Leeds Rhinos edged a dramatic golden point thriller against Castleford to kick off the weekend.
Danny Houghton marks a milestone game against Warrington while Salford have picked up a maverick gem.
Our man Nigel Wiskar offers up seven talking points, including an alternative Great Britain 13, and remembers the time one chief executive did all the donkey work.
1. Furner foul play no surprise
Rugby league’s lip readers had a field day again during the last, dramatic act of that Leeds win over Castleford.
Last week Tigers coach Daryl Powell turned the air blue. This week I’d have liked a camera on Leeds coach David Furner when Richie Myler missed a kick to touch with four minutes to go. Unleash the F bombs.
I’d have liked a camera on Myler too to be fair. Rare miss from Sky there.
Never mind. The lens was on Furner thankfully when Brad Dwyer, of all people, booted that low, ugly one-pointer to seal golden point 21-20 victory.
“What the f*** you doing? No. YEAH!” from Furner followed by much ecstatic leaping around.
The Rhinos still have a big, soft underbelly which shouldn’t be ignored but Dwyer’s flat and fabulous drop goal may well turn around their lurching season.
2. Crash bang wally - McShane blows it
Paul McShane is many things as a hooker - but he’s no Keiron Cunningham.
The Castleford number nine has been outstanding this season and against Leeds, particularly when he worked an opening for Alex Foster to score, was imperious again.
But he must still be questioning why he tried to scoot over in the dying seconds of regular time when his team were under the sticks and my gran Gladys could have popped over a drop goal (and she’s been dead 27 years).
To immense credit, McShane took it on the chin and admitted his “poor decision” had probably cost Cas the game. He thought he could beat the “shooters” defenders.
Former St Helens star Cunningham was the master at that art of crashing over close range no matter how many obstacles were in the way.
McShane is his equal in many aspects of the game but until his body shape bulks to the size and material of that statue outside Saints’ stadium, he'll probably think about working another option next time.
3. Danny tackles favourite game
Danny Houghton seemed like a bit of an imposter on the official Super League launch photos.
Next to some of the other buff units on show, the Hull hooker looked more like someone’s uncle who’d stumbled in on the shoot carrying the tea and biscuits.
But we all know what he brings and it should be of no surprise whatsoever he led the competition tackle count going into the latest round.
He played his 300th Super League game on Friday against Warrington.
When he was asked this week what was his most memorable game, he humbly said: "I can’t have had many can I?”
Perhaps ask the Hull fans about that one, Danny. There are plenty to choose from.
4. He’s Inu for the long run
When Krisnan Nevada Inu made first grade at Parramatta, his coach Michael Hagan said he was “Like rocks one day, diamonds the next”.
He was nicknamed the Smiling Assassin by Eels fans and during his time at Canterbury Bulldogs wore a gum shield with painted Dracula fangs which he revealed as he lined up to kick goals.
At New Zealand Warriors, a dream move turned sour and his place was taken by a young centre called Konrad Hurrell. You may have heard of him.
Move forward and Salford signing him from Widnes might just prove the smartest Super League move of the season.
When injuries bite and the Red Devils squad is thin, his experience and potential magic may prove the difference between making the top five - or avoiding a potential scrap for survival.
5. Karl a prize ass-et
Warrington chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick spoke passionately about his club’s bright and bold marketing plans on 5Live’s excellent weekly podcast.
The Wolves are commendably targeting each of their home games with a unique selling point and aim to thrust their players into GQ and on to Love Island.
Fitzpatrick did add though: “Too often we portray our players as comedy characters.”
Rewind to when Fitzpatrick was Salford full-back and once took part in a very amusing Boots ’N’ All sketch where he dressed as a jockey and, if memory serves, rode around on a donkey.
It was definitely comedy and Fitzpatrick was quite a character. No harm done though and a bit of levity now and again shouldn’t be ignored.
6. Brotherly love for Josh
Hooker Josh Hodgson has an overbearing reason to triumph in the NRL this season.
The Canberra Raiders star’s elder brother Nathan passed away in December after losing his battle with clinical depression.
Hodgson is now on a mission to honour him.
He told PlayersVoice: “I want to win the Grand Final with my wife and kids in the stands and Nathan looking down over his little brother, proud as ever.
“Then I’ll take the trophy back to England where he is laid to rest, crack open a beer, sit there with him and say, ‘I did it, mate’.
“I promised myself I would do everything in my power to make it a reality.”
Hodgson’s chat, alongside fellow England forward James Graham’s verbal tussle with the patronising Peter FitzSimons over concussion, have been moments of clarity and intelligence Down Under.
7. An alternative Great Britain 13
Names are out then for the England performance and Knights squads.
There are 64 players all told. Some are injured and none of our regular, growing NRL mob are included. All will be hoping to make their mark for a shot at a Great Britain jersey later in the year.
While pretending to decipher Brexit bunkum at work*, I’ve managed to eke out another 13 players who could all make up a far from shabby GB team.
There are a few eligible Aussies, a couple of Welshmen and some poor Castleford lads who’ve either fallen between the cracks or slipped into an abandoned mineshaft somewhere near Wheldale Colliery.
How about this team?
Lachlan Coote; Regan Grace, Michael Shenton, Zak Hardaker, Joe Burgess; Jackson Hastings, Blake Austin; Mike Cooper, Paul McShane, Ryan Sutton; Mike McMeeken, Matty Ashurst; Morgan Knowles.
Moan if you must about those antipodean chaps but it’s a fair old team.
Shame we can’t have a trial match.
*If my boss is reading this, I’m lying.
