Another Super League round has done and dusted.
Wigan Warriors kicked off the weekend with victory over Castleford Tigers on Thursday night before Salford Red Devils overcame a stuttering Leeds Rhinos to post their third win of the season.
Hull KR narrowly went down to Catalans Dragons on Friday night too, before Wakefield Trinity sprung the surprise of the weekend, posting a big score on Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
That paved the way for a shock result in the south of France on Saturday night as St Helens became the first victims of Toulouse Olympique in an incredible 22-20 win for the French side.
Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants rounded things off this afternoon as the Black and Whites produced a stellar effort to win 14-6.
But, what did we learn from round six action?
1. Toulouse should not be underestimated
Toulouse Olympique hosted St Helens at home with many thinking it would be a walkover for the British side. That was far from the case and Saints left France pointless after Sylvain Houles’ men put in a wonderful performance to overcome the previously unbeaten Saints by 22-20. Toulouse had already come close to beating Wigan at home a few weeks ago and had pushed Wakefield all the way last week. They really aren’t going to be the pushovers most people predicted them to be before a ball had been kicked this season.
2. New coaches under fire
Whilst Salford’s Paul Rowley is enjoying himself following an emphatic win over Leeds, the same cannot be said of Lee Radford and Daryl Powell at Castleford and Warrington respectively. The Tigers have won just once all season, losing five more whilst the Wolves have won three from six. But it’s the manner of performances from Powell’s men that have dismayed Warrington fans and Saturday’s defeat to Wakefield was no different. The Wolves were second best from the minute go and Trinity thoroughly deserved their win.
3. Relegation battle hotting up
With Toulouse winning their first game of the season, they are now level on points with Castleford and Leeds whilst Wakefield and Hull KR have two wins each. Salford and Warrington have six points with the Wolves now under performing. French side Toulouse were tipped by almost all to get relegated, but it’s not as clear cut as that at all.
4. Dish the cards out
More yellow and red cards were dished out at the weekend with Thursday’s fixture between Wigan and Castleford gaining the most attention for a bizarre yellow card shown to the Tigers’ Mahe Fonua. Fonua went to tackle Jai Field only to knock the ball on and then collided softly into the Wigan fullback. Unfortunately, for Castleford referee Chris Kendall saw things differently and gave Fonua a yellow card. Others such as Will Pryce and Bodene Thompson were also given their marching orders.
5. Saints are human
People had tipped St Helens to ravage Toulouse before Saturday evening’s game, but the French side shocked just about everyone in the rugby league world with a superb performance. Saints had even been tipped to go the full season unbeaten. However, they really are human as they missed the likes of Alex Walmsley and Will Hopoate. Fear for Whitehaven though in the Challenge Cup at the weekend who may feel the full backlash.
