Magic Weekend - how is it for you?

This past week the RFL announced the Magic Weekend fixtures for 2014 and they've gone with a repeat of 2013's match ups, just in a different schedule. As you may well know, the fixtures are:

Saturday May 17
12.30 - London Broncos v Catalan Dragons
2.45 - Widnes Vikings v Salford Red Devils
5.00 - Hull Kingston Rovers v Hull FC
7.15 - Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos

Sunday May 18
12.30 - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats v Castleford Tigers
2.45 - Huddersfield Giants v Bradford Bulls
5.00 - Warrington Wolves v St Helens

Tom has had a chance to look over these fixtures and the Magic concept. Here are his thoughts:

It would be fair to say that the fixtures threw up no real surprises. The question they raise, however, is one of parity.

Over the course of a full season everyone plays twice and the wheat is separated from the chaff, but what if that separation comes from only one or two league points? On these margins championships and relegations are decided.

Is it fair on teams battling for playoff spots, home advantage and to avoid relegation to be playing a team either significantly better than them whilst their rivals square off against relegation fodder?

One of the fixtures I'm looking forward to most is Wigan/Leeds. I see two well matched sides, both with strong packs, gifted halves and prolific finishers out wide. It has the makings of a cracker with two vital points on the line in the race to finish as high up the league as possible. Saints and Warrington are in a similar position. 

This hands a real advantage to one, very notable, top five team. And imagine the relief Paul Anderson at Huddersfield must have felt to find that his charges will again square off against the Bulls, a team they obliterated the last time Rugby League came to The Etihad. Now, the Bulls could beat the Giants, but I don't think many at Red Hall would stake their own money on such an upset. In reality the Giants are presented with a clandestine opportunity to pull two points ahead of/back from at least two of their most serious rivals in one fell swoop.

The common cry is that over a season the cream rises to the top and that a one off fixture should not have such a big effect on overall standings. So what of the teams that aren't the cream. What of London, Wakefield, Castleford and my own beloved Bulls? Most pundits agree that they, along with Widnes will be the candidates to start 2015 in the second level. For these teams two points are a valuable commodity, harder earned and highly prized.

Over the last four season the bottom three of the Super League has looked like this:

Three of the last four years have seen the bottom teams separated, without RFL sanctions, by no more than four points. Crucially, 12th and 13th placed teams were separated by two or one points on each occasion from 2010 to 2012 - three seasons where one result could have made the world of difference if we had a relegation battle.

It is my opinion that the fixtures at Magic this year hand an advantage to some whilst randomly punishing others. So what's the answer?

In the early incarnations of Millennium Magic the RFL strove to give us derby matches across the board. These brought in punters but still handed out advantageous fixtures to some.

A seeding system, based on last seasons final league place seems fairer to me. Admittedly teams make changes in the off season, but the motivation to improve ones playing staff is the same for each team. If this were in place today we could look forward to a programme of matches that better reflect the current standings and ambitions of the entire league:

Giants v Wolves
Rhinos v Warriors
Saints v Hull FC
Catalans v Hull KR
Bradford v Widnes
Wakefield v Castleford
Salford v London

But Tom, you may cry, Salford should be a much improved team this year, how is that fair on poor old London? And you'd be quite right. The Magic Weekend is virtually impossible to keep fair to all. It's not meant to be. The RFL don't care about that.

It's money in the bank, advertising revenue and a chance to show other sports how progressive and avant garde we are. It's a mid season jewel-in-the-crown designed to tickle the fancy of casual rugby league observers, once the football season is virtually over for most.

At the stadium itself, my experience is that people tend to watch primarily their own team and then amuse themselves in and around the ground whilst the others play. It's a good day out, but it's not particularly intense.

Surely as fans of the sport we would be interested in something more intense? Something with a bit of fire in its belly? Something that might benefit our international game? Something we could provide that would be unique in British sport? Something like State of Origin.

Yorkshire v Lancashire!

Now don't all shout at once. Just let it marinate for a while.

If the World Cup showed us anything it is that we are closer than we have been in sometime to Australia and New Zealand. However, they still have the advantage thanks largely to the talent pool, popularity of the sport, money and, importantly, experience.

A large part of that experience comes from exposing players to high intensity, representative rugby. They have a meaningful mid-season international and, crucially, State of Origin. To say that this competition doesn't influence the development of some of the sports greats would be foolish. 

The RFL have taken steps in the last couple of years to emulate this without undermining its policy of furthering the game away from the M62 corridor, but honestly, can anyone say that the Exiles experiment was a success? First time round it provided a challenge to an undercooked England team. Second time round the RFL failed to push hard enough with the two game series in 2012, before reverting to the one-off ahead of the World Cup last year. There are currently no plans to hold an Exiles match this season.

Properly promoted and organised, a reboot of the Yorks/Lancs competition could be massive, and we don't have to look to hard for a model to follow. The bloody Aussies have been doing it right for years!

The simple fact is that Yorkshire and Lancashire provide almost exclusively all of England RL's players. These players need to be challenged in a high intensity atmosphere in order to prepare for matches against NZ and AUS. A Yorks/Lancs match SPLITS that talent pool and gives 34 of our best the chance to play in a cauldron of intensity. It also give the fans, or the vast majority of them, something really exciting to look forward to mid season.

