Warrington Wolves season preview

 

Warrington have been Super League’s ‘nearly men’ in recent seasons losing three Grand Finals in the last five years.

The Wolves won the League Leaders’ Shield in 2016 but fell at the final hurdle in both the Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final.

 

Chris Sandow’s departure is a huge loss with Kevin Brown brought in from local rivals Widnes to replace the Australian playmaker.

Warrington have strengthened their forward pack with Dom Crosby and Andre Savelio being brought in from Wigan and St Helens respectively as well as England international Mike Cooper returning to his hometown club after a stint in the NRL.

 

Will 2017 finally be their year?

TRANSFERS

In: Mike Cooper (St. George Illawarra Dragons), Dom Crosby (Wigan Warriors), Andre Savelio (St Helens), Kevin Brown (Widnes Vikings), Matty Blythe (Bradford Bulls).

Out: James Laithwaite (Toronto Wolfpack), Gary Wheeler (Toronto Wolfpack), Ben Evans (London Broncos), Mitchell Dodds (Brisbane Broncos), Dave Thompson (Leigh Centurions), Ryan Bailey (Released), Jordan Cox (Released), Daniel Murray (Salford Red Devils), Chris Sandow.

 

Having played a number of positions throughout his career, Stefan Ratchford excelled at full-back last season and has been handed the number one jersey for 2017.

Ex Salford star Ratchford will miss the start of the campaign through injury but will boost the side when he returns with his creativity and skill on the ball and his excellent reading of the game in defence.

Ex players

 

Daniel Murray

Warrington 27 Brisbane Broncos 18

when The World club challenge took place and Warrington recorded super leagues 1st victory of the weekend.

Warrington lead 20 - 0 at half time as tries from Marty Russell, Ryan Atkins and Tom Lineham gave them the lead with some inspirational play from Kevin Brown the Wolves were in control.

Corey Oates, James Roberts and David Mead replied for Brisbane in the 2nd half but Warrington held on to record this famous win

Despite  a slow start to the season Warrington are hoping to put in a few more peformances like this one to get their super league season underway.

Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail Podcast, Ryan Wilkinson joins the boys to talk all things Salford, including Gaz Obrien signing a new 3 year contract, Ian Watson talks about the defeat against Leeds and we preview the game on Saturday. Enjoy

Leigh Centurions season preview

 

Leigh Centurions return to Super League in 2017 following an 11-year absence and are aiming to prove that they are worthy of their top-flight status.

Neil Jukes’ side won six of their seven matches in the Qualifiers including wins over fellow Super League sides Huddersfield, Salford and Hull KR

 

The Centurions have added quality to their squad including the likes of Glenn Stewart and Atelea Vea from Catalans and St Helens respectively as well as Josh Drinkwater and Mitch Brown from the NRL.

Leigh Centurions return to Super League in 2017 following an 11-year absence and are aiming to prove that they are worthy of their top-flight status.

 

Leigh face a difficult opening set of fixtures and it will be a real test of their pedigree to compete with the competition’s best sides.

Staying in the Super League for 2018 will be the Centurions’ initial priority and then to build the club into a long-term Super League side.  

 

In: Josh Drinkwater (Wests Tigers), Mitch Brown (Cronulla Sharks), Atelea Vea (St Helens), Matty Dawson (St Helens), Antoni Maria (Catalans Dragons), Glenn Stewart (Catalans Dragons), Eloi Pelissier (Catalans Dragons), Ryan Hampshire (Wigan Warriors), Ben Crooks (Castleford Tigers, loan), James Green (Hull KR), Dave Thompson (Warrington Wolves), James Clare (Bradford Bulls).

Out: Liam Kay (Toronto Wolfpack), Jonathan Pownall (Toronto Wolfpack), Andrew Dixon (Toronto Wolfpack), Greg Worthington (Toronto Wolfpack), Tom Armstrong (Widnes Vikings), Reni Maitua (Retired), Tom Spencer (London Broncos).

