Meninga lifts Saints to long-awaited Good Friday win over Wigan
St Helens ended a 10-year wait for a Good Friday win over arch-rivals Wigan after a pep talk from Australia coach Mal Meninga.
Meninga, who is still revered for his one-season stint with Saints in 1984-85, took up an invitation from coach Justin Holbrook to address his players before kick-off at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
They responded with a 21-18 victory in a gripping contest that ended Wigan’s run of eight successive Good Friday derby triumphs and keeps Saints top of the table
“It’s great that Mal could be here and I got him in to talk to them,” said Holbrook, an Australian who is in his first full season in Super League.
“Although he was only here for a season, everyone still talks about the impact he had. To get Mal to the game was awesome.”
Hull overcame the early loss of winger Bureta Faraimo to a red card to claim a gutsy 30-22 victory over Hull KR in an action-packed derby in front of a stadium record crowd at KCOM Craven Park.
Faraimo was sent off by referee Chris Kendall for a dangerous tackle on Chris Atkin but his teammates dug deep to secure a remarkable win in the first meeting between the bitter rivals since Rovers’ return to Super League.
Fetuli Talanoa took his try tally for the season to nine with a double while Danny Houghton returned from injury with a score and Jamie Shaul and Jake Connor also crossed.
Thomas Minns scored a hat-trick for the hosts and Ryan Shaw went over but Rovers were unable to make their man advantage count as Hull completed a sixth straight derby win.
The Warrington coach, Steve Price, was delighted with the immediate impact winger Josh Charnley had on his side as the Wolves defeated local rivals Widnes 32-18 to move up to third place.
Charnley was making his first appearance for Warrington since returning to the 13-man code after an 18-month spell in rugby union with Sale and made a great start with two tries. Price said: “He’s a special player and that’s why we have brought him to the club.”
Jordan Rankin failed with a lastminute drop goal as Huddersfield settled for a credible draw against champions Leeds in Chris Thorman’s first game in charge.
In the end, centre Ash Handley’s second try of an entertaining West Yorkshire derby after 76 minutes and Kallum Watkins’ third goal rescued a point for Leeds.