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Featured Sport News

Surprises galore in Super League

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 24/03/2009

A league table may never lie but, as is the case with the current Super League standings, it certainly doesn't tell the whole story.

'Welcome to the greatest two-team league outside of Scottish football' it could currently read, even if that would ignore the efforts of betting outsiders Hull - tied on points as they are with Leeds and St Helens.

Yet fans of the big two would be the first to admit that this season has been anything but predictable. After all, the Rhinos and Saints have had their struggles.

Who could forget Super League first-timers Celtic Crusaders holding the Saints for almost an hour before losing 4-0 to a single Tom Armstrong try?

How many of the Leeds faithful can say they thought this season would be a breeze when Warrington - who would go on to lose 60-8 to Harlequins the week after - lost only thanks to a late Danny McGuire try after coming from 12 points down to draw level at 14-14?

Sure, the top of the table will probably look pretty similar come September but the chasing pack has shown enough to suggest a number of scraps could yet ignite the 2009 season.

Wakefield continue to look like world-beaters at Belle Vue while struggling away from home, although form will be the last thing on their minds as the club comes to terms with the sudden death of Leon Walker, a shock that could yet impact their on-field performances.

Meanwhile Huddersfield and Castleford, the other two teams sitting two points behind the top three, have produced some thrilling performances away from home while being frustrating in their own back yard.

The Giants are arguably the more dangerous of the chasing sides, having lost only to top-three teams while hammering Harlequins 46-6 last weekend to seal a win at the Galpharm for the first time since last July.

It looks inconceivable that they could go so long without another home win when Brett Hodgson, Darrell Griffin, Luke Robinson and Scott Moore are all at the top of their game.

The league will also be expecting surges from the economic powerhouses of Bradford and Wigan, although early season form has put pressure on the head coaches of both clubs.

The Warriors, after suffering their worst start to a season in 23 years, are beginning to heat up and have won three of their last four games - losing only to Leeds.

The Bulls are in worse shape, winning their first game of the season last weekend - a shaky 30-24 victory over Catalans Dragons, that was only sealed by a last-minute try from Dave Halley.

Coach Steve McNamara could be binned within a month, a move that could send the team either way.

A note also about the two teams that look unlikely to move, Salford and Celtic Crusaders, who have produced some good performances but have problems - the Reds concede too many, the Crusaders score too few - that won't be easily solved, giving ammunition to those critical of their inclusion and the new franchise system.

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