Backing Super League to prosper as return of relegation adds spice

Not the launch of Super League itself – the 19th campaign would always get underway come what may – but a launch with a paying title-sponsor in tow, too.

Yes, the First Utility Super League will be unveiled to the world in Manchester this afternoon as its runners and riders get ready for another campaign of, hopefully, pulsating action.

Ploughing more than £2m into the game over the next three seasons, it is the first time the competition has actually had a main backer investing money for the last two years, incredible given the high-octane product on show.

However, the RFL has managed to secure some much-needed funding and, moreover, deliver a substantially increased TV deal last week with Sky Sports that runs until 2021 and brings so much security to the sport.

On the back of a splendid World Cup here that won such widespread support, there is tangible evidence that rugby league - after a difficult winter of uncertainty - can have a prosperous 2014.

Of course, it is shaping up to be a particularly seminal year, too, given the imminent return of promotion to and relegation from Super League.

For the last five seasons, elite clubs have enjoyed safe haven knowing the licensing system would protect them from the automatic drop but they now know that two of them will be demoted at the end of this term.

The chance for Championship sides to earn promotion will return in 2015 under the new league restructure plans that have finally been signed off after months of internal wrangling between Super League’s member clubs.

Admittedly, much of the pre-amble ahead of this season – which starts when League Leaders’ Shield winners Huddersfield Giants head to champions Wigan Warriors on Friday – has, perversely, been about next year and the arrival of the much-debated “2x12s and 3x8s” format.

Clearly, that will be a fascinating prospect but there is much to savour in the campaign ahead – particularly from an unusual source.

Although Wigan, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens are all expected to be challenging with Huddersfield, too, many eyes are elsewhere – on the ambitious Salford City Reds.

They may have finished bottom last season but big-spending, eccentric owner Marwan Koukash has promised to turn the minnows into a Super League force, funding a raft of high-profile signings to bolster experienced coach Brian Noble’s squad.

Those include ex-England captain Adrian Morley, controversial second-row Gareth Hock and 2011 Man of Steel Rangi Chase from Castleford Tigers to name just three.

Perhaps only Tim Smith in Super League can produce some of the outlandish passes England stand-off Chase so often delivers and – yes – Salford have also signed him from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, too.

It makes for a potentially brilliant half-back pair and, augmented by quality such as St Helens duo Francis Meli and Tony Puletua, plus Wigan’s Harrison Hansen, it is obvious Salford are serious about a top four challenge.

There may be an air of ‘fantasy football’ to it all but, undeniably, they should have sufficient firepower to unsettle the status quo.

That said, expect dethroned champions Leeds to hit back revitalised and ready to make a quick return to lifting silverware.

In Wakefield’s Papua New Guinea international Paul Aiton, they finally have a traditional hooker to replace Danny Buderus two years after the Australian’s departure from Headingley.

The addition, meanwhile, of England winger Tom Briscoe from Hull FC only adds to an already formidable three-quarter line.

But Huddersfield, having finished top for the first time in 81 years, are now intent on reaching a maiden Grand Final and then actually winning it.

Players like ‘Man of Steel’ Danny Brough, Brett Ferres and Leroy Cudjoe only gained more 
confidence and authority during stellar World Cup campaigns and all that should further benefit their club.

The acquisition of Antonio Kaufusi, Chris Bailey and Jodie Broughton also sees coach Paul Anderson strengthen in all the expected areas.

Of the region’s other sides, Hull FC are in desperate need of some clarity under new coach Lee Radford. For all they achieved by reaching the Challenge Cup final last August, they were pitiful in defeat against Wigan at Wembley and even worse when capitulating to Huddersfield in the play-offs.

Hull-born Radford is tasked with restoring pride in the jersey after Australian Peter Gentle’s reign was ended early and he should succeed there. But, still, he has a big task taking them to the next level especially as he is in his first head coach role at the age of just 34 and, after only recently retiring as a player, spent just two seasons assisting his predecessor.

Across the city at Hull KR, Craig Sandercock has made some astute signings in the form of NRL captures Kris Keating, Michael Weyman and Neville Costigan, while, closer to home, benefiting from Wakefield’s financial problems to pick up Justin Poore and Ben Cockayne. The Australian, now in his third season at the newly-named KC Lightstream Stadium, realises there is likely to be more competition for the play-off spots this term especially given Salford’s greater presence.

If the Robins are to repeat last year’s eighth place or better, they need those recruits to gel fast.

Castleford have shopped wisely and, with funds from Chase’s departure, added much-needed depth to their squad. Daryl Powell will hope Andy Lynch and Luke Dorn’s experience will see them perhaps gatecrash the top eight rather than struggle against the drop and Liam Finn – the Ireland scrum-half he worked with at Featherstone Rovers – could be an inspired piece of business.

Bradford Bulls coach Francis Cummins has endured plenty of strife with yet more money problems troubling those at Odsal.

There is plenty of class still there, but it would be a remarkable feat if 2014 is the season they end their six year wait for play-off football.

To a far greater extent, money issues have ravaged Richard Agar’s Wakefield squad, though, and his sole aim will be to avoid being dragged into the bottom two.

Yes, that return of relegation... while bringing undoubted excitement for supporters it will undoubtedly bring unwanted uncertainty for various clubs, too.

It can be difficult, painful and, at times, downright torturous for those involved but it should also provide a much-needed larger quantity of competitive games.

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