Super League 2013

Dozen Wicked Words

So the new season got under way over the weekend.

Big wins for most of the usual suspects who are going to be there or there abouts for the play offs. Saints got off to a bad start, but don't think they are ever great starters.

Broncos started as they normally intend to go on and got beaten at home. Doesn't bode well when its Widnes who beat them though.

Steve Menzies continues to play, continues to score, aged 105 or however old he is. The sunshine of Perpignan probably helps him.

toomevara

Was massively impressed with the way Huddersfield came out of the blocks. Anderson has assembled a team of big hitters playing a refreshingly old-fashioned, no-nonsense form of RL. (Surely though Saints won't play as badly again).Lets hope its not the usual blistering start followed by the inevitable tail-off in form we've seen under Brown. Cannot wait for Friday nights clash between Wigan and Wire, will be really interesting to see how wigan re-jig following a spate of changes..(last weekends milk-run was hardly a genuine test)...

Beasty

Wigan v Warrington getting very interesting now with the Wolves just scoring a converted try to lead 16-12 early in the second half

WakeyTyke

Cracking game, all that is good about RL on display. Huge commitment, toughness and courage, an abundance of skill. Pity that the refereeing is still amateurish (to put it mildly )

Dozen Wicked Words

WakeyTyke wrote: »

Cracking game, all that is good about RL on display. Huge commitment, toughness and courage, an abundance of skill. Pity that the refereeing is still amateurish (to put it mildly )

Fantastic game, even when watched on a terrible stream! Complete turn around in the second half. Deserved point all round. Just wish sky wouldn't go to the red button for most of the analysis.

Re the refs. Wasn't great tonight, are the NRL refs significantly better? Haven't seen enough to know.

toomevara

Rugby League at its absolute best and only week two. Wigan looked amazingly good given the amount of young players on show. Amazing stat for the super league era,nearly all Wigan players brits and nine actually from Wigan. Fair play to them, thats got to be the only viable way forward for a seriously cash strapped sport. Just shows it can be done and the Wigan academy system should be the blueprint for every club.

Dozen Wicked Words

Broncos beaten again today, not a great surprise though, Giants now 2 wins from 2, and scoring heavily. Broncos were within 6 first half but were scoreless 2nd. In the other games Saints got their first win under their belts away to Widnes and Hull beat Bradford at home.

Onwards and upwards for the Broncos, that or they hope that relegation isn't reintroduced to Super League!

Castleford have beaten Leeds which is a turn up for the books.

toomevara

dooferoaks wrote: »

Castleford have beaten Leeds which is a turn up for the books.

Haven't seen a decent match report yet but spoke to a few who were at the game. By all accounts Rangi Chase was the engine behind the Cas win....

couerdelion

toomevara wrote: »

Haven't seen a decent match report yet but spoke to a few who were at the game. By all accounts Rangi Chase was the engine behind the Cas win....

Lots of disappointed but unsurpised Leeds fans. Our inconstancy is depressing.

Sure we can win it from 5th place but how about we challenge for a top 2 spot this year...:mad:

toomevara

Just saw a highlights reel on SL fulltime. Looks like it was a typical derby, dogged, trench warfare stuff. Rangi Chase will probably be missing a few games though, knocked Zak Hardaker out with a tackle which I can only describe as a flying headbutt...

Dozen Wicked Words

At the top, Huddersfield have started like a train this year, and Warrington are going to be there or thereabouts come the play offs. Familiar look to bottom of the league so far, Broncos and Reds manfully battling away as the only winless teams this season. Next franchise round both must be in massive danger. Neither pulls in the crowds and neither has any semblance of success to look forward to I don't think.

toomevara

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

At the top, Huddersfield have started like a train this year, and Warrington are going to be there or thereabouts come the play offs. Familiar look to bottom of the league so far, Broncos and Reds manfully battling away as the only winless teams this season. Next franchise round both must be in massive danger. Neither pulls in the crowds and neither has any semblance of success to look forward to I don't think.

Funnily enough I was going to post something today about the Broncos. It seems to me that they are living on borrowed time. Salford would appear to be safe given that they've rounded up a rich sugar daddy to provide the bank roll (assuming the guy is everything he's made out to be).

