Rugby League Season Preview

By The Man

The off season is now really so short in Rugby League, no wonder the leading players complain of burn-out. It doesn't seem five minutes since Australia brought the England team back to reality with a scintillating final twenty minutes in the Four Nations final. But here were are again and I hope to bring you regular articles on a Friday together with possible extra bets over the weekend as team and weather condition news filters to me.
 
Looking ahead to Super League I'm just going to do a quick summary of where I see each team with the various changes they've made to their squads:
 
Leeds will again take all the beating. They seem to be the Man Utd of rugby league whereby they just add one or two high quality players each year and rely on their ever so successful youth system to produce a gem. They've lost Lee Smith to rugby union but from all reports Delaney is a more than capable replacement. Big Kiwi Greg Eastwood finally has his visa after a year's wait and he will add something extra to the pack. No doubt there will be one or two blips along the way but Leeds are rightly favourites for pole position.
 
St.Helens are in decline. Make no mistake their first choice side is more than capable of turning over the best but I feel they will lack consistencythis season. Wellens and Cunningham are another year older and they have crucially lost talisman Long and Gilmour. Fozzard will add a bit of beef to the pack but Cayless will be a loss. So much will depend on Pryce and Eastmond and whether or not their youngsters step up when injuries bite.
 
Huddersfield have been rocked by allegations of rape against six of their players and whilst this may not affect the on field performances I'm sure the coach will feel let down. Last season they had a tremendous season reaching the cup final and 3rd position before meekly being overturned in the play-offs. Adding Drew, Fa'alongo and Gilmour will help but I feel they over-achieved a little and whilst they should still be in the play-off mix the top 4 may be beyond them.
 
Hull KR were another team who over-achieved to a degree. They have steadily improved since their promotion but I don't see them moving to a higher level. They've lost players and haven't been so active in the market

Ready to play after a year of waiting Leed's Greg Eastwood

themselves. They'll be in the mix but its touch and go for me as to whether they secure a play-off spot.
 
Wakefield again probably over-achieved but John Kear always seems to get the best out of his players. There has been a high turnover of players both in and out but what you lose in the likes of Drew and Atkins you gain in Morrison and Newton. A similar mid-table season looks in store to me.
 
Wigan have done all their changes in the backroom staff with the playing side showing stability. Only Deacon joins from Bradford and he combines playing with a coaching role. Wigan have been play-off bridesmaids in the last seasons losing out at the semi final stage and they will hope a new coach will inspire. Brian Noble tended to time his teams with a play-off run and probably sacrificed a fast start. All reports from the Wigan camp suggest pre-season has never been harder and a faster start is on the cards. A top 4 finish would be no surprise to me.
 
Castleford will again be aiming to sneak in to the play-offs and whilst they have a chance I think they'll fall short. They've got a fairly settled squad and youngsters like Shenton, Westerman and Owen will be a year wiser. They'll be competitive and win their fair share for sure but I don't see any additions of quality to make a real impact.
 
Catalan finished the season really strongly and performed well in the play-offs. A slow start was disappointing and again I don't like the vibes coming from their coach about the short off-season with so many of his players on international duty. I don't like coaches giving readymade excuses. That said I think they've assembled a fine squad. They'll miss Greg Bird for sure but Dallas Johnson is another top drawer Aussie signing. Possibly slow starters but I expect a play-off place.
 
Bradford again finished the season well but were undone with that slow start. At times the Bradford team looked decidedly average and some of the players are jobbers not fit to lace the boots of the likes of Vainikolo, Hape, Peacock and Paul. Losing Sam Burgess will be a loss but key for them is the signing of Matt Orford. Last season in the World Club game he was ripping Leeds to pieces and along Brett Kearney the half back combination will be key. Even the likes of Platt and Sykes will score tries if the gaps are created for them. As long as the halves stay fit then Bradford should return as play-off candidates.
 
Warrington have continued to recruit quality signings and I expect big things this season. Atkins, Myler and Solomona are added to a team that already looked strong. The squad has depth and they can kick on from their Challenge Cup success. I expect this team to challenge Leeds and they will be disappointed in anything below the top 4. They might even beat St.Helens this season!!
 
Harlequins started last season strongly and by mid season were in the play-off mix and then the wheels fell off and they fell away with defeat after defeat. They have a fairly decent 13 but their squad lacks depth. Already they have been rocked by injuries to Purdham, Dorn and Ellis in pre-season and if they don't get away fast on the softer pitches they will struggle. I feel they have added nothing to turn things round and a poor season is in store. Can't see a play-off challenge and may have to even look over their shoulder. Aren't the worst candidates for the wooden spoon.
 
Hull had a wretched season which again featured an unusually high amount of injuries. However, their recruitment at the back end of last season and in the close season will change things. Long, Fitzgibbon and O'Meley are proven internationals and add these to the likes of Berrigan and Horne then you have a team that could challenge. I expect big things of Hull this year and a play-off spot is a minimum. They won't win the regular season but I wouldn't rule a challenge for both the Grand Final or Challenge Cup.
 
Salford did better of the two promoted teams but on the whole were poor. This season will see them introduce a lot of young signings and if they adapt to Super League they could well spring a few surprises and have an improved season. Don't forget they turned both Leeds and Saints over last year so there is ability there. I still don't expect a play-off berth but there will be an improvement.
 
Crusaders have relocated to Wrexham and have completely turned over both their coaching and playing staff. They were behind the eight ball in terms of recruitment but they have been very active in the last few weeks. They can't be any worse than last season when they relied too much on the players who had been with them from the lower leagues. The recruitment hasn't stopped and they could improve as the season progresses. A few weeks ago they were nailed on for bottom spot but now I'm not so sure. They could be cast adrift but I'll reserve judgement until I've seen them a few times.
 
So to some season bets:
 
Leeds v St. Helens Season match bet

As above I fully expect Leeds to consistently continue their form but I think there are chinks in the St.Helens armour. I wouldn't put people off a bet on Leeds for the regular season but this for me is the safer option. The likes of Warrington, Wigan and Hull could put in a top slot challenge.

Pick: Leeds 3pts @ 1.72 with Sky Bet

Hull v Hull KR Season Match Bet
 
The addition of some top players to the Hull ranks means I expect a challenge from them. It wasn't so long ago they were Grand Finalists and Challenge Cup winners. I like that they are against Hull KR here as you know what you will get from them. They will be tough to beat and play-off challengers but they haven't got the personnel to really challenge.

Pick: Hull 3pts @ 1.91 with VCBet or Betinternet
 
I will introduce spread bets this season and I have one for the season
 
Pick: Sell Harlequins 0.2pts @ 20 v Salford with Sporting Index (10pts for highest team +2pts/point won by)
 
Last season Harlequins were 8pts above Salford in the league table so the make-up would have been 26 and a 6pt loss. I expect some improvement from Salford and Quins were in a downward spiral at the back end of the season. With pre-season injuries they could well struggle. What I like most about this bet is the potential upside. Even if last season was repeated the loss is small but if Salford were to turn things round and won by a couple of points then you are looking at a 32pt gain. They are the sort of spread bets I like, minimal downside with a nice big potential win
 
The Man