'SIX TO GO' - COLUMN1 - WORLD CLUB SERIES SPECIAL

I really enjoyed the series of games this weekend and believe that this is a concept that the game needs to stick with – not necessarily expand upon just yet – but with one or two tweeks it could grow to be a very meaningful event. As the saying goes ‘’Mighty oaks from little acorns grow’’.

After the first two games the overall feeling on Social Media was that this was a great concept and all was rosy after a couple of tight and hard fought victories for the NRL – after the blow out in the official World Challenge match last night there seemed to be a total wind change and it was all back to doom and gloom and the ‘’massive’’ differences in class between Super League and the NRL.

I think there is no doubt that there is a difference in class to a certain extent but not as big as South’s did a really good job at making it look last night – that gap will only be closed by our Super League players being exposed to their NRL counterparts on a regular basis.

Here are 6 things that I picked up on this weekend:

1.

Josh Dugan - NSW No. 1?

What a great player Josh Dugan is. The St. George Illawarra Dragons full back had an outstanding game on Friday night at Warrington and deservedly took out the man of the match award. Not only did he score the match clinching try but he was a constant threat with the ball in hand, solid under the high ball and fearless in defence. Previously, his off the field behaviour has seen his contract terminated at former club Canberra Raiders and then saw Brisbane Broncos withdraw a considerable contract offer. Since he joined the Dragons early in the 2013 season he seems to have settled down and appeared in the winning New South Wales State of Origin team in 2014 at centre – on this form he will be one of the major challengers to replace Jarryd Hayne in the Blues no. 1 shirt in the 2015 series.

2.

Joe Burgess - struggling.

Two young British players caught my eye this weekend for differing reasons. Wigan Warriors young wingman Joe Burgess, Sydney Roosters bound in 2016, has not had the greatest of starts to the year. His handling has been poor and he has coughed up possession in dangerous positions that have cost his team tries in the opening round at Widnes and on Saturday against the Broncos – on the other hand he comes up with that special play that got the Warriors level with the Broncos. I think he has bags of talent but I also think that his move to the NRL is very premature. Shaun Wane described him as a work in progress after Saturdays match and I just wonder how much game time he will get at the Roosters when they have the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Daniel Tupou and Blake Ferguson already on their roster.

The second young British player who caught my eye was Kevin Penny – although he is now 27 years old. The Warrington Wolves wingman filled in at full back for the injured Matty Russell AND Stefan Ratchford and was outstanding in their close defeat to the Dragons. Penny was seen as something like the next Martin Offiah when he broke through to score 13 tries in 13 appearances in 2007 and then followed that up with 13 tries in 24 appearances in 2008 but then seemed to fall out of favour at the Wolves and was loaned out to Harlequins, Widnes and Wakefield before dropping down the leagues to join Swinton Lions. He has since been given a second chance at the Wolves by coach Tony Smith and looks much bigger and stronger and was very confident running the ball back and was strong defensively on Friday night. It will be interesting to see how he develops this season.

3.

The concept of the World Club Series itself is sound and needs to be kept in place long term – we know it will definitely happen in 2016 – and it could be used to develop the game in other country’s further down the line but we don’t need to tinker too much with it just yet. Let it roll forward and grow before we try to expand it. A lot has been said about top 3 v. top 3 and the fact that the Broncos finished 8^th and were knocked out in the 1^st round of last year’s play off’s and the Dragons finished 11^th and were outside the play off spots – but that wasn’t important this year – the Brisbane Broncos are a huge name in Rugby League and were needed to pull in the crowds and give the fixtures real significance over here – especially as they and Wigan have history. I think, in the future, clubs need to earn the right to play in these games so both Grand Finalists from each country are a gimme – the 3^rd placed team in the NRL would be the next way to go as they have no Cup competition but the Super League could use winning the Challenge Cup Final as a way of enhancing it’s reducing appeal to both club’s and supporters.

4.

Russell Crowe is good for the game. No matter that Sky licked his royal backside last night, our sport suffers through lack of coverage in the press, in the UK at least, and the more we can get this man speaking about the sport he loves the better it is – maybe he could be given a role as a Worldwide Rugby League Ambassador by the Rugby League International Federation.

5.

Russell Crowe and Shane Richardson
 

It takes time to become the best team in the world. Salford Red Devils owner Dr. Marwan Koukash should have been straight on the phone to Russell Crowe and Shane Richardson, he may well have been, to pick their brains about how they have turned the Rabbitohs from perennial losers to the best Rugby League team in the world. I bet they will have told him it is not just about throwing money the coaches way and attracting ‘’big name’’ players. When Crowe bought the club in 2006 the Rabbitohs were an embarrassment to South Sydney according to the man himself and bringing Richardson to the club was the first step in taking them back to the greatness they once had. Providing clear player pathways and engaging with the local community are two reasons for the Rabbitohs success along with strong player recruitment, major brand sponsorship and the appointment of Michael Maguire as Head Coach three years ago. The Rabbitohs blue print is worth it’s weight in gold and Koukash should be begging for a copy.

