Super League XIII

Last updated: 31st January 2008  

Super League XIII

Leeds: defending champions

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The new Super League season is just around the corner and all 12 clubs will be dreaming of glory over the coming nine months.

Leeds will be defending their title, Saints will be determined to regain top spot, while the likes of Bradford, Hull, Wigan and Warrington will all fancy their chances of overhauling 2007's top two.

But after Catalans reached Wembley last season, every club knows they have a shot at some silverware.

And with Super League getting more competitive every year, this could be the season when one of the lesser lights breaks through.

Who do you think are going to scoop up the prizes this season? Who is going to struggle, and which players are going to shine on the biggest stage of all?

Share your thoughts on the coming season.

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Comments (14)

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Lyndon Spence says...

It is true the likes of Senior are getting on as bit. However if they look after themselves, they shouldn't have a problem. Brad Davis was making an impact at 37. I doubt the Rhinos would take on anyone who wasn't up for the job so let's give Mr (we beat Australia 24-0 in the tri nation final) McClellan, a chance. As for the others, Saints will always push close, as will I think Wire, and Hull have suffered injuries so early in the season which will have a knock on effect. Hull KR will turn some heads though, a tough outfit to beat. Sorry Cas but it's the wooden spoon I think, very little second phase play and no real livewire to excite the team. Wakefield and Harlequins will be same old story, the odd shock here and there but nothing more. Just watch out for Wigan, this year's dark horse for me who I think will build on last year. Should be a great season but let's start by giving them Aussies a good whipping next week. Come on u Leeds!

Posted 22:04 21st February 2008

Paul Drowe says...

Saints have not strengthened again for the second year in succession.cunningham,long,scully all in the twilight years of thier careers.would love to see saints do it again for daniel anderson but cant see it.leeds look very strong and bradford ,hull, and wire have all bought well as have all the other clubs.its a very open competion this year but make no mistake the saints will battle all the way and will take some major scalps along the way!

Posted 22:08 29th January 2008

Michael Armitage says...

saints and leeds are the teams to beat again but the size of the bradford squad will hopefully see them to the title. even with the injury to sol we still have quality back up. everyone goes on about terry newton being a thug but he is still the best hooker in super league. i think wire (even with paul cullen) will be in for a shout for the top 4 but im sorry wigan, if trent gets injured for a lengthy spell then your done for.

Posted 15:30 29th January 2008

Billy Goat gruff says...

1. Bradford winners for me. Great coach, big, fast everywhere on the park. 2. Hull recruited well - early injury woes could hold them back, world-class youngsters coming through. 3. Do Saints have enough hunger - no recruits could be good/bad (didn't win with this team last year but no need to worry about gelling). 4. Leeds - inexperienced coach. A bit of age creeping in. 5. Wigan - Trent Barrett now a known quantity (Wigan's one-man show whether they like it or not)? 6. Huddersfield - good coach, lots of speed and size, tasted the play-offs & know what it takes (contenders but I thought that about Salford this time last year). 7. Wakefield - beat anyone on their day. Brough will kick teams to death when on song although not sure he has the guile to break the defences of the big teams down on a regular basis. Good recruitment, lots of pace and flair - although some old timers. 8. Warrington might not have the depth that some seem to believe. Top-name recruitment and youth have been tested in the big time due to last year's injury crisis. Interesting conundrum - not sure Mr Cullen has what it takes. I hope he proves me wrong. 9. Hull KR (btw I'm an FC supporter). Great coach, and a lot of good signings. Two words there "lot" and "good". I think it will take time to gel - time they can ill-afford - and ¿good¿ not ¿great¿. I think bottom 6 although I hope they do better. 10. Catalans - no Stacey Jones. I bet they're sick of hearing that but what a gap to fill. Difficult to beat at home. I reckon a contender for bottom four. 11. Cas ¿the new-boy syndrome. It¿s difficult in SL and this year more than ever. 12. Harlequins - only the second year at the helm for Brian McDermott and we might be in for some surprises if they fight it out in the front row and use their attacking flair in the backs. It'd be good to see a British coach fair well but I don't think it will happen.

