Mad World

The latest craze in Rugby League is, "Who can snag an ex Bull?". Leigh Centurions have snagged their man, James Clare. Admittedly Leigh have had tabs on the flying winger for some time now, but everybody seems to be at it. Even Widnes who have singularly failed to sign anyone in the off-season have bagged one in the shape of Tom Olbison. Salford got Eddie the Werewolf (Kris Welham), one of those PITA players that you hate to see line up for the opposition.

Personally I am delighted Leigh have got a winger with Super League experience, and a superb try scoring record, because this was an area of weakness in the squad. All this comes at a time when Business men are frantically trying to salvage a Bradford team for the upcoming season. 12 points down and no players with 5 weeks before the start of the season, they are going to be scouring the local amateur sides and raiding academies just to field a team. Hull KR must be delighted, with all the media attention that will surround a first Phoenix Bradford team, and playing a team that will be only just on first name terms with each other.

Expect a point a minute as Hull KR are able to execute all their training ground moves.

As it stands there is no Bradford team, and all those ex Bulls players are without a salary. I do not blame any of them taking opportunities where they can, and I applaud any club who can find a home for one of these players. I just hope that when Bradford are desperate for players, then these clubs offer Bradford loan players so they can get back on their feet.

The Lonely Bull

The story for me begins Sunday 15th February 2015. The first game of the Championship, Leigh Centurions vs Bradford Bulls, the current Championship Winning team against the once mighty Bradford Bulls recently relegated in the Super League reshuffle from 14 teams to 12. A beautiful crisp and sunny February day with 7,449 fans willing to see their team win at all costs. For Leigh it was a gauge to see how their promotion ambitions would fare against a recent Super League team, for Bradford Bulls, this was a chance to put the noisy upstarts in there place. The atmosphere was absolutely electric.

The story unfolded as per the article from Yorkshire Post. Leigh were down at half time 6-20 with the Bulls rampant in the first period. The game was marred by violent niggly play by both teams and cards were flourished at regular intervals. In the end Leigh stormed past by Bradford with relative ease, but all who witnessed this game had seen a fantastic spectacle of two teams going at it tooth and nail. A modern day rivalry was started on that day, and it would be Leigh who would have the upper hand throughout. Bradford would get revenge that season and it was they not Leigh who eventually competed for the Million Pound game. In achieving that one game of 80 minutes Bradford had gambled big style, running a team at a loss in the attempt to return to Super League at the first time of asking. In many ways this was the beginning of the end.

The London Broncos chose the other route and have slowly build a team strong enough to finish 2nd in 2016, The Centurions dusted themselves down and built a stronger team that no longer resembled the Championship winning team of 2014. Instead it contained 13 internationals and a team of gnarly veterans and bad boys. Bradford in contrast would go backwards, with inconsistent form and financial problems.

The Golden Age of the Bradford Bulls came into effect with the advent of Super League and they would eventually win 3 Grand Finals. Looking back with hindsight at what cost was this achieved. 2012 - 2017 has seen an assortment of maladies Administrations, Relegation, and Liquidation. Despite the rivalry of the last 2 years it is sad that the Bradford Bulls no longer exist but the club has been mismanaged for a very long time and for some reason I think the biggest issue is the ground itself. Odsal is an expensive millstone around their neck, and a new stadium or a ground share would be a better option.

The recent decision by the RFL to keep a place open in the Championship for Bradford is wrong, it is based on the RFL having a stake in Odsal. Demoting them to Championship 1, would reduce income for a newly formed team and would make Odsal under the current terms non-viable.

The RFL should be fair to all it's members and they should have a standard set of punishments. Other clubs Oldham, Gateshead etc have been exiled to the lowest league, so it is wrong for them to be given special privileges.

A Day At The Races

Castleford Tigers
Ins: Zak Hardaker (loan), Jesse Sene-Lefao, Larne Patrick, Greg Eden, Tuoyo Egodo, Dan Igbinedion

Outs: Luke Dorn, Denny Solomona, Lee Jewitt, Frankie Mariano, Ryan Boyle, Jy Hitchcox, Ben Crooks (loan), Will Maher (loan), Tom Holmes (loan)

There is no doubt that Castleford have lost some attacking power, with the loss of Luke Dorn and Denny Solomona. Daryl Powell is a shrewd operator and I have no doubt he will plug these holes somehow. Zak Hardaker is not a like for like swap and despite the previous Man of Steel accolade he looked more like Man of Balsa Wood. In a struggling Leeds side he tried damn hard to stop the rot, but the more he tried the worse he got. Maybe the NRL straightened him out, but only time will tell if the Man of Steel was a flash in the pan. I expect Castleford to be as unpredictable as last year but without the flair.