6.

I miss the Ashes Test series. The confrontation and aggression in some of the clashes – particularly in the first two matches of the weekend – was what you get on a regular basis in Ashes Rugby League. The Ashes are part of the folklore of our great game and this series needs to be brought back – even if it is once every 3 years so that we can fit in Four Nations and World Cup’s which are also very important to the future of our game. An Ashes series held in the UK would draw massive crowds and I am sure the same would be the case in Australia and I see no reason why we could not contest the series as Great Britain which is the way it should be.

A few other things that crossed my mind as well:

The crowd figures were fantastic – 13,000+ for the Wolves / Dragons game, 20,000+ for the Warriors / Broncos and a 17,000+ sell out for the main game between the Saints and the Rabbitohs and the atmosphere, particularly at the first two games, was electrifying.



This was a high tackle right????

Have referee’s forgotten that you can send players off for high tackles?????

How good were South Sydney or, on the other hand, how poor were St. Helens?? I think a mixture of both but you have to say that South’s would beat most teams on the planet at the moment and I expect them to be the first team to win back to back Premierships since the Broncos in 1993 – I don’t expect the Saints to retain their title.

What impressed me a lot was some of the last ditch tackling on their own defensive line from the NRL sides – I am sure all the Super League sides would have scored more tries against fellow SL opposition because there doesn’t seem to be as much desire to make that last effort to prevent a try at all costs.

And finally let’s have a good old gripe about the Sky TV commentary – we all do it every week so why should this be any different. Fortunately, there was no Stevo this weekend (I genuinely hope he recovers from illness) but Eddie Hemmings was rank last night and Phil ‘’aren’t Wigan great’’ Clark is really starting to grind with me and Terry O’Connor just talks nonsense whilst his mate, Barrie McDermott, actually talks a lot of sense. The other bright spots are Brian Carney and Jon Wells who have an affiliation with the modern game and know what they are talking about.

Someone mentioned to me that this year is Eddie and Stevo’s last – I don’t know if that is true but I sincerely hope so – they have been in the job for 25 years and we need someone like Andrew Voss to come over and give the commentary a breath of fresh air.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQjgksSRLzI - Wigan v. Brisbane highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yD7hqMiFJM - Warrington v. St. George Illawarra highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgFFMk_Lc1Y - St. Helens v. South Sydney highlights
 

MARWAN KOUKASH - THE GOOD DOCTOR?

‘’I’ve had enough.’’ tweeted Salford Red Devils owner Dr. Marwan Koukash after the inept performance served up by his Salford Red Devils at home to reigning champions St. Helens on Thursday night.

Koukash hasn’t yet elaborated on that tweet and the Salford club are making no comment on it but it is to be hoped that he is taking a long, deep, breath and thinking hard before sending out anymore waves of panic or shock over social media networks.

A lackadaisical, lazy performance filled with handling errors, countless missed tackles, poor defensive structures and reads from the players, no cohesion in attack and poor discipline is not the start to the home campaign of Super League XX that the good Doctor will have been looking for.

His reaction will not have been based just on last night’s 52-6 hammering but also on the results of the last two years that have disappointed him greatly and have led him to replace, firstly, Phil Veivers with Brian Noble and then Noble with Iestyn Harris as Head Coach, tweet apologies to fans for previous lacklustre performances and cancel last year’s end of season awards dinner as he didn’t think there was any reason to celebrate and hand out awards after such a disappointing season

Marwan Koukash

Can you blame him?

Since taking over in January 2013 Koukash has kept all his promises about attracting better quality players to Salford in order to fulfil his dream of turning the Salford Red Devils from also rans into thoroughbreds.

He may have failed in his bid’s to buy Sam Tomkins from Wigan prior to his move to New Zealand Warriors or to bring Benji Marshall to Super League from his dismally unsuccessful stint in Rugby Union, but he has certainly delivered in bringing a better quality of player to the Red Devil’s that they have not had in many years.

A squad that already contained the likes of Rangi Chase, Gareth Hock, Kevin Locke, Adrian Morley, Harrison Hansen, Mason-Caton Brown, Theo Fages, Lama Tasi, Junior Sa’au and Tony Puletua has had further quality players added to it with Ben Jones-Bishop, Michael Dobson, Cory Paterson, Scott Taylor and Weller Hauraki amongst the more high profile acquisitions for the 2015 season and beyond.

The results and performances of the last 2 years will have played a part in his reason’s for tweeting such a comment but so will his knowledge of the amount of time and money he has spent trying to make the Red Devils a better and more attractive club and also the strong performance in their first game against Warrington Wolves had the Red Devils going into this game with, he would have hoped, a more aggressive and positive attitude.

