Robbie Paul: Born Winner
April 14, 2009 by Paul Mc
Of the 17 Salford City Reds players who took to the field at Headingley Carnegie on Easter Monday, only try-scorer Robbie Paul was born the last time the Reds came away with the spoils.
And you can’t say anything about Richie Myler other than he’s been nothing short of sensational. He’s not the biggest or even the quickest but his game intelligence is second to none.
You have to go back to a 13-28 victory over Leeds on 5 February 1977 for the last Salford victory there and of the team that rewrote the record books, only Robbie and Rob Parker had experienced any success against the Rhinos there previously.
In fact the last time the Reds won at Headingley, it was the same year that Star Wars was released at the cinema, British Airways started a regular Concorde flight between London and New York, the Sex Pistols released Never Mind The B***ocks, Elvis died – and a young Robbie Paul was just one year old.
From there Robbie grew into one of the most complete Rugby League players of a generation leading the likes of the Bradford Bulls to success after success, including memorable wins in the Rhinos backyard.
2009’s victory ranks up there with the best of Robbie’s wins at Headingley but it was also a first win in 23 Super League attempts for the Reds against Leeds and came on the back of memorable win at Hull FC in the Challenge Cup and the home Derby win against Warrington Wolves two days earlier on Good Friday.
“It’s a very sweet feeling,” said Robbie, “A lot of elements are beginning to fall into place and we all realise, as players, how important, for the club and the supporters, that victory was.”
“As a complete Organisation we have had to evolve the way we play. After the defeat at Castleford we put a massive focus on the defensive structure in the team. There were clearly deficiencies in that area and the changes we made have taken a number of weeks to come to fruition.
“The best thing is we are nowhere near the finished article. We can now look at sharpening our offensive patterns and putting some more points on the board.
“Perversely we are now extremely fit. I think that all the extra tackling we were doing in the games where we were playing poorly has made us fitter now. If you look at the way we finished the Warrington game I think you can tell that all the extra sets we had to put in have actually made us stronger, although winning certainly helps relieve the bruises.”
And for a player who has won just about every honour in the game with flying colours, Robbie has seen something in the young Salford side to be excited about.
“Mate, I’m not a guy who’s easily impressed but some of these younger players who are ripping it up at the moment are standing out a mile and it’s fantastic they are beginning to feel good about themselves.
“Luke Adamson has a workrate that is just incredible and he can play 80 minutes if you needed him to – his engine is that good. He puts in heroic defensive efforts and is capable of getting line breaks too with his pace.
“Jordan (Turner) has had to readjust his position and he’s now beginning to get stronger and stronger. He has a great turn of pace and out-stripped Danny McGuire – who as we all know is no slouch – to grab the match-clinching try.
“Then you have Stef Ratchford who’s looked a lot more comfortable on the wing these last two games. He was defending against Keith Senior yesterday and bad to put in a great hit on Ali Lauititi as well.
“And you can’t say anything about Richie Myler other than he’s been nothing short of sensational. He’s not the biggest or even the quickest but his game intelligence is second to none. He turns up in places where he shouldn’t and tries to squeeze his body into tiny places he has no right to be. He has the makings of a true champion player. He certainly has the drive – he just has to remain persistent.” he concluded.
On this day..
- Ticket Info For Fans Travelling To France - 2010
- Reds Mark Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - 2010
- Could It Be Magic? - 2009
- Reds Move For Goulding - 2009
- Salford City Reds V Oldham Reserves Game - 2008
- Simms Keen to Complete McGuinness Move - 2004
It’s great having Robbie Paul at the club both on and off the field hes a credit to our great game.
My only regret is that we could not have had him on board a few years ago.
Never mind I fully expect to see the old lad playing again next season in a Reds shirt in the mean time keep going Robbie.