Monday 14 March 2016 14:41, UK
We look at referee resignations, Justin Carney's Castleford return and the best overseas signing for the 2016 season.
Impact of injury
Getting injured is part and parcel of the game. All players accept that. What is most difficult for a player to deal with is a new injury when you are returning from an injury.
It happened to Gary Wheeler on Sky Sports two weeks ago in Warrington's win over Salford, and on Saturday we saw Mitchell Dodds break his leg in two places against Catalans, just weeks after making his Warrington debut, which was delayed by his recovery from surgery on a wrist injury.
On Sunday, Terry Campese made his long-awaited return from knee injury for Hull KR. He came off the bench but had to be helped from the pitch after suffering a hamstring injury.
It can be psychologically damaging when a totally unrelated injury occurs so soon into a player's return.
Reed makes scoring return
Speaking of injuries, Jack Reed looked keen to make up for lost time as he scored on his return from a shoulder reconstruction.
The England international touched down for Brisbane's second try in their impressive victory over the New Zealand Warriors.
Reed played the full 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium and carried for 110 metres, made 12 tackles and one line break.
Elsewhere in the NRL, Sam Burgess was again influential in South Sydney's crushing win over Newcastle. The forward made a team-leading 149 metres from 23 carries and 25 tackles.
Fellow England internationals Elliot Whitehead and Josh Hodgson featured as Canberra Raiders squeaked home 21-20 against Sydney Roosters, but it was a weekend to forget for Gareth Widdop as St George Illawarra were crushed 30-2 by Cronulla in the southern Sydney derby.
Refs feeling the pressure?
Is the pressure proving too much for referees? Super League is down to eight full-time refs following George Stokes' resignation.
Stokes was one of two referees promoted from the Championship by the Rugby Football League's new head of match officials Steve Ganson on the eve of the new season.
That took the number of full-time officials to nine and Ganson expressed the hope that the extra competition for places would help raise refereeing standards.
George offered his resignation last week which was accepted, as we felt that it was the best outcome for both parties.
However, Stokes, who is thought to have retained his role as a senior consultant with an IT firm in Manchester, has quit just six weeks into the season, according to the RFL, who say he could revert to refereeing part-time in the Championship if he passes the relevant tests.
Ganson said: "This was a huge opportunity for George but it became apparent throughout the opening weeks of the season that the commitment and physical demands of the role of a full-time match official were proving too much for him.
"George, therefore, offered his resignation last week which was accepted, as we felt that it was the best outcome for both parties.
"George does, of course, have the option to continue his role as a referee in a part-time capacity in the Championship, providing that he reaches the standards set for part-time officials."
Carney returns to Castleford
Justin Carney left Castleford under a cloud in the off-season but was adamant he wanted to play when Salford visited the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
After five minutes Ian Watson may have been regretting that decision as Carney found himself in the sin bin following an altercation with Nathan Massey.
However, the on-loan Australian winger was never far away from the action when he returned. He went on to score two tries against his parent club as Salford won at Castleford for the first time since 2004.
"It's an experience for him, this game," said Red Devils head coach Watson. "It's probably something he's never faced in his life before, obviously on the back of his actions.
"To be fair to him, all week he's been really good and said the right things, but the emotion kind of got to him. Jake Webster has slapped him across the face first on and then he's lashed out again.
"He's a guy who's made a mistake but he's a genuinely good guy."
Lancashire lead the way
It's bragging rights to Lancashire in the War of the Roses as they occupy the top five positions in Super League.
Widnes sit at the summit while Warrington and Wigan both boast 100 per cent records, with St Helens and Salford also impressing during the opening rounds.
Wigan piled on the misery for Super League champions Leeds with a five-try rout in the Grand Final rematch on Friday night, while both Hull clubs suffered heavy defeats against Lancashire opposition.
The Rhinos will seek a response when St Helens visit Headingley on Friday, live on Sky Sports. That is one of three Lancashire v Yorkshire fixtures in round six; will the white rose respond?
Overseas stars
After six weeks of the 2016, which overseas signing has impressed you the most?
Kurt Gidley has made a big impact at Warrington, Widnes wing Corey Thompson is scoring for fun and features in Phil Clarke's top five tries, while Dave Taylor and Frank Pritchard have beefed up Catalans and Hull FC's packs.
Could Pat Richards' return to Super League, coupled with the arrivals of Taylor and Glenn Stewart, turn the Dragons into genuine title contenders?
Terry O'Connor wants Chris Sandow included in the above list given he struggled to make an impact in last year's Super 8s, but that's your call!
Have your say… Please tell us what you think by giving us your comments below or alternatively, Tweet us @SkySportsRL
