So it's that time of year again, Super league 15 kicks off on Friday with Leeds taking on the newly named and located Crusaders. Leeds will no doubt be heading into the season as favourites but there have been a fair few signings that will make sure that this season will be one of the most entertaining yet!
For my team the Saints we go into the league without the mercurial Sean Long who's crossed the pennines to Hull FC and Lee Gilmour who's for me strangely been allowed to join the dangerous looking Huddersfield Giants. making the opposite trip is Scott Moore who Saints loaned out to the Giants last season, during which Moore became a key player for the Giants and forced his way into the England reckoning. Also coming in are old favourite Nick Fozzard who joins after a season away at Hull KR and the monster that is Sia Soliola. The kiwi international loves the big hits and offers great go forward and will be a major force in Super League.
On a sad note for the Saints it's our last year at one of Rugby leagues most famous grounds - Knowsley Road. It's more a sentiment thing because the ground holds great memories but the place is falling to bits now and to keep up with the rest of the teams in the League we'll need to quickly move to our new home, which is still 2 years away from being complete!
Anyway here's my guide to the teams and players to watch out for....
Bradford
The Bulls have had a poor few seasons with a whole host of bigger names moving away from the Odsal but they've signed well this year and although I don't think they'll challenge at the top they'll definitely give any team a game on their day.Matt Orford and Heath l'Estrange are two good signings but i've my doubts over whether at 32 Orford is maybe a bit too old and just on the lookout for a nice pension fund. With saying that though if Orford can hit the highs with the Bulls he'll be a class act for them and for that reason he's my one to watch for the Bulls.
Castleford
The tigers have a relatively young squad but in the youngsters they have some potential world beaters in my opinion. Westerman and Owen are destined to do big things in the game. They've not really bought anybody of real note into their squad for this season and have put their faith in what they have, but i've a feeling they'll struggle in doing that. yes they've got some quality players but have they a squad capable of competing week in week out? Rangi Chase is a class above for me and is my one to watch this year for the Tigers.
Catalans
The french club have caused plenty of upsets over the years and i've no doubt that they'll carry on doing that this season. They can take anybody on at home and if the league was decided on home results i'd put Les Cats up at the top, but it isn't and they'll need to get some of the big results they have managed to get on their home pitch whilst on the road. Greg Bird is a big loss to them, but new signings Sa and Walker will go some way to replacing the influential Aussie. Thomas Bosc is their new skipper this year and he'll need to be on his game throughout if they are to be serious contenders. Fullback Clint Greenshields gets better each season and he's my one to watch for the Dragons
Crusader
The old Celtic Crusaders have had a major overhall in the off season that has not only seen them drop the celtic name from their banner but also seen them move from deepest Wales to a more northern Wrexham home. They've got no real identity or fans for that matter and in this season all's I think they can hope for is to get a bit of stability and a good base to move on from in future. They've an experienced coach in Brian Noble who isn't used to playing with limited resources and some big name backroom staff in Harris and Sharp. They've signed a handful of players including tricky winger Gareth Raynor and journeyman forward Jamie Thackary but a lot will depend on how their lesser players handle the big stage. Michael Witt is a player who not many will have heard of but he's got bags of talent and will look to take to league quite quickly and if he can come to terms with the pace of the game he'll be a good player for them, and my one to watch for the Crusaders.
Harlequins
The London club performed quite well for 3 quarters of last season but seemed to drop off towards the end, maybe their lack of experience at the 'business end' of the season saw them struggle. I can't really see them challenging this year and thing the best they can hope for is a lower playoff position. Brian McDermott though is a coach who won't settle for that and he'll be doing everything in his power to ensure his team puts up a prolonged challenge this time round. No big signings made really and like the Tigers they'll be relying heavily on the talent they have already at the club. Bearing in mind the clubs catchment are you'd have to imagine they've a youngster or two just ready to burst onto the scene. Louis Mccarthy-Scarsbrook is their big hope having made a name for him during the 08 season, last season he didn't seem to hit the heights expected of him due to injury but I think this season we'll see him step up and show himself as being one of the leagues better youngsters, my one to watch.
Huddersfield
The Giants had a massive season in 09 and looked like real contenders. Nathan Brown instilled in his team a real belief that they could compete and he'll have to hope that this for him isn't a case of second season syndrome. They've made a handful of shrewd signings and Lee Gilmour will give them another dimension in the pack. If they can keep their main players injury free for the majority of the season ten you'd have to at least expect them to push for the top 4 and if Brett Hodgson can replicate his 09 Man of steel winning form then they'll be a match for any team. I can't look past Brett Hodgson who's most influential player to be their one to watch in 2010.
