JOEL TOMKINS paid tribute to Catalans Dragons’ new additions, and in particular his new-look spine, following their 26-10 win over Huddersfield Giants.
“I think the difference between the two sides was the spine,” said coach Tomkins, who fielded Charlie Staines at fullback alongside a halves partnership of Toby Sexton and Lewis Dodd.
”Dodd and Sexton kicked the ball really well and Charlie’s intent to carry the ball back – he continually knocked their players back and got quick play-the-balls that allowed us to play.
“Charlie looked really good in the pre-season and I’m glad it transferred into the game.
“We’ve gained a lot this year in enthusiasm with the players that we’ve brought in and I think that showed in the first 20 minutes. We were outstanding and that is what we wanted from those boys.“
”We did some really good things in pretty difficult conditions out there. I felt like we dominated the game for large periods but we let in two tries through lapses in concentration and individual errors and against the big teams in the competition that could come back to haunt us.
“I’m really pleased with the effort and the application but there are some things for us to work on as well.”