Leeds began their defence of the Super League title with a 20-12 win over last season's survivors Hull KR.
While the result, never mind the performance, will not worry Melbourne ahead of the World Club Challenge later this month, it was important to note the quality of performance from the East Humberside club. But how will all the teams fair up once the competition gets underway properly? Well, heres a short personal comment for each team.
Bradford
Are on a downhill spiral and have been ever since Steve McNamara took over. Top signings include Semi Tadulala and Paul Sykes. Hardly worth the bother if you ask me. Under achieved last year and were never really with the leaders as Saints and Leeds ran away with it. But under McNamara, things will get a lot worse before they get better.
Castleford
Without the pressure of relegation, Castleford may do alright this year. For a club to survive in Super League for more than a year has become an unachievable art in some way. However this mission impossible was achieved last year and theres no reason why they cannot aviod the wooden spoon this year either. The squad may be weaker than the 2007 HKR but as mentioned, the pressure is off them to survive and there may be a chance they finish above the final twelth spot.
Catalan
Without the Little General (or Napoleon) this year, Catalan may struggle for leadership and direction. Casey McGuire may be, individually, a half decent player for a bottom half table club but does not possess the same talent as the experienced New Zealander. This may snowball into Mick Potter leaving the club before his contract expires.
While the result, never mind the performance, will not worry Melbourne ahead of the World Club Challenge later this month, it was important to note the quality of performance from the East Humberside club. But how will all the teams fair up once the competition gets underway properly? Well, heres a short personal comment for each team.
Bradford
Are on a downhill spiral and have been ever since Steve McNamara took over. Top signings include Semi Tadulala and Paul Sykes. Hardly worth the bother if you ask me. Under achieved last year and were never really with the leaders as Saints and Leeds ran away with it. But under McNamara, things will get a lot worse before they get better.
Castleford
Without the pressure of relegation, Castleford may do alright this year. For a club to survive in Super League for more than a year has become an unachievable art in some way. However this mission impossible was achieved last year and theres no reason why they cannot aviod the wooden spoon this year either. The squad may be weaker than the 2007 HKR but as mentioned, the pressure is off them to survive and there may be a chance they finish above the final twelth spot.
Catalan
Without the Little General (or Napoleon) this year, Catalan may struggle for leadership and direction. Casey McGuire may be, individually, a half decent player for a bottom half table club but does not possess the same talent as the experienced New Zealander. This may snowball into Mick Potter leaving the club before his contract expires.
Harlequins
I see no improvement south for the club in Twickenham. If anything they have turned into a worse side than when they finished Super League XII. Brian McDermott's job is surley up for grabs and I say that with no doubt in my mind. Quins have to get off to a good start if McDermott is to stay next to Westminster, or maybe thats his excuse for getting away from the capital?
Huddersfield
Without a doubt overachieved last year. They rode on the back of some unbelievable performances from Brad Drew last year who is now at Wakefield. Ryan Hudson just ever got back into it last year, returning after his two year ban for taking steriods during Bradford's pre season. Expect the team on the birthplace of the sport to get a massive bump back down to Earth.
Hull FC
No Paul Cooke. But surley this cannot be the reason for Hull's disappointing season last year. However, if I were to focus on this season I can only see one ex-kangeroo running the show. Shaun Berrigan will no doubt enilate the opposition around the play the ball area. Anyone who calls themselves a fan will know that a good dummy half player can make desperate but vital yards around the markers putting the defence at a disadvantage. Expect Berrigan to do just that.
Hull KR
While they may start the season without Paul Cooke, KR have improved dramatically to not need him for the start of the season. For a team that has only had one season in Super League they could impress this year. Shaun Briscoe is a good signing for them, as is Jake Webster (who impressed me against Leeds, incidentaly.) These could be possible contenders for the six.
Leeds
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Leeds are one of only two teams that have not changed their playing rosta with the only change being the head coach position. Brian McLennan will lead them to another Super League title, the first back-to-back winners since Saints in 1999 and 2000.
St Helens
Can anybody remember the last time Saints were trophyless? Me neither, so I had to research it a little. In fact the last time Saints failed to win anything was in 2003. Bradford won Super League, they also won the Challenge Cup and Sydney beat Saints 38-0 at the Reebok Stadium for the World Club Challenge. So I think I will say 2008 is a possable season where the redvee contingent will win nothing, dispite being close in all three domestic trophies.