Obviously, that did not happen – the fact that his side were not competitive at any point in the game would have embarrassed him and hurt him personally. 

Iestyn Harris - under pressure?

I can already feel the eyes of Koukash boring into the back of the head of Iestyn Harris and the coach will have to turn things around very quickly if he is to be the long term Head Coach at the AJ Bell Stadium – everyone knows that it takes teams time to gel with so many new players, but there is no excuse for a lack of effort and determination.

 

Whether this performance was down to player apathy or a lack of leadership from their coach it is difficult to say but it is clear that Koukash is used to being successful and does not want to be associated with failure.

On a wider theme, Rugby League is a minority sport in the UK that needs to raise it’s profile, improve it’s image and drag itself into the 21^st Century.

The billionaire racehorse owner may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he doesn’t do things by halves, doesn’t do things quietly and certainly is not afraid to speak his mind and promote the game of Rugby League beyond it’s normal boundaries.

From pushing for the salary cap to be raised, marquee signings, the possible purchase of an NRL club to more recently raising the possibility of a Super League 9’s tournament and investigating the feasibility of entering a UK based team into the NRL, Koukash does not mind upsetting the top figures in the game and want’s the best for Rugby League and want’s to see it, quite rightly, celebrated as the greatest game of all in the national media.

We don’t have anyone else like him in our game at the moment and it is crucial that he remains committed to the Red Devils, not just for their long term security but also as someone who will think the unthinkable and then go and make it happen.

Koukash has made a big impact on rugby League in the last 2 years and the game will be a lot poorer and duller without him.

SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEW 2015

 

As most people will know there is a new structure to Super League in 2015 and with the new season starting this Thursday (February 4th) with Widnes Vikings taking on Wigan Warriors it appears a good time to preview the teams competing in Super League XX.

With the relegation of Bradford Bulls and London Broncos to the Championship – 12 teams will enter Super League XX – they will play each other home and away and with an additional fixture at the Magic Weekend they will have 23 games to play before Super League and the Championship will split into the Super 8s, three groups of eight clubs based on league positions called Super League, The Qualifiers and Championship Shield.

Super League features the top eight Super League clubs; The Qualifiers comprises Super League clubs nine to 12 plus the top four Championship clubs; and the Championship Shield features Championship clubs five to 12.

The Super 8s will be played on a seven match mini-league basis, and will largely determine the make-up of Super League and the Championship the following season.

In Super League, the top eight clubs are guaranteed top flight status for the following year whilst the top four will contest a play-off series - 1^st v 4^th and 2^nd v 3^rd, with the winner going through to the title-deciding Grand Final.

In The Qualifiers, the top three clubs after seven matches will play in Super League the following season with the final place determined by the Million Pound Game, a play-off between the clubs finishing 4^th and 5^th. The loser of the match will join the three remaining clubs from The Qualifiers and six Championship Shield clubs in the Championship the following season.

Clear so far?? – I think I am but the clearest point of all is that every team will want to finish in the top 8 after 23 rounds to GUARANTEE their position in Super League the following year – this will certainly give those 8 clubs a head start with regards to recruitment as they will be able offer Super League contracts way before the other 4 clubs who will be competing for the remaining places.

The new set up is designed to ensure EVERY game means something throughout the season and that the intensity of the competition is increased.

Anyway, enough of the technicalities – let’s introduce the clubs that I think will finish in the bottom 4 places and will contest The Qualifiers:

12^th Place – Widnes Vikings

The Vikings made the play off’s for the first time in 2014 and had one of the stand out performers in the competition in former Wigan and Huddersfield half back Kevin Brown – Brown scored 12 tries, had 24 assists and was very unlucky not to make the England Four Nation’s squad – he is a very talented and skilful playmaker and attracted interest from Cronulla Sharks in the off season. He has been made Club Captain after the retirement of hooker John Clarke.

The Vikings have some quality outside backs in wingers Paddy Flynn, who top scored with 16 tries last year, and Patrick Ah Van and centres Jack Owens and Stefan Marsh whilst Brown is likely to be partnered with the talented former Wigan youngster Joe Mellors. Full back Rhys Hanbury is a constant danger and can score from anywhere  the field.

My main concern is with their forward power and all round recruitment – they have brought in Chris Clarkson (Leeds Rhinos), Gil Dudson (Wigan Warriors) and Manase Manuakafoe (Bradfiord Bulls) to bolster their pack but I’m not too sure that they will have a major impact although Aaron Heremaia (Hull FC) is a very good replacement for the retired Clarke.

Coach Denis Betts has put a lot of faith in the players that earned them a play off spot last year - Hep Cahill, Danny Galea, Willie Isa and Phil Joseph all had career best years in 2014 – but I think their recruitment needed to be much stronger if they are to even maintain their position in this streamlined competition let alone challenge for a top 8 place.

STAR MAN - Kevin Brown –

Brown has a massive impact on this team and everything goes through him. Stop Brown

and you stop the Vikings, but he was so good last year he was difficult to stop.

