XIII Oceans

Huddersfield Giants
Since the beginning of his tenure Jon Sharp has improved both the fortunes and competitiveness of a club that has shown faith and patience during the lowest of lows, making you ask yourself just how good it is to see a side rewarded for seeing through the results to the performances. Sharp’s Giants live up to the name, being physically confrontational in size and style of play that is more than just simple intimidation. Led by ” The Nathan Hindmarsh Of Super League”, Stephen Wild in the forwards even when their best are out you still know that they’re a handful if they have their mind on the game. Certainly last season’s position suggested a bit more consistency, leaving you wondering just how far this side could go if they managed to hit it more often. This year threatens to be one that could be difficult, following the losses of the very influential Brad Drew and Robbie Paul, because of the new expectations in “dem der neck of the woods”. A lot of those expectations will rest on the shoulders of the last half back from the overrated Wigoon production line, Luke Robinson, who alongside Kevin Brown will seal the starting half back positions for England at this year’s RL World Cup if they inspire the Giants to a league and cup double.
Key player: Luke Robinson has to give his side the direction, kicking and running threat that has gone with Drew.
Prediction:  8th

Hull FC
What a washout last year was. After an amazing first Grand Final appearance in 2006 last year was meant to be another Grand Final appearance or win, not a 40 odd point thrashing off a newly promoted team or a cup run cut short at home by a team in the second year of its existence. Fans of Hull FC, those who haven’t gone gloryhunting to Hull KR with the rest of the squad anyway, expect 2008 to be a year of more than slight return with new players Dykes and Berrigan they have ready made replacements for Cooke and Swain who may actually be an improvement. Perhaps most interesting though is the arrival of 30 year old prop, Peter Cusack, who arrives having appeared in four Grand Finals for the Roosters in the NRL, a record that even future Warrington RL legend Adrian Morley couldn’t match. The input of Cusack could be critical for Hull after last season saw their pack turn in some neutral efforts. In recent years Hull have managed to put out a strong pack, culminating in that Grand Final appearance, however last year the packed looked as if it had gone backwards and even with a devastating winger like Gareth Raynor, a zippy winger who prompts reminisces of Jason Robinson in size 12 magnetic boots on a gridiron pitch, you can’t hope to win many games if your pack doesn’t get hold of the game. The arrival of Dykes should give Hull back something they lost with Cooke’s departure but I’m not convinced it’s enough to propel them back near the top.
Key player: Shaun Berrigan - both Swain and Godwin have left placing a lot of importance on how Berrigan performs.
Prediction: 6th

Hull KR
An incredible first season for Rovers in the big time resulted in some pride inducing derby wins, ill-behaved fans and the Paul Cooke affair, it was column inches galore. Justin Morgan managed to fashion a side that was more than competitive in its debut year and he’s been backed by his board this year to build on that with some terrific signings for a club of their stature. Some may say that players like Briscoe, Walker and Mills are sub-par international players and they’d be quite right, but when you’re a side that usually shops in Wilko’s the odd trip to Homebase is like tasting Coke after grass, juice. There’s more than a sense of hope that Hull KR will be flying this year with players like Jake ‘Meninga’ Webster and two NRL back backrowers in the form of Ben Galea and Clint Newton should give them a toughness in the pack that was exposed against the likes of Saints. Interesting fact, Clint Newton was born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and I got a shag on the beach there several years ago.
Key player: Paul Cooke - even though he’s banned until mid-March, having him playing behind a strong pack could be a game winner.
Prediction: 7th

Leeds Rhinos
Joint favourites with The S for this season’s title and there’s little doubt in my mind that they’ll be contesting one, if not both, competition finals. There are no new signings other than the coach, who brings with him a coaching record that contains the most impressive RL coaching achievement in the past thirty years. What McClennan brings to the team is different to what Tony Smith did. I think we can expect a more physical and inventive game from Leeds this year and that’s why I think they’re the team to beat. McClennan lifted the Kiwis to a position where they were able to challenge the Aussies for more than one game with the same players that Daniel Anderson had. Given that McClennan has no head coaching experience in the NRL or Super League, there’s a possiblity that the competition’s intensity may impact on his possible success but it would take a disaster for him not to be coaching this squad to a top placed finish. Add to that his own personal motivation for wanting to win a trophy and I think you’ve got a side that’s going to be extremely difficult to keep away from both competitions and perhaps the best hope for the league is the slightly earlier start contributing to an end of season running-on-empty scenario as has befell other teams in similar situations.
Key player: Rob Burrow - turned in a great series against the Kiwis and is the likely selection for England’s ill-fated World Cup appearance.
Prediction: 1st