Three rounds in - what do we know?
This blog starts with a political reference! Oh yes, I can
hear the groans from here! But stick with me, it’s only a couple of lines and then
it’s back to the rugby league.
On 22 May 2017, the then-Prime Minister Theresa May performed a screeching u-turn on her social care policy, desperately defending it saying "nothing has changed". This is seen by political commentators as a watershed moment where her election campaign went south.
A cynic may take the view that, three rounds into Super League 2020, the same maxim applies. Nothing has changed. St Helens are top, Wigan are second (just as for the last two seasons) and newly promoted Toronto are bottom.
The quest for a strong and stable Super League goes on and instead it splutters along as we seek to unite, no matterhow we voted what
we thought about SLexit (the Super League and RFL ‘divorce’ for the benefit of
those who aren’t privy to my internal thoughts).
However, if you dig beneath the surface, there is plenty to be optimistic about. Super League promised a new dawn in 2019, when it took control of its own governance. Whilst there were positive changes such as the introduction of the shot clock, arguably this year is when the real change started.
The league has a bold and noticeable new branding, with its distinctive pink and blue theme. As you will see from the picture below, the players are central to this branding. A new TV show Inside Super League has finally filled the midweek magazine show void left by Boots ‘n’ All, the Out of Your League podcast is essential weekly viewing and the We Play League documentary series provides an insight into the sport that we haven’t seen since Rugby League Raw.
Photo Credit: Marc Cosgrove / News Images
Whilst there is much to be positive about off the field, that would pale into insignificance if the on-field action disappointed. Positively, that isn’t the case. The Wigan vs Warrington season opener had talking points galore. We also saw a sold-our Headingley play host to two Super League games, including Toronto's first game and an impressive Hull FC thumping their hosts.
The next week saw Warrington defeat St Helens at a bouncing Halliwell Jones Stadium and a classic Hull derby, with the lead switching hands time and again and Hull KR scoring a truly stunning try finished by Ben Crookes. Although it was maligned by others *cough* Jon Wells *cough*, I thought that the Salford vs Huddersfield game on Friday night was also of a high quality and had an unquestionably dramatic ending.
We have had some shock results too. Who would have thought that Huddersfield would have been the only side unbeaten at this stage of the season? It’s a question we posed on Twitter on Sunday…
So far this season, the favourites have lost in the following matches:
So why on the surface it might seem as though nothing has changed, if you put that claum under the microscope, you will soon as that this isn’t quite the case.
This Super League weekend starts with a West Yorkshire derby between Castleford and Wakefield, oh, and then it’s the World Club Challenge between St Helens and Sydney Roosters. Even if the first three weeks of the season have passed you by, that is surely enough to get the blood flowing, right?
On 22 May 2017, the then-Prime Minister Theresa May performed a screeching u-turn on her social care policy, desperately defending it saying "nothing has changed". This is seen by political commentators as a watershed moment where her election campaign went south.
A cynic may take the view that, three rounds into Super League 2020, the same maxim applies. Nothing has changed. St Helens are top, Wigan are second (just as for the last two seasons) and newly promoted Toronto are bottom.
The quest for a strong and stable Super League goes on and instead it splutters along as we seek to unite, no matter
However, if you dig beneath the surface, there is plenty to be optimistic about. Super League promised a new dawn in 2019, when it took control of its own governance. Whilst there were positive changes such as the introduction of the shot clock, arguably this year is when the real change started.
The league has a bold and noticeable new branding, with its distinctive pink and blue theme. As you will see from the picture below, the players are central to this branding. A new TV show Inside Super League has finally filled the midweek magazine show void left by Boots ‘n’ All, the Out of Your League podcast is essential weekly viewing and the We Play League documentary series provides an insight into the sport that we haven’t seen since Rugby League Raw.
Photo Credit: Marc Cosgrove / News Images
Whilst there is much to be positive about off the field, that would pale into insignificance if the on-field action disappointed. Positively, that isn’t the case. The Wigan vs Warrington season opener had talking points galore. We also saw a sold-our Headingley play host to two Super League games, including Toronto's first game and an impressive Hull FC thumping their hosts.
The next week saw Warrington defeat St Helens at a bouncing Halliwell Jones Stadium and a classic Hull derby, with the lead switching hands time and again and Hull KR scoring a truly stunning try finished by Ben Crookes. Although it was maligned by others *cough* Jon Wells *cough*, I thought that the Salford vs Huddersfield game on Friday night was also of a high quality and had an unquestionably dramatic ending.
UNREAL FROM @hullkrofficial— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 7, 2020
KEEP THE BALL ALIVE #SuperLeague #WePlayLeague pic.twitter.com/CSz8ZSFkid
We have had some shock results too. Who would have thought that Huddersfield would have been the only side unbeaten at this stage of the season? It’s a question we posed on Twitter on Sunday…
Hands up if you thought that @Giantsrl would be the only unbeaten side at this stage of the @superleague season? #SLHulStH #SLWakWar pic.twitter.com/io7ihofyao— Tryline Blog (@TrylineBlog) February 16, 2020
So far this season, the favourites have lost in the following matches:
- Hull KR vs Wakefield
- Catalans vs Huddersfield
- Warrington vs St Helens
- Castleford vs Wigan
- Catalans vs Castleford
- Wakefield vs Warrington
So why on the surface it might seem as though nothing has changed, if you put that claum under the microscope, you will soon as that this isn’t quite the case.
This Super League weekend starts with a West Yorkshire derby between Castleford and Wakefield, oh, and then it’s the World Club Challenge between St Helens and Sydney Roosters. Even if the first three weeks of the season have passed you by, that is surely enough to get the blood flowing, right?
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