Thursday 5 February 2015 09:36, UK
Super League is back with a new format that looks to rejuvenate the sport! A major change to the structure of the top two divisions means that every game will count towards what happens to each team at the end of the season.
Promotion and relegation are back, and over a hundred games will be shown live in the Thursday and Friday night slots. Sky Sports will be covering more games than ever before including this Thursday's season-opener between Wigan and Widnes.
In order of how they finished in the Super League last season, Sky Sports pundit Phil Clarke rates the teams as we get set for a new era of rugby league.
Phil says: Well, I didn’t think it was possible for them to win the Super League last year after losing nearly all of their main playmakers. How good will they be if everyone is fit?
I think that their victory in the Grand Final is what makes sport so appealing. They were massive ‘underdogs’, and perhaps even more so when they lost Lance Hohaia early on, but that victory has given rugby league a massive boost as we head into the new season.
The incident and dismissal of Ben Flower gave the game some global exposure. Even coaching staff at the San Francesco 49ers were talking about it. What Ben Flower did was wrong, and he has been punished and apologised, but it reminded me of the media frenzy that took place about 20 years ago when Eric Cantona did his Kung-Fu type kick on the man in the crowd. Everybody in this country saw it and football’s exposure was huge. Some people think that the growth of the Premier League may even have been enhanced by Cantona’s moment of madness. I suspect that there will be some new followers to rugby league when the season kicks off. The speed and skill of the game is what attracts most people. But some love the physical contact when the man with the ball gets smashed to the ground. Some players need to get a bit angry to play at their best, and it’s that aggression that makes it so appealing to many.
The Saints looked very impressive in the pre-season game against Wigan. Their new recruit Travis Burns looks like a great addition and his kicking game was accurate and effective.
When Luke Walsh returns from injury they have a potent half-back combination at scrum-half and stand-off, which makes them look even more dangerous than last season.
I’ve already said that the try of the 2014 season in my opinion was the one scored by Tommy Makinson in the Grand Final. He’s a great young player and I enjoyed watching every one of his 25 tries last year. I’m looking forward to seeing his first of this season, possibly on Friday night. I think he could improve even more this season and be the shining star to lead the scoring for the Saints.
In: Travis Burns (Hull Kingston Rovers, 2017), Atelea Vea (London Broncos, 2016)
Out: Paul Clough (Bradford Bulls), Carl Forster (Salford Red Devils), Adrian Gardner (retired), Iosia Soliola (Canberra Raiders), Gary Wheeler (Warrington Wolves)
Phil says: Sometimes you only find out how important a player was to a team when he’s gone. Well, that might be the case with Blake Green. However, it's squads that enable teams to win the Super League, not individual stars, as St Helens showed last year; and Wigan have the strongest in my opinion. George Williams has every chance of being a great success at Wigan for the next 10 years, and Sam Powell could also do the same as a hooker or a half-back. They have several options for every position.
The player who they need to keep on the field is one who doesn’t automatically spring to mind. Michael McIllorum missed the Grand Final through injury but it seems to have been overlooked with everything else that went on in the match. Wigan have only won four of the last 10 games that he’s missed, so its obvious that he’s a significant presence in the side.
Even though the tactics and rules of rugby league change over time, one principle has remained the same. Teams need big men in the middle. The Warriors have focused their recruitment in this area. Lee Mossop returns and Larne Patrick arrives. He’s like that super-sub in the 70's and 80's that Liverpool FC used to have called David Fairclough. He was famous for coming off the subs bench and scoring with minutes. Patrick made a name for himself by doing the same when he was at the Giants. Will he do the same at Wigan? The third ‘Big Man’ could turn out to be the best of the three – Taulima Tautai had a great year at Wakefield in 2014 and could turn out to be the best recruitment by any team in Super League, just as Dan Sarginson was last year. He’s been trying to offload the ball in the warm-up games so far, perhaps trying to offer Wigan a Plan ‘B’.
In: Lee Mossop (Parramatta Eels, 2018), Taulima Tautai (Wakefield Wildcats, 2017) Larne Patrick (Huddersfield, one year loan).
Out: Darrell Goulding (Hull Kingston Rovers), Blake Green (Melbourne Storm), Scott Taylor (Salford Red Devils)
Phil says: A look back at the League table tells you that they missed out on finishing top by just one point, but a more detailed look tells you that their defence wasn’t good enough over 27 games. They conceded almost 200 points more than second placed Wigan and more points than all of the other top six teams.
Once again the play-offs memories ruined what was a good effort. They’d gone into them in good form being unbeaten in the last seven games but were embarrassed by Wigan and Catalan.
