Stevo says rugby league will conjure up a memorable weekend of magic

Published on Thursday 29 April 2010 23:02

ON the same weekend as rugby union's Heineken Cup semi- finals are live on TV and, rather less exotically, Currie play Ayr at Malleny Park in a match which will decide the destination Scottish Hydro Premier One title this season, what makes anyone think that rugby league's Magic Weekend at Murrayfield will muster any interest in the Scottish capital?

Legendary rugby league commentator Mike Stephenson, universally known as Stevo, reckons he knows why – and he isn't scared of highlighting a few stereotypes to emphasise his point.

"They accuse you people north of the border of being pretty tight with the shilling; well, I can assure you, I was born and bred in Yorkshire and we can match you when it comes to getting value for money – and this is great value for money," says Stevo. "You are getting seven matches between all the top sides in Europe for just 4.29 per game."

The 63-year-old also holds no truck with the suggestion that rugby is in alien territory when it ventures north of the border.

"There have been a lot of great rugby league players from Scotland, like Alan Tait. In fact, one of our greatest players was Dave Valentine, who came from north of the border. He captained the Great Britain side which won the first World Cup in 1954," he points out.

Stevo played top flight rugby for 13 years, initially with his home-town club of Dewsbury, and then after captaining them to the league championship in 1974 he moved to Penrith Panthers in Australia, and 32 years after hanging up his boots his passion for the game remains undimmed.

So which of this weekend's seven games is he particularly looking forward to? That's an easy one: all of them, of course.

"The opening match between Bradford and the Crusaders is going to be full of intrigue," he enthuses. "It is going to be difficult for the Crusaders, but it is spiced by the fact that Bradford's former coach, Brian Noble, is now in charge of the Welsh boys, so if anyone knows how to get one over the Bulls it is him. Three weeks ago you'd have looked at the second game and thought that it was a foregone conclusion, because Harlequins had so many injuries. They had to borrow players, they were throwing in kids who really weren't ready for the top grade and they were really struggling. Then, last week, they got some of their top players back – guys like Rob Purdham and Luke Dorn – and they came up with this fantastic second half performance to beat top of the table Wigan. That gives you an indication of how exciting rugby league can be. We have so many shocks in this sport. I think the 1.6 million salary cap, which we keep a tight control of, helps because it stops a few really rich teams from dominating everything.

"Salford versus Warrington will be a key game for a young guy called Richard Myler, who burst on to the scene playing for Salford last year. He was capped for England and has now signed for Warrington on a big contract. There is going to be a bit of spice there because he is up against his old team-mates.

"For rugby union fans, the Leeds versus Wakefield match will be interesting. A guy called Lee Smith, who left rugby league to try his hand at rugby union but did not fit in, is back playing brilliantly for Leeds. That shows that league and union are completely different sports.

"The first game on Sunday is between Castleford and the Catalan Dragons. Keep your eye on Ryan McGoldrick, who will probably be playing full-back for Castleford. His body is covered in tattoos, I call him moving pictures – and I tell you what, he's a damned fine player.

"Wigan versus Huddersfield will probably be the best contest of the whole weekend. Wigan are top and Huddersfield, who are fourth, will be looking at this as a huge chance to establish themselves as a top side.

"Sam Tomkins, the Wigan half-back is dynamite; and his brother Joel – who is almost the exact opposite from Sam: a big, strong bruiser – is worth keeping an eye on, too.

"And in the final game between St Helens and Hull, keep your eye out for Kyle Eastmond, another half-back, who is an absolutely sensational player.

A lot of people thought he might struggle stepping into the shoes of Sean Long, a St Helens legend, but he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. When he gets the ball you'll feel the buzz around the ground coming from supporters who have seen what he is capable of."

&#149 Murrayfield's Magic Weekend is on Sky Sports.