Sunday Social: Burgess’ difficult debut, all hail Sezer, Burrow in the USA

James Messenger

It is time for Love Rugby League’s Sunday Social, your alternative recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past seven days. 

How about this for a tough introduction to life in Super League? George Burgess was sat firmly on his backside by Warrington’s Ben Murdoch-Masila as the Tonga international scored the opening try of the new season.

Speaking of impact, Matty Lees made his presence felt with a huge shot on Salford full-back Niall Evalds. The Saints youngster, making his first appearance since August, helped his side to a comfortable 48-8 win in a repeat of last year’s Grand Final.

How about this for a dream debut? Aidan Sezer made his mark straight away, bagging a try, two assists and six goals as Huddersfield picked up a surprise 32-12 victory over Catalans at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Some of Huddersfield’s players and coaching staff, including Head of Performance Ollie Richardson, sported rainbow laces in objection to the Dragons signing of controversial Australian Israel Folau. The 30-year-old was not in the Dragons’ matchday squad on Saturday evening.

It’s safe to say Ben Crooks was a happy man after his performance against Wakefield on Friday night. The outside back crossed four times as Hull KR, bookmakers favourites for relegation, opening the campaign with victory at Craven Park.

And finally, Rob Burrow seems to be enjoying himself ahead of this weekend’s Super Bowl LIV clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The NFL and Leeds Rhinos teamed together to surprise the 37-year-old with the trip of a lifetime following his Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis.


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