XIII Oceans

Super League XV – Round One Previews

Hot dog!  Here we are at last.  I love this game and I love my winter break too but having had to put up with football this and that at work for the past four months or so, it’s great to be able to finally switch off that parade of licensed highwaymen (c/o Seuxal Deviant) and get to something heroic.  Where dragging oneself up out of the dirt for one last charge or set to defend becomes the triumph of turning mental toughness into physical resilience.

I haven’t managed a preview for the season so these reviews cover a bit of that with the usual, “It’s the first game of the season so we’ve no idea how things are going to do” approach.

Leeds v Castleford
Weather played its part in stopping Leeds putting away the game by half-time last week so let’s not start by underestimating the team to beat.  For the champions first home game it’s a big derby against a Cas team which progressed nicely in Super League XIV.  Expectations for the visitors must be to reach a top eight place again and anything else be a bonus.  You can aim for higher and Matterson surely will.  You can’t expect something which in all realities would be a surprise.  Leeds, on the other hand, can feel confident in re-asserting their dominance with a bolstered pack, improving backs and coaching stability.  If Peacock is starting to slow down there is need for support from others which is where the new arrivals and maturing back row come into play.  With Kevin Sinfield finding new, higher levels of consistency, in this competition, you cannot look past a four-peat.  Leeds by 10.

Wigan v Crusaders
“I’m very excited about the opportunity that I’ve got. I’m well aware of the history and the nature of the job.  But I feel I’ve had some good mentors along the way with Craig Bellamy back in Australia and I think I’m ready for the job.”  My thoughts exactly.  The return to the glory days begins here.  Wigan by 24.

St Helens v Hull
RL headliner of the week is at Knowsley Road with the return of Lance Todd Legend in a couldn’t-have-scripted it opener.  Here’s a chance for a newly Shreked up Hull side to see where they may be going this year.  For many, Saints conjures up words such as dwindling, declining, aged, predictable, slow, transitional and beatable.  From whichever angle you’re viewing this side from there are counter arguments to these comments but they may no longer be as strong as they used to be.  Super League XV promises to be a year of potential for both of these teams and although Agar’s seat is perilously close to death row the new season, rustiness and confidence should ensure this is a closer contest than it would be a couple of months later.  Saints by 8.

Hull KR v Salford
Tremendous Super League XIV for Rovers even if it ended with a flat tyre.  Salford present a probable two points even if their recruitment has been interesting.  I like the look of the addition of Matty Smith at scrum half to work alongside Ratchford and Ashley Gibson from Leeds, who prior to being beset by injuries looked like a player of some promise.  It still remains a long season in which leadership on the field may be an issue for the Reds as the campaign goes along.  Rovers, on the other hand, will be looking to reach the same level as last year.  I love the signing of Joel Clinton even if he has had a couple of drifting years at Brisbane.  Newton is now 28 and should be reaching his peak and that can mean all sorts of things over here in Super League.  The problem for Rovers though is that teams below may well have brought in better options to strengthen.  Rovers by 12.

Wakefield v Catalans Dragons
You have to like the addition of Dallas Johnson into the Catalans Dragons side.  Greg Bird is sure to be a loss, possibly even one they cannot overcome in the race for the Grand Final.  You’d usually be inclined to mention Jason Ryles departure as also weakening the French team, however Ryles didn’t really hit any great heights over here whereas Johnson has proven himself is a tackling machine, holding the record for tackles in an Origin game at 62.  In the play-offs last year it was Catalans who finished off Wakefield’s interest with a great display.  How are Wakefield shaping up?  Victory in the capital is a good result for any team and that run out added to a home game should see them sitting joint top of the table at the end of the weekend.  Over the course of the season I’m interested to see if the veterans Wakefield have recruited can help supplement some of the youngsters that are trying to break through.  Catalans must be a cert for the play-offs and Wakefield have every chance to be in there as well.  Wakefield by 4.

Warrington v Harlequins
The start of the glory days was August bank holiday weekend for Warrington.  Pundits appear to be going out of their way to apportion a first Grand Final appearance for the Wolves and Harlequins RL visit should set up a relatively straightforward first game.  Harlequins RL didn’t get off to a good start when they lost at home to Wakefield and you fear for Brian McDermott’s position as his team collapsed in the second half of last season.  The incoming players for each side demonstrate the gulf in class in the clubs.  Oliver Wilkes, who has proven himself to be a worthy Super League squad player compares to Ryan Atkins and Richie Myler.  Over the long haul I’m not convinced about the strength in depth of Warrington’s front row though I don’t forsee any problems on Sunday.  Warrington by 10.

******Game of the Round******

Huddersfield v Bradford
It was a tough choice between this now meaningful Yorkshire derby and the game at Wakefield.  In the end, the Friday night feeling of kicking off the season mixed with the excitement and anticipation both sets of fans will have for this year just give this an edge.  Where do we start?  Let’s keep it nice eh?  This is a blog and the rape allegations that surfaced around the Giants camp like betting scandals and drunken brawls at ex-girlfriend’s houses are not for things like this.  Except, whilst I abhor physical violence the news of the allegations made me feel sick.  If there is one thing that has been unremittingly repugnant about the NRL has been the off-field behaviour of its stars.  It’s one thing having a few players that see it fit to impose their physical superiority upon others.  It is another for any man, let alone a supposed role model, to be engaged in violent non-consensual sexual activity.  Whatever the outcome, and I hope most sincerely that this incident is not what it is alleged to be, should there be truth in these allegations then I expect we will no longer see such despicable human beings as they feel the full force of the law.  How much of an impact will this have on the players concerned?  We’ll see won’t we?  Have you ever watched a match in which emotional turmoil transfers onto the pitch?  We won’t know until we know who has been involved but it presents an immersing sub-plot to this and subsequent fixtures.  Of the two teams, the Giants have a big coaching edge and it is through that advantage that I place them higher than Bradford come October.   The two bigger losses of Liam Fulton and Scott Moore should be compensated for with the arrival of Brad Drew and the increasing maturity of Shaun Lunt.  The Bulls have pulled off the big overseas signing of Super League XV with Matt Orford and added to that with two more Manly Grand Final winners and Brett Kearney.  Sam Burgess may have left to go and fulfil his destiny but those signings give McNamara something to work with.  This has to be make or break year for the Bulls coach and with the Giants’ off-field distractions there is every chance they can spring what would now be a surprise in the competition’s opener.  Giants by 2.

Super League XV Prediction:

1.Leeds
2.St Helens
3.Wigan
4.Warrington
5.Huddersfield
6.Hull KR
7.Catalans
8.Bradford
9.Wakefield
10.Castleford
11.Hull
12.Harlequins RL
13.Salford
14.Crusaders

Incredibly unimaginative predicting a fourth Leeds-Saints final I know.