The London club though, its just not happening for them despite the best efforts of some very dedicated people, rugby league just isn't taking root in Blighty. I've been to the stoop on a number of occasions to watch both codes. When you go to watch the Broncos play there is absolutely zero atmosphere and, last year at least, Leeds travelling support (we were about 400 I'd say) almost out numbered the home crowd.

Obviously it would be great to have a functioning, viable club in London to showcase the game, but sometimes realism has to supervene, as we saw with the Crusaders saga. Everyone in League desperately wanted a thriving SL team in Wales but the infrastructure, support and money just weren't there. Wishing it so will never make it so, alas. I think Broncos, sadly, are on the way out....

toomevara

World club challenge tonight, Rhinos V Storm. Anyone bothered with this? As a leeds fan I'll be watching but reckon the Aussies just see this as part of their pre-season warm-up.

Dozen Wicked Words

Glorified friendly, don't think it's ever more than a blip on the NRL teams radar most seasons.

toomevara

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Glorified friendly, don't think it's ever more than a blip on the NRL teams radar most seasons.

Speaking of the NRL, anyone know if premier have secured the TV rights this season?

WakeyTyke

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Glorified friendly, don't think it's ever more than a blip on the NRL teams radar most seasons.

It was actually a pleasant surprise to watch an NRL team genuinely want to win the Challenge, so hats off to Bellamy for expecting and getting his players to really get stuck in. Consequently quality told in the end but well done Leeds for making it an excellent and compelling game of rugby.

toomevara

WakeyTyke wrote: »

It was actually a pleasant surprise to watch an NRL team genuinely want to win the Challenge, so hats off to Bellamy for expecting and getting his players to really get stuck in. Consequently quality told in the end but well done Leeds for making it an excellent and compelling game of rugby.

Yeah, really enjoyable game to watch. Leeds did themselves justice but the skillset on display from Melbourne at times was on another level. They do the basics so well, superb kicking game, claustraphobic defence and an ability to maximise possession. You sense that Leeds, committed though they were would struggle against the Storm were they to meet them mid-season.

Dozen Wicked Words

Cracking win for Salford means the Broncos on zero points all by themselves after another hammering, this time from Wigan. Castleford and Catalans sounds like a cracker too, couple of draws already this Super League season.

toomevara

Delighted for Salford, a much needed win and done with some style to boot. hopefully the start of an upward trend. Huddersfield also retain their 100% record....

couerdelion

toomevara wrote: »

Delighted for Salford, a much needed win and done with some style to boot. hopefully the start of an upward trend. Huddersfield also retain their 100% record....

That strip to score the try in the first half was somethign specal. Would have looked stupid had it not worked though!

Enjoyed the WCC and thought Storm played superbly. Leeds gave it a real go too spreading it wide on the last tackle - and it could have gone either way. You always felt that melbourne were playing well within themselves though.

Oh, and Sinfield - he's converted his last 39 kicks. That's some record!

toomevara

Some bad news for Wakey...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/21615782

..and premier sports have secured the NRL for 5 years, they've also knobbled live origin, the Anzac day tests and the grand final...

couerdelion

toomevara wrote: »

Some bad news for Wakey...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/21615782

..and premier sports have secured the NRL for 5 years, they've also knobbled live origin, the Anzac day tests and the grand final...

Hopefully Wakey will secure a new sponsor and come out from this secure.

Looking forward to the Rhinos vs Saints match tonight. Reckon saints by 10.

toomevara

couerdelion wrote: »

Looking forward to the Rhinos vs Saints match tonight. Reckon saints by 10.

Indeed, I'm expecting the now traditional Leeds post-WCC slump, but Saints still have no Hohaia, Wellens or Perry. That said Saints definitely have the wood over us at the minute and I'm expecting a big performance from them tonight at home.

Dozen Wicked Words

Broncos hammering of fellow whipping boys the Salford City Reds on Friday has caused the demise of Phil Veivers job there. Great for London to get their first win on the board.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/mar/03/salford-sack-coach-phil-veivers?CMP=twt_gu

Will the rich owner at Salford become the Super League equivalent of Roman Abramovich I wonder!!

toomevara

Really hard on Veivers. The guy kept Salford afloat with minimum resources and feck-all back up. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the club and the payment of wages he effectively had no pre-season this year and I find it hard to lay Salford's woes at his door. This guy Koukash might prove to be an Abramovich in more ways than one. There are some pretty outlandish names being touted around for the job including Tim Sheens!

