Salford Red Devils managed to beat Leeds Rhinos 22-16 on Saturday to solidify their position in the Super League playoffs.
It was a win that saw them come from behind twice and was inspired by captain Kallum Watkins’ two-try performance with Paul Rowley speaking post-game to label the ex-Leeds Rhinos man as the ‘perfect player’.
Watkins has undergone a positional change later in his career, shifting from the centres to the second row where he has since earned England caps and Super League Dream Team honours.
The 33-year-old doubled his season try tally yesterday but it’s his work everywhere else on the pitch that makes him such an asset to Salford Red Devils with Watkins leading Super League for the most marker tackles, as well as averaging 32.5 tackles per game.
Speaking post-game, Rowley beamed about his captain, declaring: “Since I’ve been at this club I’ve never come across a player to have a bigger influence on other players than Kallum Watkins.
“It’d be interesting, there’s probably people who’ve been here and involved with Salford a lot longer than me to see if there is someone that has had such an influence.”
Salford Red Devils skipper earns high praise
Credit: Imago Images
Perhaps even more impressive than his performance yesterday is the fact that Watkins has done that weekly for Salford Red Devils with the second-rower one of just a few players to feature in every single Super League round so far.
Rowley’s high praise continued, adding: “I guess he’s the perfect role model of a captain, of a player, as a human being. I thought his performance today was brilliant.
“His performance today comes from the work he does in the week on himself physically as an older player and on his preparation. He absolutely nailed everything that he had to do and worked tirelessly. He does all those things but he’s got a spirit and heart to match.
“We all feel the same at this club that we’re privileged to be able to work alongside Kallum. I thought it was fantastic today and absolutely deserved the man of the match.”
One man who definitely feels the same is Salford Red Devils’ departing star Oliver Partington, who is set to move to Catalans at the end of the year.
The forward took to social media to share an image of Watkins with his Man of the Match medal, captioning it: “I’d run through brick walls for this man.”
I think Ollie Partingtons Instagram says everything you need to know about Kallum Watkins.
A captain that fellow players would run through brick walls for. What a player and what a person. Very lucky to have him. https://t.co/pYZjhlKXO0 pic.twitter.com/oazwix5UlE
— CR (@cwrobinson_) August 4, 2024
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