COACH - Denis Betts           

The Wigan legend has been in charge at Widnes since November 2010 and took them

into Super League in 2012 and the plays offs for the first time in 2014. He has done an excellent job

in improving the squad and performance of the team year on year and was rewarded with a contract

extension to the end of 2017 earlier this year.

 

11^th Place - WAKEFIELD TRINITY WILDCATS

The Wildcats are most people’s tips for the wooden spoon – but I’m not too sure. They have an outstanding young coach in former Balmain, Parramatta and Hull KR half back James Webster who had a positive impact on the team when he replaced Richard Agar in June last year including wins over Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves.

Tim Smith had a big impact on his return from his ill-fated time at Salford Red Devils and will lead the team around the park again in 2015 – he will form a new half back partnership with the former West Tigers starlet Jacob Miller who had his contract terminated at Hull FC.

The multi skilled Craig Hall (Hull KR) will be a great addition to the squad whilst Ian Kirke (Leeds Rhinos), Lopini Paea and Mickael Simon (both from Catalans Dragons) will bolster a pack hit by the loss of star forward Taulima Tautai to Wigan Warriors.

Veteran forward Ali Lautiti is going round for another year, club captain Danny Kirmond is always a strong performer whilst Jarrod Sammut and Pita Godinet are capable of breaking the best of defences.

I don’t see them challenging for the top 8 but I think they will surprise a few people with the odd result – consistency will be the main problem.

STAR MAN - Tim Smith

Smith returned after a brief spell from Salford on loan last year and regained his enthusiasm for the game immediately. Has signed on for 2015 and will be the go to man for the Wildcats and could form an explosive partnership with Jacob Miller.

 

COACH - James Webster 

I think Webster will be a great coach – he had a caretaker spell in charge at Hull KR pre Super League in 2005 and won 9 from 9 and the Wildcats greatly improved after he took over last year.

 

 

10^th Place – HULL FC

After finishing 6^th and reaching the challenge Cup Final in 2013, their 3^rd in 9 years, they replaced Head Coach Peter Gentle with his assistant Lee Radford, a local born former Bradford Bulls and FC back rower.

Last year did not go as well as expected and they finished 11^th.

Radford has been supported by club owner Adam Pearson and has set about re-vamping his

squad in readiness for the celebration of the clubs 150th year anniversary.

They have brought in the experienced back rower Mark Minichello from Gold Coast Titans to

form a second row partnership with club captain Gareth Ellis, Steve Michaels has been brought

in from the same club to add some speed and competition to the three quarter line whilst young

back Curtis Naughton has returned to the UK after 1 year at the Sydney Roosters.

The major changes are at half back where they have brought in the vastly experienced former

Bradford Bullsand St. Helens multi Grand Final winner Leon Pryce (Catalans Dragons) and

have paid Salford Red Devils £100,000 for the services of Marc Sneyd who had an outstanding

2014 on loan at Castleford Tigers where he had 30 try assists, second only to Danny Brough

(Giants), and topped the goal kicking charts with 99.

They replace the retired club legend Richard Horne and the much maligned Jacob Miller,

whilst Jordan Rankin gives them another option in the halves where he had an outstanding

first year for the club in 2014.

They have some talented and exciting youngsters in Tom Lineham, Callum Lancaster, Jamie

Shaul, Jordan Abdul and Jansin Turgut whilst Feleti Talanoa had a great year in 2014 and

they boast experienced high quality forwards such as Ellis, Joe Westerman, Danny Houghton

and Mickey Paea to play alongside Minichello.

With all this quality they should be challenging for the top 6 at the minimum but they always

flatter to deceive – they will have good year (2013) and will follow that up with 2 or 3 year

poor years – I think 2015 will be another year of struggle with coach Radford struggling to get

the best out of his talented squad.

STAR MAN - Gareth Ellis

The former England international has continued the form he showed in his 3 years at Wests

Tigers and is a highly respected forward in the competition.

 

COACH - Lee Radford   

Radford doesn’t mind letting his players know when he is unhappy, sometimes via the media,

and the team did not see to respond too well last season. He is overhauling the club and needs

time, but he has a squad capable of making the top 6 and needs to see major improvements

this year to keep the Old Faithful happy.

 

 

9^th PLACE – CASTLEFORD TIGERS

The Tigers were the major improvers of 2014. They reached the challenge Cup Final for the first

time in 20+ years, losing to West Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos, and went into the last round of

the regular season needing a win at Catalans Dragons to top the league for the first time in their

history having finished 12^th in 2013. 

They lost that game, finished 4^th and went out of the play off’s with a whimper rather than a roar

 losing 41-0 at St. Helens and 30-14 at home to Warrington Wolves in the Preliminary semi finals.

Daryl Powell took out the Coach of the Year award and hooker Daryl Clark won the prestigious

Man of Steel after a stellar year.

