Will James Roby and St Helens raise the Super League trophy for a fifth yr operating in 2023?
Ahead of the 2023 Betfred Super League season, we ask our Sky Sports rugby league specialists to offer us their views on what’s going to unfold within the upcoming marketing campaign…
Phil Clarke
Grand Final winner: St Helens to beat Warrington Wolves. After shedding 5 Grand Finals in a row between 2007 and 2011, this yr they win their fifth in a row.
Relegated: Wakefield Trinity. They have been the perfect escape artists in skilled sport for the final 20-plus years, however this yr their luck runs out.
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Man of Steel: Jack Welsby. I stated final yr he was the perfect participant within the competitors, and this yr everybody else will agree. The St Helens star.
Surprise Package: Warrington Wolves. From eleventh to second in 12 months! Although some may say that they’re too large and too outdated, I believe Matt Dufty’s velocity saves them.
Rising Star: Possibly Tee Ritson if he takes the place of Regan Grace on the wing at St Helens and turns into the primary Thai-born try-scoring sensation in Super League. But extra more likely to be Hull Kingston Rovers half-back Mikey Lewis if he stays match.
It’s an enormous yr for: Daryl Powell. Warrington’s head coach has six video games at first of the seasons which is able to decide if he’s there on the finish of the season. The first three for the Wolves are very robust: Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils – each recreation has stress with a capital ‘P’!
Highlights of the 2022 Super League Grand Final between St Helens and Leeds Rhinos.
Highlights of the 2022 Super League Grand Final between St Helens and Leeds Rhinos.
I have to simply add a rider right here. I tipped Brad Takarangi to be Man of Steel final yr and Warrington to win the Grand Final. I received extra time on the pitch than Brad and Warrington had been fortunate to remain up, so my ideas do not at all times come true!
Jon Wilkin
Grand Final winner: St Helens. Something has to offer at some stage, I’m simply undecided this yr is that stage. It could be uninteresting for everybody however them in the event that they gained it once more. The Australia journey may gasoline them early doorways, however Lewis Dodd is again – look out Super League. Interesting reality: Paul Wellens and Jimmy Nail are reported to have 99.9 per cent similar faces.
Relegated: Wakefield Trinity. I really feel like Leigh Leopards have recruited okay. Wakefield have two inexperienced however thrilling coaches in Mark Applegarth and assistant James Ford, and they’re used to being within the trenches so will not go down with out a battle. You know the scene in ‘Commando’ the place Schwarzenegger is loading his weapons? Well, that is Wakefield each week.
Man of Steel: Jai Field. It was fairly astonishing if you have a look at the standard of his yr in 2022 he did not win it. The solely hazard is groups working him out – that is should you can work out blistering tempo, an ever-evolving idea of ways, and inflated game-specific IQ. Dodgy ‘tache, although.
Jon Wilkin believes St Helens are nonetheless the benchmark aspect forward of the 2023 Super League season however admits coach Paul Wellens has a problem on his palms.
Jon Wilkin believes St Helens are nonetheless the benchmark aspect forward of the 2023 Super League season however admits coach Paul Wellens has a problem on his palms.
Surprise bundle: Warrington Wolves. Either method it will likely be a shock and both method it will likely be a narrative to comply with. If it is not a classic yr for them then robust questions will comply with. But regardless of the squad and large surly-looking males from Down Under incoming, I believe we are going to act stunned in the event that they go on and win the Grand Final.
Rising star: Harry Newman. Laughable proper? He’s already a star! Well, he’s, however accidents require him to rise and hold rising. If he will get 25 video games on this yr, he will likely be harmful. Leeds Rhinos must hold this star shining.
It’s an enormous yr for: Catalans Dragons. Questions marks about their worth within the recreation? Suggested imagery for the next: A clandestine assembly in a smoked-filled disused snooker room in Dewsbury, half filled with crusty rich males conspiring to carry into Super League a workforce truly on the M62. The ‘M62 Hard Shoulders’ will likely be primarily based between junction 25 and the emergency phone simply earlier than 24.
Seriously, it is a large yr for Catalans. The worth they bring about is with out query, this yr stays essential, and a French workforce flying excessive could be tougher to pull into the mud than one swooping near it.
Jon Wilkin assess about a number of the principal speaking factors forward of the 2023 Betfred Super League season and is to see how Warrington Wolves carry out.
Jon Wilkin assess about a number of the principal speaking factors forward of the 2023 Betfred Super League season and is to see how Warrington Wolves carry out.
