Super League 2025 pundit predictions: Wigan Warriors to dominate again? Or upsets on the horizon?
Ahead of the 2025 Betfred Super League season, the Sky Sports Rugby League pundits gave their predictions of what they think will happen in the 30th edition of the competition; Sky Sports is the only place to watch every Super League game live in 2025
Thursday 13 February 2025 13:36, UK
The 2025 season is around the corner and, with that in mind, we asked our pundits to put their reputations on the line and give their big predictions for the 30th edition of Super League...
Jon Wilkin
Who will win the 2025 Grand Final?
Wigan. They seemingly have unlimited firepower and confidence and are young. Pretty potent mix. If Jai Field and Bevan French keep fit I can't see anyone knocking them over this year.
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Who will shock everyone?
Leeds. I'm thinking Brad Arthur has been flogging them like a herd of sheep on a cold Peak District hillside. When they come down to the farm, I'd hope they would be hard as nails, fit and fighty.
Who will finish bottom?
It is incredibly hard to choose. My head says Wakefield but Castleford, Huddersfield and maybe Salford in the mix after the financial news surrounding them.
Who will win in Vegas?
The casinos. The house always wins.
Who will be Man and Woman of Steel?
Bevan French and Anna Davies.
What are you most excited for in 2025?
The evolution of Warrington under Sam Burgess. This is the season after the season of nearly for Willie Peters, get the popcorn out.
Also Saints. Where now for them? They are getting a bit older, a bit more limpy, a lot more strapping knocking around. They need the new recruits to jazz things up. I am excited to see how that goes.
Jenna Brooks
Who will win the 2025 Grand Final?
Warrington. Yes, I think it's their year. They would have learned a great deal from their two heartbreaks in 2024, losing the Challenge Cup final and defeat in their Super League semi.
Seeing Sam Burgess after that loss to Hull KR, there's no denying he was hurting. He and his players will be desperate not to feel that again.
Josh Drinkwater moves on; Leon Hayes is given the No 7 jersey. There will be some pressure on the 20-year old, who missed most of last season due to injury. But he is confident and why wouldn't he be? He has the belief and support from his coach and team-mates.
Speaking of the coach, Sam isn't in Warrington forever - he is a winner and will want to create history and lead his team to their first Super League trophy.
Who will shock everyone?
Wakefield. I don't think they'll finish bottom. Some good signings in Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone.
New stand, new team - I think we could witness a new era at Belle Vue.
Who will finish bottom?
Pre-takeover, I would have said Salford but it will probably still be a challenging year for Paul Rowley's side. He told us last year anything above 11th was a bonus. They finished fourth and surprised many but that was last year. This year, I don't know if they'll have what it takes to make such an impact in the top flight.
Who will win in Vegas?
Super League. It's great to take the game to Vegas and attract new fans to the competition. Two of our league's best go head-to-head and they do it alongside the NRL, with the women's game putting on a show as well.
It's going to be unforgettable and huge for the growth of Super League.
Who will be Man and Woman of Steel?
Bevan French. Injury kept him from the prize last year. This year, I think it's his to lose.
Anna Davies. The Wigan winger was outstanding in 2024 and unlucky to miss out on being named on the Woman of Steel shortlist. With another year under her belt, playing at the top level, there's no limit for what Davies will achieve.
What are you most excited for in 2025?
Having Rugby League back on our screens and for the second year in a row, every game live on Sky Sports. The upsets, the big hits, the unbelievable tries and of course the return of The Bench podcast with Jenna and Jon and The Verdict, every Wednesday at 2.30pm on Sky Sports News.
Barrie McDermott's predictions
Who will win the Grand Final?
Wigan should get there again as they always peak in the play-offs. Their youth development system provides depth, while their established stars bring experience. But I fancy Warrington to make the Grand Final with George Williams at the peak of his powers, leading a dangerous backline and a dominant pack. They are my predicted opponents.
Who will shock everyone?
Leeds Rhinos have a young and dynamic squad with plenty of potential. Leeds thrives on an expansive style of rugby, with the ability to score from anywhere on the field.
Jake Connor could be a great signing because he can fit a number of roles. Top six is very achievable for this squad.
Who do you think will finish at the bottom?
It's between Castleford and Huddersfield. Cas had that embarrassing Challenge Cup loss to Bradford, so Danny McGuire has a lot of work to do with his team to make them competitive.
But if I had to put my money on one, I'd say Huddersfield will really struggle this year and could end up finishing bottom.
Who will win in Vegas?