Prediction 6th

Catalans Dragons
Ins: Sam Moa, Greg Bird, Luke Burgess, Luke Walsh, Mickael Simon, Brayden Wiliame, Iain Thornley

Outs: Todd Carney, Glenn Stewart, Dave Taylor, Eloi Pelissier, Gregory Mounis, Morgan Escare, Romain Navarette, Stan Robin, Antoni Maria, Olivier Elima

Another rebuilding year for the Catalan side, after showing much early promise they became porous in the second half of the season. The out going players show a ripping up of the 2016 team, with a lot of good talent walking out of the door. I expect the Dragons to really struggle this time out.

Prediction 8th

Huddersfield GiantsIns: Lee Gaskell, Dale Ferguson, Paul Clough, Jake Mamo, Shannon Wakeman

Outs: Scott Grix, Joe Wardle, Eorl Crabtree, Craig Huby, Larne Patrick, Kyle Wood, Jake Connor, Josh Johnson, Jamie Ellis (loan)

2016 was not a good year for the Giants, and the transfers in and out suggest that things are not going to get any easier any time soon. Relying on recruitment from the sinking wreckage of the Bradford Bulls, does not look like the way to bolster a flaying Super League team. The Huddersfield pack looks on the weak side losing Crabtree, Patrick, and Huby. Many people are expecting a very difficult year for the Giants.

Prediction 12th

Hull FC
Ins: Josh Griffin, Jake Connor, Albert Kelly, Nick Rawsthorne

Outs: Leon Pryce, Iafeta Palea’aesina, Frank Pritchard, Kirk Yeaman, Harry Tyson-Wilson, Reece Dean, Jordan Abdull (loan)

I will personally miss the might and power of Frank "The Tank" Pritchard, but there is more than a little muscle in this Hull side. The Challenge Cup victory was the end of the season for Hull. Dreams of doing a Leeds and winning everything disappeared very sharply after the elation. I expect Albert Kelly to be back to his best and for this to be a remarkable season for the Black and Whites, with no derby games to distract.

Prediction 1st

Leeds Rhinos
Ins: Jack Ormandroyd, Cory Aston, Matt Parcell

Outs: Mitch Achurch, Zak Hardaker (loan)

Not much activity going on at Headingley this season. The top priority has been a quality Hooker, and with the stay away Segeyaro, they have had to scour the NRL looking for an available player willing to make Leeds his home. Matt Parcell looks on a paper to be an adequate if not an upgrade on Segeyaro. Nobody thinks that this Leeds team will be serious challengers but they can not be as bad in 2017 as they were in 2016. Much is still dependant on the ageing half backs, and there needs to be an improvement in the youngsters. The backs still look strong, but they are in need of someone who can slot over those conversions with more regularity than was evident last season

Prediction 5th

Leigh Centurions
Ins: Glenn Stewart, Eloi Pelissier, Antoni Maria, Atelea Vea, Ryan Hampshire, James Green, David Thompson, Ben Crooks (loan)

Outs: Greg Worthington, Liam Kay, Fuifui Moimoi, Bob Beswick, Johnny Pownall, Reni Maitua, Tom Spencer, Andrew Dixon, Tom Armstrong, Eze Harper, Richard Whiting, Sam Barlow

Plenty of activity at the LSV, and most it forced by the emergence of the Toronto Centurions. Some of the positions where vacated during the 2016 season and have already been bloodied into the team like Josh Drinkwater, Mitch Brown and Matty Dawson. Ben Crooks and Atelea Vea will fill holes, but the strengthening will come from Glenn Stewart and Eloi Pelissier. A tough year ahead but this is a team full of experience.