As a one off match, fans have shown that they can put a serious number of bodies in Wembley. As a series, why not go for The Australian model and have games one and three in Yorkshire and game two in Lancashire, switching that around the next year?

What about Catalan and Broncos fans? I agree that this idea flies in their face a little and goes somewhat against the idea of developing rugby league away from t'North. Well, I have two possible answers for you. A draw takes place to decide whether the Yorkshire or Lancashire team is able to select players who fall into the category of French Born or Non-Origin-County Born. Alternatively, the competition is a three team round robin with a final: Yorkshire/Lancashire/Non Rose Born?

Marketed properly, on the back of the World Cup we could soon have a monster on our hands, and ultimately a successful origin series would do more to promote our highly competitive, never say die sport.

A showpiece event like Magic Weekend does little to further our great game. In fact images of a two thirds empty Etihad Stadium do it damage to my mind. Our own kind of Origin Series gives England RL chance to look at twice as many players in a competitive arena, it gives the main nucleus of fans something to get really excited about, and would surely sell out if properly marketed. The RFL have an opportunity to make this change and in its wake introduce a raft of benefits to Rugby League in England.

By the way, Yorkshire are reigning champions.
Technically.

For what its worth, Mark's thoughts are a little different. Here's what he says: 

Magic Weekend should be an open draw, ensuring equality of opportunity, if not match ups. I'd have a draw at the start of the season to pick who plays what day, then a few weeks before I'd have a second draw for the match ups. 

Having experienced the occasion and it's almost unique nature in the British sporting calendar, I think it has its virtues, but it has to develop as being the event rather than just another weekly round.  Kind of like the NFL Wembley games. Fans come to the event, the teams on show are almost secondary to the occasion. I'd want Magic to be seen that way. Its important because points are at stake, but its exciting because anyone could be drawn against anyone.

However, I too would axe the spectacle to make way for a representative showcase. Having attended the last Lancashire-Yorkshire fixture at a miserably wet Odsal, I know we owe them one as a starter. Also, Tom is right, it gets more players rep experience.

I'd not go with a shoehorn approach to players born outside the M62 corridor though. I'd pad the schedule out with games such as Cumbria v The South and/or Wales v France. Have a three game origin series for sure, but have that last game on a weekend with these other fixtures. You could put the varsity game that weekend and amateur roses match ups too. Representative Magic. Its where I would take it.

So there you have our thoughts. We would love to hear what you think as well, really get the debate going. Here are some messages we've had already:

Michael Donnelly (@mikeldonnelly): Underwhelming, and a bit of an erratic schedule. Still, getting to see seven games in two days is always exciting.

Andy Barden (@Electric_gig):  Neutral fans want to see Derbys if you are not watching your side play at the time. Good event when attending but watching it on tv is not quite the same.

Listen to us discuss this and more in Super League Pod episode 2.

2014 Super League Preview

If 2013 was extraordinary, 2014 should be exhilarating and tense in equal measure. With some talismanic players gone from some of the top clubs, a new threat to the traditional trophy winners on the scene and the spectre of relegation looming, there should be plenty to discuss in Super League this year.

We're in the midst of Super League's preseason so its time to preview what's to come in the next 10 months for the teams in the northern hemisphere's premier competition of the greatest game. 

This post features our headline predictions for the upcoming season, but you can look at our previews for each team by following these links (or picking from the sidebar):

Bradford - Castleford - Catalan - Huddersfield - Hull FC - Hull KR - Leeds - London - Salford - St Helens - Wakefield - Warrington - Widnes - Wigan

We also want to hear what you think so leave a comment with your predictions, and your thoughts on ours, or connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.

Grand Final Winners:
Mark - Warrington - My thinking is one of these years just has to be their year. They are *gritted teeth* well coached, have plenty of experience, but also got younger and faster in the off season. In Matty Russell, Richie Myler and Stefan Ratchford they have a fast, talented and young axis that should contribute lots of scoring. This behind the likes of Hill, Asotasi and Westwood who should do damage up front and Joel Monaghan should still be effective out wide. I just think they have a complete package and a very strong motivation to push it all for Old Trafford glory, with the mental strength to do so against the likely pressure of failing again.

Tom - Huddersfield - The wheels came off last year but looking at this group I find it hard to look beyond the Giants for the overall crown this year. Barring all but the most serous of injury crises or some kind of coaching implosion, it's the Giants all day for me. There may be better groups of forwards, halves and backs knocking about as units within other sides (mainly I'm thinking of Leeds' outside backs, but more on them later), but as a team the Giants are my pick for Grand Final glory come October. Their forwards get their jobs done with power and real aggression. Eorl Crabtree in particular causes so many problems for his opponents and sets a great platform for his halves to perform from. Danny Brough is the reigning Man of Steel and will be up there again this year, moving this powerful group round the park with all the aplomb he demonstrated last term. The squad is relatively settled in terms of comings and goings, but the addition of Jodie Broughton is a strong one which serves to improve the Giants further. Incidentally, Broughton is my pick for top try-scorer this year, yes, ahead of Charnley. Put simply, if any team does better than the Giants, they'll be champions.

Cup Winners:
Mark - Leeds - Same logic as the GF in a way, they've been to Wembley three times in the last four years and lost every time. In their distinguished careers, none of their veteran stalwarts have won a cup final (other than Peacock with Bradford) and you feel they will want it on their honours list before they retire. They have some great outside backs and a great goal kicker, with big game experience. Too many times they've been starting to get going by Wembley and not quite be there. They just have to time their run to be around cup games, not for September, and they'll crack it. I fancy Salford could make a run in the cup to be the beaten finalists - they have quality but not depth, so the one off nature of cup games could suit them.

