The Christmas and New Year periods are well behind us now and despite the falling temperatures we are hurtling towards spring which means that it is time for the Super League to return.
The 22nd year of Super League begins on Thursday night with all 12 sides dreaming of Old Trafford in October and the chance to compete in and win the Grand Final.
Recent Winners
2016 – Wigan Warriors
2015 – Leeds Rhinos
2014 – St Helens
2013 – Wigan Warriors
2012 – Leeds Rhinos
2011 – Leeds Rhinos
2010 – Wigan Warriors
2009 – Leeds Rhinos
2008 – Leeds Rhinos
2007 – Leeds Rhinos
The Format
12 teams will begin the season with each playing the other sides home and away as well as an extra match at the Magic Weekend to make 23 weekly rounds. After that the top eight progress to play each other again once with the top four at the end of that process progressing to the playoffs.
The bottom four sides after the initial 23 matches head to the Qualifiers where they will need to win enough matches in the Super 8s to retain their Super League status with four Championship sides looking to usurp them.
Preview
The Contenders
Wigan Warriors are the defending champions and can never be ruled out but they have lost some big players since last season with Dan Sarginson, Josh Charnley and Matty Smith all moving to other clubs or leaving Rugby League for good. Lee Mossop and Dom Crosby were underrated work horses and they have left too. Joe Burgess and Tommy Leuluai return to the club but I sense Wigan may be vulnerable this season.
Warrington Wolves will be smarting from losing the Grand Final to Wigan last season. They too have lost a couple of big players for them in Chris Sandow and Ryan Bailey but Kevin Brown and Mike Cooper are fantastic replacements for them and with a seriously good set of youngsters who have tasted the Super League and who should be even better this season I’m expecting the Wolves to go very close again.
Hull FC led the way in the Super League for much of last season but couldn’t quite sustain the pace at the business end of the season. Frank Pritchard will be a big loss to the Challenge Cup winners and I fancy they may not go as well this time around.
St Helens are perennial playoff competitors but they will be looking for more than that this season. Until Matty Smith broke his leg in pre-season I was expecting them to go very well as they have potentially the most potent three quarter line in the competition but a potential lack of creativity could scupper their chances should Smith not come back as quickly as expected.
Potential Contenders
Leeds Rhinos have been Grand Final specialists over the last 10 years but they had a poor season last year after three legends quit while injuries did them no favours. The Rhinos don’t look as strong as some this season but if their key players stay fit and have big campaigns they might just sneak into the playoffs.
Castleford Tigers have been the best side in the league to watch over the past two seasons and while they have made the news for the fallout between themselves and Denny Solomona they have acquired some good players for this season. Rangi Chase is in from the start while the signings of Zak Hardaker and Greg Eden are eye catching while Jesse Sene-Lefao will leave his mark on the competition. I think the Tigers are the dark horses.
Catalans Dragons had a poor campaign last season and that led to a huge exodus and turnover in personnel with some really big players leaving them. Stars such as Pat Richards, Morgan Escare, Dave Taylor, Glenn Stewart and Todd Carney among others have all departed and you sense the French outfit could be back to square one. With away form always a concern they need to be looking to make the top eight rather than the top four.
Huddersfield Giants languished at the bottom of the table for much of last season and while they came good when it mattered they have let a lot of experience leave them in the off season. With a coach who doesn’t convince and a side that is getting no younger and who relies so heavily on Danny Brough I don’t see them making the top eight.
The Rest
Salford Red Devils saved their Super League status in the most unbelievable and memorable way possible last season and they will hope to carry that momentum into this season with them. Todd Carney, Lee Mossop and Lama Tasi look appealing signings and if they can just find some consistency they might make their way into the top eight and maybe slightly higher.