What can stop that happening again this year? They haven’t changed the squad very much, but most of the teams that finished in the top spots rarely do. It looks as though the club have decided that they have the players to ‘do the business’ and that they just need another chance.
I do hope that we get a few chances to see Jake Connor in 2015. Danny Brough is an established entertainer, his younger team-mate is the next generation.
In: Jamie Ellis (Castleford Tigers, 2016), Matthew English (2017), Craig Huby (Castleford Tigers, 2018), Mick Learmonth (2015), Oliver Roberts (Bradford Bulls, 2016)
Out: Antonio Kaufusi (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Phil says: Even though they didn’t win any silverware, 2014 was the year of the Tiger. It must still seem like a dream that they actually knocked Wigan out of the Challenge Cup and almost finished top after 27 rounds. Being the best that you can be is what sport is about, and the Tigers maximised their potential last year. But has their potential in 2015 increased or decreased? When you look at the fact that Daryl Clark, Jamie Ellis and Marc Sneyd have left you wonder if they’ll still have the same level of creativity and strike power. Add to that the loss of Weller Hauraki and Craig Huby and you start to think that they could never be as good but they’ve brought in a very good player in Luke Gale and another with a 50/50 chance of being one of the most exciting stars in Super League. Ben Roberts has played almost 150 games in the NRL and at 29 is in his athletic prime. His skills may well lend themselves more to the Super League than to the competition down under. With Daryl Powell as his coach, he may well turn out to be another Castleford contender for Man of Steel following on from Rangi Chase and Clark.
In: Matthew Cook (London Broncos, 2016), Steve Crossley (2016), Luke Gale (Bradford Bulls, 2016), Mike McMeeken (London Broncos, 2016), Brandon Moore (2015), Scott Moore (London Broncos, 2016), Junior Moors (Melbourne Storm, 2017), Ben Roberts (Melbourne Storm, 2016), Denny Solomona (London Broncos, 2016)
Out: Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves), Kirk Dixon (retired), Jamie Ellis (Huddersfield Giants), Dan Fleming (Bradford Bulls), Weller Hauraki (Salford Red Devils), Craig Huby (Huddersfield Giants), Richard Owen (Wakefield Wildcats), Ben Reynolds (Leigh Centurions)
Phil says: Last year was their worst since 2009, if you simply measure them against the League table after 27 Rounds. Was it a year of transition? Well, they used a variety of combinations in the half-back positions and now have a new hooker to integrate into the squad. Who gets the job of being the ‘engine management system’ at scrum-half and stand-off? Chris Bridge, Stefan Ratchford, Gareth O’Brien or Richard Myler? This is perhaps the most important decision for Tony Smith.
Daryl Clark should be great for them, and Gary Wheeler still has time to fulfil his potential. It's worth remembering that Sir Chris Hoy, our greatest ever Olympian, only won his first gold medal aged 24. Wheeler is one year older and has been plagued with injury at St Helens since his debut in 2008, but has a great chance to show what he’s capable of. That’s assuming he can get a run in the backline at Warrington, it won’t be easy.
Supporters love to have a cult hero in the forwards and Ashton Sims might be that at the Wolves. He has a very distinctive look and a brilliant offload as well. I think we’ll see him setting up several tries for his team-mates this year. He’s sure to be a crowd favourite at the HJ Stadium.
In: Daryl Clark (Castleford Tigers, 2018), Ashton Sims (North Queensland Cowboys, 2016), Gary Wheeler (St Helens RLFC, 2015)
Out: Brad Dwyer (London Broncos), Michael Monaghan (retired), Chris Riley (Wakefield Wildcats), Glenn Riley (London Broncos), Ryan Shaw (Bradford Bulls), Paul Wood (Featherstone Rovers)
Phil says: From the outside it looked as if the Rhinos couldn’t cope with their Cup success. The Wembley event is a physically and mentally draining experience whether you win or lose so it’s understandable. The facts are that they lost their next four games after lifting the trophy in London, but a sixth place finish won’t be good enough this year for Leeds.
There is a great buzz of excitement surrounding their new player Adam Cuthbertson. As I’ve said earlier, some players from down under are just more suited to the game over here and Cuthbertson could be one of them.
My biggest worry for the Rhinos is whether or not they have enough good young players ready to compete for the first team places. Their success rate of transitioning a talented young player from their Academy to their first team doesn’t appear to have been as good as it was once was.
Star names always catch the headlines, but it is usually a club-developed player that makes the difference at the top level. All of the teams have star players, but it’s the extra value that’s added by an unknown player at the start of the year that leads to glory over the season.