Tom - Leeds - It hurts to say this as a Bull's fan, but I fancy Leeds for the Challenge Cup this year. On their day they can beat anyone and that suits them for knockout football. I think there are weaknesses in the forwards, and Sinfield/McGuirre won't go on forever (will they?!?!) but that back line is one of the most gifted I've seen. Ryan Hall was quiet last year but still bagged 15 try's. Kallum Watkins is a phenomenal athlete, probably the best player outside the NRL, whilst Tom Briscoe is another world class finisher. This all adds up to cup glory and a strong challenge come playoff time. I fancy one of the Hull sides to join the Rhinos at Wembley, although sadly for one half of the city, the end result will be the same as last year.

Man of Steel:
Mark - Stefan Ratchford - If I'm thinking Wire will take the LLS then it would make sense to take one of their players as MoS. Ratchford has to step up in place of Briers, and the media loved Briers, so he's bound to get plenty of attention. He has the ability and mentality to deal with the pressure and if he stays fit he will be the main man at the HJ.

Tom - Chris Hill - Not my first choice (Ratchford gets my vote too but I like a bit of intra-podcast rivalry), but Hill for me was our best performer after Sam Burgess at the World Cup. I like everything about this lads game and I think he's due a big year in an even bigger Warrington pack. He'll learn quickly from big money import Roy Asotasi and earn big raps all year helping set the platform for Ratchford and Myler. Halves are only as good as the forwards in front of them, and this kid is one of the best in the world. 

Listen to us discuss our predictions now!

2014 Preview - Bradford Bulls

Ninth in 2013 was disappointing for a side that only missed the playoffs due to points deduction the year before, but it was poor tackling that the Bulls really suffered with all campaign that set them back.

 

Boardroom upheaval and financial strife have characterised the off season in Bradford. It's something they are used to dominating the headlines at Odsal, but its something they also hoped had passed. It means a disrupted squad, further loss of talent, and the threat of more asset stripping. Frank Winterstein has backed out of his deal, there are rumours others may too and London may look to Bulls players as potential signings with Super League experience.

 

Ins and outs have pretty much been on a like for like basis. Garreth Carvell for Jamie Langley is an upgrade to an already decent group up front, but not a long term move. Adam Henry for Keith Lulia has more long term potential, but is a little unknown. Dale Ferguson for John Bateman is reasonable for the  right now. A permanent deal for Matty Blythe helps too. Back row is an area of relative strength - Danny Addy, Tom Olbison and Jamie Donaldson all being talented options.

 

Hooker is a trouble position with Heath L'Estrange leaving meaning Matt Diskin is all they really have with any real experience. 20 year old Adam O'Brien will be the interchange with only 17 first team games under his belt. There is a question mark too over where Lee Gaskell might play, but he offers creativity across the back division. Its a shame talented full back Curtis Naughton has left the club as a quick and elusive runner would really add to what the Bulls can throw at opponents.

 

Tackling is an area to address for the Bulls. In Addy and Chev Walker they had the leading and forth placed player for missed tackles in the league last year. Elliott Whitehead was also a culprit when he was still at Bradford, and Tom Olbison tackled below par as well. Their best regular back rower defensively was Bateman, tackling at 96% with on average around 27 successful tackles per game, now sold to Wigan. The addition of Ferguson, who tackled at over 95% in 2013 in completing over 27 tackles per game on average, will hope to address this problem somewhat.

It's likely Bradford will need to stabilise quickly, work behind a relatively strong group of props and need a few teams to have poor runs to make the playoffs.

League Leaders Odds: 125/1
Grand Final Odds: 100/1
Cup Odds: 40/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

 

Mark's predictions:
League place - 12th
Key man - Brett Kearney
One to watch - Alex Mellor

 

Tom's predictions:
League place - 8th
Key man - Dale Ferguson
One to watch - Adam O'Brien

2014 Preview - Castleford Tigers

A little bit of a season of two halves in 2013 with the mid season coaching change, but now Daryl Powell has a full year with the team to work on the little bit of promise shown. A 12th place finish though showed little progress overall on the field and it seems pretty quiet with progress off the field too, both of which might be key to a strong future and avoiding returning to being the yo-yo club of pre-licensing.
 

The on field impact of the loss of Rangi Chase is the big question. Chase has ran the show almost single handedly for years and last year had a hand in a over a third of his teams tries when he played, and carried the ball more than anyone else in Super League. Just where will the creativity come from now? On the other hand, could it help? Castleford can start playing a more structured, organised attack without him.

Of the seven departures, Chase is the big name. Four half backs options have been signed as possibilities to replace him with Brett Seymour, Liam Finn and Luke Dorn coming in for probably their last chances in Super League and Marc Sneyd on loan from Salford. Much could be decided on how quickly they can settle on the right combination and how often that combination can play together.
 

Jordan Thompson, Jacob Emmitt and Jonathan Walker have been solid contributors as well, although the replacements are their equal in Ashley Gibson, Andy Lynch, Scott Wheeldon and Frankie Mariano.
 