Prediction 9th

Salford Red Devils
Ins: Lama Tasi, Lee Mossop, Kris Brining, Daniel Murray

Outs: Josh Griffin, Daniel Vidot, Tommy Lee, Phil Joseph, Mason Caton-Brown, Matt Sarsfield, Matty Gee, Jordan Andrade, Sean Kenny, Luke Burgess

After much soul searching Marwan Koukash reversed his decision. Go down he would stay, survive and he would sell. The tense nature of survival allowed him to change his mind, but not without changes. Tim Sheens as gone leaving Ian Watson alone in the hot seat. Corners have been cut and spending is to be reduced in attempt to get the club in a situation where it can survive without a wealthy benefactor. The reserve grade as been cut, but the club are nowhere near solving the issue of increased revenue, and an expensive rental agreement for the stadium. 4 in and 10 out tells it's own story, and a club that struggled for large periods after the points deduction was finally applied. There is a good team in there somewhere, I am just not sure it is going to find itself this season.

Prediction 11th

St Helens
Ins: Ryan Morgan, Luke Douglas, Matty Smith, Adam Walker, Tommy Lee

Outs: Travis Burns, Jordan Turner, Lama Tasi, Atelea Vea, Luke Walsh, Andre Savelio, Shannon McDonnell, Lewis Charnock, Olly Davies, Matthew Haggerty, Levy Nzougou

Quite a list of departees. St Helens have obvious strengths and fragile egos. The forwards are good, the backs are good, but the half backs do not work in tandem. The closest they got last season was Jordan Turner made the switch at the back end of the season. Out goes Burns, Walsh and Turner and only one half back signed. Nobody doubts the boot of Matty Smith, but one suspects that St Helens need a more creative spark, and where is the cover coming from with only Smith and Farge as the experienced half backs. Expect plenty of wins but for St Helens to be as dull as dishwater (Wigan 2016 style)

Prediction 4th

Wakefield Trinity
Ins: Scott Grix, Kyle Wood, Mitchell Allgood, Sam Williams, Craig Huby, Mason Caton-Brown, Keegan Hirst

Outs: Richard Owen, Nick Scruton, Scott Moore, Mickael Simon, Anthony Tupou, Scott Anderson, Stuart Howarth, Craig Hall, Andy Yates, Jason Walton

Wakefield appear to be building on top of what was a solid 2016 season. Recruitment looks strong but expect Wakefield to be unpredictable, it seems to be part of their DNA.

Prediction 7th

Warrington Wolves
Ins: Kevin Brown, Mike Cooper, Dom Crosby, Andre Savelio, Matty Blythe

Outs: Chris Sandow, Mitchell Dodds, James Laithwaite, Ben Evans, Gary Wheeler, Jordan Cox, Ryan Bailey, Daniel Murray, David Thompson

What a season for Warrington, involved in the treble but falling short at the big hurdles. Big disruptions with Sandow, but the rumour was he was just bad news off the field. Kevin Brown is still at the top of his game, but the big question is how many games will that be? Declan Patton looks like a very able replacement, but is it all a big gamble? Every Warrington fan expects this to be their season, but then again they say that every year. Expect the nearly men to live up to their reputation.

Prediction 2nd

Widnes Vikings
Ins: Tom Armstrong

Outs: Kevin Brown, Setaimata Sa, Paddy Flynn, Almer Salvilla

A wafer thin squad made even more transparent with a weak recruitment drive. Rumours of financial problems are backed up by the lack of purchase power even with a reputed £200 K burning a hole in Steve O'Connor's pocket. There is a lot of pressure being heaped on Tom Gilmore to adequately replace the departing Kevin Brown.

Prediction 10th

Wigan Warriors
Ins: Joe Burgess, Thomas Leuluai, Morgan Escaré, Romain Navarette, Liam Forsyth

Outs: Josh Charnley, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Dom Crosby, Lee Mossop, Ryan Hampshire, Luke Waterworth

Award for the most boring team to watch 2016 went to Wigan on an unanimous vote. Even the Wigan supporters club (Sky Sports) put the boot in. 4 drives down the middle (One man Rugby) throw the ball on the 5th and then kick. Rinse and repeat. It was quite telling in the absence of Wigan Players, with the exception of Dom Manfredi. The one thing they did do well was defend except against Wakefield 62-0 in case anybody has forgotten that little gem. All credit must go to the team for finishing the season like a runaway train. Burgess, Leuluai and Escare are interesting signings, but is it enough to finish top of the pile?
Prediction 3rd

If I Could Turn Back Time

With the Leigh Centurions gathering the strongest team in living memory, I thought it was time to cast my mind back over the years and dig out some heroes from yesteryear. I have put a provisional starting point of around 1978 which is the first time I can remember going to a match. The only thing I remember is Des Drummond standing on the touchline just in front of me, waiting for a kick off and the strong smell of wintergreen and my fathers Victory V's.