Jenna Brooks
Grand Final winner: Wigan Warriors. If anybody can cease St Helens successful a fifth in a row, it will likely be their fierce enemies. I consider Matt Peet is the person to information final yr’s Challenge Cup winners to glory. The tempo and ending means of Bevan French, Jai Field and Liam Marshall is unrivalled, and I’m optimistic Harry Smith will get up once more in 2023 now Tommy Leuluai has retired.
Relegated: Wakefield Trinity. History suggests it will likely be promoted Leigh, however I believe they’ve introduced in some important gamers and held on to a quantity as effectively. Trinity have misplaced some stars in David Fifita, Tom Johnstone and Jacob Miller. New Zealand worldwide Kevin Proctor brings expertise and Renouf Atoni some pleasure, however I simply do not assume they’ve the depth to get via the season. Let’s see!
Man of Steel: Jack Welsby. Super League’s younger participant of the yr, for the second time, in 2022 was certainly one of three contenders for the highest award as effectively. With Lewis Dodd again from harm, Welsby will have the ability to make that No 1 jersey his personal. England’s disappointing World Cup marketing campaign would have taught him lots and made him hungry for extra.
Surprise bundle: Salford Red Devils. They made the semi-finals in 2022 with many believing they had been exceptionally unfortunate to not progress to Old Trafford. This yr they’ve managed to not solely maintain on to their greatest, but additionally usher in another up-and-coming stars like Ollie Partington, Ellis Longstaff and Sam Stone. Man of Steel Brodie Croft and Marc Sneyd will once more be key within the aspect’s success.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan believes Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith has improved all of the gamers and can look to proceed to try this this season.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan believes Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith has improved all of the gamers and can look to proceed to try this this season.
Rising Star: Harry Rushton. I’m so excited that this younger ahead has returned from Canberra Raiders. He comes again to Super League with the expertise and confidence of spending two seasons in Australia, surrounded by a number of the greatest gamers on this planet and been guided by the good Ricky Stuart. I’m assured he’ll show a tricky and bold participant at Huddersfield Giants.
It’s an enormous yr for: Daryl Powell and his Warrington Wolves. Last yr the Wolves had been among the many favourites to go all the best way, as an alternative they spent an enormous quantity of the season worrying about relegation. The addition of the skilled Josh McGuire, Paul Vaughan and Sam Kasiano will add a lot wanted firepower up entrance. George Williams partnering Josh Drinkwater within the halves and Matt Dufty on the again will hopefully add some sparkle to their assault. Not positive if it can lastly be their yr, however I’m positive it’s a large one!
Jon Wells
Grand Final winner: Wigan Warriors. They have retained two of Super League’s most fun abilities in Jai Field and Bevan French, they usually have refreshed their front-line centre partnership with Toby King and Joe Wardle. Always a drive at dwelling, I believe they get their palms on the trophy this season and finish the streak of a St Helens aspect distracted by a World Club Challenge date early within the season.
Relegated: Wakefield Trinity. They’ve misplaced their greatest participant in Jacob Miller, I do not assume their recruitment makes up for that, they usually’re up towards a Leigh Leopards aspect who look decided to remain within the top-flight this time spherical.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan on why he admires St Helens’ consistency on the prime of the Betfred Super League over the previous few years.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan on why he admires St Helens’ consistency on the prime of the Betfred Super League over the previous few years.
Man of Steel: Throw a dart – harm and type play such an enormous half on this however my guess could be anyone from a shortlist of Wigan’s Jai Field, Adam Keighran on the Dragons who’s a unbelievable participant, Tui Lolohea on the Giants, Edwin Ipape on the Leopards or Jack Welsby at St Helens
Suprise bundle: Leigh Leopards – a promoted workforce which stays up is an enormous story in Super League.
Rising star: Davy Litten. The full-back or winger is held in excessive regard by everybody at Hull FC. If you have not heard of him but, you’ll have by the top of the season
It’s an enormous yr for: Huddersfield Giants. They put their cash the place their mouth was main into the 2022 season and have carried out so once more forward of 2023. Ian Watson has had the time and now has the assets to have an actual tilt on the title.
The new Betfred Super League season begins on Thursday, February 16 as Warrington Wolves host Leeds Rhinos. Watch 66 reside matches, together with Magic Weekend, the play-offs and the Grand Final, on Sky Sports in 2023 and stream on NOW TV.