What a game this is going to be! I'm just old enough to remember the Milwaukee Challenge in 1989, when these same two teams put on a real show for the American crowd who absolutely loved it. Hopefully, we see the same excitement this time around.
Warrington will win in Vegas and Big Sam will love being back among his former NRL mates.
Who will be Man of Steel?
I fancy George Williams to be the 2025 Steve Prescott Man of Steel. Now captain of both his club and England, he has the leadership and talent to make a huge impact. If he stays fit, Warrington could have a sensational year and finally end their major trophy drought.
Williams can score them, set them up, break the line and defend strongly. He played some fantastic rugby under Sam Burgess last year and I expect him to kick on even further.
What are you most excited for in 2025?
I'm a big fan of the Captain's Challenge - it adds an extra element to the game and plenty more for us to debate. When to use it, who should use it, and who shouldn't can be just as entertaining as the game itself.
Rugby league has always been revolutionary in its approach, so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Who knows? We might even see other sports in this country adopt it.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Who will win the 2025 Grand Final?
Wigan. It won't be by the same margins in performance but they're fresh enough in their ascent to continue the roll and have the most proficient players in the comp.
Who will shock everyone?
Leeds. Like a coiled spring coming out of the pre-season Brad Arthur craved to have with his new club, he could turn the tension at Headingley into real momentum. With Jake Connor, Maika Sivo and Lachie Miller in his second season, prepare to be entertained.
Who will finish bottom?
I don't want to say Wakefield because they might seem to be the obvious choice. I actually want the West Yorkshire club to rise from the ashes in the backdrop of their revived stadium but even with Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone and Jake Truman in their armoury, I just can't get excited by their offer.
Who will win in Vegas?
Wigan. Still hungry, still talented and with an elevated platform to showcase their dominance on a huge stage.
Who will be Man and Woman of Steel?
For the women's game, it will be Anna Davies. She has had absolutely phenomenal performances in a rising Wigan side for both her club and nation.
In the men's competition, it might just be the fan in me, but I am going all in with Junior Nsemba becoming a monster this year.
What are you most excited for in 2025?
Hull KR at their peak and how far that will take them in 2025. Willie Peters has built something special in east Hull that deserves a lot more than just a little respect. I think this is the year where Hull KR will reap the full fruits of their labour.
Jon Wells
Who will win the 2025 Grand Final?
Hull KR - I just think they're ready. This has been a club that has grown and developed on and off the field for the last two or three seasons. They're ambitious, they have a great coach, progressive owners, fantastic fanbase and I think they have significantly strengthened their squad since 2024.
Who will shock everyone?
Hull FC but not for shaking up the league or winning trophies. There is an old adage that you cannot buy success and I think, despite a slew of high-profile signings and the club now being under new ownership, that it may be some time before FC fans really see their team mixing it at the top end of Super League.
Put it this way: I will be shocked if they make the play-offs.
Who will finish bottom?
I worry for Castleford Tigers this year. One of my old clubs and a place I have a real soft spot for but their recruitment was uninspiring and when I look at what other clubs are assembling it concerns me that they will be scrapping it out at the wrong end of the table in 2025.
Who will win in Vegas?
I will back Warrington to win the game in Vegas. I don't know why I would have them to beat Wigan but my gut tells me they will get the win.
Who will be Man and Woman of Steel?
Man of Steel is Luke Keary. I think he will boss it for the Dragons this season. I was amazed when he announced that he was retiring and I think it has been an exceptional piece of business from the Dragons to persuade him that the south of France will reinvigorate him.
Woman of Steel is Lucy Murray. I think she goes one better this season after being shortlisted in 2024. Hugely talented and still developing, I think 2025 will be a big year for her and the Rhinos.
What are you most excited for in 2025?
I'm generally excited about the standard of competition we can expect. The majority of clubs look to have strengthened and in my opinion you now have five genuine contenders - five teams who could win the competition without anyone falling over in shock.
Those five teams? Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Catalans Dragons and Hull KR.
2025 Super League - key dates and what to look out for
March 1: Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves in Las Vegas
April 17-19: Round 8 - Rivals Round
May 3-4: Magic Round (St James' Park, Newcastle)
July 24: August 31 - Round 20 - split round across two weekends
September 4-7: Round 25 - Rivals Round fixtures reversed
September 18-21: Round 27 - last round of regular season (dates and times tbc)
September 26-27: Elimination Play-Offs
October 3-4: Semi-Finals
Saturday October 11: Grand Final (Old Trafford)
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining four matches each week shown on Sky Sports+
