‘It’s ridiculous!’ Coach has his say on the competitive tussle of Super League

Salford coach Paul Rowley says he is enjoying the competitive nature of Super League this season, with just six points separating third and ninth in the table.

We are more than halfway through the 2023 Super League campaign, and it is tight at both ends of the table.

Catalans are the current league leaders, with second-placed Warrington also on 20 points. There are then three teams – Wigan, Leigh and Salford – all on 18 points.

St Helens and Hull KR are in sixth and seventh, with Leeds and Hull just below them on 10 points apiece.

There’s just six points between third-placed Wigan and Hull in ninth.

When asked about the competitiveness of Super League this season, Rowley joked: “It’s ridiculous!

“You look at the table and you think you’re making some headway and then it’s like neck and neck all the way.

“It’s got to open at some point! It’s like we’ve all set off on a long distance race and everyone is sprinting on the first lap, so everyone has still got their head down and running fast.

“We’ll have to have a bit more resilience and fortitude about us and we’ve got to last the journey here.

“It’s good though, it’s entertaining as a fan. I’m enjoying watching the tussle but I’m also hoping that a few fall off and we can be a part of the good bunch.

“There’s so much to play for and so long to go as well, so it’s exciting.”

Salford coach Paul Rowley pays classy compliment to Castleford

The Red Devils have won six of their latest seven matches in all competitions, with their latest victory coming against Hull KR at Magic Weekend.

On Friday night, Rowley’s men will aim to continue their rich vein of form when they travel to Castleford, who won their third game of the campaign against Leeds at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Rowley says his side won’t be taking the Tigers lightly, and knows they are a tough team to beat at the Jungle.

He said: “Castleford have a great atmosphere, they have really good fans and our fans travel brilliantly wherever they go.

“They’ll have got a lot of confidence from their victory against Leeds on the big stage.

“It was quite evident they were pumped and playing with a lot more energy, so it will have done them the world of good and it is just another challenge for us.

“We would always expect Castleford to be good because I feel they’ve got a lot of good rugby players in their team with (Paul) McShane, (Joe) Westerman, (Gareth) Widdop, (Jacob) Miller – players like that.

“They are always going to be a dangerous side and maybe from their perspective, maybe the belief and confidence was probably the missing ingredient. We expect an almighty tussle on Friday.

“It’s an incredibly tight Super League this year and you can shift several positions in the space of a week.

“We just need to keep digging in and it really is week for week now, taking every week as it comes and putting our best foot forward.”

Rowley said it’s unlikely he will have Andy Ackers at his disposal this week. The England international is completing his concussion return to play protocols – but Rowley said the hooker is feeling good and symptom-free, thankfully.

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