St Helens 29-6 Salford: Player ratings and three major talking points

St Helens swept aside Salford, but how did the players rate and what were the three major talking points from the fixture?

Three major talking points

1. Video referee clarification

Just over the half-hour mark, St Helens had their second try of the night. But, it was incredibly harsh on Salford who felt the ball had been stripped from Kallum Watkins’ grasp prior to Regan Grace flying in at the corner. The video referee had deemed Watkins lost possession without Mark Percival’s intervention, but the Saints centre had his hands all over the ball. It would be good if, like in the NRL, the video referee’s decision-making can be heard around the ground to clarify his reasoning.

2. St Helens have the best two wingers in Super League

First it was Tommy Makinson’s finish in the early exchanges and then it was Regan Grace’s just over the half-hour, but both are excellent coming out of defence too. I don’t think anyone can complain about the statement that they are number one and two in terms of wingers in the competition.

3. Taking kickers out off the ball should be punished

On more than one occasion, Jonny Lomax and Theo Fages were taken out late after they had kicked the ball. Both were visibly shaken up by some of the collisions, but very few of the incidents were actually punished and none were put on report. There will be some serious injuries to playmakers throughout the season if this isn’t dealt with and quickly.

St Helens
18. Jack Welsby – 7
2. Tommy Makinson – 8
3. Kevin Naiqama – 7
4. Mark Percival – 8
5. Regan Grace – 8
6. Jonny Lomax – 7
7. Theo Fages – 7
8. Alex Walmsley – 8
9. James Roby – 7
10. Matty Lees – 7
11. Joel Thompson – 7
12. James Bentley – 7
14. Sione Mata’utia – 6
Substitutes
15. LMS – 7
16. Kyle Amor – 6
17. Agnatius Paasi – 5
19. Aaron Smith – 6

Salford Red Devils
23. Dan Sarginson – 6
2. Ken Sio – 5
3. Kallum Watkins – 6
19. Elliot Kear – 6
4. Krisnan Inu – 7
6. Tui Lolohea – 5
7. Kevin Brown – 5
8. Lee Mossop – 6
14. Danny Addy – 7
10. Seb Ikahihifo – 6
20. Harvey Livett – 5
11. Ryan Lannon – 5
13. Elijah Taylor – 7
Substitutes
12. Pauli Pauli – 3
25. Jack Ormondroyd – 5
26. Jack Wells – 4
29. Dec Patton – 5