Proving A Point - Players that have proven a point in Super League in 2018
- Charlie Hynes
- Aug 14, 2018
- 8 min read
After the Super 8s kicked off in style at the weekend, the business end of the season is fast approaching. With that in mind, we decided to look at the players who have stepped up to the plate in 2018 and silenced their critics.
1. Danny Richardson
After breaking onto the scene in 2016, scrum half Danny Richardson found first team opportunities hard to come by in 2017, having to watch from the stands as St Helens began their revival under new coach Justin Holbrook, as well as appearing for Sheffield Eagles on dual registration. Heading into the 2018 season, there was an air of optimism around at Saints, with many tipping them as potential champions following their strong finish to the 2017 season. Few Saints players had more to prove than Richardson, with fans and pundits alike wondering if he could become the player he has promised to become since his debut two years ago. What has followed has been nothing short of amazing, as Richardson has turned his exciting potential into consistent performances, whilst acting as the lynchpin in Saints' inevitable charge to the League Leaders' shield. Richardson has achieved what contemporaries Jordan Lilley and Jake Shorrocks have so far failed to do so at their respective clubs, by securing a regular starting spot at Saints. As well as bagging 13 try assists and leading the goal kicking charts with 103 so far this season, Richardson has formed a formidable half back partnership with Jonny Lomax, relegating French halfback Theo Fages to the bench and keeping Matty Smith, one of Super League's most consistent performances in recent years, out of the side altogether. Such has been the quality of Richardson's performances, he has attracted praise from pundits and legends alike, particularly from Gary Schofield, who went as far as to suggest that England Coach Wayne Bennett should be sacked for not including Richardson in his squad for the Denver Test against New Zealand in June. Arguably, the highlight of Richardson's season was keeping his cool to land a last minute penalty against Warrington to give Saints the win in the last game of the regular season. At just 22, the best is yet to come from Richardson, and after a stellar season so far, he is obviously a strong contender for Young Player of the Season.
2. Sam Tomkins
For so long the 'Golden Boy' of Super League, 2018 has seen Sam Tomkins mature into a senior figure at Wigan, taking on more responsibilities, whilst reminding everyone of his obvious ability after two injury plagued seasons since returning from the NRL. Not everyone's cup of tea, Tomkins has shown a new side to his game this year, stepping up and grabbing games by the scruff of the neck, and being a leader in a young Warriors side. In contrast to Danny Richardson at Saints, Tomkins' challenge this year has been to remind everyone of what he can do, rather than prove it, and Tomkins' performances in key games, such as against Leeds in April, have done exactly that. Despite a rather controversial video involving Tomkins and his older brother Joel being released in June which resulted in Joel's departure from the club, Sam Tomkins has enjoyed a positive season, staying clear of injury and turning in consistent performances, which has peaked with his return to the England Squad following a four year absence. Although Tomkins is set to join Catalans Dragons in 2019, he will now leave the club a legend, and rightfully so having won three Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups with the club, and at just 29 years of age, he has left fans and pundits excited as he enters the peak of his career. After overcoming a mid-season wobble, can Tomkins help guide the Warriors to a fourth Grand Final in nine seasons?
3. Jake Connor
Since announcing himself at Huddersfield in 2013, Jake Connor has been one of the most exciting young players in English rugby league. Despite his huge potential, he has often been seen as a rough diamond. However, 2018 has seen Connor turn his talent into consistent performances, as he has nailed down a regular place at Hull FC, and forced his way into the England Squad. A try scoring international debut in June increased Connor's stock, and he has proven to be a shining light in what has unfortunately been a disappointing season for the Airlie Birds, one that has been plagued by injuries. Although Connor's versatility has been useful for FC Coach Lee Radford this year, appearing equally capable in the halves and the centres, it could prove to be both a blessing and a curse for Connor, who has often had to settle for a place on the bench when Hull have been at full strength. A highly skilled player, Connor's most desirable attribute is his ability to change a game with a moment of magic, a trait that NRL clubs will most likely begin to admire in the coming years, particularly if his England debut is a sign of things to come. Questions remain over Connor's temperament and reliability as his conduct on the pitch has divided fans of all clubs. However, Connor's character on the pitch suggests he has the potential to achieve 'superstar' status and become a household name, which could be important as Super League aims to promote the game under the leadership of Robert Elstone. Unfortunately for Connor, a hamstring tear has ended his season prematurely, robbing him of the opportunity to appear in England's three match series against New Zealand this autumn.
