With a number of teams taking to the field this weekend, it finally feels like the new season is upon us.
We had shocks in abundance (Salford, Widnes et al) and as many dominant performances to boot.
But which individuals really stood out this weekend and look set to enter the upcoming year on top form? Here are the top five performers of this weekend.
Leon Pryce (Hull FC)
It’s no secret that Leon Pryce didn’t do himself any justice with his performances last year. In fact, he was poor.
But on Sunday he put in a magnificent display for the Airlie Birds as he tortured the KR defence from the off, playing an influential role in FC’s 60-20 hammering of their city rivals.
He was at the heart of everything his side did on Sunday, and maybe we will see him back at his best following this weekend’s performance. He’s certainly got a point to prove, but on yesterday’s evidence he is more than up to the challenge of proving his doubters wrong.
Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
With Kurt Gidley and Chris Sandow pulling the strings, it would be easy to forget the impact of everyone else in the Warrington team.
But despite Warrington’s new halfback combination coming in for praise, it was the performance of the 21-year-old Currie that really had people talking. A constant threat in attack and resilient in defence, Currie has the makings of a fine Rugby League player in the future.
He was impressive last year, but 2016 might be the season in which he really announces himself as one of the best in the league.
Brett Ferres (Leeds Rhinos)
Given the furore around Brett Ferres recently, a lot of people seem to have forgotten that he is actually a remarkably good Rugby League player.
He proved that once more against one of his old clubs, Bradford, on Sunday. He was a real menace with the ball for the Rhinos and was at his devastatingly effective best on the right side of Leeds’ attack.
There’s no question that Ferres is a quality addition for Leeds and it won’t take long for people to recognise that fact.
Denny Solomona (Castleford Tigers)
Do we need to go into detail?
Castleford’s neighbourhood try-scoring sensation wasted no time getting into the groove for 2016, and how do Wakefield know about it.
Four tries, all of which were difficult to finish it should be said, and he looked utterly confident in producing the goods every time.
His defensive game could do with improvement, but when you score as many points for your team as Solomona does, you can’t help but admire his unbelievable talents.
At 22 the world is at his feet.
Jamie Ellis (Huddersfield Giants)
Danny Brough wasn’t selected for Huddersfield’s win over Catalans, but Jamie Ellis wasted no time in stepping up for the Giants.
In the absence of their talisman, Ellis hit all the right notes in a superb display at halfback, playing his part in a lot of Huddersfield’s attacking plays and also kicking three goals.
Brough remains one of the best in Super League, but if Ellis can maintain his performance levels, it might prove impossible to stop the Giants.