They do have some strike weapons with powerful Justin Carney backing up from a ... try debut season. If he keeps out of trouble he is a match for any opponent. As are their two young hookers. Its hard to believe Daryl Clark is only 20 years of age as he has been much talked about in his three years as a pro. He possesses great speed and try scoring instinct - a try every three games is good going for a hooker - as well as a huge defensive engine - he led the Tigers in tackles in 2013, making over 30 tackles in a game 12 times. He is spelled with equally talented and some may feel more of an all rounder Adam Milner who had his best year to date in 2013 and will wear the number 9 jersey in 2014.

The Tigers are always good for a few upsets and should be well coached in 2014. They still have bad boy Carney and exciting Clark who can threaten any team. Consistency will be an issue with little strength in depth in most areas.

League Leaders Odds: 200/1
Grand Final Odds: 250/1
Cup Odds: 66/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)
 

Mark's predictions:
League place - 11th
Key man - Wellar Hauraki
One to watch - Ben Reynolds

Tom's predictions:
League place - 13th
Key man - Wellar Hauraki
One to watch - Adam Milner

2014 Preview - Catalan Dragons

The long term and life threatening injury to Scott Dureau had a big impact on les Dracs in 2013 and the side were quite reliant on the leadership of players no longer with the club in large parts. 

Winning at home was twice as common as a win on the road, which isn't unusual for the French side as they did the same in 2012. Again that will be key. Better discipline, or better treatment by the disciplinary panel depending on your view, could also be crucial. Ranking as one of the top three sides for giving away penalties in six of their eight Super League seasons, its clearly an area they need to start addressing, especially as the disciplinary committee has a tendency to hand out the most severe bans to them. They lost the most games due to suspension last year (13) and they have consistently been a side in trouble with the disciplinary for some years, with only Wigan having more incidents considered by the Match Review Panel since 2010 and no one having more charges or games missed through suspension over that same period.

The leaders that have gone will be difficult to replace. Steve Menzies is a living legend in the game and whilst Ben Pomeroy has plenty of NRL experience he has massive boots to fill. Remi Casty has been a leading Super League prop for a number of years and so much more as an embodiment of his club. One of the best French players Super League has seen and a massive impact in earning momentum for his team will be replaced by Jeff Lima, who himself has been a top performer in NRL and Super League, but may not have the same desire for the badge.

Elsewhere, Michael Oldfield for Damien Blanch should work out well but the loaning out of promising home grown talent Kevin Larroyer to Hull KR is one of the more head scratching deals this winter.

Catalan did not win more than three games in a row in 2013, and only did this once. To make any progress for 2014 you would think they might have to become more consistent. Luck with injury in the playmaking positions and an ability to put the same 17 out for a run of weeks without suspension interrupting matters will be things the Dragons have to look for to earn any home game in the playoffs.

League Leaders Odds: 33/1
Grand Final Odds: 33/1
Cup Odds: 25/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 8th
Key man - Scott Dureau
One to watch - Morgan Escare

Tom's predictions:
League place - 9th
Key man - Jeff Lima
One to watch - Morgan Escare

2014 Preview - Huddersfield Giants

Silverware in the round shape of the league leaders shield was a big step forward and great achievement for the Giants. Team success was built on individual brilliance from awards season clean sweep man Danny Brough.

For 2014, consistency and continuity is key for Huddersfield to help them build on 2013. They benefited from few injuries to key men last year - they were able to play the same 1, 6, 7 and 9 in 22 of the 27 regular season round. Brough only missed two, one of which was the last round dead rubber. Robinson and Grix both just missed one (that last round). Main hooker Lunt missed four. 

Pack leader Eorl Crabtree only sat out two games. End of season England stars Leroy Cudjoe and Brett Ferres played 25 and 26 regular season games respectively. When you consider the games missed by the likes of Tomkins, Briers, Roby or McGuire elsewhere, Huddersfield can count themselves very lucky last time around.

They haven't increased the squad size this time around, so being injury free may well be important again. If they are they could well progress to more silverware, but if their injury luck runs out then they could slide outside the top 4. 

There have been no serious losses from the 2013 side and two of London's top performers, Chris Bailey and Antonio Kaufusi, have come to Huddersfield to replace back row departures Luke O'Donnell, Dale Ferguson and Jamie Cording. 

Although the usual wing pair went well in 2013, Jodie Broughton is an upgrade in that area and will challenge for more game time than Luke George did. In a poor Salford side he managed 12 tries in 22 appearances, compared to George's 5 in 11 Super League outings (Huddersfield and Hull KR).

Whilst they have talented creators and skilful outside backs, up front is crucial for Huddersfield. The Paul Anderson self styled prop play is vital. The idea is quality and efficiency of effort - key between winning and losing for them is having the props tackle less than opposing props to have more energy to make more yards per carry than the other team. In the six games they lost in 2013 regular season, the props had to out tackle their opposite number in all of them, but didn't do so in three-quarters of their 21 wins.

If they repeat what they did well in 2013 and stay lucky with injuries, then 2014 could continue the success at Fartown. 

League Leaders Odds: 7/1
Grand Final Odds: 8/1
Cup Odds: 9/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 5th
Key man - Eorl Crabtree
One to watch - Jake Connor

Tom's predictions:
League place - 1st
Key man - Jodie Broughton
One to watch - Jodie Broughton

2014 Preview - Hull FC

Scoring points was an issue in Peter Gentle's reign at the black and whites and it will probably be the first thing new coach Lee Radford will be looking to address for 2014. However, Radford's own lack of experience is one of the biggest question marks Hull face.

