Salford v Leeds.

I must admit I’ve found it really difficult to write these previews over the last few months. It can be hard writing as a supporter with all the negativity surrounding not just the club but the sport in general. I look at Rugby League at the moment and all these grand plans of an NRL takeover, add to that the takeover of Salford from the consortium and the future looks so unstable. I’ve no idea if we will have a team to support next season or what division we will end up in. 

I try to stay off social media as much as I can during the week building up to the match. A lot of rugby league supporters seem to have the same mentality and it’s not one that I share with them.

It was really sad to see the demise of Cornwall RL. For a team to just stop and no longer exist is pretty scary and a feel so sorry for the players, supporters and everyone involved with that club. 

As I write this on Tuesday evening Kallum Watkins has just left to join Leeds. In my opinion I don’t think the pay situation was the reason for Watkins moving on. It might of been a mitigating factor but for me it’s the whole uncertainty surrounding Salford RLFC that’s probably made his decision a very easy one. I didn’t agree with his decision not to play against Wigan but I am not privy to the goings on. I don’t know the full story or the whole situation so it’s hard to comment on. We can all have an opinion and of course we want players to run through brick walls for the club.

Something I’ve always said though is that the players are not subbuteo figures. They don’t come out of a green box for a match once a week. They have lives outside the sport with families, wives, partners, children, problems just like me and you. Once that stability is fractured it’s very hard to repair and more or less impossible to fix mid way through a season. It’s going to take time to fix up the trust and happiness of the players, supporters and staff of our club. How long? That’s a very good question. Some light at the end of the tunnel would be a positive start. The foundations need laying again.

Super League home record.

Salford 6

Draws 0

Leeds 24

1997 Salford 20 Leeds 33

1998 Salford 6 Leeds 40

1999 Salford 30 Leeds 38

2000 Salford 26 Leeds 34

2001 Salford 14 Leeds 19

2002 Salford 16 Leeds 48

2004 Salford 0 Leeds 44

2005 Salford 12 Leeds 30

2006 Salford 18 Leeds 24

2006 Salford 18 Leeds 19

2007 Salford 26 Leeds 30

2009 Salford 24 Leeds 30

2010 Salford 22 Leeds 31

2011 Salford 22 Leeds 30

2012 Salford 16 Leeds 56

2013 Salford 16 Leeds 42

2014 Salford 18 Leeds 22

2015 Salford 18 Leeds 28

2016 Salford 14 Leeds 10

2017 Salford 24 Leeds 50

2018 Salford 38 Leeds 22

2019 Salford 14 Leeds 46

2019 Salford 28 Leeds 16

2020 Salford 8 Leeds 22

2021 Salford 12 Leeds 38

2022 Salford 26 Leeds 12

2022 Salford 23 Leeds 8

2023 Salford 14 Leeds 16

2024 Salford 22 Leeds 16

2025 Salford 6 Leeds 32

They played for both.

Here are a few players to wear the red of Salford and the blue and amber of Leeds.

Luke Burgess, Joel Moon, Mark Brooke-Cowden, Andrew Dunemann, Damien Gibson, Ensene Famailo, Phil Ford, Ashley Gibson, Phil Hassan, Weller Hauraki, Ben Jones Bishop, Andy Kirk, Andy Gregory, Graham Holroyd, Francis Maloney, Robert Lui, Brodie Croft, Andy Ackers, Richie Myler, David Hulme and David Young.

A match to remember.

Salford 18 Leeds 19 Friday 16th June 2006.

This was to be the third meeting of the two sides in 2006. Leeds had edged a tight game earlier in the season 20-12 at Headingley as well as beating Salford 18-24 at the Willows. The Reds perhaps a shade unlucky in both previous matches.

The Rhinos were really starting to Challenge for trophies having won the Championship in 2004 and were World Champions in 2005 with some real quality in there side. This match in June was another pulsating affair. Salford were enjoying there best season since 1997. So many matches in 2006 had been decided by just one score and in fact quite a few by one point cliff hangers.

