Warrington 12-16 Leeds: Ryan Hall helps Rhinos start Super League defence with win
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Ryan Hall scored a stunning second half try to help champions Leeds kick off their Super League defence in style.
The England international touched down in each half in an accomplished display by the visitors in their first match since the exits of iconic playmakers Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow.
The last time the club had major departures in the wake of their historic 2015 treble winning season they struggled the following year and missed the top eight.
But with Richie Myler making an assured start to life in the no.7 shirt, Jamie Jones-Buchanan outstanding at 36 years old and teenager Jack Walker terrific at the back, they look much better placed to cope.
1. Myler’s promising start
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The retirement of Rob Burrow and departure of Danny McGuire to Hull KR left two considerable holes in the Rhinos ranks.
With the serial Grand Final winners moving on, new signing Richie Myler has been charged with plugging some of those gaps, and made an encouraging start at his former club.
The 28-year-old’s kick created a try for Ryan Hall, looked sharp throughout and was defensively excellent.
Mirror columnist Jamie Peacock reckons his support game will suit the Rhinos’ offloading style and expect Myler to grow into his new role.
2. Warrington’s rebuild may take time
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After missing out on the top eight last season there is expectation for significant improvement from the Wolves under new coach Steve Price.
A handful of new faces including scrum-half Tyrone Roberts - who didn’t feature in pre-season - mean it is unlikely to be immediate.
So it proved, and although Roberts showed some neat touches - along with fellow new boy Bryson Goodwin and hooker Daryl Clark - they fell short on opening night.
Once Roberts and Price settle fully into their new surroundings the Wolves should again challenge Super League’s best.
3. Jack Walker looks set for a big season
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The teenage Rhinos full-back was one of the success stories on 2017, breaking into the Leeds side and playing in a Grand Final at just 18.
But his starting place was far from guaranteed with no.1 Ashton Golding also in Brian McDermott’s 19-man squad.
The Rhinos boss decided to go with Walker, and sporting a new closely cropped haircut, he again looked assured at the back.
Walker dealt with a series of high kicks and provided try saving tackles at the back despite his age - he looks well set for a big year despite one late error.
4. Jamie Jones-Buchanan is ageless
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At the other end of the age scale is Jamie Jones-Buchanan, who is old enough to be Walker’s dad.
A matter of days younger than Super League eldest statesman - opponent Ben Westwood - JJB shows no sign of slowing down.
Not only did he open the scoring with a rare and well-taken try, but as usual he was all over the pitch for the full game.
Whether it’s taking the toughest drives early in the set or making crucial tackles directly from a scrum, Jones-Buchanan remains seemingly indefatigable.
He still looks to have plenty of miles left in the tank at the age of 36.
5. Chris Hill’s hospital dash
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Warrington’s hope of a comeback were hardly helped when England prop Chris Hill has to leave the game early to attend the birth of his fourth child.
Sky Sports reported that Hill’s partner went into labour while at the game, leaving Hill to join her in the second half.
It raised memories of St Helens’ prop Alex Walmsley’s dash during the second half of a game at Wakefield last season.