In: Adam Cuthbertson (Newcastle Knights, 2018), Ashton Golding (2018), Elliott Minchella (2017)
Out: Ryan Bailey (Hull Kingston Rovers), Ben Jones-Bishop (Salford Red Devils), Ian Kirke (Wakefield Wildcats)
Phil says: Now that it's just 23 games rather than 27, before the league splits, it’s more important than ever to start the season well. There’s less room for error and the Dragons know that they can’t afford to lose their opening five games this year.
Remi Castry returns and can be relied upon to deliver in the middle. Willie Tonga has been good enough in the past to play for Australia a dozen times and in Todd Carney they could have this year’s equivalent of Luke Walsh (who was a strong candidate to win the Man of Steel until he suffered his serious leg injury in Round 22) and made the biggest impact of any overseas signing in 2014.
They start the season at the home of the current champions and I think we’ll get to see just how strong they will be when they take on the Saints next Friday. After that they have three home games in succession against the Tigers, the Wolves and the Red Devils and you can see every one of those on Sky Sports.
In: Todd Carney (Cronulla Sharks, 2017), Remi Casty (Sydney Roosters, 2018), Willie Tonga (Parramatta Eels, 2016)
Out: William Barthau (London Broncos), Lopini Paea (Wakefield Wildcats), Jean Philippe Baile (Bradford Bulls), Leon Pryce (Hull FC), Mickael Simon (Wakefield Wildcats), Brent Webb (retired), Sam Williams (Canberra Raiders)
Phil says: For a team that only regained entry into Super League in 2012, they’ve done an incredible job so far. They’ve gone from finishing 14th to 10th to eighth at the end of last season and have realistic ambitions of doing the same again this year.
Denis Betts has continued what Paul Cullen commenced and they have a very impressive set up with the resources available to them. It struck me that they needed a few bigger men in the middle of the pitch. Gil Dudson and Manase Manoukafoa should help them in the ‘trenches’. Look out for Lloyd White to have an impressive year. He’s a playmaker with the eyes and hands to create for others around him.
In: Aaron Heremaia (Hull FC, 2016), Manase Manuokafoa (Bradford Bulls, 2016) Gil Dudons (Wigan Warriors, 2016)
Out: David Allen (Whitehaven RLFC), Jon Clarke (retired), Adam Lawton (QLD Cup), Steve Pickersgill (Retired)
Phil says: For several years things at Hull KR were far more impressive on the pitch than off it. But last year that all changed. After years of hard work, they’ve now got an impressive stadium that is testimony to the efforts of the men running the club. It’s beginning to look like a Super League ground. They now need a team that’s improving like their surroundings.
Their form at the end of last season wasn’t great with just two wins from their last eight games (those wins were against London and Wakefield) and I imagine that confidence may be low.
They’ve brought in 12 new players which sounds quite a lot, and has rarely led to instant success for any team in the past.
I believe that they need to register two wins from their opening four games to give themselves a chance of making the ‘cut’ after 23 Rounds. That won’t be easy as they play Leeds, Wakefield, Wigan and Warrington to start the season.
Travis Burns looks like a loss to their competitive spirit but I have always been a huge admirer of the classy skills of Terry Campese. He’s played in a State of Origin match and also for Australia, although that was a few years ago. Injuries have been a problem but on his day he can be brilliant. He’s also going to have one of my favourite players alongside him. Kieran Dixon has had a serious knee injury for the last 12 months but prior to that every single club in Super League would have loved to have him in their squad. Let’s hope they both stay healthy because the ‘Rovers faithful’ need them.
In: James Donaldson (Bradford Bulls, 2016), Mitchell Allgood (Parramatta Eels, 2015), Ryan Bailey (Leeds Rhinos, 2016),
Maurice Blair (Gold Coast Titans, 2016), John Boudebza (2015), Terry Campese (Canberra Raiders, 2015), Kieran Dixon (London Broncos, 2017), Darrell Goulding (Wigan Warriors, 2017), Albert Kelly (Gold Coast Titans, 2016), Josh Mantellato (Newcastle Knights, 2017), Matty Marsh (2016), Tyrone McCarthy (2016), Ken Sio (Parramatta Eels, 2017)
Out: Travis Burns (St Helens RLFC), Greg Eden (Brisbane Broncos), Sean Gleeson (retired), Craig Hall (Wakefield Wildcats), Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), Kris Keating (St George Illawarra Dragons), Rhys Lovegrove (London Broncos), Justin Poore (retired)
Phil says: I tipped them last year and I’m going to do it again this. I just think I was a year too early!! (For the record, my head says that Wigan will win the Grand Final, they have the strongest squad, but my heart hopes that the Red Devils are the ones).