 

It feels like the Tigers have been culled this year – it was already known that Clark had signed

for the Warrington Wolves but they also failed to negotiate a permanent deal for main playmaker

Marc Sneyd who has now gone to Hull FC, pack stars Craig Huby and Jamie Ellis have departed

to Huddersfield Giants, back rower Weller Hauraki has joined Salford Red Devils whilst

experienced wingman Kirk Dixon has been forced to retire through injury.

I don’t think the Tigers recruitment is anywhere near the calibre to repeat the success of 2014

– the experienced Scott Moore has been brought in to replace Clark, half back Luke Gale has

joined from relegated Bradford Bulls and they Have raided Melbourne Storm for talented half

back Ben Roberts and forward Junior Moors.

They will rely heavily on the skills of Roberts and will hope that he settles and shows the form

that he is capable of quickly.

I don’t see them being anywhere near as competitive this year and see them finishing outside

the 8.

STAR MAN - Ben Roberts 

Roberts is an exciting signing and has the potential to be explosive but he will need to settle

quickly if the Tigers are to make the 8.

COACH - Daryl Powell

The coach of the year in 2014 and for good reason. He is an outstanding coach and man

manager and is highly respected by his players. He will be a major factor in whether his

new squad makes the 8 or not – I’m just not too sure they have the right quality this year.

 

==========================

 

Now, let's go through through the teams I think will finish in positions 8 to 5 – finishing in these

positions not just after the 23 weekly rounds pre-Super 8’s but also after the additional 7 fixtures

which means they will keep their Super League place for 2016 but will not compete for the right

to qualify for the Grand Final.

8^TH PLACE – HULL KINGSTON ROVERS

I am a Hull KR fan and have written a season preview for them on this blog and I am, possibly, being slightly optimistic in having them finish in the top 8 – but, hell, they are my team and why shouldn’t I be optimistic.

They have made a wraft a new signings, 13 in total, as Chris Chester overhauls a squad that missed out on the play offs and had a disappointing second half of the season under his stewardship after he replaced the sacked Craig Sandercock.

A lot of players have left the club including Neville Costigan, Justin Poore, Kris Keating, Greg Eden, Craig Hall and co-captains Josh Hodgson and Travis Burns – these 2 will be felt keenly as they were the stand out players in a poor side last year and without them it would have been an even bigger struggle.

 

Discipline was poor last year and there was no consistency whatsoever with a lot of good first half 0performances being ruined by a mediocre second 40 minutes.

Chester has recruited heavily and, on the face of it, very well – although the proof will be in the performances.

They have recruited well from the NRL and Terry Campese (Canberra Raiders) and Albert Kelly (Gold Coast Titans) will form a potentially exciting new half back combination – certainly Kelly has the pace and skill to be a big hit – if they can both stay fit for long periods then they will be very influential.

Ken Sio has come over from Parramatta Eels with a reputation as a try scorer with bags of power and speed and Kieran Dixon (London Broncos), Darrell Goulding (Wigan Warriors) and Josh Mantellato (Newcastle Knights) will give further impetus to a back line that struggled for tries last year.

In the forwards, ex St. George Illawarra prop Mick Weyman has been joined by Mitch Allgood from Parramatta, experienced Leeds Rhinos prop Ryan Bailey and youngsters Tyrone McCarthy (Northern Pride), James Donaldson (Bradford Bulls) and Greg Burke (Wigan Warriors).

If the new signings gel quickly then they have the potential to break into the 8 – but it’s a big IF.

STAR MAN - Albert Kelly     

Much is expected of Kelly but they need to keep him fit. If they do he could be one of the best signings of the season. He has bags of pace and skill and come over with a reputation as a bit of maverick who can produce exciting plays. 

COACH - Chris Chester        

He has a lot to prove after a poor start under his stewardship last year after 6 years

as assistant coach. He now has a squad he has built and has brought in the experienced Willie Poching as his assistant. He will need to ensure that they get off to a quick start to challenge for the 8. 

7^TH PLACE – CATALANS DRAGONS

The Dragons recovered from a slow start in 2014 to finish 7^th and had one of the stars in the competition in young full back Morgan Escare who ran in 27 tries.

In the play offs they went to 5^th placed Leeds Rhinos and won 24-20 thanks to a last minute Sam Williams try and backed that up by beating 3^rd placed Huddersfield Giants 18-16 before exiting at the semi final stage at the eventual Premiers St. Helens.

It was a phenomenal effort and shows what the Dragons can be capable of – there problem is consistency away from home. They are very strong in the South of France but struggle with their away form during the regular season.

I don’t think they will be hurt too much by the loss of players such as Leon Pryce (Hull FC), Lopini Paea and Mickael Simon (both Wakefield Trinity Wildcats) and Sam Williams (Canberra Raiders) whilst the loss of centre Daryl Millard (South Sydney Rabbitohs) will be felt most keenly.

