Tremendous League recap: High moments from the 2024 season together with Hull KR’s revival, London’s defiance and a particular tribute | Rugby League Information

The Wigan Warriors might have made their very own historical past within the Tremendous League Grand Closing, however there have been a number of thrilling, hard-hitting, and emotional moments that happened throughout 2024.

The Warriors got here out because the cream of the crop, Hull KR challenged these on the prime, Warrington Wolves discovered a brand new mentality, and Salford Crimson Devils made predictions look silly as soon as once more.

Leigh Leopards staged a fightback, St Helens learnt to return again from disruption, Catalans Dragons satisfied Sam Tomkins to un-retire, and Leeds Rhinos staged a tribute becoming to the person that’s Rob Burrow.

Huddersfield Giants got here by way of adversity to provide one in all their very own the highest job, Castleford Tigers picked up large wins on the street, Hull FC relied on youth of their most troublesome yr, and London Broncos confirmed that rugby league is alive and nicely within the capital.

So, what are the highest moments from 2024? Let’s have a look…

1: Sky Sports activities remembers Rob Burrow

“In a world full of adversity, you must dare to dream,” and that’s what the late nice Rob Burrow CBE did in a profession with a spotlight reel not many can prime. Forward of Leeds Rhinos vs Leigh Leopards this season, his boyhood membership and Sky Sports activities paid tribute to the “little warrior” who left a huge mark.

On International MND Consciousness Day, a packed-out Headingley Stadium was pulsing with emotion as household, buddies and followers alike got here collectively to rejoice Leeds’ best ever No 7, who raised tens of millions for the illness he battled valiantly since his analysis in 2019.

Sky Sports activities Rugby League’s Jamie Jones-Buchanan described the second as Burrow’s “brothers and sisters” introduced the tribute into the “inner sanctum” – and that they did, together with his spouse Lindsey Burrow, his mother and father Irene and Geoff Burrow, plus 80 of his former team-mates coming from so far as Australia and New Zealand, there to rejoice his legacy.

A robust rendition of Nessun Dorma soundtracked the fireworks and applause because the celebration of Burrow’s life took to the pitch, the Rhinos gamers sporting a particular jersey designed by Cath Muir, who herself was recognized with MND in 2014.

Video tributes additionally got here in from stars throughout codes and sports activities, beginning with a message from Burrow’s shut pal and fellow MND campaigner Kevin Sinfield CBE, whereas Alan Shearer additionally left a message saying the sporting world will “remember Rob Burrow forever”.

It was a fittingly emotional build-up that regarded to boost important funds. Daily, six persons are recognized with motor neurone illness and day by day, six folks die of the illness. There isn’t a remedy. The cash raised as a part of the MND Consciousness recreation is hoping to vary that.

2: Resurgent Robins tackle the large boys

Now and again, a crew comes alongside and appears refreshed, full of expertise, and able to tackle Tremendous League’s large boys. That’s what Hull KR did in 2024.

Constructing on making it to the Problem Cup Closing in 2023, Willie Peters’ facet gained 21 out of their 27 fixtures within the common season, selecting up the scalps of Leigh Leopards, Catalans Dragons, Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Salford Crimson Devils on the best way.

Which means they beat each one of many prime six bar Warrington Wolves within the common rounds after which went on to beat Sam Burgess’ facet 10-8 in a nail-biting semi-final.

Regardless of the Robins dropping 9-2 within the Tremendous League Grand Closing to a Warriors facet that secured a historic quadruple, you get the sensation that, with Peters in cost and the gamers they’re bringing in, they are going to be competing for trophies for some time.

The subsequent factor on their guidelines is to go from making finals to profitable finals.

3: London Broncos choose up first Tremendous League win

The date Sunday Might 12, 2024 is one that may reside lengthy within the reminiscence of London Broncos gamers and followers.

Certainly, it was spherical 11 of Tremendous League, at dwelling to Hull FC, that they secured an enormous 34-18 victory, their first of three throughout the season.

It was a win that instilled confidence in a facet that weren’t anticipating promotion to Tremendous League after ending fifth within the Championship after which occurring a run, shockingly defeating Toulouse 18-14 to take their place again on the prime of Tremendous League.

Because the season went on, the Broncos discovered their model that included an attacking aptitude that was sensible to look at and so they picked up extra large victories too, beating Catalans Dragons by two factors, dominating Hull FC as soon as once more on Magic Weekend, then coming agonisingly near defeating Leeds Rhinos, Brad Arthur’s facet beating them twice in heartbreaking golden-point additional time.

Everyone loves an underdog!

4: Leigh Leopards’ dramatic run to the play-offs

After their first 10 matches in 2024, the Leigh Leopards had gained simply 4 of their matches and everybody was questioning if they’d some ‘second season-itus’ after promotion and profitable the Problem Cup in 2023.

Quick ahead to the top of the season and, of their closing 10 matches, the Leopards picked up eight wins, cementing their place within the play-offs with a dramatic 18-12 victory over St Helens within the closing spherical of the season.

Adrian Lam’s facet had been enjoying elimination rugby from Magic Weekend onwards and had been spurred on by their want to make the highest six, rewarding followers with enormous celebrations following their win towards Saints.

Simply what’s going to we get from the Leopards in 2025?!

5: George Williams’ magical golden level drop aim

If you happen to grew up a Warrington Wolves fan, you should have painful reminiscences of St Helens inflicting heartbreaking last-gasp defeats on the Halliwell Jones, Sean Lengthy normally the perpetrator as your rivals and neighbours walked away with victory as soon as once more.

This time, it was the Wolves who inflicted the ache on St Helens.

It’s the play-offs and sixth-place St Helens are away to Warrington Wolves and, at half-time, the guests have a 16-10 lead, Paul Wellens’ facet seemingly clicking after a season of disruption.

Quick ahead to the eightieth minute and Saints’ Mark Percival sends over a clutch conversion from Jon Bennison’s closing second attempt to put the sport stage and ship it to golden level.

At this second, Warrington followers can have had the reminiscences of their childhood swirling of their head, pondering ‘not once more’ as they entered extra-time.

Nevertheless it did not occur once more. Up stepped George Williams who, after a charged-down try, despatched a drop aim over to ship the Halliwell Jones into pandemonium and Warrington into the semi-finals, giving St Helens an enormous style of their very own drugs.

NRL additional: Penrith Panthers go 4 occasions in a row

Okay, this is not one thing that occurred in Tremendous League, however we needed to embrace the Penrith Panthers making their very own little bit of historical past on the opposite facet of the world.

The Panthers grew to become the primary outfit in 58 years to win 4 consecutive NRL titles after they beat Melbourne Storm 14-6 in Sydney, a feat accomplished solely as soon as in Tremendous League by St Helens from 2019-2022.

After all, Nathan Cleary starred for the facet coached by his father, Ivan Cleary, and admitted it was a magical second.

“I’m lost for words. Five years ago I was standing here crying and now we have won four in a row. It’s mind-blowing,” mentioned Nathan Cleary.

“I’m so glad my family could be a part of this. It means the world. So much hard work goes into this.

“This actual feeling right here is all value it. It is one of the best feeling on the earth.”

Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this yr at no additional value. Discover out extra right here.