 

KEY PLAYER – MICKEY HIGHAM

Mickey Higham will captain his home-town club in the competition this season and the experienced hooker will be looking to lead from the front.

The 36-year-old has 387 Super League appearances to his name but will have more pride than ever representing his local team and despite his age still has plenty to offer from dummy-half.

 

Ex players 

Liam Hood

 

Cory Patterson

 

Harrison Hanson

 

Gaz Hock

What a easter treat we have set up for you this week on YOUR devil in the detail podcast, after the amazing win v Hull we speak to Michael Dobson and Lami Tasi and get their reaction to the game, Ian Watson talks to us in Coaches corner too. We have all the latest news looking forward to Friday as well as Paul takes us through the amateur results and fixtures this weekend. Its a great show tune in here.

Wigan Warriors season preview

 

2016 was a hugely successful year for Wigan as they claimed their fourth Super League title with a 12-6 win over rivals Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.

With strong recruitment over the winter after Joe Burgess and Thomas Leuluai returned from the NRL, Warriors fans will have similar expectations for 2017 with a squad rich in talent.

 

Shaun Wane’s side will have to cope with the loss of key players Josh Charnley to Sale Sharks and Dan Sarginson and Matty Smith to the Nrl and Saints but the 52-year-old will already have their replacements in mind given his early transfer business, plus the range of options from their academy.

It’s certainly going to be another exciting year in the Betfred Super League but will Wigan reign supreme and hold on to their crown in October?

 

TRANSFERS

In: Joe Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Thomas Leuluai (New Zealand Warriors), Romain Navarette (Catalans Dragons), Morgan Escare (Catalans Dragons), Liam Forsyth (Bath RUFC).

Out: Josh Charnley (Sale Sharks), Dan Sarginson (Gold Coast Titans), Matty Smith (St Helens), Dom Crosby (Warrington Wolves), Ryan Hampshire (Leigh Centurions), Lee Mossop (Salford Red Devils).

 

http://ow.ly/247A308PDv6.

Check out our podcast above where we preview Saturdays game with help from Quays News Andie Riley and all the news from Salford Red Devils this week. Enjoy

Huddersfield Giants season preview

 

Huddersfield had a season to forget in 2016 finishing bottom of the table with just six wins from their 23 regular season matches.

The Giants came through the Qualifiers with five wins from seven and will be looking to return to the top end of the table this season.

 

Injury woes were a big factor as to why Huddersfield struggled last season and a relatively small squad compared to other sides could again cause a problem if injuries strike again.

Jake Mamo is a great addition at full-back after signing from Newcastle Knights with Lee Gaskell, Dale Ferguson, Paul Clough, Adam O'Brien and Alex Mellor all joining from Bradford after the bulls recent off field troubles.

 

The club have lost experienced forwards Eorl Crabtree and Craig Huby for the 2017 season Crabtree to retirement and Huby to Wakefield so this could be a year of transition for the Giants.

TRANSFERS

In: Jake Mamo (Newcastle Knights), Shannon Wakeman (Illawarra Cutters), Paul Clough (Bradford Bulls), Lee Gaskell (Bradford Bulls), Dale Ferguson (Bradford Bulls), Alex Mellor (Bradford Bulls), Adam O'Brien (Bradford Bulls).

Out: Joe Wardle (Newcastle Knights), Larne Patrick (Castleford Tigers), Jake Connor (Hull FC), Scott Grix (Wakefield Trinity), Kyle Wood (Wakefield Trinity), Craig Huby (Wakefield Trinity), Jamie Ellis (Hull KR), Eorl Crabtree (Retired), Josh Johnson (Released).

Danny Brough will once again be crucial for the Giants.

KEY PLAYER – DANNY BROUGH

Danny Brough has one of the best kicking games in the competition and Huddersfield will be relying on their skipper to lead them around the field again in 2017.

The players will be looking to right the wrongs of last season and Brough will be determined to take the Giants back to the right end of the table.

