The big news leading into the third round of fixtures in the Super League was the game’s immediate response to the controversial red card dished out to Fa'amanu Brown last week at Warrington.
The RFL responded to the outcry by altering their rules in relation to contact from high tackles, just as a number of tasty matches loomed on the horizon.
The Sporting News provides a wrap up of all the major talking points from Round 3 in Super League.
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John Asiata sin-bin leaves Adrian Lam furious after Leigh loss
It was a night to forget for John Asiata in St Helens with Leigh’s skipper playing up to his role of villain following last year’s contentious meeting between the two sides.
The Challenge Cup semi-final saw Asiata injure two Saints players and made him public enemy number one entering into the clash at Totally Wicked Stadium.
And it took Asiata just 40 seconds to cause more controversy when he was sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle when he hurled himself at Sione Mata’utia's legs.
When he left the field, Asiata goaded the booing crowd, only to then return to the fray and have to be helped from the field after suffering a calf injury not long afterwards.
"It should never be a charge in 100 years of our sport, but I'm nervous about it," Leigh coach Adrian Lam said of Asiata’s tackle.
"I think everyone's nervous about it, I just hope they don't isolate him and pick him out and make an example of him."
Saints went on to win the hard-fought tussle 12-4 to maintain their perfect start to the season with tries from Jack Welsby and Tommy Makinson proving enough to keep them on top of the table.
The #SuperLeague table as it stands after Round 3 ✔️@Saints1890 sticking at the top. 👇 pic.twitter.com/f7O1ghxLbX
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 3, 2024
Matt Dufty leads Warrington to second big win of season
Warrington continued to pile on the points as the Wire backed up their 36-10 victory over Hull FC in the previous round with a 30-8 battering of Castleford.
Warrington completed at 93 per cent to never give the Tigers a sniff of their first win of the season despite a spirited display.
Matty Ashton scored a quick-fire double to cancel out Josh Simm’s early opener at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
From there, Sam Burgess’ side didn’t look back as Matt Dufty backed up his assist for one of Ashton’s four-pointers with a try of his own as the fullback busted through two tacklers to cross himself.
Dufty finished with one try, two assists, eight tackle busts and over 200 running metres in a dominant display from the Aussie.
Super League Stat: Matt Dufty has averaged 20 carries per game so far this season.
Wigan back up World Club Challenge title with victory over Giants
Wigan joined St Helens and Warrington in the winner’s circle on Friday night when they eased past Huddersfield 30-16 at home.
The result capped a dream week for the Warriors after they had beaten Penrith in front of their fans to claim their fifth World Club Challenge trophy.
Winger Liam Marshall crossed for a hat-trick, while Bevan French produced another eye-catching display with a try of his own.
The five-eighth was at his elusive best at the DW Stadium as Wigan dominated the ball - they failed to complete just one of their 34 sets - to restrict the Giants and claim a comfortable win.
Leeds topple Catalans while Hull KR also taste defeat for the first time
Ash Handley continued his try-scoring form as Leeds muscled their way to an impressive 18-10 win over the previously unbeaten Catalans Dragons.
Steve McNamara’s side were unable to convert their superior field position onto the scoreboard after they registered 44 tackles inside Leeds’ 20m zone compared to their opposition's 13.
It was undoubtedly a frustrating night for the French outfit as they slipped to their first defeat off the back of three sin-bins and close to 50 missed tackles.
Last year’s beaten grand finalists bounced back from an early 10-point deficit in miserable conditions only to lose their way in the closing stages of the clash.
Super League Stat: Ash Handley is the competition’s leading metre-eater after racking up 526m during his first three appearances.
Meanwhile, Hull KR’s impressive start to the campaign came to an end as they went down 17-10 to Salford.
The Red Devils raced into a 16-0 lead against the shell-shocked Robins before they just about managed to hold off a late surge to win their second game in a row, as Marc Sneyd claimed back-to-back Player-of-the-Match awards.
The defeat ended Hull KR’s hopes of starting the season with three wins for the first time ever in Super League.
London Broncos suffer last-gasp loss against Hull FC
In the only game on Sunday, Hull FC prevailed over the London Broncos 28-24 in a dramatic matchup between the two struggling sides.
The Broncos bounced back from a 16-4 deficit at the break to be leading heading into the final minute of the game.
However, the newly promoted side suffered a heartbreaking blow when Morgan Smith went on a mazy solo run through the middle to snatch the win for Tony Smith’s men.
Smith with the finisher for @hullfcofficial. ⚫️#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/dR6KbmvqHP
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 3, 2024
The defeat condemned the Broncos to their third consecutive loss as they now sit dead last in the table.
It was a messy encounter at the MKM Stadium with Brown, who had his controversial red card rescinded during the week, touching down in the second half to give the home fans the hope of wrapping up their first win of the year.
However, Hakim Miloudi’s double dragged the Broncos within touching distance of their first victory only to fall short in the final moments.
Super League Stat: Hakim Miloudi leads the league for offloads so far with 10, along with Hull FC’s Ligi Sao.
Super League fixtures this week
| Date | Fixture |
| Thursday, March 7 | Hull KR vs. Warrington Wolves |
| Friday, March 8 | St Helens vs. Salford Red Devils |
| Friday, March 8 | Castleford Tigers vs. Huddersfield Giants |
| Friday, March 8 | Leigh Leopards vs. Leeds Rhinos |
| Saturday, March 9 | London Broncos vs. Wigan Warriors |
| Saturday, March 9 | Catalans Dragons vs. Hull FC |
How to watch the Super League: TV channel, stream in Australia
In a first, every single Super League match of the 2024 season will be broadcast in Australia.
Fox Sports have the rights to the competition and will provide fans will access to all 162 matches this campaign.
Fox League (Channel 502) will carry the majority of games.
Every match can also be streamed via Kayo.
