Wing legend Ryan Hall has outlined the biggest change to Super League between his debut in 2007 and 500th career appearance this weekend.
Hall’s first game for Leeds Rhinos was against Bradford Bulls at the inaugural Super League Magic Weekend, in Cardiff 18 years ago. That was one of the most infamous matches in the competition’s history, decided when Jordan Tansey came from a clearly offside position to score the winning try for Leeds as the hooter sounded, after Kevin Sinfield hit a post with an incorrectly-awarded penalty.
Saturday’s visit of Wigan Warriors will be Hall’s 336th in Rhinos colours. He also made 106 appearances for Hull KR and 11 with Sydney Roosters, as well as earning 45 England caps and two for Great Britain.
Ryan Hall on biggest change in Super League
Now 37, he reckons Super League is just as physical, but has become safer during his years as a full-time professional. “When I used to run it in, back in the day, I used to know I might get my head taken off and it might be a penalty,” Hall recalled.
“Players nowadays don’t think of doing that, because of all the repercussions on the back of it. The main [change] is the safety around head knocks. It gives you a bit more confidence when you run it in. I feel safe when I am carrying the ball out of yardage, about what I am about to run into.”
Even so, the Leeds-born, six-time Grand Final winner reckons he wouldn’t have got as far as he has without being prepared to play through the pain barrier. “I’ve got a milestone game coming up and if I didn’t play injured at any point, I wouldn’t get to 100, never mind 500,” he said.
“There is a bit of playing when you are hurt – I learned that from very early on. In my first year, 2007, I played nine games and in the ninth game I came off injured – I got a dead leg.
“That was a Friday night game and on the Monday, I was in the gym on the exercise bike. Tony Smith [Rhinos’ then coach] asked me how I thought I’d be for Friday – because I was in the team and it was my shirt to lose.
“I was naive at the time and young and I said ‘I don’t know, it really hurts at the moment’. Tony turned round and said ‘you might regret that decision’, because once I’d given up my shirt, it was hard to get back in the team. Ultimately, I didn’t get back in the team, Lee Smith came in and he played in the Grand Final. I missed out and I remember that – sometimes you play hurt.”
Ryan Hall recalls his rugby league debut
Reaching 500 games is a notable achievement, but Hall is more concerned about picking up two points against the defending champions at AMT Headingley on Saturday than celebrating his latest milestone.
Looking back to his debut in 2007, Hall recalled: “I was just happy I was there playing. Eighteen months before that I was playing with my community club, Oulton Raiders, just enjoying playing rugby.
“I didn’t play for any career prospects, I played because I enjoyed playing the game. Eighteen months later, I was doing it for one of the biggest clubs in the world, on that stage – I was just happy to be in that environment and getting paid to be doing it.
“I never thought I’d get to the milestones I have, but I am not too bothered about them. Everyone else will make a big thing of 500 games, but I just see it as another game. We are playing Wigan, which is a big enough occasion as it is.
“They won everything last year, they exited the Cup last week so they are going to want to put it right and Leeds versus Wigan is always big, whatever the circumstances.
“They are both big clubs and it means a lot to both teams. That’s what I am looking at. I am trying to put the accolades to one side and just get on with the 80 minutes of rugby league.”
