Devils out to build on battling Rhinos win
COACH Paul Rowley described the Salford dressing room as looking like a doctor’s waiting room ahead of last week’s visit of Leeds Rhinos to the AJ Bell Stadium, with a bout of flu adding to a Covid absence and a spate of injuries.
But despite the adversity – which included being docked an interchange for naming Tyler Dupree to make a Betfred Super League debut from the bench despite not being included in the initial matchday squad – the Red Devils racked up an impressive victory.
The performances of half-back Brodie Croft and Kallum Watkins in the second row were a particular highlight, while Harvey Livett made his first appearance of the season following a long spell on the sidelines.
Prop Alex Gerrard was one of those who missed the contest through injury, but was delighted to see Livett back in a Red Devils shirt.
“It’s great for Harvey and great for us as a team,” said the former Leigh and Widnes man ahead of tonight’s clash at home to Castleford. “He’s a top player and he adds a lot of value to our squad. There’s a lot of players that made an appearance at the weekend, especially in the outside backs.
“Amir [Bourouh] has been in the middle as well and he’s been great over the last couple of games. As a squad, it’s really promising and hopefully we can kick on over this last half of the season.”
The Red Devils were impressive victors away at Castleford in the opening round of the season, but the Tigers have since gone from strength to strength under new coach Lee Radford.
Like last week against Leeds, Gerrard hopes his side can repeat an earlyseason win when facing the same opponent for a second time.
He said: “A lot of it is all about you and what you do as a team, but Castleford are playing well at the minute – they’ve got some good players and they’re hitting a bit of form.
“I think it’s more about us. If we as a collective turn up and do what we need to do, it’s in our control, I believe. We’ve got to keep going week-to-week and put the performances in, then see where we end up.
“If you look at the last two games before the Leeds game, against Wigan and St Helens, we had two good, solid performances, but just ended up on the wrong side of the result.
“So the win at the weekend was massive for the boys – and you forget there was a lot of boys out of position – so if we can keep improving week-on-week, I’m sure the results will go our way.”
Rowley has named both Dupree and Greg Burke in his 21-man squad this week but is without Sam Luckley and King Vuniyayawa for the match, which will be televised on Sky Sports.
Ex-Red Devils Derrell Olpherts, George Griffin, Greg Eden and Gareth O’Brien are in the Castleford squad, but Niall Evalds remains out.