Another question is who will run the show with Daniel Holdsworth departed. Holdsworth undoubtedly was the main man and key playmaker in 2013. They won 61% of the games he played but only 46% when he didn't. He was second in their list for try assists and made the most attacking kicks with 95, . 

Richard Horne has been given the 6 jersey back but hasn't been a regular first choice for some time now. There isn't much experience behind him, and that could be said across the backs. Jordan Rankin is the recognised half back joining the squad, but having him alongside Jacob Miller would be a young and unproven pairing.

Tom Briscoe is another loss with Tom Biggs from Bath RU and Fetuli Talanoa, a forgotten man at South Sydney, will be competing to replace one of the league's best wingers.

Feka Paleaaesina and Mickey Paea replace Andy Lynch and Mark O'Meley. The size and line breaking threat doesn't get lost but the work in defence can be questioned. Chris Tuson, the replacement for Danny Tickle in the 2nd row, might help compensate in that area with his strong work ethic and professionalism.

The final thing to address is goal kicking. Tickle has done this with great effect for years at Hull. Holdsworth was a very able deputy. Now it will probably fall to Joe Westerman, who has kicked 199 goals in his career but hasn't been a regular kicker since joining Hull in 2011 and was only 74% when called on in 2013. Other options include Ben Crooks and Joe Arundel, who between them were 3 for 3 in 2013.

Getting the half combination right and staying clear of injury could see Radford have a strong first year as head coach. The defensive styles are set from Gentle's reign, so attack is going to be the thing to watch if they can progress at the KC.

League Leaders Odds: 22/1
Grand Final Odds: 18/1
Cup Odds: 12/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 7th
Key man - Danny Houghton
One to watch - Jamie Shaul

Tom's predictions:
League place - 10th
Key man - Chris Tuson
One to watch - Ben Crooks

2014 Preview - Hull Kingston Rovers

The Robins were the losing team to make the playoffs in 2013 and it showed once there. As they finished 8th last year, they would possibly be most likely to get replaced in the playoff shake up by the revolutionised Salford Red Devils. Improving defence and getting to grips with lost leadership will be key in preventing that from happening.

Doubts about financial backing have contrasted with a shiny new stand at Craven Park in a mixed off season. Player movement has been a little mixed too.

In has come some experienced NRL veterans in Kris Keating, Neville Costigan and Michael Weyman. Out have gone arguably their best three players of a year ago in Michael Dobson, Mickey Paea and Cory Paterson. Dobson in particular has been fundamental in the club's Super League era and it remains to be seen if Keating can do all he did in leading the team.

Lincoln Withers is the only other loss, whereas Ben Cockayne, Justin Poore (both in the Wakefield sales) and Jamie Langley are notable incomers, but none provide the genuine game breaking ability or speed that Rovers are lacking outside of Greg Eden.

Something they will be looking for is an improvement in defence. Rovers have shown they can score on teams but poor tackling has meant they also leak points - they were second worst in tackle success in 2013. Despite Bradford also missing lots of tackles, Langley is a hard working forward who won't let Rovers down, averaging about 25 successful tackles a game at a 94% success rate.

Weyman can certainly make some metres and bust through a few defensive efforts - he averaged 95 metres per game and 8.4 metres a carry in his 10 NRL games last year - but ultimately Rovers will probably need to stay healthy, find some pace and explosion and defend better than in the past to maintain a top 8 place this year.

League Leaders Odds: 66/1
Grand Final Odds: 50/1
Cup Odds: 35/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 9th
Key man - Greg Eden
One to watch - Keal Carlile

Tom's predictions:
League place - 7th
Key man - Kris Keating
One to watch - Justin Poore

2014 Preview - Leeds Rhinos

The question asked every year is about the age of this Leeds team. With the three key play makers and three of their four senior props all being over 30 its inevitable that it will be asked again, although Jamie Peacock's 2013 showed age isn't necessarily an issue.

Leeds did blood a number of young academy products in 2013 as well, notably Liam Sutcliffe at half back and Brad Singleton in the forwards. Sutcliffe played in 15 regular season games and all 3 of the Rhinos playoff games, scoring 7 tries and assisting on 11 more. Singleton also played 15 regular season games, and 1 playoff game, contributing an average of 20 tackles a game and over 6 metres per carry. Jimmy Keinhorst, Stevie Ward and Alex Foster all earned decent first team experience. Thomas Minns, James Duckworth and Elliott Minchella also made senior bows, all scoring tries. They seem keen however to let quite a lot of this youth developed on year-long loans around Super League.

The academy side had a strong season in 2013, so they are addressing the problem they face, although possibly not fast enough as the squad has got slightly older for 2014 - from an average age of 26.24 to 26.44. From the information we could find this makes Leeds the third oldest Super League squad behind Catalan and Salford. They have more players aged 30 or over than any other squad (eight).

The area of undoubted strength is the three-quarters where they have the best group in the league and after bringing in Tom Briscoe they have two of England's best three wingers.

Beyond Briscoe the major arrival is Paul Aiton, who cleaned up player of the year awards at Wakefield last season and has essentially swapped with Paul McShane, who has gone the other way.

In relatively little player movement, the other headline was the loss of two young players to New Zealand Warriors. This included Jordan Baldwinson who was one of the young forwards coming through, but now he is gone.

