Salford Red Devils hooker Joey Lussick has family pride on the line this weekend as he will face his brother Darcy Lussick – who plies his trade for Toronto Wolfpack – for the first time ever.
The brothers have played on the same team whilst in Australia but this weekend offers a different dynamic.
Lussick, sponsored by Capricorn Security, said: “It’s going to be a really interesting match, we’ve only ever been at the same club.
“We’ve grown up together, always played together and been by each others side.
“It’s going to good. I’m sure he’ll try getting me when he can but at the same time we’ve got a job to do. I’m looking forward to it.”
Watch Joey Lussick’s full pre-match interview below:
Tag: The Qualifiers
Factfile | Salford Red Devils vs Toronto Wolfpack | Saturday 8th September
Ahead of Saturday’s massive Qualifiers clash between Salford Red Devils and Toronto Wolfpack we delve into some interesting facts behind the fixture.
Super League vs Championship
While the teams are now competing in The Qualifiers, Salford have been in Super League throughout the 2018 season while Toronto are fighting to earn promotion from the Championship.
Salford have lost to a Championship team this season, however. The Red Devils suffered defeat at the hands of Leigh Centurions at the Leigh Sports Village in Round Five of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup. However, last week’s victory over Halifax got them back to winning ways against Championship opposition.
Full-time: Halifax RLFC 4-62 Salford Red Devils.
Ian Watson's men make it three from three in The Qualifiers with a rampant twelve-try performance at the MBi Shay Stadium.
Thanks to the 800+ @SalfordDevils fans who turned out today – Fantastic support!#S8HalSal pic.twitter.com/x5uZebkUxO
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) September 2, 2018
The Wolfpack have faced Super League opposition on three previous occasions but are yet to earn a victory. They fell to the Red Devils in last year’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup before Warrington Wolves dumped them out of this season’s competition. Most recently, they suffered a narrow Qualifiers defeat to Hull Kingston Rovers at Lamport Stadium.
Home vs Away
Salford Red Devils’ home form has been fantastic since the start of June winning three of their last four games at the The Salford Stadium with a big victory over Leeds in between a double over Widnes Vikings.
This weekend, Ian Watson’s side will be looking to win three consecutive home games for the first time since May 2017 when the Red Devils beat Widnes Vikings, Hull Kingston Rovers and Catalans Dragons.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOtjptlR1o/?taken-by=salfordreddevilsrlfc
Toronto Wolfpack will be travelling to England for the second time in this Qualifiers campaign following a Round One victory over Halifax RLFC. While a lot is made of the travel aspect of Toronto’s schedule they have actually won each of their last eight away games plus two games at a venue away from Lamport Stadium.
In fact, the Wolfpack have actually dropped more points at home than away throughout the 2018 season. Toronto drew against Barrow and lost to London on the road but are now unbeaten away from home since the beginning of March.
Try-scoring
Junior Sa’u has been in fine try-scoring form in recent weeks powering his way over for back-to-back doubles. Sa’u scored three tries in similar fashion against Widnes and Halifax before pulling off a fantastic catch to round off Salford’s scoring last week at the MBi Shay Stadium.
Both Rob Lui and Niall Evalds fantastic try-scoring runs stalled last weekend despite the Red Devils crossing for twelve scores at Halifax. Evalds has still crossed for four tries in his last four outings for Salford while Lui has scored three tries in last four outings. Jackson Hastings has also notched three tries in his opening four games in a Red Devils shirt.
👏 Congratulations to Rob Lui who – after two terrific performances against Hull Kingston Rovers and Widnes Vikings – has won the @KingslandDrinks Try of the Month for August with 48% of the vote thanks to this ninety-metre interception effort! pic.twitter.com/PEzf69B7cp
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) September 6, 2018
The Wolfpack’s most frequent try-scorer in The Qualifiers may come as a surprise as Andrew Dixon has scored three tries in Toronto’s opening three games. They have had seven other try-scorers in The Qualifiers so far with Andy Ackers, Nick Rawsthorne, Blake Wallace, Gareth O’Brien, Josh McCrone and Mason Caton-Brown also going over.
Welcome the Wolfpack!
Tickets for our next home game against Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday 8th September are available to purchase at the Club Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or SAVE MONEY by buying online, just CLICK HERE.
Offer | Nandos at Beyond Manchester give 20% gameday discount
Nandos at Beyond Manchester are offering fans a 20% DISCOUNT before and after Saturday’s games against Toronto Wolfpack.
All supporters need to do is present their Salford Red Devils Season Ticket or their matchday ticket from Saturday’s game and they will receive a 20% discount on production.
Nandos at Beyond Manchester have offered Salford Red Devils fans terrific discounts throughout the 2018 season and they have gone one step further for this week’s game!
