Super League 2013

[BulldozerD]

Can't put my finger on why but don't fancy Wigan to finish top, not at that price. Too many fundamental changes maybe.

Looking forward to the new season

[kinboshi]

there is a salary cap in Union, though a club like Saracens is notorious for circumventing it via sponsor's businesses employing players on a part time basis etc

One of the things I found was it was possible for a superior team in RL to run up the score on a markedly inferior team as when the superior team scores a try, they receive the kick off and can go again....

As the RL boys imply though the gap between top and bottom in the RU Premiership is bigger than ever, whereas I suspect (from a lower base of knowledge) that its narrower in RL these days as a lot of talent drain has gone from the top end of RL

Warrington have been doing exactly the same with the salary cap in league.  Players choosing them over other clubs because of 'incentives'.  Red Hall merely look the other way as to have Warrington as a challenge to win the GF is meant to be good for the game.

The cao means that clubs can't just go out and buy the best (unless you're Warrington), which is a good thing.  Clubs with a good academy  are benefiting, but this again is the richer clubs...

[kinboshi]

Can't put my finger on why but don't fancy Wigan to finish top, not at that price. Too many fundamental changes maybe.

Looking forward to the new season

Carmont retiring is a big loss, but there are other centres to step up in the club, and talk of a signing as well.

The half-backs of Smith and Green to replace Tommy and Finch will be the big change for me. I actually think Wigan have been lacking a decent kicking game (other than the high kick to Richards in the corner), and Smith and Green might change that, as well as the benefit of Green's pace.

Lima has gone from the pack, but to be honest it looked like he'd left half-way through last season - so no big loss there and there are plenty in the side good enough to step up in the forwards, as well as the new signing Taylor who looks like a really good talent.

If not Wigan, you'd bet on Warrington - or someone else?

[BulldozerD]

As the RL boys imply though the gap between top and bottom in the RU Premiership is bigger than ever, whereas I suspect (from a lower base of knowledge) that its narrower in RL these days as a lot of talent drain has gone from the top end of RL

No not really, there is still alot of talent at the top end of RL but the days of marquee signings from the southern hemisphere are diminishing because of the sizeable NRL salary cap and the exchange rate of the Aussie dollar over recent years. This has also meant a few UK players going to the NRL, which is good for SL imo. Although any team in SL can win on any given day, the makeup of the top 8 teams is still fairly consistent, give or take a couple of teams.
Obviously we would like SL to have the intensity and competition of the Aussie NRL but it won't happen in the medium term. However I still enjoy watching games on TV and have renewed my season ticket as it is still my favourite sport to watch.

What I am really hoping for is a competitive world cup and England beating Aus/NZ. I think we have a good young talented team at the moment, as well as some depth.

[BulldozerD]

Warrington are obviously favourites but I wouldn't rule out Leeds, Saints or Wigan. Alot will be down to injuries over the course of the season though.

[Acidmouse]

Alot of the Leeds players earn less staying at Leeds than they could do elsewhere. I don't know if they have other incentives but it seems from the fans point of view and the things the players say is they want to play for Leeds, they supported Leeds growing up and many grew up around Leeds. Why should they go seek pastures new when its failed for so many?

RL is great to bet on, dunno who prices up games but a few times last season teams were 10/1+ vs Warrington which is just ridiculous.

As for betting on the league title, I am not sure what to think of the bet.. 11/4 seems OK but it only takes Tompkins to get long term injury and you turn into a beatable team. As the league aint that important anymore I would only bet on Grand Final winners. Leeds were as long as 33/1 in running for 2012

Injuries are such a huge factor for all team in RL, it seems every week a key players gets a serious injury (the only time we didn't win the Grand final was when 3 of our team were recovering from ACL's) so for me betting anything beyond week to week fixtures is a no no.

[Acidmouse]

As the RL boys imply though the gap between top and bottom in the RU Premiership is bigger than ever, whereas I suspect (from a lower base of knowledge) that its narrower in RL these days as a lot of talent drain has gone from the top end of RL

do you think the reason RU introduced bonus points for losing and scoring tries was to reduce the gap? or just promote more attacking play?

[kinboshi]

Makes sense fella.  The weekly rounds betting, with a bit of inside knowledge now and again could be a good earner and a bit of fun.  There are enough on here with decent RL knowledge.

Could do something throughout the season.

[TightEnd]

The English ru premiership introduced a grand final type system and bonus points to keep more teams in the hunt for longer in the season.most fans would like a straight league, but money talks. More games etc. Ru laws and esp probs in the scrum actively mitigate against attacking play

[Acidmouse]

It's a good job National RU team have all the Northern coaches now then more attacking RL type play.

[TightEnd]

Not really. Farrell and Shaun Edwards are defense coaches. As I have long argued ru becoming more like league in terms of phases, though rl is limited to six tackles, is the reason its more boring than a generation ago.

[TheChipPrince]

Boshi, or others.

I'm told by a good Judge that these should be snapped up (this was 3 days ago, couple of prices have dropped since.)

Sam Tomkins top try scorer 10/1
Tom Briscoe top try scorer 25/1
Warrington team to score the most tries 9/4
Sinfield man of steel 10/1

Any thoughts?

[kinboshi]

Tomkins wasn't top try scorer last season, Josh Charnley beat him to that accolade. Sam does score a lot of tries, but also gets shed-loads of assists. I'd usually back a winger for top try scorer, but if not then it would be Sam. 10/1 doesn't sound too far off to me. See what some of the others think.


Briscoe is a talent, and at 25/1 looks a decent price. Not playing for Warrington or Wigan might harm his chances though.

Warrington top of the try-scoring seems a good shout. They'd probably be my bet ahead of Wigan this season.

Many think Sinfield is overdue the MOS, especially Leeds fans. Guess it depends on the season Leeds have, as they don't usually shine until the play offs, when it's too late. Maybe someone like Manu at Saints would be a good call? Not sure what odds he's been given.


Very interested to hear other's thoughts on these. as I fancy a wee flutter myself.

[TheChipPrince]

I backed these blind on his advice, I have no real knowledge at all.

Was it unusual for someone to get 30+ tries last season with Charnely getting 31?  Its 9/4 anyone to get 30+ this year

[kinboshi]

Charnley would have scored more but he picked up an injury and missed a handful of games towards the end of the regular season.

It's only the third time someone has scored over thirty tries in the regular season, so it isn't a regular occurrence. What is interesting is that he scored 31tries for Wigan, and Sam got 28, showing how many tries Wigan were scoring last season. Pat Richards was out for a lot of last season, and he's usually the source of a lot of w Wigan tries. So if he's fit this season,I'd expect the other two to score fewer tries.