The cup has eluded much of this very successful Leeds side, so that might be a focus for this year before retirements start to happen.

League Leaders Odds: 11/2
Grand Final Odds: 6/1
Cup Odds: 6/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

 

Mark's predictions:
League place - 2nd
Key man - Kallum Watkins
One to watch - Elliot Minchella

 

Tom's predictions:
League place - 3rd
Key man - Kallum Watkins
One to watch - Ben Jones-Bishop

2014 Preview - London Broncos

Whilst most teams were finalising preseason trial games, London only just sorted grounds to play and train at. With the short term future at least seeming secured with the Barnet deal, London can now look to build a team with likely British based loan signings and available players from back end of squads down under joining the growing regional talent group. 

Young former Melbourne Storm junior Denny Solomona was the first new player announced, although the news came out of the Australian outfit rather than the Broncos themselves, who are yet to confirm. Back row George Griffin from Hull KR was the first new face to be confirmed by the club at the start of a week of newd. Scott Moore is back in Super League after an ultimately unsuccessful stint at North Queensland Cowboys to provide some experience but not exactly a wonderful track record off the field. 20 year old Tongan full back Nesiasi Mataitonga is the other signing, along with a number of loan players.

These signings join Olsi Krasniqi, Matt Cook, Kieran Dixon, Will Lovell, Mike McMeeken, Erjon Dollapi, James Woodburn-Hall, Mike Bishay, Mason Caton-Brown, Joel Wicks, Saeed Agboke and Iliess Macani, all retained from last season.

19 players at 20.50 years old with on average 26 senior club games. Only Matt Cook and Scott Moore are over 21 and played 100 first grade games. Aussie prop Ben Ross might have added much needed experience but, in a bizarre turnaround, he tweeted he was staying in Aus to follow his passion for community welfare, only hours after the Broncos announced his signing.

Bringing in numbers is important, but in that it is probably crucial that there is some experience. Experienced players are often hard to come by in the loan market, so they will have to find players that sides are keen to offload. Obviously they might look at other cash strapped clubs like Bradford and Wakefield for potential signings, or fringe players at other clubs, if they can't satisfy their needs in the loan market.
 

2013 Young Player of the Year nominee Dixon is the most obvious player to pick out from the group left on the books from the 2013 side. His attacking stats compared very favourably to those of the wingers at last year's top four clubs, scoring more tries, making more breaks and more metres with a better average gain than the average top four winger. He scored over a quarter of Broncos tries, was responsible for 10% of the metres made and 20% of their breaks in the 22 games he played. Also, they didn't win any of the five games he missed, which underlines how crucial he is.

Caton-Brown could be a young player to emerge this season. He only made two appearances last year, the last two games of the season. The Broncos won both, he scored four tries and made 250 metres. Another is dual-code winger Saeed Agboke who looked powerful and very quick in the under 19s last year.

With this preparation its clearly going to be a rough year in London. Hopefully they can at least play tough and win some home games to try and encourage home support to grow and foundations for a future are solidified, whatever level the club will exist at for 2015 and beyond.

 

League Leaders Odds: 1000/1
Grand Final Odds: 500/1
Cup Odds: 125/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 14th
Key man - Kieran Dixon
One to watch - Nesiasi Mataitonga

Tom's predictions:
League place - 14th
Key man - Kieran Dixon
One to watch - Mason Caton-Brown

2014 Preview - Salford Red Devils

The past is irrelevant for Salford. They will be fielding a side unrecognisable from 2013, but unlike London, this team will be full of experienced Super League pro's. Only two of the squad numbered first thirteen played at the club last year.

Rangi Chase and Tim Smith will form a creative and mercurial half back combination. Tommy Lee at hooker and Jake Mullaney at full back will complete an all new playmaking axis. Francis Meli and Junior Sa'u will make up the probable left side attack.

Gareth Hock, Tony Puletua and Harrison Hansen will likely form an experienced back row. Adrian Morley will captain the squad and Lama Tasi will provide youth in the front row, with Steve Rapira another notable forward addition.

Much will come down to the performance and link up between Chase and Smith. There is no doubt they have the vision and talent to unlock opposition defences - Chase led the league for assists in 2013 and between them they scored or set up 56 tries in 45 appearances (for some reason, Castleford v Wakefield in Round 16 has no available stats). You might doubt how well two individual players like these two might connect with one another - Chase carried the ball more than any other player last year and Smith carried it third most at Wakefield, so both like their touches and want to be the man to call the shots. You should definitely doubt the quality they bring when the other team has the ball -  Tim Smith was seen as a light touch defensively early in his career, although performed just below league average for tackles per game and tackle success rate in 2013, but Rangi Chase performed at a miserable level with only around 7 successful tackles per game compared to league average around 18, and he missed on a remarkable 26% of tackle attempts.

There have been questions raised about the age of the new look squad in Salford. They do seem to lack a little pace with the outside backs on the books. You could also question how well a new side thrown together from rival clubs might gel and whether there might be a divide between the players of last year and the new big money signings taking their places. 

The side certainly has experience, boasting one of the oldest first team squads in the competition, but outside the group of around 19 established Super League players the strength in depth is questionable. It will be interesting to see how a couple of injuries in the same position might impact what the Red Devils are able to produce. If it goes to plan though we'll have another contender and a better Super League.