Without any further ado, here we go:

1.       Neil Turley

2.       Des Drummond

3.       John Henderson

4.       Tom Armstrong

5.       Liam Kay

6.       John Woods

7.       Mike Ford

8.       Tim Street

9.       Micky Higham

10.   Fuifui Moimoi

11.   Simon Baldwin

12.   Cory Paterson

13.   Adam Bristow

Fullback - I had this narrowed down to Neil Turley, Paul Topping and Stuart Donlan. Much as I like the other two, Neil Turley was worth the entrance fee on his own. He had tremendous pace and a graceful running style reminiscent of the great John Woods, in the way he could run on an arc to avoid the oncoming tacklers.

Wingers - Des Drummond "Superstar", enough said. Liam Kay is the most exciting winger I have seen at Leigh for a long time. Leigh went through a long period of slow, wingers. At the end of day I would rather see Denny Solomona than Patrick Ah Van. Give me a whippet any day like Mason Caton-Brown.

Centres - I am sure Leigh have had some good centres over the years, but these two gave me greatest joy to watch. Except for John Henderson being caught by Barrie Ledger who sprinted from the other touchline to prevent Leigh from going to Wembley.

Stand Off - John Woods, this is Leigh we are talking about, how many other players have a statue outside the LSV. Tommy Martyn could have been a legend if he had come to Leigh earlier in his career. Someone definitely dropped the ball letting a Martyn go to Oldham.

Scrum Half - Mike Ford was a quality player and he played in Leigh team that liked to play 3 scrum halves at the same time (Jason Donohue and Phil Johnson) (Hooker and Loose Forward in case your interested).

Prop Forward - As a pair of  props my favourites were Tim Street and Lee Hanson. As a ball handling prop, I was a big fan of Derek Pyke. Fuifui is a legend at the club hence my choice.

Hooker -  Leigh have been particularly blessed in this area in recent years, from John Duffy, Sean Penkywicz, Bob Beswick. Micky Higham has done two brilliant but separate stints and had the temerity to have a successful career in between.

Second Row - Simon Baldwin had two great stints at the club. Cory Paterson is only one season in, but what a great player with ball in hand.

Loose Forward -  A position that has lost it's focus in recent years. I used to love watching Harry Pinner or John Pendlebury pulling the strings from the pack. Adam Bristow was not a fancy dan, but he was ever dependable. An all round good guy.

Unfortunately I never saw Alex Murphy, Mick Martyn or Kevin Ashcroft play so that's my team.

Say Hello Wave Goodbye

Promotion in 2016 was the culmination of 3 very successful seasons. The team that won the Championship in 2014 is no longer the team that will ply it's trade in the Super League in 2017. The roll call of fan favourites leaving the club was a sad sight to see,

Outs: Greg Worthington, Liam Kay, Fuifui Moimoi, Bob Beswick, Johnny Pownall, Reni Maitua, Tom Spencer, Andrew Dixon, Tom Armstrong, Eze Harper, Richard Whiting, Sam Barlow

Greg Worthington - you will be missed, and why for godsake would you choose to play in Championship 1 when Super League beckons. A player who got stronger every season. Good Luck at Toronto mate.

Liam Kay - The best winger seen at Leigh for many a year. It's shame it all turned sour at the end.

Fuifui Moimoi - The King of the Bash. Thanks for the memory, it was pleasure to watch you every week giving it every you had. The best memories are running up the North Stand to celebrate your try, and kicking a conversion. You sir, are a legend of the game.

Bob Beswick - What happened to you? It could have been a wonderful season, but by all accounts you went on unofficial strike. I will miss you, but you left a bad taste in the mouth.

Johnny Pownall - The world loves a trier, and I think you deserve the big adventure of playing in Toronto.