Leigh Centurions destroyed the Championship last season and then came through the qualifiers to finally return to the Super League. Now they are here they will be wanting to stay here but that won’t be easy. That said they have gone out and strengthened their squad with some strong imports and if they gel they will upset a few over the course of the season.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats had an excellent campaign to make the top eight last season. They have to try and kick on from there now and improve again as many sides around them or behind them look stronger this year. Scott Grix should be a good signing in that regard but I sense Wakefield might slip below the top eight.
Widnes Vikings pinged the lids last season but had a horrible second half of the campaign and if that carries over to this one they are in trouble. Losing Kevin Brown is a huge blow and one which they will need to recover from quickly but his boots aren’t going to be easy to fill. Teams are starting to get used to their 3g pitch now and I don’t see anything but a season of struggle for the Vikings.
Betting
I fancied the Warrington Wolves to win the competition last season but they failed at the final hurdle but with the strengthening they have done to the squad combined with the improvement in the likes of Ben Currie, Dec Patton and Brad Dwyer among others I’m expecting Warrington to kick on again. They are carrying the tag of nearly men but this can be the season they shed that and finally land an elusive Super League title.
Top Tryscorer
This is always a popular market to bet on and wingers generally take the honour. Denny Solomona cleaned up last year and I’m expecting a winger to deliver the goods this year too. With that in mind I’m going to plump for Tom Lineham at Warrington. I expect this Warrington side to score a lot of tries from kicks this season with the quality in the boot of Kevin Brown and Lineham is as tall a winger as you’ll find so he should score plenty like that. With Warrington boasting the best attack in the league last season it makes sense to look to them and with Lineham settled in now 25/1 seems a fair price.
Although wingers generally nail this award I can’t resist a tiny punt on the St Helens speedy centre Ryan Morgan. Saints’ centres tend to go over a lot with wingers edging wide to keep the likes of Adam Swift quiet and Morgan has the speed and the skill set to take advantage of that. He might find a few too good for him but at 66/1 I’ll pay to see how many tries he scores.
Man of Steel
The player of the season is another betting market of interest. Danny Houghton won this award last season and there is always an issue of whether you like those who open up the game or those who are workhorses who set it all up for the flashy players. I’ve a feeling we’re going to see a focus on the creative players this season with England struggling for those ahead of the World Cup.
Kurt Gidley is a class act who leads his side around the field and has an excellent kicking game too. He is an all action sort of half back which is perfect as that ticks both the boxes that is needed. With Sky talking about trialling out a player playing with a camera on him this season and Gidley being touted for the role he might have the opportunity to be talked up more than most so a cheeky punt on him could pay off.
You never truly know what you are going to get with Rangi Chase but if the good Chase comes out then he will be in the thoughts of everyone throughout the season. He is a real game changer and with runners all around him I’m expecting Chase to have a huge impact on the season. If he keeps his head right and stays clean 50/1 could be a huge price on him scooping the award for a second time.
Specials
There are a lot of special bets priced up for the season but I’m only interested in one of them. That is the top four finish market where I think Castleford Tigers are overpriced at 2/1. With the demise of Leeds looking like lasting at least another year and with Huddersfield a fading force if we give three of the four spots to Warrington, Wigan and St Helens one is still up for grabs.
Castleford have had two excellent seasons and they now look to have all the major position full of quality. With the likes of Michael Shenton back from injury too Castleford look to have a strong squad this year which should be able to last the distance. If they do I expect them to be the fourth side playing it out for a place at Old Trafford.
Tips
Back Warrington Wolves to win Super League XXII for a 3/10 stake at 4.50 with Betfred
Back them here:
Back T.Lineham Top Tryscorer (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 26.00 with Betfair (1/4 1-4)
Back him here:
Back R.Morgan Top Tryscorer (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 67.00 with Boylesports (1/4 1-4)
Back him here:
Back K.Gidley Man of Steel for a 1/10 stake at 26.00 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
Back R.Chase Man of Steel for a 1/10 stake at 51.00 with Bwin
Back him here:
WON – Back Castleford Top 4 Finish for a 3/10 stake at 3.00 with BetVictor
Back them here:
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