I'll finish my season preview tomorrow but in the meantime feel free to add any comments you have on the up coming season and i'll add part two into the second post i've made for it.
For my team the Saints we go into the league without the mercurial Sean Long who's crossed the pennines to Hull FC and Lee Gilmour who's for me strangely been allowed to join the dangerous looking Huddersfield Giants. making the opposite trip is Scott Moore who Saints loaned out to the Giants last season, during which Moore became a key player for the Giants and forced his way into the England reckoning. Also coming in are old favourite Nick Fozzard who joins after a season away at Hull KR and the monster that is Sia Soliola. The kiwi international loves the big hits and offers great go forward and will be a major force in Super League.
On a sad note for the Saints it's our last year at one of Rugby leagues most famous grounds - Knowsley Road. It's more a sentiment thing because the ground holds great memories but the place is falling to bits now and to keep up with the rest of the teams in the League we'll need to quickly move to our new home, which is still 2 years away from being complete!
Anyway here's my guide to the teams and players to watch out for....
Bradford
The Bulls have had a poor few seasons with a whole host of bigger names moving away from the Odsal but they've signed well this year and although I don't think they'll challenge at the top they'll definitely give any team a game on their day.Matt Orford and Heath l'Estrange are two good signings but i've my doubts over whether at 32 Orford is maybe a bit too old and just on the lookout for a nice pension fund. With saying that though if Orford can hit the highs with the Bulls he'll be a class act for them and for that reason he's my one to watch for the Bulls.
Castleford
The tigers have a relatively young squad but in the youngsters they have some potential world beaters in my opinion. Westerman and Owen are destined to do big things in the game. They've not really bought anybody of real note into their squad for this season and have put their faith in what they have, but i've a feeling they'll struggle in doing that. yes they've got some quality players but have they a squad capable of competing week in week out? Rangi Chase is a class above for me and is my one to watch this year for the Tigers.
Catalans
The french club have caused plenty of upsets over the years and i've no doubt that they'll carry on doing that this season. They can take anybody on at home and if the league was decided on home results i'd put Les Cats up at the top, but it isn't and they'll need to get some of the big results they have managed to get on their home pitch whilst on the road. Greg Bird is a big loss to them, but new signings Sa and Walker will go some way to replacing the influential Aussie. Thomas Bosc is their new skipper this year and he'll need to be on his game throughout if they are to be serious contenders. Fullback Clint Greenshields gets better each season and he's my one to watch for the Dragons
Crusader
The old Celtic Crusaders have had a major overhall in the off season that has not only seen them drop the celtic name from their banner but also seen them move from deepest Wales to a more northern Wrexham home. They've got no real identity or fans for that matter and in this season all's I think they can hope for is to get a bit of stability and a good base to move on from in future. They've an experienced coach in Brian Noble who isn't used to playing with limited resources and some big name backroom staff in Harris and Sharp. They've signed a handful of players including tricky winger Gareth Raynor and journeyman forward Jamie Thackary but a lot will depend on how their lesser players handle the big stage. Michael Witt is a player who not many will have heard of but he's got bags of talent and will look to take to league quite quickly and if he can come to terms with the pace of the game he'll be a good player for them, and my one to watch for the Crusaders.
Harlequins
The London club performed quite well for 3 quarters of last season but seemed to drop off towards the end, maybe their lack of experience at the 'business end' of the season saw them struggle. I can't really see them challenging this year and thing the best they can hope for is a lower playoff position. Brian McDermott though is a coach who won't settle for that and he'll be doing everything in his power to ensure his team puts up a prolonged challenge this time round. No big signings made really and like the Tigers they'll be relying heavily on the talent they have already at the club. Bearing in mind the clubs catchment are you'd have to imagine they've a youngster or two just ready to burst onto the scene. Louis Mccarthy-Scarsbrook is their big hope having made a name for him during the 08 season, last season he didn't seem to hit the heights expected of him due to injury but I think this season we'll see him step up and show himself as being one of the leagues better youngsters, my one to watch.
Huddersfield
The Giants had a massive season in 09 and looked like real contenders. Nathan Brown instilled in his team a real belief that they could compete and he'll have to hope that this for him isn't a case of second season syndrome. They've made a handful of shrewd signings and Lee Gilmour will give them another dimension in the pack. If they can keep their main players injury free for the majority of the season ten you'd have to at least expect them to push for the top 4 and if Brett Hodgson can replicate his 09 Man of steel winning form then they'll be a match for any team. I can't look past Brett Hodgson who's most influential player to be their one to watch in 2010.
I'll finish my season preview tomorrow but in the meantime feel free to add any comments you have on the up coming season and i'll add part two into the second post i've made for it.