4. Ash Handley
Ash Handley has been one of the only positive points in a bitterly disappointing season for Leeds, as the Rhinos face the Qualifiers for the second time in three seasons, less than 12 months after being crowned Super League champions after toppling League Leaders Castleford Tigers at Old Trafford. Since announcing himself to Leeds fans with five tries against Wakefield on Boxing Day in 2014, Handley has been a peripheral squad player at Headingley, struggling to seize his opportunities in the first team. The only time Handley had looked the real deal at Headingley prior to 2018 was a 13 game spell in the treble winning campaign of 2015, in which he deputised for the injured Tom Briscoe in style, scoring two hat tricks against St Helens. 2018 has been a different story for Handley, as he has silenced his critics by establishing himself as a regular in the first team. Prior to this season, Handley was heading into the final year of his contract, with the ambition of proving his worth to the Rhinos and securing a new deal. Early season injuries to centres Liam Sutcliffe and Jimmy Keinhorst, as well as a season ending ACL injury to captain Kallum Watkins provided Handley with his opportunity to prove his worth with a consistent run in the first team, and as Leeds have disappointed, Handley has not. Topping the Rhinos' try scoring charts with 10 tries, and currently second only to league leader Richie Myler with eight try assists, Handley has been an outstanding performer for Leeds. Handley has shown creativity and strong awareness in the centres to create opportunities for himself as well as his team mates, although an improvement in the defensive aspect of his game is required if he is to take his game to the next level. 2018 has been a big year for Handley, resulting in a call up to Paul Anderson's England Knights Squad, and he will need to be on top form if Leeds are to avoid a shock relegation. Not yet the finished article, 2019 will also be a big year for Handley, as he aims to nail down his place as a first choice centre at Headingley, but on an individual level, 2018 has been a resounding success for the young Leeds back.
5. Ben Barba
Despite arriving under a cloud, Ben Barba has been a breath of fresh air for Super League, exciting fans of all clubs, not just St Helens, with his dazzling attacking runs and outstanding support play. After a relatively quiet start to his Saints career towards the end of 2017, in which he provided a few glimpses of his ability, Barba has taken off in 2018, undoubtedly the most talented player Super League has seen in recent years and almost guaranteed to win the Man of Steel award. Barba has proven to be everything fans hoped and expected he would be and more, as opposition coaches have struggled to work out how to contain him. Barba tops the try scoring table with 23 four pointers and is second in terms of try assists with 22. Despite constant speculation that he will return to Australia, Barba has provided the cutting edge and clinical finishing that Saints needed to take their game to the next level. If Saints are to win the Grand Final in October, they will be hugely grateful for Barba's contribution, and if Barba is to return to the NRL in 2019, he will leave Super League knowing that by setting the league alight with his dazzling attacking performances, he not only took Saints' game to the next level, but also brought some much needed stardom and excitement back to Super League. Barba has justified the hype that surrounded his arrival and will be a worthy winner of the Man of Steel award, should he win the accolade in October.
6. James Roby
James Roby has nothing to prove in Super League. Arguably the most consistent performer of the past ten years, Saints' captain has already achieved legend status in the game at just 32 years of age. Roby made his St Helens debut in 2004, making his Great Britain debut just two years later aged 21. With two Grand Finals and three Challenge Cups, Roby was part of the legendary St Helens team of 2006, and it is rather fitting that he is leading Saints twelve years on as they aim to become Super League Champions for only the second time since that season, being the only surviving member of that team along with Jon Wilkin. Roby became the youngest player ever to win the Man of Steel award in 2008 and had the honour of scoring the first ever try at new Wembley in the 2007 Challenge Cup Final. Despite this, the emergence of exciting hookers Danny Houghton, Josh Hodgson and Daryl Clark has seen the number nine shirt become the most fiercely competitive in the England side. However, despite seeing his place threatened by injuries and competition, in 2018 Roby has reminded everyone why he is the best hooker in Super League. With 859 tackles and 190 runs from dummy half, as well as 11 try assists, Roby has excelled both offensively and defensively, and his experience will serve Saints well as they head into the business end of the season. A strong candidate for the Super League Dream Team, 2018 has been the year that James Roby reminded everyone why he is one of the most widely respected players in the game. James Roby, we salute you!
7. Josh Charnley
It took no time at all for Josh Charnley to adapt to rugby league after returning from an 18 month spell in rugby union. The former Sale Sharks winger raised a few eyebrows by signing for Warrington Wolves in March, rather than joining former club Wigan Warriors. At Wigan, Charnley had scored 162 tries in 171 appearances, earning eight caps for England and winning two Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups, becoming one of the most prolific try scorers in Super League. The big question surrounding Charnley's return to the 13 man code was whether he could pick up where he left off and be a success in Super League once again. This concern had arisen from his inability to earn a regular starting spot at Sale, and past examples of players who have returned from rugby union and failed to reach the heights they had before they left, such as Joel Tomkins and Lee Smith. However, Charnley was up against it at Sale, having to compete with three international wingers in Byron McGuigan, Marland Yarde and ex-rugby league star Denny Solomona. Since arriving at the Haliwell Jones Stadium, Charnley has arguably been a better, more well rounded player than when he left Wigan at the end of 2016. Having scored 13 tries so far this season, Charnley is thriving in a Warrington team that has recovered from a poor 2017 season to secure a top four finish in 2018. Charnley can consider himself unlucky not to have made the latest England Squad, but it is worth considering that he has not had an off season for over a year now, and with a proper break and a full pre-season with the Wolves, Charnley could be an even more dangerous player in 2019. Watch this space.
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