Salford Red Devils visited Nandos at Beyond Manchester last week following a tough session on the field and the Club would like to thank Nandos at Beyond Manchester for their continued support.
Make sure you head down before or after Saturday’s game against Toronto.
If you do take advantage of this fantastic offer, please send us your images to our social media channels.
For more information on how to get to Beyond Manchester, click here.
Welcome the Wolfpack!
Tickets for our next home game against Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday 8th September are available to purchase at the Club Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or SAVE MONEY by buying online, just CLICK HERE.
Ian Watson | “We won’t show them any special treatment”
Following three consecutive wins in The Qualifiers, the Red Devils now prepare to the most talked about team in the game at the moment – Toronto Wolfpack. Although there is an undeniable aura surrounding the Canadian team this isn’t something Head Coach Ian Watson feels will faze his side.
Watson said: “There might be an element of that when you are having to travel over there because you are getting that new experience, but for them coming to play us here we have to be focused entirely on the game and getting the result just as we would were we playing Wigan Warriors or St Helens. We can’t be showing them any special treatment.”
Looking ahead to the game with that perspective, there is a notable element of familiarity within the Wolfpack’s ranks, with a number of former Salford players from recent years including Jake Emmitt, Adam Sidlow, Cory Paterson, Olsi Krasniqi, Mason Caton-Brown and Gareth O’Brien.
Watson said: “Of those there is only Gareth O’Brien who has left us recently so he will still know a fair bit about us, as we do about him. It does make it more intriguing when there are players who have freshly gone there from us, but he fact that they are coming back to face their old club will ensure that a good welcoming committee is awaiting them.”
Having spent their inaugural two seasons playing their home and away fixtures in blocks as opposed to a regular home-away schedule they are not used to having to adjust to the regular travelling as Catalans Dragons have had to do.
“Because most of them are based here in the UK, the travelling issue is more significant to them when they are playing in, and having to travel to, Toronto. They certainly came back over quickly after their game last weekend, because they were at our game at Halifax on Sunday. It will be interesting to see how they cope with the travelling as the weeks go on though.”
The Wolfpack are going to provide stern opposition this weekend with quality all over the park.
“Their pack is more or less a Super League pack with the likes of Ashton Sims and Darcy Lusisck, who have had NRL experience, not to mention others of the quality of Andrew Dixon and Bob Beswick who are all good, smart, professionals.
“In the backs there is Chase Stanley who is an NRL stand-off, together with Scottish international Matty Russell. Plus they’ve got the pace of Mason Caton-Brown.
Even with three wins from three, Ian Watson is not letting complacency slips in as he knows there is still a long way to go on the road to securing Super League status for the 2019 season.
“Ten points minimum is what is going to be needed in order to be safe, and the job is nothing like done until we have those, and even after that when five matches have been won we would want to win the remainder which would possibly be all seven.
“We shall just go game by game, and for now that means ensuring our processes are right going into this weekend’s game against Toronto.”
Welcome the Wolfpack!
Tickets for our next home game against Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday 8th September are available to purchase at the Club Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or SAVE MONEY by buying online, just CLICK HERE.
Squad | Ian Watson names 19-man to welcome the Wolfpack
Head Coach Ian Watson has named his 19-man squad for this weekend’s huge Qualifiers battle with Toronto Wolfpack at the The Salford Stadium, 3:15pm kick-off.
George Griffin returns to the squad following a lay-off and could make his first appearance for the Red Devils since our trip to Warrington at the end of June.
Lee Mossop also returns to the 19-man squad after missing the game against Halifax. Fellow forward Luke Burgess retains his place following an impressive return last weekend at the MBi Shay Stadium.
Head Coach Ian Watson has confirmed that Ben Nakubuwai is struggling with a shoulder injury picked up in the win over Halifax and will miss this weekend’s game. Daniel Murray is the other change to the 19-man squad.
🗣️ "Generate that atmosphere here against Toronto at the weekend."
📹 @SalfordDevils Head Coach Ian Watson is calling on the fans to recreate the atmosphere from last week's trip to Halifax this weekend at the @AJBell_Stadium pointing out the influence it has on his team! pic.twitter.com/x3YPPCCnGe
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) September 5, 2018
The 19-man squad in full can be seen below:
Kris Welham, Junior Sa’u, Niall Evalds, Robert Lui, George Griffin, Josh Jones, Mark Flanagan, Lama Tasi, Ryan Lannon, Luke Burgess, Tyrone McCarthy, Josh Wood, Derrell Olpherts, Lee Mossop, Jake Bibby, Ed Chamberlain, Greg Burke, Jackson Hastings, Joey Lussick.
