Barrie McDermott Sky Sports Rugby League will make a trip down memory lane with some of the most famous super league derbies on the horizon in the rival round …
There is something about Easter in Rugby League. It’s not just chocolate eggs and a long weekend – it’s rivalry. Raw, unforgivable, bone rivalry that created some of the most famous moments when our sport has ever seen. Tension, drama, passion – and usually a little chaos worthy to a good extent.
Over the years, the Easter period has brought several absolute belts. I played in my fair share, but when I was preparing for my game or resting, I was always stuck to the TV. Here’s my view of a few that still receive heart races and fans are talking …
2004: Probably the best Easter Games
Packed Headingley – 21 225 in full voice in sharp Thursday night. Leeds lost to Bradford five times the previous year and the bulls arrived and expected more the same. But young Danny McGuire had other ideas – fresh from the bench, lit the night two blisters. Leeds objected to 21-18 in a thriller that felt like a change of guard. The correct statement of the rhinos.
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Statlens and Wigan players were involved in a bulk fight during their conflict of Super League in 2004 on Good Friday
Day after – St Helens vs Wigan Warriors.
Good Friday, and that left – literally. Before 16,000 fans, Saints and Wigan served immediate classics. The same parts of high quality rugby and pure war. The biggest fight of the Super League – Sculthorpe vs Farrell broke out in a heavy weight that had everything. The score ended 17, attached inside and the emotions cooked. You couldn’t stop watching it – even for a second.
2016: Hull KR vs Hull FC
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The most important points of Hull Kr with Wigan Warriors in Super League
I was in the comment with Bill Arthur and Terry O’Connor and it was one of those games where you are just lucky to be there. Kr led 20-0 with 58 minutes away. Home fans sang, FC fans slipped. And then … Bang. Jamie Shaul, Mahe Fona, Danny Highton – try to try it in a remarkable return of FC. The emotional interview of Lee Radford after the final whistle was pure gold – a coach who lived every second.
1998 – Bradford Bulls vs Leeds rhinos
Skálkal. Hostile, loud and not for weak hearts. Iestyn Harris was unrelated – hattrick at the top of his strength. But what really excelled was a defensive gravel – Farrell, Fooora, Morley and Newton at the clinic in aggression and desire. Leeds Graham Murray was still in its infancy, but you saw the faith to spread.
2003 – Wigan Warriors vs ST Helens
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We look back at the dramatic at the last minute, see the victory for St Helens against Wigan Warriors in the Great Final in 2020
Wigan was on bare bones. Four debutants: Mark Roberts, Jon Whitley, Dave Allen and some Kevin Brown. Even Brian Carney created a team! The saints were favorites, but Adrian Lam, Terry O’Connor and Craig Smith led the children to victory. This was what was one of the greatest disturbances of a big Friday.
At that time, the best player received Tissot Watch and Kevin Brown did not win a man of the match, but Mike ‘Stevo’ Stevenson didn’t have that. Legend has it, bought the boy’s watch alone – probably went to the local market and paid about 8.99 GBP!
2017 – Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity
CAS flew in 2017 and this game showed exactly why. They torn the Wakefield 42-24 with a trembling and a style that fans dreamed of big. The Daryl Powella Party was poetry in motion – freely flowing, fearless and fantastic. They did not go all the way, but gave us one of the funniest seasons in the last memory.
2000 – ST Helens vs Wigan Warriors
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Epic “Wide to West” Chrisa Jylt is certainly one of the largest that were recorded from the history of the 30 Season Super League
Knowsley Road jumps and pounds at the seams. He had his own energy. Kevin Iro ran Riot with a hat-trick against his old club and Mercurial Tommy Martyn-one of my favorite teammates, so insolent skillful and charismatic-he doubled. Saints ran home 38-14 and the crowd soaked every second. Such days have lived in memory for a long time.
2002 – Warrington Wolves vs Widnes Vikings
Widnes was recently promoted and unfit in this game, but came to play. Wilderspool was not a place for shy, but the fearless Vikings rushed and pulled out the victory of 20-14. Darren Carter and Steve McCurrie led the accusation while the young Lee Briers threw everything on them. But the chemists stood high. Real triumph underdog.
This is your opponents for you.
It is more than just points and table positions – it is history, pride and emotions rolling within 80 minutes of inadmissible theater. These games do not only define the seasons – they define the era.
8. Bike – rivals bike – every match live on Sky Sports
Thurs 17 April: Wakefield vs Castleford – 20:00
FREE 18 April: Hull FC vs Hull Kr – 12:30 – exclusively Live on Sky Sports
FREE 18 April: Wigan vs st Helens – 15:00 – exclusively Live on Sky Sports
FREE 18 April: Leeds vs Huddersfield – 17:30
SAT 19 April: Leigh vs Warrington – 13:30
SAT 19 April: Catalans vs Salford – 18:00
Sky Sports Displays each Super League Live game this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining four matches each week Sky Sports+ over the red button.
