VFRPilotPB,
The counter rotating engines help square away the handling at high angles of attack, mostly to cure the P factor, which is really not torque (although it is called that by many people). The prop is really a rotor with no flapping relief. When it operates it is exposed to a wind velocity that is not purely axial (as for example when in a sideslip or in an angle of attack) so the thrust center is not at the prop spinner. The prop develops a strong turning moment as well as its normal thrust. Conventional props (top blade spins to the left when viewed from the cockpit) will pull the aircraft to the right (and need left rudder) during high angle of attack climbouts. That's because the down sweeping prop blade has an increased angle of attack, and vice versa.
The engine torque also rolls the aircraft right, and forces left aileron, which calls for left rudder (that part is due to true torque).