Super League XIV preview

OK, lets get serious for a change. With the season beginning in a few days time, its time for A Tap on the Twenty to assess the 14 teams competing in this years competition.

Bradford
For the past two years I have been adamant that Bradford will under perform and are slowly back tracking from the great side they once were. Ever since Brain Noble left, they have never reproduced the form they once had. Back then they had the biggest and most fearsome pack in the competition. Since then, they seem to have done a Fern Britton and lost more than a few pounds. having said that, this year they seem to have made it up with speed in the backs.
Prediction: 6th

Castleford
Surprised a few teams last year and I believe that it set the foundations for a promising year in 2009. Signings look promising, while a bit of deadwood has been shifted in the likes of Luke Dorn et al. They won't make the play offs, but with an extra two teams added to the competition, they should be looking for a few more wins.
Prediction: 13th

Catalan
Its easy to say Catalan overanchived last year, but I can see them repeating that feat this year as well. Its never easy to go to the south of France and take points away. In fact last year, Catalan did the basic thing in achieving success and thats win your home games. Only ten points were taken away from Perpignan last year in total, turning their renovated home ground into a mini fortress. They will miss Mick Potter, but if they make playing in the south of France difficult for visiting teams again, they will go far.
Prediction: 3rd

Celtic
The new Welsh side have it all to do this year. Many Championship sides feel done over by the licensing that allowed Celtic into Super League, but overall few will be complaining if the back room staff make a success of the club. In fairness, they have recruited pretty well. Mark Bryant, Stephen Tyrer and the promising Matty Smith is mixing youth with experience in a side that is by far and away looking to the future.
Prediction: 14th

Harlequins
I worry for Harlequins this year. They don't seem to have made any improvements to their side and seemed to be thankful for finishing 9th last year. Brian McDermott has been talking up Harlequins' prospects of a good season by claiming they can make the Grand Final. I personally can't them coming close to the play offs. They have lost a lot of pace and don't seem to have replaced it.
Prediction: 10th

Huddersfield
New coach, Nathan Brown, is not afraid of mincing his words when it comes down to the nitty gritty. Last year as coach of St George-Illawarra, he led an outburst that criticised Melbourne's style of play. It will be tight but they can make the play offs. I think Brown will make sure they do, with his key signing Brett Hodgson. Had Todd Carney been granted a visa, they would be looking for a top six finish giving them home advantage in the first play off game.
Prediction: 8th

Hull FC
You know, I could have sworn I rated this team highly 12 months ago. A total self destruction hampered their league season, but showed they have what it takes to make a major final by travelling to Wembley. I think Shaun Berrigan can step into the form he had at Brisbane this year. Chris Thorman adds a different dimension compared to Adam Dykes while Tongan star, Sam Moa adds size to the pack in the absence of Gareth Carvell.
Prediction: 7th

Hull KR
While writing a draft for this piece, it was really difficult trying to support an argument for Hull KR to make the play offs. But thats not supposed to be a criticism, believe it or not. They have one of the best coaches in the league, their fair share of international players and fans that deserve to see their side reaching the hights to Super League. But the writing doesn't seem to be on the wall for KR to make the eight. For me, theres something missing that can change KR from a play off contender, to a really dominant side. If I know what it was, I'd tell you.
Prediction: 9th

Leeds
Once again, and to the surprise of many, Leeds go into their new campaign as re-crowned champions. Two weeks after their first play off game at Saints, it looked like the home side would run away with the trophy at Old Trafford as well. To make things worse for the rest of Super League, they seem to have recruited very well. Greg Eastwood would be their best signing of the off season had they not snapped up Danny Buderus as well. Eastwood is a straight swap for the departed Gareth Ellis, while Buderus is likely to restrict Matt Diskin's playing time. If they can reproduce a Cunningham-Roby partnership, Leeds will have no trouble becoming the first side to win Super League three times in a row.
Prediction: 1st

Salford
Last years National League 1 winners, and in dramatic style against their Welsh Super League opponents this year. It seems as a result, Shaun McRae has recruited extremely well. He has picked up workhorse Rob Parker, Saints supreme scorer Willie Talau, Ray Cashmere and Jeremy Smith. Although I'm pretty sure McRae signed the wrong Jeremy Smith, this one came from South Sydney. Either way, with the experience of Robbie Paul and the youth of Richard Myler, Salford could be looking to challenge for a play off spot.
Prediction: 10th

St Helens
Nothing gave the rest of Lancashire more pleasure than seeing Sainst fall to Leeds for the second time in a row when they were odds on favourites to take Super League. This year Sainst will not dominate the year like they are used to. Paul Sculthorpe has left for good and cannot influence the dressing room, while the dangerous left hand partnership between Francis Meli and Willie Talau has been broken up. Fozzard loses them go forward, although that has been replaced by Tony Puletua. A new coach may also take time to used to, especially with a brand new squad.
Prediction: 2nd

Wakefield
I hate to bring this up, but how will the death of Adam Watene affect the rest of the squad? As professional sportsmen, it will make sence for them to dust themselves off and really give it a go in his memory. On paper, however, they don't look like a team capable of achieving a play off place despite falling a few rounds short mathematically.
Prediction: 11th

Warrington
They still have their disapponting big name players in Matt King and Michael Monaghan, but this year there has been very little noise coming from the players and coaching staff this year. Maybe all the energy is going into preperation instead of bigging themselves up like they have done for the past two seasons. The major loss is Rob Parker, but he has been replaced by Gareth Carvell. At the same time, Mark Gleeson's replacement is the critially accliamed Micky Higham. Wigan fans were really disappointed to see the hooker go, but what is Wigan's loss is surley Warrington's gain?
Prediction: 5th

Wigan
A number of Wigan's key players need to stand up and be counted this season. Stuart Fielden is one noticable example. His last two good performances were against Wests in the 2006 WCC and in his Wigan debut the same year. Since then, he has lost his international shirt and become the subject of a large amount of riddicule since being hit in the face by Willie Mason. Gareth Hock and Sean O'Loughlin have never really lived up to their big name status either. Brian Noble must get the best out of these players, or new signings Mark Riddell and Amos Roberts must be wondering what they have signed up for.
Prediction: 4th