Posted 08:42 29th January 2008

Danny Woodcock says...

Saints and Leeds have got to be favourites as they're two quality teams, however saints didnt win the league last year and havent strengthened. So you never know some teams have brought good players in Wigan, Bradford,Warrington could challenge. Leeds also lost Tony Smith so hears hoping Warriors can carry on their form off the back of last year! Matt King for Man of Steel he looks a quality player!!

Posted 16:50 28th January 2008

Jonny Ward says...

The suprise package this seaon will defiinitely be Hull KR, doubt they'll make the play offs, but they'll get a few heads turning; with the biggest flop being Harlequins. At the top the Bulls could be back to Old Trafford if all their new boys gel but Leeds will be hard pushed to retain the title. Saints, Wigan, Hull FC and Huddersfield will make up the rest of the play offs.

Posted 15:44 28th January 2008

Simon Flint says...

Leeds & Saints will be the two teams fighting it out again in 2008. Leeds is a truly professional club from administration to youth development to a top class training facility and ground. Title challenges are built on years of planning and good managment, not just throwing a new team together year after year and crossing your fingers that everyone will click.

Posted 07:18 21st January 2008

Thomas Howarth says...

So it seems once again that everyone is writing off the Bradford Bulls. People don't realise that they are one of the best teams in Super league. They have a great squad ready for the 2008 campaign and i believe with the squad they have now they will go a long way in 2008. Just wait Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors, the Bulls will dominate you!! We run with the Bulls, go on Bradford kick ass this season i know you can!!

Posted 10:02 18th January 2008

Dave Wharton says...

Gotta be Rhinos & Saints again for Old Trafford. Bradford will be thereabouts as usual, Warrington and Hull have got injury problems already, Wigan? - depends how many points they lose for persistant cheating. Dark horses for the six - Wakefield have bought well as have KR who should finish in a respectable spot. Wooden spoon - does it matter with franchising next year? Probably Cas look the weakest but with a new stadium on the way and half a million fans they should be ok for a franchise.

Posted 22:09 16th January 2008

David Scott says...

Leeds and Saints are still the two top teams for 2008, although i expect that Wigan and maybe Bradford to challenge for honours with further improvements from all the rest ! Will be an exciting and close competition this year but you cant beat class and Saints and Leeds have it all over the park ! Lets see if anybody else can topple these two great teams in 2008 ?

Posted 14:47 16th January 2008

Andy Scothern says...

Never under-estimate teams like Leeds and Saints, Barry, that's all I can say. The top 2 teams in Super League and deservedly. I think these will be the 2 teams to beat this season, despite bringing no players in. I expect Wigan to have a strong seaon after last year, I think they surprised everyone. I'd love to say the Bulls will finish strong and take the Super League, but i'm not sure if they have enough in them at the moment, they've brought some pretty decent players in, but thats it. Fingers crossed they'll prove me wrong. I also think the Giants and Hull FC will carry on form last season and have more than what it takes to secure play-off spots again.

Posted 07:56 16th January 2008

Mark Stanley says...

i think injuries aside castleford could maybe be the surprise package with signings of sherwin , korkidas, and dorn they now have experience as well as lightning pace and youth

Posted 22:22 15th January 2008

Graham Roberts says...

Saints and Leeds trusting in youth..Two years transition for the Super Saints...then another decade of success with home grown talent the back bone of this great club. Leeds very strong again, my fav to win the Shield. Bradford have brought in plenty of fresh blood, Will Warrington get it right at last?? Cullen is there achillies heel...Wigan? Yeah they will be thereor thereabouts, injury to Barrett and it's goodnight Vienna....Oh When The Saints..

Posted 19:00 15th January 2008

Barry Edwards says...

Just looking at who has signed new players for the 2008 season, only two clubs have not brought anyone in - Saints and Leeds! Surely they don't think they are perfect - improvements can always be made! Or maybe they are right up against the salary cap already. I think Hull KR will go well this year and I fancy Wigan to make big strides. 14/1 for Wigan to top the table looks a nice price to me. Go Warriors!

Posted 14:12 15th January 2008
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