Reni Maitua - I thought Leigh had signed a wrong 'un when you turned up. What a season to retire! Good Luck in everything you do. Thanks for the memories.

Tom Spencer - A good signing for London, I hope you have another good season.

Andrew Dixon - The hardest working man on the field. Nothing flashy just make those big yards and play wherever you were asked to. Good Luck in Toronto.

Tom Armstrong - When you played with Liam Kay the roof of the stand would lift off in anticipation, whenever either of you got the ball. 2016 was not your best and it was not a surprise you signed for the Winless Vikings.

Eze Harper - Good Luck, not really given too many opportunities for progression.

Richard Whiting - Not sure what happened to you, but during certain periods you where the best Leigh player by a mile. Good Luck in Toronto

Sam Barlow - You blew it mate! We could have it had it all. It's kind of ironic that it is was temper that did you in the end.


Ins: Glenn Stewart, Eloi Pelissier, Antoni Maria, Atelea Vea, Ryan Hampshire, James Green, David Thompson, Ben Crooks (loan)

For a bit of fun I am going to line up the outgoing players with incoming players.

Out		In	Winner
Greg Worthington	V's	Ben Crooks	Draw
Liam Kay	V's	Ryan Hampshire	Liam Kay
Fuifui Moimoi	V's	James Green	Fuifui Moimoi
Bob Beswick	V's	Eloi Pelissier	Eloi Pelissier
Johnny Pownall	V's	David Thompson	David Thompson
Reni Maitua	V's	Atelea Vea	Draw
Tom Spencer	V's	Antoni Maria	Antoni Maria
Andrew Dixon	V's	Glenn Stewart	Glenn Stewart
Tom Armstrong	V's		No Contest
Eze Harper	V's		No Contest
Richard Whiting	V's		No Contest
Sam Barlow	V's		No Contest

It is a tight contest with the Out team scoring 2 victories to 4 wins for the In team. Not a totally convincing victory for the Super League boys.

If I Only Had A Brain

Prior to the start of the 2016 season, the much loved Head Coach and former player, Paul Rowley mysteriously left the club. It was a dark cloud that was never fully revealed to the general public, but the void was filled by rumours of which I would never dare to speak openly on the internet.

Derek Beaumont quickly promoted the two remaining coaches, with Neil Jukes and Paul Anderson, being left to run the club and playing staff. Mid season the two vacant positions where filled in by Paul Cooke and Keiron Purtill. Paul Cooke was available immediately and appears to have had an instant impact. Keiron Purtill was placed on garden leave and not able to start his new position until the season had officially finished.

How good are the brains in the outfit? It is important to know because brawn is no advantage when fighting brawn, it is brain power that will win the day. The Duke of Wellington is attributed to the quote, "The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton". The coaching staff have to lay down the platform to beat the opposition. At the same time opposition is trying to do the exact same thing to you.

Neil Jukes - Head Coach - It is telling that Jukesy's Wiki page is only two lines long, which is still probably more than his playing career. Credit must go to Neil for steering the team all season, with only 3 defeats in all competitions. The biggest plus in his favour is long history with the club from player to 6/7 years as assistant coach. There is no Super League experience, with the exception of 4 games in the middle 8's.

In a game where to rise to the top of the coaching profession you must first have played the game to a decent level. Neil did not have a stellar playing career and quite frankly in interview appears to only just have a grasp of basic English and is not best suited to media work.

Paul Anderson - Assistant Coach - appears to work in the background as the club enforcer and glorified water carrier. Not much is known of his work, but he appears to be hot headed and prone to get into trouble with authority. Not a good role model when the team need to limit the amount of penalties they give away, if they any chance of competing in Super League.

Paul Cooke - Assistant Coach - A player with some distinction, and an astute reader of the game. Paul Cooke obtained coaching experience with Doncaster Knights in Rugby Union, working as a Skills and Backs coach. He is a sharp analyst and appears to like working with the loveable rogues of the game. Troubled during his own playing career he is trying provide both skills and advice to those that most need it. During a break in a game, he will often relay advice to the key players in the Halves, Fullback and Hooking positions.

Many people believe that he will eventually become the Head Coach at Leigh when Neil Jukes fails to make the grade. Paul appears to be well settled at the club and in a recent interview with the Guardian appears to be close to signing an extension to his contract.