Kevin Locke is a world class player and never looked fully fit last year. He’s almost good enough to win games on his own and I’m looking forward to watching him play soon. However, in my opinion, having the best hooker in the competition is more important though than having the best full-back, winger or prop.
Tommy Lee and Theo Fages look like they could be given that roll but keep an eye out for a young player called Liam Hood. He started out at Leeds but then lost his way somewhat. This is a second and last chance to ‘make it’. If he can get his head right, he could be the best wild card recruit from the lower leagues.
In: Mason Caton-Brown (Mid Season: London Broncos, 2016), Michael Dobson (Newcastle Knights, 2018), Carl Forster (St Helens RLFC, 2015), George Griffin (London Broncos, 2015), Matt Groat (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2015), Weller Hauraki (Castleford Tigers, 2015), Liam Hood (2016), Ben Jones-Bishop (Leeds Rhinos, 2017), Kevin Locke (Mid Season: New Zealand Warriors, 2017), Luke Menzies (2015), Cory Paterson (Wests Tigers, 2016), Scott Taylor (Wigan Warriors, 2015)
Out: Mat Ashurst (Wakefield Wildcats), Stuart Howarth (Hull FC), Shannan McPherson (Parramatta Eels), Jake Mullaney (Bradford Bulls), Gareth Owen (Oldham), Michael Platt (Crusaders), Steve Rapira (QLD Cup), Tim Smith (Wakefield Wildcats), Marc Sneyd (Hull FC), Danny Williams (Bradford Bulls)
Phil says: Probably the most unlucky team of 2014. They lost eight games by seven points or less and only won twice in what you’d describe as a game that could’ve gone either way. They were good enough to beat St Helens at home in Round 23 and had the seventh best points difference on the league table, even though they finished in 11th place.
For some years they’ve had most of the components necessary to put together a winning team but have been unable to find a scrum-half and stand-off to direct the attack and create tries. So what can they do? Different tactics? Different training? Different players? Perhaps it’s a mixture of all three.
The pressure now seems to be on Leon Pryce and Marc Sneyd to take Hull from the bottom four places to the top four by the time that we get to September. Can they do it? Well the Tigers did last year and Hull have a stronger squad on paper. I’m a big fan of Joe Westerman who could become one of the best players in Super League. Come on Hull, show us what you’ve got!
In: Stuart Howarth (Salford Red Devils, 2015), Steve Michaels (Gold Coast Titans, 2015), Mark Minichiello (Gold Coast Titans, 2016), Curtis Naughton (Sydney Roosters, 2016), Leon Pryce (Catalan Dragons, 2016), Marc Sneyd (Salford Red Devils, 2017)
Out: Ben Crooks (Parramatta Eels), Aaron Heremaia (Widnes Vikings), Richard Horne (retired), Jacob Miller (Wakefield Wildcats), Jay Pitts (Bradford Bulls), Chris Tuson (retired)
Phil says: The success of their local rivals at Castleford took all the attention away from what was a relatively successful season for the Wildcats. People have dismissed their achievement of surviving because of the points deduction for the Bulls. But they still managed to win five points more than Bradford even if the Bulls hadn’t had a points penalty. They’re a bit like one of the lesser known F1 teams that struggle to financially compete with the big teams, but they do their best and get a competitive team out most weeks. Last year ended poorly for them but there was a time between Round 16 and 22 when they lost just once in seven matches. James Webster is a good young coach and could go on to become a great one in time.
The Wildcats also have a very exciting young full-back called Max Jowitt. It’s still very early for him, but I think he could be brilliant if he progresses well.
It’s also a second chance for Jacob Miller to show us what he’s got. Things didn’t work out for him at Hull but he could benefit from a partnership with Tim Smith if the coach thinks that’s the best combination.
In: Mat Ashurst (Salford Red Devils, 2016), Craig Hall (Hull Kingston Rovers, 2016), Ian Kirke (Leeds Rhinos, 2015), Jacob Miller (Hull FC, 2015), Richard Owen (Mid Season: Castleford Tigers, 2017), Lopini Paea (Catalan Dragons, 2015), Chris Riley (Warrington Wolves, 2015), Mickael Simon (Catalan Dragons, 2016), Tim Smith (Salford Red Devils, 2015).
Out: Richie Mathers (London Broncos), Andy Raleigh (retired), Harry Siejka (Bradford Bulls), Taulima Tautai (Wigan Warriors), Lucas Walshaw (Bradford Bulls)