League Leaders Odds: 16/1
Grand Final Odds: 18/1
Cup Odds: 14/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 6th
Key man - Rangi Chase
One to watch - Jake Mullaney

Tom's predictions:
League place - 6th
Key man - Rangi Chase
One to watch - Gareth Hock

2014 Preview - St Helens

2013 could be seen as a rebuilding year in St Helens. Truth is, it was pretty much the same as the year before - injury damaged. Specifically, injuries to James Roby and Jonny Lomax.

Without these players Saints lost much of their creativity and threat. In the 11 games both Roby and Lomax played, Saints win rate was 68% - in the 9 games neither played it was 33%. They averaged more tries scored and fewer tries conceded with them both on the park.

They managed some headline wins and were a dark horse entering the playoffs but didn't have enough players who could take over a game and win it for them.

Luke Walsh is the man signed from Penrith who should add more game management and creativity. If he plays at the level expected Saints will have more chance of remaining competitive if injuries strike.

Battering ram Mose Masoe, also from Penrith, excited fans during the world cup and, with Kyle Amor and Richard Beaumont, makes up for losing Tony Puletua and Josh Perry in the off season. The story is that they will have one of the biggest front rows in the history of Super League, but fans will have to wait a while to see Masoe after he had preseason ankle surgery.

Meli was the other notable loss, but again was at the end of his career and has been replaced from within. Adam Swift is the man to take his number 5 jersey after scoring 13 in 12 appearances, mostly at the back end of 2013, including a playoff hat trick over Hull KR.

Saints should go better in 2014, but injuries to key players will still see them exposed to a lack of depth at 1, 7 and 9.

League Leaders Odds: 7/1
Grand Final Odds: 6/1
Cup Odds: 13/2
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 4th
Key man - Luke Walsh
One to watch - Adam Swift

Tom's predictions:
League place - 5th
Key man - Luke Walsh
One to watch - Joe Greenwood

2014 Preview - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Another club with serious financial problems, 2013 ended with a player sale just to pay the wages and ducking out of a deal with Chris Tuson as the board released an honest statement about the club's situation.

Wakefield haven't shown much development, much like near neighbours Castleford. Multiple 2013 player of the season award winner Paul Aiton has gone to Leeds. Key try scoring threat Ben Cockayne, the club's top try scorer in 2012, has gone back to Hull KR. Hooker Aiton not only cleaned up at the Wildcats awards night, but was also top tackler for them in 2013. Playmaker Tim Smith and key props Kyle Amor and Justin Poore have also gone. Smith had more try assists than any other Wildcat and was the man to take charge in attacking situations, putting in over half of their attacking kicks when he played. Amor and Poore led their prop ranks in carries and metres. A lot of production will need replacing.

Some replacements have been signed and Paul McShane could do a good job. The others are largely backups from NRL clubs so they could go either way. Between them, Pita Godinet, Scott Anderson and Matt Ryan made only 30 first grade appearances in 2013 for their NRL clubs. On a brighter note though, Godinet played in all four of Samoa's 2013 World Cup games, scoring twice and laying on a further three tries for his teammates.

The best news of the off season was keeping hold of captain Danny Kirmond. Snapchat incident aside, he leads by example in both sides of the game. A Dream Team selection in 2013, only Brett Ferres scored more than Kirmond's 13 tries for a forward and to complement that he was fourth in the league for marker tackles, leading his club in that category. He is likely to be an important player again in 2014.

The squad is thin on quality and depth. Wakefield have shown plenty of grit and determination in recent seasons and an ability to string results together, which are qualities they will need in abundance, along with luck, if they can threaten the top eight. 

League Leaders Odds: 500/1
Grand Final Odds: 250/1
Cup Odds: 80/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 13th
Key man - Paul McShane
One to watch - Reece Lynn

Tom's predictions:
League place - 12th
Key man - Danny Kirmond
One to watch - Pita Godinet

2014 Preview - Warrington Wolves

Its always supposed to be their year but 2013 again saw them fall at the final hurdle. It really is just the playoffs that pose a problem for the Wire. They again showed they can win big and beat top teams throughout the season.

A few of the stalwarts of their recent cup successes have now gone. Lee Briers has retired, Brett Hodgson has gone too, and Adrian Morley has moved to Salford. That's a lot of leadership leaving the squad.

Crucially, the team has been preparing for this eventuality and didn't suffer greatly when these players have missed notable parts of the 2013 season. Some research done mid-way through last year showed Warrington won more games without Briers (73% without, 69% with) and Morley (77% without, 68% with) during a 118 game spell between 2009 to 2013.

Stefan Ratchford has been groomed to replace Briers for a few years and should be able to play at a high level alongside Richie Myler. Matty Russell, who shone for Scotland in the World Cup, has come in to play full back. Roy Asotasi is an experienced pro capable of filling Morley's boots.

They have lost a number of other forwards - Garreth Carvell, Mike Cooper, Tyrone McCarthy - but players like Ben Currie, James Laithwaite and Chris Hill have been groomed to step up. Anthony England has been signed in hope of being the next Hill, a player who can step up from the Championship and revel in a full time environment.

Crucially with the comings and goings they have made the squad younger. Their 24 man first team squad is still older (and smaller) than most squads in the competition, but is nearly a whole year younger than last year. The average age in 2013 was 27.17 years old. Despite retaining many of the same players its now 26.25. 