Wakefield
Brad Drew will be dynamite for the cats if he reproduces the form that got him coughing up furballs in the first place. Also, the ever becoming overrated Danny Brough will guide Wakefield to the bottom half of the table. If I'm honest I cannot see why everyone is getting excited about Brough's return to Super League. He is an exceptional National League player, yes. But he has tried SL once and was shafted to Castleford because he couldn't cope. While he has improved since and is probably able to handle the intensity of SL, he won't make the same impact this year than what he did last year. The same can be said for Scott Grix, if he gets a game.
Warrington
Four highly experienced signings. Ten ex and present internationals. One huge financial backer. Zero trophies. Times are changing at Warrington whether those assiciated with the club like it or not. If they have another 2007 season, people and certain individuals will go. If they succeed, the trophy cabinet may come out of retirement. But after such a poor season and with the arrival of Australian stars Micheal Monaghan and Matt King, is Paul Cullen feeling the pressure physically, never mind psycologically?
Wigan
Quite simply they have to progress. Playing for Wigan demands it like that. I looked at how long its been since Saints haven't won a trophy, its been six years since Wigan won one. Minimum standards for the Cherry & White this year include getting to a major final and with Brian Noble (love him or loathe him as a coach) they can achieve that. Mathers has to perform after an injury hit year with the Gold Coast while Barrett's goal is to impress me.
No Paul Cooke. But surley this cannot be the reason for Hull's disappointing season last year. However, if I were to focus on this season I can only see one ex-kangeroo running the show. Shaun Berrigan will no doubt enilate the opposition around the play the ball area. Anyone who calls themselves a fan will know that a good dummy half player can make desperate but vital yards around the markers putting the defence at a disadvantage. Expect Berrigan to do just that.
Hull KR
While they may start the season without Paul Cooke, KR have improved dramatically to not need him for the start of the season. For a team that has only had one season in Super League they could impress this year. Shaun Briscoe is a good signing for them, as is Jake Webster (who impressed me against Leeds, incidentaly.) These could be possible contenders for the six.
Leeds
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Leeds are one of only two teams that have not changed their playing rosta with the only change being the head coach position. Brian McLennan will lead them to another Super League title, the first back-to-back winners since Saints in 1999 and 2000.
St Helens
Can anybody remember the last time Saints were trophyless? Me neither, so I had to research it a little. In fact the last time Saints failed to win anything was in 2003. Bradford won Super League, they also won the Challenge Cup and Sydney beat Saints 38-0 at the Reebok Stadium for the World Club Challenge. So I think I will say 2008 is a possable season where the redvee contingent will win nothing, dispite being close in all three domestic trophies.
Wakefield
Brad Drew will be dynamite for the cats if he reproduces the form that got him coughing up furballs in the first place. Also, the ever becoming overrated Danny Brough will guide Wakefield to the bottom half of the table. If I'm honest I cannot see why everyone is getting excited about Brough's return to Super League. He is an exceptional National League player, yes. But he has tried SL once and was shafted to Castleford because he couldn't cope. While he has improved since and is probably able to handle the intensity of SL, he won't make the same impact this year than what he did last year. The same can be said for Scott Grix, if he gets a game.
Warrington
Four highly experienced signings. Ten ex and present internationals. One huge financial backer. Zero trophies. Times are changing at Warrington whether those assiciated with the club like it or not. If they have another 2007 season, people and certain individuals will go. If they succeed, the trophy cabinet may come out of retirement. But after such a poor season and with the arrival of Australian stars Micheal Monaghan and Matt King, is Paul Cullen feeling the pressure physically, never mind psycologically?
Wigan
Quite simply they have to progress. Playing for Wigan demands it like that. I looked at how long its been since Saints haven't won a trophy, its been six years since Wigan won one. Minimum standards for the Cherry & White this year include getting to a major final and with Brian Noble (love him or loathe him as a coach) they can achieve that. Mathers has to perform after an injury hit year with the Gold Coast while Barrett's goal is to impress me.
So after that, how will Super League XIII look after 27 rounds?
Leeds
St Helens
Hull FC
Wigan
Warrington
Bradford
Wakefield
Hull KR
Huddersfield
Catalan
Harlequins
Castleford
St Helens
Hull FC
Wigan
Warrington
Bradford
Wakefield
Hull KR
Huddersfield
Catalan
Harlequins
Castleford
Thats my 2008 preview wrapped up for you all as well as my first post on A Tap On The Twenty. By all means, comment, read regularly or even occasionally if you want. But if you want to hear the views and opinions from the average Rugby League fan, You want A Tap On The Twenty.
No comments:
Post a Comment