Keiron Purtill - Assistant Coach - Well respected in the game, Keiron has spent the last 14 years as Assistant Coach at St Helens and Huddersfield. Although fired from his last position or more plausible made his escape plans to flee the sinking Huddersfield Giants.

Keiron is expected to polish up the team and concentrate on the youth setup and player welfare.

In summary Leigh have created a strong coaching team, who appear to be bonding the team together, they have introduced are the latest technology, but that only brings them in line with all the other Super League teams.

It is hoped that Neil Jukes and Paul Anderson are concerned with the team as a whole, whilst Paul Cooke and Keiron Purtill can assist at a player level with bring new attacking ideas that will hopefully be able to get the team over the whitewash. (See Leigh v Huddersfield 2016). Leigh in the 1st half deliberately targeted the international pairing of Leroy Cudjoe and Jermaine McGilvary as a weakness defensively. It paid huge dividends with Matty Dawson scoring a hat trick of tries. This I have no doubt was the work of Paul Cooke.

As a team Leigh need to shore up the defence, otherwise they are constantly going to be chasing games. The middle 8's saw a late capitulation in all 7 games, and this is a major weakness when Leigh are starved of the ball for long periods.

The Winner Takes It All

At this time of year it is safe to dream of what might be, but the reality is much more terrifying. There are 12 teams competing for the top slot, but in Rugby League the top teams are not concerned with positions after 23 games, only after 30 or more importantly after 32. The Challenge Cup is the one the fans want to win after a good day out in London and the Club wants the Grand Final.

If you want to know the order of importance, just ask a Warrington fan, because at the end of the day they won the one Trophy the fans didn't really care about.

No Super League teams wants to finish in the bottom four, and the target therefore for a team like Leigh Centurions is to make the top 8. In order to achieve that based on last years results, you need to achieve 21 points. 20 Points with Salford having 6 points re-instated would have shown the danger zone with points For and Against coming into play.

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Ded	Pts
1	Hull FC	23	17	0	6	605	465	0	34
2	Warrington	23	16	1	6	675	425	0	33
3	Wigan	23	16	0	7	455	440	0	32
4	St Helens	23	14	0	9	573	536	0	28
5	Catalans	23	13	0	10	593	505	0	26
6	Castleford	23	10	1	12	617	640	0	21
7	Widnes	23	10	0	13	499	474	0	20
8	Wakefield	23	10	0	13	485	654	0	20
9	Leeds	23	8	0	15	404	576	0	16
10	Salford	23	10	0	13	560	569	6	14
11	Hull KR	23	6	2	15	486	610	0	14
12	Hudd'sfld	23	6	0	17	511	569	0	12

Can Leigh obtain 21 points from 23 games? and If so, who could they beat to get those points?

11 home wins would do nicely, but even Catalan don't achieve that kind of home advantage. If we assume that a loss to the big 5 Home and Away to Hull, Warrington, Wigan, St Helens, and Leeds.

That means they need to win 10 and draw 1 against Catalan, Castleford, Widnes, Wakefield, Salford and Huddersfield. 

In my opinion it is a tough ask to pick off the weaker teams and in particular to do so Home and Away. 

The 1st Four games of the season will set an early marker for where Leigh are at.

Friday 10th February 2017 8pm K.O - Castleford v Leigh

Friday 17th February 2017 8pm K.O - Leigh v Leeds

Friday 24th February 2017 8pm K.O - Leigh v St Helens

Friday 3rd March 2017        8pm K.O - Wigan v Leigh

Castleford are a very inconsistent team, only 1 point separated them from the mid table pack last season, but they did finish very strongly in the Super 8's.

Leeds are also going to be better than last season, everybody knows that.

St Helens are going to be tough at any point in the season

Wigan is a grudge match on Home turf for the Pies.

Theoretically Leigh could easily be on nil points from 4 games. Leaving a tough set of matches against Hudderfield, Warrington, Wakefield, Widnes, Catalan and Salford to try to play catch up.

I like the Leigh team on paper but they have to play these games on the green stuff, and I have absolutely no doubt that it is going to be tough.

For this reason I am predicting a bottom 2 finish with around 14 points. That means hitting the middle 8's with only 3 home games. It is a tough old game.