If they included some of their young players on the edge of first team consideration, like others do, it would be younger but that would distort the true picture.

In Higham, the Monaghan's, Westwood, Atkins and Grix Warrington still have a lot of weapons with experience and high work rate. They also have a coach that has a proven record. The bookies have them there or there about for all three pieces of silverware on offer and their fans will be asking again if this could be their year.

League Leaders Odds: 10/3
Grand Final Odds: 7/2
Cup Odds: 9/2
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 1st
Key man - Stefan Ratchford
One to watch - Matty Russell

Tom's predictions:
League place - 2nd
Key man - Stefan Ratchford
One to watch - Matty Russell

2014 Preview - Widnes Vikings

2013 definitely showed development for Widnes despite inconsistencies in performance. More players started to look like Super League standard.

That is a good thing as they haven't been able to go big in the transfer market this time round - four men out and four in, plus a loan for Rhodri Lloyd from Wigan. Danny Tickle is the big signing and, with Danny Galea, will replace Gareth Hock and Frank Winterstein. Work rate and defence should be upgraded, but that's two attacking threats on the fringes that will be hard to replace. Tickle made over ten more tackles per game than Hock and Winterstein, but they were three times as likely to score or set up a try than Tickle - Galea didn't play first grade in 2013 so we have no numbers on him, but he hasn't  exactly been a prolific try scorer when he has played NRL.

Paul Johnson is a direct replacement for retired Ben Cross. Again a little attack might be lost as Cross was more a bit likely to bust a tackle and get an offload away, but Johnson works harder, tackles better, gains more ground and is more likely to be fit to play. Liam Carberry is the interesting signing. He potentially offers some speed out of dummy half that will be a benefit. He will offer a good change up to Jon Clarke, the only real recognised hooker with much experience, who at 34 is the fourth oldest players in the league.

Rhys Hanbury will be the star of the show. He made more clean breaks than any player in Super League last year and scored or set up a massive 35% of Widnes' tries in games he played. It was the kind of form that really should have had him in the conversation for the end of season awards and the Vikings will be good to watch in 2014 if he can pay in the same way again.
 

The Vikings will possibly lack sufficient strength in depth to worry the playoffs looking at the size and makeup of their squad. 30 players have been given squad numbers but there are a few who you have to feel would struggle to get a place in any of the top 8 team squads. Kevin Brown and Joe Mellor are the only real recognised stand off and scrum half, with all the other options being bits and pieces players who cover a number of positions without real distinction.

 

League Leaders Odds: 250/1
Grand Final Odds: 125/1
Cup Odds: 80/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 10th
Key man - Rhys Hanbury
One to watch - Liam Carberry

Tom's predictions:
League place - 11th
Key man - Rhys Hanbury
One to watch - Liam Carberry

2014 Preview - Wigan Warriors

2013 was an incredible year for the cherry and white, surpassing the expectations of the fans after a notable player turnover. If anything, the 2014 player turnover is even more significant, so expectations will be adjusted downwards again, although the bookies odds reflect the fact that the team still has winners in it.

The obvious question is how can Sam Tomkins be replaced? He was certainly irreplaceable in 2013 with Wigan's win ratio being 87% when he played, including all the knock out games, but only 33% when he didn't play. Well, Matt Bowen has been a great player for many years down under. He has played at the highest level with an Australia cap, 10 Queensland Origin outings and 14 finals appearances. He was also voted the NRL's best player at his position in 2007. His knees are a concern after two major surgeries since his 2007 high point but he has played in the majority of Cowboys games for three seasons running and Wigan showed last year that you don't need your stars to play every game, and a long term replacement can be groomed alongside his health being managed.

Pat Richards' goal kicking also needs replacing. Josh Charnley or Matty Smith are most likely to get the job. Who will take his wing spot is also unanswered. Anthony Gelling has the 5 jersey, but youngsters Joe Burgess and Dominic Manfredi are likely to get a chance to stake their claim, as might new signing Dan Sarginson. Whoever plays there will get tries, that is for sure - 22 tries were scored in the 2013 regular season down that side and Richards has been almost a try a game since 2010.

Lee Mossop, Chris Tuson and Harrison Hansen, in particular, are key losses in the forwards. Eddy Pettybourne, impressive in the world cup, experienced Tony Clubb and talented John Bateman will be expected to replace the outgoing champion players. Sam Hopkins is Wigan's attempt to do a Chris Hill or Alex Walmsley and step up from the championship to contribute in the pack.

Whilst the best player in the league has gone, Wigan have as deep a squad as anyone. 37 players have been given squad numbers for 2014, and whilst some are expected to contribute less than others, only five of the squad haven't yet played in Super League or the NRL. They are the youngest fully announced squad in the league (although London are putting together one even younger) at an average age of 22.70, and even the oldest 25 players would only average 24.58 with just three players aged 30 or older. Despite this youth, four of the side have won two Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups, eleven played in both major finals in 2013 and eleven of them have over 100 games in the NRL and/or Super League. There is plenty of winning experience.

With the young players they have been bringing on, the reigning top try scorer and a man of steel nominee from 2013, Wigan should be in contention when the silverware is handed out.

League Leaders Odds: 4/1
Grand Final Odds: 7/2
Cup Odds: 4/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 3rd
Key man - Matt Bowen
One to watch - Joe Burgess

Tom's predictions:
League place - 4th
Key man - Matt Bowen
One to watch - John Bateman