Also a shock result at KR, knocking over Wire and Huddersfield lose their 100% record. Apparently Sammut was absolutely on fire for Bradford yet again. Really good to see Widnes get a decent win over FC, though Kevin Brown suffered an ankle injury in the process.

couerdelion

Missed the Vievers announcement - tough alright.

Nice to see Wakey replacing their sponsor so fast.

Leeds topsy turvey form though continues as they get smashed by top of the table Giants.

toomevara

couerdelion wrote: »

Missed the Vievers announcement - tough alright.

Nice to see Wakey replacing their sponsor so fast.

Leeds topsy turvey form though continues as they get smashed by top of the table Giants.

With Leeds it's the dreaded post WCC slump I reckon. Saw the highlights, Huddersfield were great value for the win but Leeds looked dead in the water, zero energy and non-existent concentration. They barely completed an error-free set all night and some of the tacking was of the powder-puff variety.

Result of the weekend must be the Widnes draw against Bradford, Coming back from 20-4 down at HT to draw the game 22 all despite having Hock sent off early on for cussing out a touchy (lord alone knows what he must have said!). Got to hope Widnes are on the cusp of making a real go of it at SL level. Wigan also utterly destroyed a seriously out of sorts Catalan side who gave one of their all too common 'on-the-road' performances....shame.

rchendz92

Cracking game at Headingly tonight!

Dozen Wicked Words

Always pleased to see Wigan lose, what I saw of it was excellent. In the other games there were heavy defeats for Wakefield away to Saints and Salford at home to Warrington.

Big game for the Broncos on Sunday away to fellow strugglers Castleford. I just hope they manage to last through this season and see how they fare in a better ground, somewhere with decent transport links and somewhere that might attract a few more casual fans who turn in to regular supporters. (fingers, toes and everything else crossed). That should, realistically be the last throw of the dice for them and the experiment. Off-Topic slightly but I'm still gutted the Northampton Rebels getting into the Championship never took off, and can't for the life of me think why the chairman suddenly decided against it after doing all the ground work.

toomevara

rchendz92 wrote: »

Cracking game at Headingly tonight!

Jesus though, how many try scoring oppos did Leeds squander? Hall should have had a hat-trick by half-time. Good performance though particularly after last week...

toomevara

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

. Off-Topic slightly but I'm still gutted the Northampton Rebels getting into the Championship never took off, and can't for the life of me think why the chairman suddenly decided against it after doing all the ground work.

Something obviously gone on in the background there...whether we'll actually find out or not.....

couerdelion

toomevara wrote: »

Something obviously gone on in the background there...whether we'll actually find out or not.....

I just don't think it was financially viable.

Really worried about the game in general at the moment especially after the decision on playing numbers / dual registered players etc which makes me think that the whole game is in danger of collapse (unless they really are being super prudent and addressing issues before they become a problem...).

Does anyone know what the playing squad sizes are like in Aus? 25 elite and 25 u19 players doesn't seem like a lot in such a tough sport. I know the commision suggested the second tier should be u23 instead but that was ignored presumably because u19's can be paid less than u23's - or that's the impression I got from Hetheringtons interview.

toomevara

couerdelion wrote: »

Really worried about the game in general at the moment especially after the decision on playing numbers / dual registered players etc which makes me think that the whole game is in danger of collapse (unless they really are being super prudent and addressing issues before they become a problem...).

Does anyone know what the playing squad sizes are like in Aus? 25 elite and 25 u19 players doesn't seem like a lot in such a tough sport. I know the commision suggested the second tier should be u23 instead but that was ignored presumably because u19's can be paid less than u23's - or that's the impression I got from Hetheringtons interview.

+1. The game over here is in serious trouble financially in certain areas. Now, rugby league has been written off more times than a Liz Taylor marriage and it has always bounced back, but definitely tough times ahead. The latest basket case is Castleford who are in major, major difficulties, with falling gates, an appalling stadium and small squad. The dual reg system is verging on the ridiculous for some players at the moment and many argue it's diluting club identities and placing players in difficult/untenable positions. The franchise system has been utterly discredited and I fail to see how clubs like Featherstone can be kept out of SL while the likes of Cas remain in...