Welcome the Wolfpack!
Tickets for our next home game against Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday 8th September are available to purchase at the Club Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or SAVE MONEY by buying online, just CLICK HERE.
Kingsland Drinks Try of the Month | August
It’s time for you to choose your Kingsland Drinks Try of the Month for August and there’s four to pick from following our massive Qualifiers victories over Hull Kingston Rovers and Widnes Vikings.
Niall Evalds features twice in this month’s voting after he finished off flowing team moves in the trip to KCOM Craven Park and our last home outing against the Vikings.
Rob Lui’s ninety-metre interception was the standout moment of our 10-28 win over Hull Kingston Rovers and this has been selected as one of the four contenders.
Finally, Mark Flanagan’s late try which involved Jackson Hastings and Joey Lussick and sealed victory against Widnes is the last option for this month’s voting.
Head over to our Twitter page – @SalfordDevils – to submit your vote!
But first refresh your memory and watch all the tries below:
Welcome the Wolfpack!
Tickets for our next home game against Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday 8th September are available to purchase at the Club Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or SAVE MONEY by buying online, just CLICK HERE.
Jackson Hastings | “We have to make sure we do our homework”
Salford Red Devils halfback Jackson Hastings appeared on the BBC’s Super League Show and spoke about his impact at the The Salford Stadium and the difficulty of the upcoming fixture against Toronto Wolfpack.
Hastings, sponsored by Advanced Steel and speaking on BBC’s Super League show, said: “The results we’ve had have been nothing short of amazing.
“I think I just wanted to bring a bit of control and leadership and also a bit of energy and enthusiasm in attack. Everything I do is to play quick and with a positive energy.
“The position we’ve been in as a Club and then finding ourselves in The Qualifiers you have to do everything with a positive mindset. You can’t go into games thinking I hope we win, or I hope this comes off you’ve got to be really positive in your approach.”
The Red Devils face Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday at the The Salford Stadium looking to make it four from four in The Qualifiers however Hastings knows how tough the game will be.
“This week’s game – apart from the first – will probably be our hardest test.
“Toronto are the Betfred Championship side who everyone thinks can really make the Betfred Super League and be competitive so if we’re off by an inch we’ll get done.
“We have to make sure we do our homework and be ready to go.”
You can watch what Jackson Hastings thought of all this weekend’s Betfred Super League and The Qualifiers fixtures by watching the show in full HERE.
Welcome the Wolfpack!
Tickets for our next home game against Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday 8th September are available to purchase at the Club Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or SAVE MONEY by buying online, just CLICK HERE.
Tickets | Toronto are next up
Following an impressive 4-62 victory over Halifax RLFC yesterday afternoon the Red Devils are now preparing for a huge clash with Canadian side Toronto Wolfpack.
Ian Watson’s men will be looking to make it four from four in The Qualifiers and edge one step closer to Betfred Super League status for the 2019 season.
And, you can purchase your tickets in the quickest, simplest and cheapest way right now!
Salford Red Devils are offering all fans £2 off tickets if they purchase online in advance of the game. In addition, you can print your ticket at home meaning you don’t even have to leave the house to secure your seat at the The Salford Stadium.
You can avoid the queues, miss the midweek hassle and save money by clicking HERE.
Get behind Ian Watson and the boys as they look to earn a fifth consecutive victory and a third in a row at the The Salford Stadium!
Welcome the Wolfpack!
Tickets for our next home game against Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday 8th September are available to purchase at the Club Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or SAVE MONEY by buying online, just CLICK HERE.
Lama Tasi | “We weathered the storm”
The Red Devils had eight different try-scorers at Halifax included Lama Tasi who powered over for his first of the season after the side battled through a tough opening spell.
Tasi, sponsored by The Salmon King, said: “We’re happy to get three from three.
“We didn’t start off the best but once we got into the groove of things we ran away with the game. We weathered the storm and everything else came on the back of that.
“We need to take that form into next week.”
Watch Lama Tasi’s full post-match interview below:
Ian Watson | “Our forwards laid the platform”
Head Coach Ian Watson accepts his backs will get the plaudits after Salford’s 4-62 mauling of Halifax but feels they were allowed to play due to the hard work of his forwards.
Watson said: “Our middles did really well today and set us on a platform.
“Halifax controlled our first few early sets but once our forwards got on top it allowed the likes of Jackson [Hastings], Rob [Lui] and Niall [Evalds] to play and link up.
“The first twenty minutes we were a little bit scratchy and Halifax came at us but I think the boys adapted well and got back to the processes.
“The boys had spoken a lot in the week about the attitude and discipline. I thought we were outstanding.”
Watch Ian Watson’s full press conference below:
