Super League Set For Kick-Off
Leeds and St Helens Favourites to win Grand Final Trophy
An overview of the new rugby league season which kicks off on Saturday evening.
As we embark on what should be another excellent rugby league season, the question being posed at the moment is 'Will this be the most competitive Super League season yet?'. This overview of the 2008 Super League season covers all angles.
The opening game of the season sees Leeds Rhinos play host to Hull Kingston Rovers at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium this coming Saturday, and should set a marker for the rest of the season.
St Helens and Leeds favourites to win Grand Final
St Helens and Leeds Rhinos are the favourites to win Super League XIII at the moment, and therefore the bookies favourites to go on and win the coveted Grand Final at Old Trafford, home of soccer team Manchester United. Both sides have not signed any players externally from the club, and so will be looking to carry the strength they possessed last season into this year.
But it is the competition for the other four places that make up the top six play-off positions that is attracting interest of fans and journalists alike.
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are the hot tip to finish inside the play-offs after recruiting world-class centre Matt King, as well as Michael Monaghan and Louis Anderson from Australian league, the NRL. Under the leadership of Paul Cullen the club has finally found a point where they can finally challenge for the honours the club's supporters have craved for a long time.
Lee Briers has been the man carrying the team on his shoulders in the last few seasons, and the support of Monaghan, who is a useful acquisition, should pay off permitting injuries do not occur.
Hull FC
Hull FC will be looking to maintain their progression under Peter Sharp. It seems a long time since the 'Airlie Birds' tasted success in 2005's inaugural Challenge Cup competition under now Wakefield coach, John Kear. The Humberside club will be disappointed with last season's performances and final league position, however this can be put down to numerous factors including the loss of key players such as Richard Swain, as well as the controversial move of Paul Cooke to city rivals Hull Kingston Rovers.
The rest of the play-off candidates
Bradford Bulls will almost certainly be fighting it out at the top echelons of the division. While they appear to have been weakened somewhat during the off-season, the club has the necessary provisions to mount a serious challenge for the title.
Progression also applies to Wigan, Catalans Dragons, Huddersfield and Hull KR. Wigan were on the fringes of making the play-offs last season, before their flouting of the salary-cap ultimately cost them that position. Huddersfield made the Challenge Cup final two seasons ago, and under Jon Sharp managed to finish 6th in the table last season making the play-offs for the first time in their history. Catalans will be hoping to build on last year's Challenge Cup final appearance, and Hull KR have recruited from the NRL in a bid to make an audacious bid to land a play-off position.
And the rest...
Wakefield have also recruited well in the off-season, creating what should be a formidable back-line. Harlequins have also got seasoned pros in their ranks, and should be looking to produce a competitive season in a bid to make the play-offs. Newly promoted Castleford are the tips to win the coveted wooden spoon, but with a vein of Super League and NRL experience in the side, will be looking to finish as high as possible to prove to the Rugby Football League they deserve one of the franchise licenses that will be handed out in June.