With the game in Oz going stratospheric, and salary caps going through the roof at the moment and with top players being cherry picked by NRL teams...Widdup, the Burgess boys, graham et al the traffic between comps has reversed totally. I mean, does anyone seriously think that the likes of Sam Tomkins will remain in British RL beyond next year? Already there are reports of NRL clubs sniffing around this seasons hot property the amazing, freakishly good Liam Farrell (must be in the genes), who is going to be huge. (he hasn't missed a single tackle yet this season, outlandish).

As regards NRL squad size, I guess its all down to the salary cap, but I follow the bunnies pretty closely and they have first squad size of 31. Incidentally I've also been following the nRL pretty closely this season and the difference in standard between the NRL and SL is absolutely huge. Another worrying indicator.

couerdelion

31 is about what I would expect, but the franchise system works well in Aus too, with clubs able to take a few years to build squads and start challenging.

In the old days the english clubs would have a first team, alliance/second team and an academy team which gave a lot of players good rugby week in week out with alliance games on a friday night (free entry with season ticket) and then the academy teams playing before the first team on a Sunday. those were great days and you could never get too much league.
It's a shame the way things are going.

Tomkins will no doubt go to union when his contract is up (if not earlier). He's seen how well his brother has done and I reckon he fancies a piece of that.

toomevara

couerdelion wrote: »

Tomkins will no doubt go to union when his contract is up (if not earlier). He's seen how well his brother has done and I reckon he fancies a piece of that.

I fear you may be right, but he'll be wasted and I'd imagine monumentally bored in Union. Hope he goes to Oz and at least stays in the game. Watching SBW and his return to league with the Roosters shows just how much a league player looses in terms of skills, fitness and mental acuity in the old kick'n'clap. In his first game you could see that the physicality and speed of the game was a bit of a rude (re)awakening for him. lets just say he didnt have the physical dominance he was used to in the 15 man game.

Creeby

anyone remember Tomkins in the barbarians game? I think it was against Australia? He got tossed around like a rag doll

toomevara

Creeby wrote: »

anyone remember Tomkins in the barbarians game? I think it was against Australia? He got tossed around like a rag doll

Yeah, tomkins said it was an awful experience afterwards, but tbh, why anyone expected anything else is beyond me. I can only imagine what would happen to a union full back, with no league experience, dropped into a scratch team against an international outfit. Very different games, very different requirements. Jaysis look at Chris Ashton, still struggling with the basics of kick'n'clap defensive play...

toomevara

Say what you like about the the Easter programme (personally; too many games, desperately unfair on players and teams with smaller squads and we'll have a slew of freak results/blow-outs in the next couple of weeks) but some mouth-watering clashes. Last nights Bradford/Leeds clash was a superb game and Wigan/Saints (5 mins in) seems like a high quality affair.. KR and FC to follow. Doesn't get much better than that...

Creeby

toomevara wrote: »

Yeah, tomkins said it was an awful experience afterwards, but tbh, why anyone expected anything else is beyond me. I can only imagine what would happen to a union full back, with no league experience, dropped into a scratch team against an international outfit. Very different games, very different requirements. Jaysis look at Chris Ashton, still struggling with the basics of kick'n'clap defensive play...

Yea I completely agree but this is why I think he should stay where he belongs, in league. He is one of the stars of the game at the moment and a change of codes would only lead to him declining in skills.

Creeby

toomevara wrote: »

Say what you like about the the Easter programme (personally; too many games, desperately unfair on players and teams with smaller squads and we'll have a slew of freak results/blow-outs in the next couple of weeks) but some mouth-watering clashes. Last nights Bradford/Leeds clash was a superb game and Wigan/Saints (5 mins in) seems like a high quality affair.. KR and FC to follow. Doesn't get much better than that...

Great to see 19 year old John Bateman, the 19 year old forward getting stuck into the veterans Carl Ablett nd Jamie Peacocke. Delighted for Bradford considering what they've been through in recent times but would have loved seeing them win it last night. One of the better games I've seen all year, todays games didn't have much on it.

toomevara

Creeby wrote: »

Great to see 19 year old John Bateman, the 19 year old forward getting stuck into the veterans Carl Ablett nd Jamie Peacocke. Delighted for Bradford considering what they've been through in recent times but would have loved seeing them win it last night. One of the better games I've seen all year, todays games didn't have much on it.

+1. Really good result for the Bulls and TBH they'd have been good value for the win. What about salford/giants though? A last minute drop goal by the Reds to win and then Widnes beating Warrington! Must be something in the water...Seem like the TV cameras were at the wrong games...