 

Former players 

 

Craig Kopzak

Your listening to this weeks podcast where the boys preview the game this week against Huddesfield Giants as well as interviews with Ian Watson and Niall Evalds talking all things Salford Red Devils.

Wakefield season preview 2017

 

After making progress in 2016, Wakefield will be looking to improve and qualify for the Super 8s this season.

Consistency will be Trinity’s biggest challenge after an impressive middle of the campaign in 2016, which saw them win nine out of ten games, was undone by a dismal end to the season which saw them finish the Super 8s winless.

 

Wakefield have boosted their forward pack by bringing in the experienced Craig Huby from Huddersfield and Mitch Allgood from Hull KR.

Former Catalan half back Sam Williams will add competition for places in the halves and the return of Scott Grix to the club is a reliable replacement at full-back for the new Toronto captain Craig Hall.

 

The club have removed the ‘Wildcats’ tag this season and will want their first season since reverting back to Wakefield Trinity to be a successful one.

In: Craig Huby (Huddersfield Giants), Kyle Wood (Huddersfield Giants), Scott Grix (Huddersfield Giants), Mason Caton-Brown (Salford Red Devils), Mitch Allgood (Hull KR), Keegan Hirst (Batley Bulldogs), Sam Williams (Canberra Raiders).

Out: Craig Hall (Toronto Wolfpack), Michael Simon (Catalans Dragons), Nick Scruton (Hull KR), Jason Walton (Bradford Bulls), Richard Owen (Released), Jordan Tansey (Released), Stuart Howarth (Released), Scott Anderson (Retired), Anthony Tupou (Released), Scott Moore (Released).

Former players

 

Ben Jones Bishop

 

Ashley Gibson 

Marty Ashurst

 

Mason Caton Brown

You are listening to his weeks Devil in the Detail podcast, we are joined by Simon Hindle to talk us through a week following Salford Red Devils.
Big interviews with 2 try hero Junior Sa'u and new signing Todd Carney who tells us how he is settling in. We have all the big news coming form the club including details of away day travel to Wakefield and loads more. Enjoy

Widnes season preview 2017

 

Widnes finished the 2016 season in seventh place – their highest position in Super League history – and will be looking to improve on that in 2017 and push for a play-off spot.

The Vikings made an incredible start to their 2016 campaign with six wins from their opening seven games before injuries played a significant role in their form dropping.

 

The huge loss of captain Kevin Brown to local rivals Warrington is a massive blow for the Vikings with the responsibility falling on the inexperienced Tom Gilmore to be a creative player at half-back with Joe Mellor.

 

Tom Armstrong and Tom Olbison are the only addition to Widnes’ squad from 2016 but tying down key players such as Corey Thompson, Charly Runciman and Rhys Hanbury to new contracts stands the side in good stead.

Check out this weeks Podcast for all your Salford Red Devils chat, we look back at the Toronto Victory with Craig Kopcjack, Mark Flannigan and Olsi Krasniqi we look at all the big news of the week including Justin Carney and potential museum of rugby in the city. Paul previews the games happening in the amateur scene as we preview the game against widnes on sunday

Leeds Rhinos season preview

Many thought that Leeds Rhinos would continue their 2015 treble-winning form last season despite losing three key players especially the instrumental Kevin Sinfield, but no-one could have predicted how things transpired for the treble winners the year before.

However, they finished strongly with six wins out of seven in the Super 8s Qualifiers and will be hoping to continue that form into 2017, starting with the opening fixture against St Helens.

 

Although transfer business has been quiet, Brian McDermott’s side have strength in all areas and will be another team that will be looking to break into last season’s top four sides.

Will Leeds return to their usual selves this season or will it be a growing period again for the rhinos.

 

In: Matt Parcell (Manly Sea Eagles), Jack Ormondroyd (Featherstone Rovers), Cory Aston (Sheffield Eagles).

Out: Zak Hardaker (Castleford Tigers, loan), Mitch Achurch (Released), James Segeyaro.

Previous players 

 

Joel Moon

 

Weller Hauraki