Youngsters provide wonderful snapshot of Super League’s future - Dave Craven

Every time it is watched back – there have been more than 25,000 views of the stunning 60m effort on Sky Sports’ Twitter feed – you still sort of think he will get there.

It is like viewing The Great Escape for the umpteenth time and still somehow holding that belief that Steve McQueen will freely ride off into the sunset.

Tindall, the 18-year-old winger who was one of five debutants as Leeds fielded a second-string team ahead of today’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan Warriors, would certainly have had the crowd on their feet if one had been allowed inside Headingley.

Nevertheless, his story is just one of many positive tales emanating from the much-maligned midweek round of fixtures forced on Super League clubs due to Covid.

With four teams battling for a place at Wembley today, it was obvious Leeds, Warrington Wolves and Wigan would all field weakened outfits.

That might not be a good look for Super League in the short-term but in the long-term it was a wonderful snapshot of what could be around the corner.

Talented kids all got their chance to shine and there were some brilliant displays, not least from Warrington as a collective as their bunch of confident youngsters almost stunned Salford. Wolves gave debuts to Cole Oakley, Nathan Roebuck, Kyle Shelford and Connor Wrench and had an average age of 21 but you would never have guessed as the rookies raced into an 18-0 lead just before half-time.

Playing against opponents who retained plenty of experience – despite their own appearance in today’s semi-final against Wolves – to then see them lose, having only gone behind for the first time to a 79th-minute penalty, was unbearably cruel

But in these dark times, watching them all apply themselves so well with such freedom, confidence and expression, it has offered hope about the future of the sport in years to come.

Yet there is a real danger we might not see some of these tyro players in years to come. For many of them, it was their first appearance since March after the Championship and League 1 as well as the reserve grade competition were cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

There is no word yet on whether the reserve grade will start up in 2021 and it is understandable why Wolves coach Steve Price made the point it is crucial for their development that they are able to gain more game-time.

Admittedly, the Australian conceded he does not know the actual answer to his own question: these are such unpredictable times. The issue, though, will not go away. Granted, the RFL currently has plenty of matters to deal with in its ‘in tray’, not least ensuring it stays on its own two feet after the savage financial hits inflicted by Covid this year.

However, just as it sensibly detailed an advisory group to work on tackling discrimination – the welcome product of which was published this week – maybe they could now do the same with looking at how best to be getting these young players regular action.

It would be a crying shame if these talents are not allowed to develop and thrive further.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you, James Mitchinson. Editor.