Super League Power Rankings: Hull top after passing French test

Widnes Vikings’ record-breaking 56-12 rout of champions Leeds Rhinos really caught the eye but so did Salford Red Devils’ annihilation of St Helens while Hull FC posted 38 points on Catalans in France.

Injury-ravaged Huddersfield Giants still await a first win but, given the youthful and inexperienced nature of their squad, were real victors for their spirit and promise against a woeful Wigan.

Who would have thought Widnes and Hull FC would top Super League, though, after two rounds?

Hull FC (Up one)

Two from two from Hull, who deserve to go up a place to top spot for the very fact that second win was in Perpignan. Not only that, it was by some margin. A 38-10 victory at Catalans Dragon is some feat and the Black and Whites are, quite rightly, buzzing.

2) Warrington (Up one)

Backed up their impressive opening victory at champions Leeds with a comprehensive rout of an admittedly under-strength Hull KR. Tom Lineham’s hat-trick after his move from Hull FC will do his confidence the world of good and Joe Westerman also chalked up his first try since switching from the KC Stadium.

3) Castleford (Up three)

A professional, convincing destruction of Wakefield sees Daryl Powell’s side move up one place. Luke Dorn was majestic out the back, Denny Solomona showed his world-class finishing once more, Luke Gale looked like an England No 7 but the collective power of their pack and bench was perhaps the most impressive aspect of their 40-6 rout. Should be a great game at Hull FC a week Thursday.

4) St Helens (Down three)

So, who saw that coming? Honestly? Saints were absolutely demolished by Salford last Thursday when, for all their opponents were terrific, Keiron Cunningham’s side were utterly dire. That sorry defeat sees them tumble down the Power Rankings from top spot. Sydney Roosters will be licking their lips.

5) Widnes (Up four)

Catapulted up three places - could easily be more - following a remarkable 56-12 rout of champions Leeds Rhinos. Denis Betts’s side gave a hint of what they could be here - too powerful, too strong and too dynamic for the West Yorkshire side with Australian winger Corey Thompson helping himself to a hat-trick on his home debut following his move from Canterbury Bulldogs. Widnes proudly sit top of Super League after the opening two rounds.

6) Wigan (Down two)

They may have won at depleted Huddersfield but only by virtue of a late, late Josh Charnley try. Stuttering Wigan were distinctly underwhelming with their performance, especially considering this was their last game before facing Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Series. With so many errors and lack of direction, they will be eviscerated by the NRL side if they repeat that display on Saturday. Desperately need England stand-off George Williams back for that.

7) Huddersfield Giants (Up one)

Still without a win - and countless injured players - but still so much to be encouraged by in the 13-8 loss to Wigan.

What a debut from teenage part-timer Sam Wood, how good were the likes of young forwards Nathan Mason, Josh Johnson and Oli Roberts, and what about the impressive maturity of Jamie Ellis at seven?

Giants deserved a win from that game and, therefore, actually go up a place in our Power Rankings.

8) Salford (Up four)

Could this be the start, at last, for Salford? A 44-10 vanquishing of Saints paints a pretty picture. They need to back it up, of course, but Tim Sheens’s influence was there to see last week with the side’s defensive solidity and creativity with the ball. An intriguing game with top-of-the-table Widnes on Sunday offers Salford the chance to prove this was no one-off.

9) Leeds (Down four)

Disarray does not do their situation justice. Two defeats from two for the defending champions but that only tells half the story. The 56-12 hammering at Widnes was embarrassing and, crucially given the World Club Challenge looming on Sunday, they lost three more players to injury at the same time. Already without the crocked Danny McGuire, Leeds need some positive news fast.

10) Catalans (down three)

One thing you could always rely on from Catalans was near-perfect home form. They may, more often than not, be garbage away from Stade Gilbert Brutus but in Perpignan they are brutal. So, conceding 38 points there to Hull FC? Worrying times for the winless Frenchmen.

11) Hull KR (down one)

Never likely to win at Warrington given their lack of numbers and, more specifically, hookers. After a hard-earned point against Castleford, the Halliwell Jones Stadium sobered them up fast and they incurred more injuries, too. Huge game against fellow strugglers Wakefield on Sunday as both aim up for their first win.

12) Wakefield (down one)

Started brightly at Castleford and looked organised, strong and capable. But things soon turned sour and when they buckled they really buckled. Too many individual errors. They need to win at Hull KR on Sunday or any pre-season optimism for last season’s bottom side could be obliterated inside a month of the new campaign.