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Post by grumpyminer on Feb 2, 2007 10:32:24 GMT
Now I know there are some Rugby League followers on here, so I thought with Superleague XII about to kick-off, that it was time for an RL thread.
So who will be the team to beat this year. Will my team, St Helens(my girlfriend is originally from St Helens), be able to emulate last season's Grand Slam. They have lost the awesome Jamie Lyon back to Oz, Vinnie Anderson to Warrington and Paul Anderson to retirement/coaching with Matt Gidley and Bryn Hargreaves coming in.
The Bulls and the Rhinos are obviously going to be pushing all the way particularly Leeds, who have added the outstanding Brent Webb. Bradford have brought in David Solomona to try to fill the gap left by Marcus Bai.
Hull are looking to be strong contenders again this season and I am looking forward to their derby games against Hull KR - you will see some real passion then.
Wigan Warriors will be hoping to carry on this season how they ended Superleague XI. Brian Noble has built up strength and confidence since taking over as coach and I feel it won't be long before Wigan are being touted as No.1 contenders (although perhaps not this season).
Warrington are also looking strong, bringing in 2 GB stars in Paul Johnson and Adrian Morley.
Salford and Huddersfield will be working towards gaining a play-off position, ahead of any of the top six.
Wakefield, Harlequins RL and Hull KR will battle hard and may be looking at their own mini league to see who avoids relegation as French side Les Catalans will still be exempt this season.
It all kicks off this Sunday, Feb 4th, when Saints go to Huddersfield. Saints will be without suspended Willie Talau and 2006 Man of Steel Paul Wellens has a leg injury whilst Huddersfield also have suspension trouble with Keith Mason sitting out.
It certainly looks like an entertaining season.
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sunbeam
David Clarke
The Panthers don't do league titles. Not even Carlsberg can manage that!
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Post by sunbeam on Feb 2, 2007 10:58:18 GMT
There was aSuperleague thread but it seems to have slipped off the board. I didn't realise that threads fell off; I thought we jsut kept getting more pages added. Hence why there is 70 pages on Talk Hockey.
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DoUrden
Ken Westman
Squash Them Sheep
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Post by DoUrden on Feb 4, 2007 10:49:20 GMT
Wht is there a French team in an English league? And why are they exempt from relegation?
All sounds a bit daft to me.
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sunbeam
David Clarke
The Panthers don't do league titles. Not even Carlsberg can manage that!
Posts: 3,862
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Post by sunbeam on Feb 4, 2007 16:25:09 GMT
Wht is there a French team in an English league? And why are they exempt from relegation? All sounds a bit daft to me. Because it is Superleague Europe. Because they want to broaden the base of the sport. Catalan probably will finish mid-table. They are looking to go franchise based in 2009 so relegation will be a thing of the past. Expect Celtic Crusaders to get the Welsh franchise. |
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Higgy
Les Strongman
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Post by Higgy on Feb 6, 2007 22:14:39 GMT
Catalan are exempt due to the fact that if they got relegated they realistically would fold as finances would struggle and they are only just establishing their fan base, it would effectively kill them off already.
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Post by Alf Garnett on Feb 20, 2007 11:22:47 GMT
Been some cracking games already thisseason and we're only 2 weeks in.
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sunbeam
David Clarke
The Panthers don't do league titles. Not even Carlsberg can manage that!
Posts: 3,862
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Post by sunbeam on Feb 20, 2007 13:30:01 GMT
Been some cracking games already thisseason and we're only 2 weeks in. And some shocking results. Saints could get walloped by Brisbane. |
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Post by Alf Garnett on Feb 22, 2007 22:06:43 GMT
Saints haven't clicked yet Sunny.
They haven't become a bad side over winter even though Jamie Lyon will be a big loss for them.
Expecting Warrington to be serious contenders for silverware this season too
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Higgy
Les Strongman
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Post by Higgy on Feb 23, 2007 23:30:43 GMT
Saints win the World Club Challenge 18-14, good game bit suprised at the outcome to be honest
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loonypeter
Robert Lachowicz
The Elburry
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Post by loonypeter on Feb 23, 2007 23:57:18 GMT
I dont really follow RL but i thought id give this one a gander.
It was definately an entertaining match, not all that sure the better team won but thats sport!
I thought Long and Sculthorpe ran the game for St Helens, Hunt looked good for Brisbane + i heard Lockyers name mentioned alot but didnt see him do all that much tbh
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LUFC
Ashley Tait
Game On!
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Post by LUFC on Feb 24, 2007 1:15:14 GMT
Im a Leeds Rhino's fan myself, followed league since it's start, loved every minute of it. As for the franchise it can only be a good thing for the league and sport as a whole, hopefully helping teams get a more stable financial platform so we can up the wages slightly preventing more turn coats trading to the other code *cough* no names mr A Farrell *cough*. Either way to me cause of the way they keep the game flowing the games keep me entertained more so than union. Leeds, Bradford and St Helens to take the league title race to the end, both hulls and co can finish up behind  Oh and that includes wigan, i dont see them as contenders this season. Noble needs another summer of building to sort that team out 100%. |
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Post by grumpyminer on Feb 24, 2007 2:16:43 GMT
Got home from work and watched the re-run. Proud of my boys though I don't think they are up to speed yet. Scully was definately the difference in the 2nd half along with Kieron Cunningham, who was superb to say he was only 70% fit.
I am hoping that this will kickstart the Saints' Superleague season and that the strange results can continue this weekend. Wigan to win at Bradford and Catalans to shock the Rhino's would be nice
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LUFC
Ashley Tait
Game On!
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Post by LUFC on Feb 25, 2007 2:43:31 GMT
Looks like you got your wish on the leeds front, but wigan got their ass whooped by a superior bradford side.
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Post by grumpyminer on Feb 25, 2007 3:08:21 GMT
It seems that nothing is what it seems.
Would not have dreamed that Catalans and Harlequins could be in the top half of the table and Saints below them. Not even after just 3 games. Saints could even be as low as 9th after the Sunday games.
Hadn't expected such a good start for the Bulls either, long way to go yet.
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Post by Alf Garnett on Feb 25, 2007 21:37:36 GMT
Looks like you got your wish on the leeds front, but wigan got their ass whooped by a superior bradford side. 4 points an ass whooping? Bradford thought they were home and hosed with a 20 point lead and nearly shot themselves in the foot. Looks like the Wolves -Hull game was the one to be at this weekend. |
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sunbeam
David Clarke
The Panthers don't do league titles. Not even Carlsberg can manage that!
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Post by sunbeam on Feb 26, 2007 12:26:18 GMT
I'm really plased with Quins start. Just a shame that they blew a win against Salford. Catalalans will do well this season. In Stacy Jones they have arguably the best RL player in Europe.
Looking a very even season so far. Football eat ya heart out.
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Post by grumpyminer on Feb 27, 2007 1:12:30 GMT
I'm really plased with Quins start. Just a shame that they blew a win against Salford. Catalalans will do well this season. In Stacy Jones they have arguably the best RL player in Europe. Looking a very even season so far. Football eat ya heart out. Would you kindly refrain from using the F-word on this thread. ;D |
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Post by Alf Garnett on Mar 4, 2007 18:59:16 GMT
A mere 4 rounds in and nobody has an unbeaten record.  |
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Oh and that includes wigan, i dont see them as contenders this season. Noble needs another summer of building to sort that team out 100%.