They have recruited only 3 new players but all 3 will have major impacts on the squad – prop forward Remi Casty has re-joined the club after 1 season with Sydney Roosters, former Queensland and Australia centre Willie Tonga has replaced Millard in the three quarters whilst controversial half back Todd Carney, sacked by Cronulla in mid-June, is their major signing and has the ability to turn them into a top 4 team. Whether he has the temperament to play the part that is expected of him is another matter.

I just think there regular season form, particularly away from home, will prevent them making a charge for a higher league placing.

STAR MAN - Todd Carney

Carney has the ability, has the skill, has the kicking game – does he have the will and temperament to succeed in Super League?

COACH - Laurent Frayssinous

The former French international took over from Trent Robinson at the end of the 2012

season and has taken his team to 7^th place in his first two seasons although he led them

to the semi finals last year. A quiet and unassuming man, he goes about his work quietly

and efficiently.

 

6^TH PLACE – LEEDS RHINOS

Although the Rhinos won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 15 years in 2014, it would

be fair to say that last year could be deemed to be somewhat of a failure.

For a club that has 6 Grand Final wins in the last 10 years to finish the regular season in

6^th and exit the play offs in the first round in front of their own fans to the 7^th placed Dragons

was a major disappointment. Although they would have struggled to get to the Grand Final

from 6^th they would have seen it as a challenge as they won their last 2 Super League titles

from 5^th place.

 

The Dragons defeat was their 6^th in a row – their longest losing streak since 2000.

The Rhinos have the most experienced and successful squad in Super League and is

full of star names with huge talent.

However, a lot of that talent is nearing the end of it’s time with the likes of Jamie Peacock,

Kevin Sinfield, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Kylie Leuluai and Jamie Jones Buchannan

firmly in the twilight of their careers.

Their only major new signing is that of Newcastle Knights forward Adam Cuthbertson –

a man who may be seen as a long term replacement for Peacock who is expected to

retire at the end of the year.

Carl Ablett, Ryan Hall, Joel Moon and Kallum Watkins have all signed new long term

deals whilst their only major loss is Ben Jones Bishop who has gone to the Salford Red

Devils. Veteran forwards Ryan Bailey (Hull KR) and Ian Kirke (Wakefield) have gone to

pastures new but their loss will be felt less keenly.

Full back Zak Hardaker will be expected to continue his great form of 2014 and is a

constant threat in attack aswell as being a solid defender whilst gun youngsters Stevie

Ward, Liam Sutcliffe and Brad Singleton will be expected to play a more major role in

the class of 2015.

With the quality they have the Rhinos will always be competitive but I don’t see them

challenging for the top 4 this year and I think there best chance of success will be in 

the defence of the Challenge Cup.

STAR MAN - Zak Hardaker 

Hardaker is one of the best attacking full back's in the League, he will be looking to

challenge Sam Tomkins for his international spot.

COACH - Brian McDermott

Two Super League titles, a World Club Challenge win and now a Challenge Cup

win mean that the formerRoyal Marine McDermott is one of the most successful

coaches in Leeds history. A potential future England coach he is methodical in his

approach and well respected by his players.
 

5^TH PLACE – SALFORD RED DEVILS

I think it’s now or never for the Red Devils to repay the faith shown in them by their

owner, Dr. Marwin Koukash, and I believe 2015 will be the year that they break into

the top 6. If they don’t I think they’ll definitely be looking for a new coach as Koukash

will not accept another year of failure.

 

He has invested a lot of money since taking over in 2013 and both 2013 and 2014 season’s

ended with the team getting nowhere near the play offs and former Great Britain coach

Brian Noble was replaced by Iestyn Harris. 

 

The former Welsh National Coach did not cover himself in glory last year despite the

‘Devilution’ starting with high calibre signings such as Rangi Chase, Adrian Morley,

Gareth Hock, Francis Meli, Tim Smith, Tony Puletua, Steve Rapira and Junior Sa’u

amongst others.

They also added New Zealand international full back Kevin Locke and young London

Broncos flyer Mason Caton-Brown mid season with Locke, in particular, making an

immediate impact before struggling with niggling injuries.

Whilst Smith and Rapira have swiftly departed, coach Harris has added even more top

quality signings to hissquad in the off season – the main signing being former Hull KR

scrum half Michael Dobson who has returned to Super League after failing to win a spot

in the Newcastle Knights NRL squad last year. He will, without doubt, be one of the

major players in Super League again.

They have also brought in three quarter Ben Jones-Bishop (Leeds Rhinos) along with

front rowers Scott Taylor (Wigan Warriors) and Matt Groat (St. George Illawarra) and

experienced back rowers Cory Patterson (Wests Tigers) and Weller Hauraki (Castleford

Tigers).

If Dobson and Chase hit it off then this team could even break into the top 4 just like

the Tiger did last year – I think it will come down to the coaching and management

style of Harris to see how far this talented bunch will go.

