Super League stats: Players who impressed in opening weekend

Josh McAllister
Super League Castleford Tigers

We take a look at some of the impressive stats from the opening weekend of the 2022 Super League season.

St Helens’ home clash with Catalans opened up the new season in a repeat of the 2021 Grand Final. It resulted in a 28-8 victory for Kristian Woolf’s side at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday night.

Wigan opened their new chapter under head coach Matt Peet with an away win at Hull KR. Tries from Jake Bibby (2), Liam Marshall (2) and Jai Field saw them take a 24-10 win.

Elsewhere on Friday, Marc Sneyd inspired Salford to a 26-16 triumph over Lee Radford’s Castleford at a sell-out Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Huddersfield became the first side to travel to newly promoted Toulouse. Ian Watson’s men won 42-14 at the Stade Ernest Wallon

Meanwhile, more history was made with Channel 4 streaming the first ever live Super League game on free-to-air television. Warrington sealed a 22-20 win over Leeds in a thrilling showdown at Headingley in the Super League debut for Channel 4.

On Sunday, Hull FC opened their 2022 Super League campaign with a 16-12 victory over Wakefield at the Be Well Support Stadium.

Players who impressed according to the stats

Six players opened their season with a brace across the weekend. St Helens winger Tommy Makinson scored twice in his side’s victory over the Dragons.

Wigan duo Jake Bibby and Liam Marshall both crossed twice in Wigan’s win. Derrell Olpherts, Josh Charnley and Jake Wardle also all grabbed a brace in the opening round.

Tui Lolohea impressed on his Huddersfield debut with four try assists against Toulouse. He leads the way in front of next-best Cade Cust. The former NRL half-back claimed three assists on his first competitive Wigan appearance.

Salford winger Joe Burgess led with the most metres. He picked up 184 against Castleford on Friday night. Wakefield’s Tom Johnstone next best with 176.

Danny Houghton did what he does best, leading the way in the tackles. The Hull hooker completed 55 tackles in his sides win over Wakefield – missing just one.

Olpherts and Burgess both made eight tackle busts for their sides. Warrington’s winning try-scorer Connor Wrench made seven. 

More impressive stats

Leeds winger and vice-captain Ash Handley made the most carries over the weekend with 19. Wakefield forward David Fifita came second best with just one less.

Tom Davies, Liam Farrell, Jordan Abdull and Cameron Smith all made 17, while Lolohea made 18.

Olpherts impressed in his side’s defeat. He made two clean breaks for the Tigers in front of the packed stadium.

Huddersfield’s Chris McQueen also made two clean breaks, while also crossing for a try of his own against Toulouse.

Sneyd leads the way off the kicking tee. He converted seven on his Salford return to help lead them to their victory over Castleford.

With a score difference of 28, Huddersfield sit at the top of the table following the opening Super League round.

READ MORE: Willie Poching questions crackdown on high tackles following latest red card

 

Super League Castleford Tigers

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