Salford managed to weather an early Leeds storm, with Tony Smith’s Rhinos playing there usual swashbuckling style of rugby.

Andy Coley gave us a well deserved lead charging under the posts off a slick Luke Robinson pass. David Hodgson converted 6-0.

Leeds fought back to level the scores before Hodgson had a try disallowed for crossing. The lighting quick winger restored Salford’s advantage with two penalty goals. The Willows faithful were delighted with a 10-6 half time lead in what certainly was an electric atmosphere.

The Rhinos upped the intensity as the second half got in to full swing. Willie Poching crashing over for a try that Kevin Sinfield converted. This nudged Leeds back in front at 10-12.

It was end to end excitement, Hodgson levelled the scores one again with a penalty before scoring a super try in the corner to almost lift the roof off the old Stadium. Holding his nerve once again to boot the conversion off the touch line, 18-12.

The Rhinos kept powering forward with there ferocious pack. Simon Finnigan worked over time in defence for Salford tackling everything that moved. It was like The Alamo at times.

Danny McGuire came to the rescue for the visitors with a piece of individual brilliance. The stand off darting through a gap to sprint to the line. Sinfield levelled the scores 18-18.

As the full time hooter edged ever closer both sides looked to land the knockout blow. Leeds had a huge let off when Andrew Dunemann knocked on close to there line. The Salford half back was having a marvellous season and cut a distinct figure in his black scrum hat.

It was that man McGuire who broke Salford hearts though in the 79th minute landing a drop goal.

It was a bitter pill for Karl Harrison’s Salford side to swallow and there loyal supporters.

As The Reds proved so many times in 2006 they could certainly compete with anyone in The Super League.

The teams that night were;

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Littler, Moule, Langi, Dunemann, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Brocklehurst, Sibbut, Finnigan.

Subs, Myler, Charles, Highton, Haggerty.

Leeds: Smith, Donald, Walker, Senior, Williams, McGuire, Burrow, Jones-Buchanan, Diskin, Feather, Peacock, Ellis, Sinfield.

Subs, Millard, Lauiti’iti, Bailey, Poching.

Attendance, 4,517.

Referee, Ben Thaler.

Thursday’s match.

It’s been a while since Paul Rowley has been able to name a twenty one man squad so when the team came out on Tuesday afternoon it was nice to see the full complement.

Two players missing from last weeks defeat at Catalans are Tiaki Chan who failed his HIA and Nathan Connell who picked up an injury. Youngster Johnny Vaughan has been very impressive since signing on loan from St.Helens with two very hard working performances against Wigan and Catalans. 

Joe Mellor returned last week in the Cup and his experience will be vital. Mellor has plenty of pace and his speed around the ruck will be vital if Salford are going to get on the front foot this Thursday. 

Rowley will have a decision to make in the halves and I think he will put Chris Atkin and Jayden Nikorima there. Chris Hankinson is likely to be in the three quarters with Ryan Brierley at fullback. 

Leeds have been very unpredictable so far in 2025. After a tremendous home win over Wigan they were beaten the following week at Warrington. After starting the season at fullback Jake Connor has played at half back for the last three matches alongside Brodie Croft. After returning from injury Lachlan Miller is now in the team at fullback. The Australian can be a very dangerous kick returner who also links well with the Rhinos attack. 

Riley Lumb made his debut this time last year and now the twenty year old is a first team regular. When the two sides met in February Lumb had a fantastic game scoring two very impressive tries. In that game two months ago it was the Rhinos pack that did the damage. They were far to streetwise for the Red Devils and won the match comfortably with a dominant second half display.

Leeds will start this game as favourites but a disciplined Salford side can certainly hold there own. Defence will be the key on Thursday and if Salford can stay organised and tight they could frustrate the Rhinos. 

The action gets under way at 8pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.