 

STAR MAN - Michael Dobson

A failure in the NRL but a star in Super League – he will be the player to take the Red

Devils to their most successful season in many years.

COACH - Iestyn Harris 

The former Wales coach does not fill me with confidence and a lot will ride in his ability

to get this team to play together. It could go either way, but Koukash may react if results

are not going well in the first half of the season.

 

 

So, let's look at the 4 teams I think will compete in the first ever top 4 play offs and

play straight for a place in the Grand Final. The top ranked team will play the fourth

ranked team and he second ranked team will play the third ranked team with the teams

ranked first and second having home advantage – nice and straight forward!!

 

After 23 regular season games plus 7 Super 8 matches, I think the top 4 will line up as follows:

  

 

 

4^TH PLACE – HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS

The Giants have been a strong outfit for a number of years now and topped the league

table in 2013 for the first time in over 50 years under rookie coach Paul Anderson. They

couldn’t match that feat in 2013 but still finished a handy 3^rd but they have yet to convince 

that they have what it takes to make the next big step and reach a Grand Final.

 

They have the best half back in the competition, and one of the best in the world, in

Danny Brough who has 63 ry assists over the last 2 years and has a brilliant kicking

game and strong running game.

 

 

Forward strength is still vital to the Giants cause and although they have let the

outstanding Larne Patrick join rivals Wigan and big Antonio Kaufusi has gone home

to the Canterbury Bulldogs, the have brought in Craig Huby (Castleford Tigers) who

had the best year of his career in 2014 to add to the existing power of Eorl Crabtree,

Brett Ferres, Ukuma Ta’ai, Chris Bailey and Michael Lawrence.

 

They have two exceptional hookers in Shaun Lunt and Luke Robinson, who can also

play half back, and they are now backed up by another new addition from Castleford

Tigers, Jamie Ellis, another player who can fill a half back or hooking role.

 

Their strike power in the backs is also strong with the likes of Jermaine McGilivary,

Joe Wardle, Aaron Murphy and Jodie Broughton able to score tries for fun from

anywhere on the pitch.

 

England international centre Leroy Cudjoe also has a point to prove after missing on

the Four Nations squad.

 

This is a squad with depth and strength all over the park and they could replicate

their success of 2013 but they seem to fade at some point in the season which costs

them and they haven’t been tough enough mentally to win the BIG play off games.

 

If they can eradicate these two regular occurrences then you could see them at Old

Trafford in October.

 

STAR MAN - Danny Brough 

Brough is sheer quality with a bit of attitude thrown in – he has the all round game to

dominate matches and is a world class goal kicker. The only problem is that if he doesn’t

fire the Giants struggle. 

 

COACH - Paul Anderson 

The big former Bulls and St. Helens prop forward has done an outstanding job since

taking over from Nathan Brown at the end of 2012 winning the Giants first major trophy

in a generation. He has a burning desire to succeed and the common sense and ability

to bring out the best in his players.

  

3^RD PLACE – WIGAN WARRIORS

Wigan were disappointed to finish 2014 without a trophy after winning the double in

coach Shaun Wane’s first season in charge in 2013 and there is no doubt that Wane

will have the Warriors fired up to regain at least oneof the major trophy’s in 2015.

 

Blake Green is a major loss having returned to the NRL with Melbourne Storm after

4 successful years in Super League – the Warriors have not gone out and bought a

ready made replacement but have handed Green’s no. 6 jersey to talented local

youngster George Williams who they will look to start alongside England international

Matty Smith.

 

Lee Mossop has returned after an injury plagued year with Parramatta Eels and the

former Eels and Cronulla Sharks forward Taulima Tautai has joined after a storming

season with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

 

Other than that Wane has kept faith in his squad from last year with gun winger Joe

Burgess hoping to end his time at the Warriors with another big season before he

heads to the Sydney Roosters.

 

There is quality all over the park from Matty Bowen at full back, wingers Burgess

and Josh Charnley and Anthony Gelling and Dan Sarginson in the centre - Sarginson

was the stand out England back in the recent Four Nations tournament.

 

Their forwards are as strong as any in the competition and in Liam Farrell, Joel Tomkins

and Sean O’Loughlin, with Larne Patrick thrown into the mix, they have a very powerful

and athletic back row whilst hooker Michael McIlorum adds as much grunt and attitude

as is needed.

 

They will mount a serious challenge for all honours in 2015.
 

STAR MAN - Sean O’Loughlin 

The captain is the heart and soul of the squad and when he is on form the Warriors are

difficult to beat. Whether defending or attacking, O’Loughlin never shirks a challenge –

they just need him to stay fit.

 

 

COACH - Shaun Wane

Wane is an old school blood and thunder no frills coach. If his team aren’t playing well he

let’s them know in no uncertain terms. Won the double in his first season after inheriting

the Head Coach’s role from Michael Maguire and will be desperate to bring more trophies

back to his home town club.

