Warrington Wolves stand-out performers against Leeds Rhinos

As Leeds Rhinos were blown away at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, excitement levels among the fan base have gone up a notch as the Super League season started in stunning style.

But who stood out the most among the Wire ranks?

Here, our Wolves reporter Matt Turner picks out his five stand-outs…

PAUL VAUGHAN

There’s really only one place to start…

As debuts go, it is difficult to recall one as impressive as the Australian’s in terms of front-rowers at the very least.

He quite literally led from the front – huge impact with the ball, reliable without it and displaying an incredible level of fitness.

To play for over an hour – including a 55-minute opening stint – is remarkable and the numbers he generated were simply staggering.

If this is a taste of what we can expect from Vaughan, he will prove to be quite the addition.

> The staggering numbers behind Paul Vaughan's 'phenomenal' Wire debut

JAMES HARRISON

Absolutely nothing seems to faze this man who let’s remember is entering just his second full season as a full-time rugby league player.

For most of this game, he was pressed into service in the back row after Matty Nicholson dislocated a shoulder, but he simply carried on with what he was doing in the middle.

Showing he is more than adept at moving out onto the edge will give Daryl Powell a huge sense of comfort as he waits for news on Nicholson’s injury, with numbers in the back row not exactly plentiful.

Harrison impressed many with what he brought to the side when he recovered from his ACL injury last year, and it looks like he’s gone up another few levels.

GEORGE WILLIAMS

“Give him a solid pack to work behind and George Williams will fly,” is the common thought around the England star.

He showed that during the World Cup and on this evidence, he has the platform to do exactly the same at club level.

Williams directly assisted three of The Wire’s seven tries – slipping a cute offload for Danny Walker to kick and chase in, putting in the perfect kick for Sam Kasiano’s try and bringing Harrison crashing onto a perfectly-weighted pass to score.

It was also his delightful short ball to Ben Currie that opened up the Leeds defence for Matt Dufty’s opening score.

His partnership with Josh Drinkwater is the perfect blend of styles on paper and things look promising on the field. That link-up will only build in time and the left edge look like they are dancing to his tune.

JOE BULLOCK

The only member of the four-man bench not to score a try, but Bullock’s display really deserved one.

With everybody fit and available, it is likely the fair-haired powerhouse would not have featured in this game such is the depth Warrington have in their front row now.

Gil Dudson’s injury and Josh McGuire’s suspension has given him a chance and by the looks of it, he is in no mood to waste it.

Following on from the good work of Vaughan and Tom Mikaele first up, Bullock piled through the middle with power and purpose.

Last year, he had a tendency to give away too many penalties and six-agains but there was none of that here. A really promising showing.

JOSH THEWLIS

Another who perhaps would not have played were it not for Matty Russell’s illness, Thewlis’ impressive flying finish in the corner capped an eye-catching showing.

His yardage carries were outstanding – it is difficult to remember one where he didn’t do at least one of getting himself over the gain line, winning a penalty or a six-again.

Although he has put some size on in pre-season, he is still not the biggest of wingers but puts his hand up for the tough carries and catapults himself into contact with no hint of self-preservation.

Like Bullock, he showed he has no intention of letting go of his shirt.

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