Murrell still working magic
Halifax halfback Scott Murrell is showing that players can still have a life after Super League, and doing so in a very classy fashion indeed.
The former Hull KR utility man is filling the number 6 role for his current Championship club, and judging by his recent displays, is finding things very much to his liking.
Murrell’s performance at the weekend in the win at Sheffield Eagles was a masterclass of tactical halfback play, and he was instrumental in several tries.
His kicking game is accurate and penetrating, whilst he organises both his forward pack and backline with consummate skill.
He knows that much of his work looks so good because he is fortunate to play behind a powerful pack at Fax.
“Our forwards get us going well, and that’s the main thing,” he told Love Rugby League, after the win at Sheffield.
“The forwards get us on the front foot, and it makes mine and Simon Brown‘s job a lot easier.
“The last couple of weeks they’ve been massive. Andy Bracek has been playing 60 or 70 minutes, and Luke Ambler has been playing big minutes too.
“When you’ve got ‘Tonka’ [Tony Tonks] running onto the ball and playing, you can’t go wrong really.”
Murrell also feels lucky to have his old sparring partner from Hull KR, Peter Fox, on the wing for Halifax, as well as Tommy Saxton.
“When you’ve got two wingers like Tommy and Foxy, who always want to carry the ball too, you can’t go far wrong,” he added.
“You know what Foxy’s like: ‘Gimme the ball! Gimme the ball! Gimme the ball!’
“He finally got off the mark today, and it’s nice to play with him again, because he’s a top player.
“Three years ago he was playing for England. He’s a player we couldn’t turn down.”
Sheffield coach Mark Aston also expressed what many opposition coaches must feel this season, when he summed up Murrell’s contribution to his team’s convincing defeat.
“Did he have a white dinner suit on?” Aston asked, coining a metaphor for Murrell’s untroubled display.
“Scott won’t need a shower after today, and his shirt probably won’t need washing.”
Murrell, meanwhile, knows that Halifax need to stay focused, not just to see out this season in good style, but also to prepare for a possible promotion campaign in 2015.
“My focus is to continue playing well week-in and week-out,” he said.
“We’re working towards next season, and for us to try and finish in that top or second spot this season.
“We’ve had an up and down season so far, but we’ve put some performances together, so hopefully now we can kick on and carry it on.”