2^ND PLACE – ST. HELENS

Their Grand Final winning coach Nathan Brown may have headed home to Australia but

they have replaced him with club legend Kieron Cunningham who will enjoy the unbridled

support of players and fans. It remains to be seen if this appointment is too early in

Cunningham’s coaching career.

 

The Saints won the Grand Final last year despite being without a number of important

players for large chunks of the season – the likes of Jonny Lomax, Jon Wilkin, Luke

Walsh and Anthony Laffranchi were all missing at some point with veteran full back and

captain Paul Wellens forming an unlikely half back partnership with back rower Wilkin

at times.

 

But they still had enough to see the job through with players like try scoring winger

Tommy Makinson, world class hooker James Roby, Lance Hohaia, Jordan Turner,

Kyle Amor and Mose Masoe standing out.

 

Half back Walsh had a great start to his first year at Saints before he broke his fibula

and tore ankle ligaments against Widnes in July – an injury that ended his season.

 

In 2015 Walsh will be partnered by his former Penrith Panthers team mate Travis Burns

who has signed after 2 good years at Hull KR. This half back partnership could tear

Super League defences apart and how well they combine will go a long way to deciding

if the Saints can defend their title. 

 

They have lost good players in Sia Soliola, Willie Manu and Gary Wheeler whilst they

have brought in only Burns, at Cunningham’s insistence, and powerful forward Atelea

Vea from London Broncos.

 

Having Lomax and Walsh back will be huge plusses and new captain Jon Wilkin will

want to mark his first year at the helm with a major trophy.

 

 

STAR MAN - James Roby

Mr perpetual motion, Roby is one of the best hooker’s in the world and has

a phenomenal work rate. Saints are a much better side when he is in it.

COACH - Kieron Cunningham 

Club legend and rookie coach, no doubt Saints would have liked him to have

another year or two under Nathan Brown. This will be a big test for Cunningham

and he will need good staff around him.The support of the players and fans is

unquestioned and it will be interesting to see how Saints go under him.

 

LEAGUE LEADERS SHIELD WINNERS – WARRINGTON WOLVES

 

The Wolves could only finish 5^th in the table in 2014 after being losing Grand

Finalists in 2012 and 2013 – despite that lower than expected finish they still made

the qualifying semi finals and only lost out 16-12 to the Wigan Warriors in one of

the games of 2015.                                                     

                    

They have a very strong squad and like to play entertaining rugby league. Coach

Tony Smith has been very selective in his recruitment for 2015.

 

 

They have added England hooker and last year’s Man of Steel Daryl Clark to their

squad, in place of the retired Michael Monaghan, and he will add even more pace

to a side that is not short of try scoring ability. Clark is brilliant from acting half, can

score from anywhere and go the full 80 minutes if needed.

 

 

Gary Wheeler is an under the radar but shrewd signing from St. Helens – if he can

stay fit he could be an excellent signing whilst it will be interesting to see how Fijian

international prop Ashton Sims settles in to his new surroundings – much is expected

of him.

 

The Wolves have an abundance of speed and skill in the backs with the likes of full

back Matty Russell, last year’s Super League top try scorer Joel Monaghan plus

England internationals Chris Bridge, Richie Myler, Ryan Atkins and Stefan Ratchford

whilst young half back Gareth O’Brien is expected to push in from his fine form of last

year. 

 

 

Their forward pack, enhanced by the presence of Sims, is big and strong. Chris Hill

was one of the most impressive forwards in the Four Nations tournament and up for

the Man of Steel award last year. Last years co-captain Ben Westwood will be looking

to regain his England shirt after missing out through injury last year – add Ben Harrison,

Roy Asotasi, Micky Higham and James Laithwaite to the mix and you have a squad that

will challenge for both major honours in 2015.

 

STAR MAN - Daryl Clark

The England hooker has a tough job replacing Michael Monaghan but he is more

than up to the task. In fact, I think he will go one step further and take the Wolves to the

Super League title.

 

COACH - Tony Smith 

Smith is one of the most successful coaches in the Super League era. Two Grand

Final wins with Leeds Rhinos, three Challenge Cup wins, one League Leaders

Shield and two losing Grand Final appearances with Warrington Wolves are

testimony to Smith’s coaching expertise.

 

So the semi finals would be:

 

Warrington Wolves v. Huddersfield Giants

 

and

 

St. Helens v. Wigan Warriors

 

Two fantastic clashes and games that could go either way – the season has not even

started yet so it is impossible to be sure about anything in the year ahead but I am

tipping a Warrington Wolves v. Wigan Warriors Grand Final and the winners will be…………..

 

 

 

WARRINGTON WOLVES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You heard it here first!!!!!

======================================

Below is the link to the new video for Super League XX that was launched just recently.
 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLQc259zrHg