Creeby

toomevara wrote: »

+1. Really good result for the Bulls and TBH they'd have been good value for the win. What about salford/giants though? A last minute drop goal by the Reds to win and then Widnes beating Warrington! Must be something in the water...Seem like the TV cameras were at the wrong games...

Damn! Didn't see/hear about either of those matches. Hopefully this weeks matches don't disappoint. Also good to see there hasn't really been any hammerings, yet...

WakeyTyke

Friday was certainly Good for SL with the form book being turned upside down in places and some highly competitive matches and good attendances.

toomevara

WakeyTyke wrote: »

Friday was certainly Good for SL with the form book being turned upside down in places and some highly competitive matches and good attendances.

Yep, but unfortunately we see the fruits of the ridiculous Easter programme with some frankly silly results which do nothing for the competition or the teams involved. Warrington 54 London 20/ Saints 48 Cas 18/ Giants 62 Widnes 6/ and worst of all KR 6 Wigan 84.

Daft results and it'll take weeks for some of those teams to recover. SL does not have the depth to sustain such a gruelling programme and the sooner it's dispensed with the better.

Creeby

toomevara wrote: »

Yep, but unfortunately we see the fruits of the ridiculous Easter programme with some frankly silly results which do nothing for the competition or the teams involved. Warrington 54 London 20/ Saints 48 Cas 18/ Giants 62 Widnes 6/ and worst of all KR 6 Wigan 84.

Daft results and it'll take weeks for some of those teams to recover. SL does not have the depth to sustain such a gruelling programme and the sooner it's dispensed with the better.

I agree with you once again. I think the matches on Thursday and the derbies on good Friday are enough to be with content with for the Easter weekend. The other matches 2-3 days later are just plain stupid.

toomevara

Creeby wrote: »

The other matches 2-3 days later are just plain stupid.

Couldn't agree more. leave it at the good Friday derbies. Was a brilliant days rugby and showcased rugby league at its best, packed stadia, brilliant rugby and even some sunshine. How good was Leeds/Bradford? A brilliant game all-round. They reckon over the weekend over 110,000 fans turned up to watch a game of RL. The Monday stuff is a farce. Tiny crowds and quite obviously some of the less strong teams' coaches are now clearly looking at it and saying "sod it, I'm writing that game off, stick me B or C team out and rest the big names". Can't say as I blame them....

jkmanc1974

toomevara wrote: »

Yep, but unfortunately we see the fruits of the ridiculous Easter programme with some frankly silly results which do nothing for the competition or the teams involved. Warrington 54 London 20/ Saints 48 Cas 18/ Giants 62 Widnes 6/ and worst of all KR 6 Wigan 84.

Daft results and it'll take weeks for some of those teams to recover. SL does not have the depth to sustain such a gruelling programme and the sooner it's dispensed with the better.

Very good point as watched the Good friday games on TV and also Leeds/Bradford - think that there has been some bizarre results all season though especially involving Hull KR(Witness the Salford game which was possibly one of the strangest games ever seen on Sky)

Brgds
Johnny

Dozen Wicked Words

Hull KR have lost a significant financial backer (well at the end of the season). Not sure how they will manage, and on the subject of finances, Salfords new owner wants a bigger salary cap.

Not too many teams in the league at the moment would be in a position to spend much more on their wages anyway.

toomevara

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Not too many teams in the league at the moment would be in a position to spend much more on their wages anyway.

There are folk who advocate a two-tier Super League with different salary caps for say the likes of Leeds, Wigan,Saints and Warrington..but I think this would be utterly disastrous for the game. Of course, the reality is we have a two tier super league as it stands. Can anyone envisage any team other than the top 5 winning anything this year?

Hudgell's abandonment of KR is disastrous. He also states that one of the major reasons behind his decision to jump ship is that the gulf between the likes of KR and say Wigan is affectively unbridgeable and he's just piddling money up against the wall in a fruitless exercise. I can see nothing but tough times ahead for them without his annual half mil contribution.

Dozen Wicked Words

I know Saints aren't in great shape, but getting beaten by the Broncos can't be good for their confidence. Cracking win for the Broncos though.

jkmanc1974

Indeed Saints look to be in a bit of bother - good win for Salford though - Tickets and flights booked for magic weekend so all good

Brgds
Johnny