centurions and London Broncos downing the big spending Toronto Wolfpack at home. Let's start with Leigh and Toulouse.
Intelligent rugby league men like David Waite said that the future of French rugby league lies in the success of a second French side.
While the Catalans Dragons are in an awful rut in Super League, Toulouse perhaps showed against Leigh that the future may yet still be bright for French rugby league. To go down to 12 men and overcome a significant points deficit, shows character and no lack of ability.
It's a massive result that saw Neil Jukes, the Leigh Centurions head coach, resign shortly afterwards and will see plenty of questions asked at the Leigh Sports Village this week.
But, maybe the result of the round was at Ealing Trailfinders when London Broncos comprehensively out-pointed the Toronto Wolfpack.
Few clubs have made more high profile and attention-grabbing signings than the Toronto Wolfpack while London Broncos quietly went about their business in the pre-season.
This result is a massive boost for coach Danny Ward, in his first year as head coach, and particularly for owner David Hughes who has spent millions trying to create a successful London club.
He has in the past, spent millions on high-profile signings, I just wonder would Sunday's result have been one of the more satisfying victories of his long involvement with the London Broncos?
From small acorns grow large trees. London, over the last few years have started from scratch again, and this result is a great vindication of their continued efforts to keep professional rugby league alive in the capital.
Centres
Such an important position in rugby league in my opinion but one that is increasingly becoming squeezed out… I'll explain.
The absence of quality centres and the ability of coaches to slot a big, strong second rower out wide has meant that classy No 3s and 4s are becoming a rare commodity. Much to my disappointment.
I was fortunate enough to play outside of some of the centre greats of recent years, Gary Connolly, Steve Renouf, Matt Gidley and Martin Gleeson. I know what a devastating weapon it is for a team to have a great centre. This round reminded me of that.
Bill Tupou in Wakefield's victory over Catalans, time and time again, provided great service on and off the ball for Tom Johnstone and proved to be a great outlet for his halves.
The same can be said of Junior Sa'u, devastatingly physical in Salford's win over Hull KR, and Bryson Goodwin who has thus far been, as far as I see it, Warrington's best and most consistent performer. The reports that I hear back from the club is that he is a consummate professional both on and off the field.
But, the one I'd like to focus on is Krisnan Inu, who Widnes picked up from the Catalans Dragons and who, at times in the south of France, looked totally disinterested. In fact that may be a summation of Inu's career to date, at times looks disinterested.
If Denis Betts can put the word 'rare' in front of times then he'll have quite the player on his hands. He's incredibly skilful, a physical behemoth and a very competent goal-kicker.
Going back to the point of being an outlet of his halves if Joe Mellor and Danny Craven can look to their right and see the imposing figure of Inu screaming for the ball, it will raise their hopes for victory and certainly put fear in the opposition.
You can slot a second rower in the centre position, it doesn't make him a centre. The same as standing in a stable doesn't make you a horse.
Renaissance man
People will be waking up on Monday, reviewing the weekend's action and being delighted with some of their teams' performances but collectively and individually. But, few would be happier I feel than Jamie Ellis who was outstanding in Castleford's much-needed win over Hull FC.
In my opinion the full-back issue is still not solved at Castleford and a new addition to the squad may need to be made. If it is to be addressed then it will come at a later stage.
Right now Daryl Powell must be thrilled that Ellis, in his return to Castleford, has shown in that match that the latent talent that was always assigned to him is still there.
To have the kicking games of Luke Gale and Ellis in your attacking armoury is a wonderful addition to a Castleford Tigers side that needed their attack to fire.
Ellis now needs consistency to marry up with the brilliance that he showed against Hull. As a wise man once told me, consistency precedes brilliance. So, Castleford's attack fired and Ellis now needs to get his season firing.
