Rugby League 2024: Elland or Las Vegas

[tee rex]

Players can do extraordinary things now that were thought impossible a few years ago. Check out Melbourne's winning try v NZ Warriors, a superman leap for Olympic gold.

[Tony C]

The Xavier Coates winning try for Melbourne Storm against NZ Warriors. It is indeed fantastic.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MMzjCi...d2FycmlvcnM%3D

[ursus arctos]

Outrageous

[Etienne]

Good game this. Proper purists are probably shaking their heads.

[Sporting]

Good game this. Proper purists are probably shaking their heads.

Which game?

[Etienne]

Warrington 24-32 Catalan.

[nmrfox]

Amazing try saving tackle from Arthur Mourgue keeping Catalan within 2 of St Helens.

[nmrfox]

And so it proved critical as Catalan beat St Helens 14-8 in a brutal game, maybe low on attacking quality but amazing on defensive strength and organisation. Brilliant viewing.

[Etienne]

Yeah, completely different game from Wire Catalan last week, but just as compelling, and the Mourgue tackle was crucial.

[Tony C]

Catalans have now beaten Sam Burgess’s resurgent Warrington Wolves and Saints in consecutive matches. Seemingly at the end of every season they lose important players, replace them with cheaper options without a drop in standards and continue to be a huge threat in the competition. Over recent seasons much of this has been down to the excellent coaching of Steve McNamara who has that vital knack of taking solid but limited players (the likes of Dudson, Whitley, Drinkwater spring to mind) and improving their game so they are comfortable at the highest level. It’s an impressive set up.

A shock in the NRL as Penrith lose their second competition game of the season (their third overall if you count the World Club Challenge) after a defeat at Manly. Penrith are another club that traditionally lose big name players at the end of a season and replace them with budget buy equals but the left side of their defence looks vulnerable this season without Crichton. His departure may be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

[The Mighty Trin]

No surprise that Tony Smith has exited stage right.

[Tony C]

Hull KR v Leigh a perfectly watchable Challenge Cup tie yesterday but I think Warrington/Saints later could be even better. Sam Burgess has already instilled new levels of focus and purpose to the Wolves squad and they are well up for this

[Tony C]

Warrington’s Matty Ashton has just scored a try to almost match the one by Xavier Coates (above).

Terrific game this.

[Tony C]

Warrington end up pulling away from Saints to win 31-8. Excellent victory.

[The Mighty Trin]

Warrington’s Matty Ashton has just scored a try to almost match the one by Xavier Coates (above).

Terrific game this.

Yes, that try was a thing of absolute beauty.

[nmrfox]

No surprise that Tony Smith has exited stage right.

Richie Myler has ripped up his contact at York and is taking over as non-playing Director of Rugby at Hull, which means that there probably won't be any compensation to be paid. Almost certainly the highest wage earner in Yorks history who's played just 3 games for them.