Ferres is relishing early start against Warriors

Paul Anderson’s team kick-off the campaign on Friday, February 7, at Wigan Warriors, opponents who completed a Super League and Challenge Cup double this time around.

Huddersfield, who won the League Leaders’ Shield after finishing top for the first time in 81 years but lost out against Warrington Wolves in the play-off semi-finals, are aiming to take that next crucial step.

Having bolstered their pack with the likes of Australian forwards Chris Bailey and Antonio Kaufusi from London Broncos plus the acquisition of prolific Salford Red Devils winger Jodie Broughton, the West Yorkshire club are well primed to push on, though Wigan, too, have recruited well.

The sides meet at DW Stadium a week before the rest of their Super League rivals start.

That is to enable Wigan to fully prepare for their World Club Challenge against Sydney Roosters, planned for Australia later that month.

With the Super League fixtures published this morning, Huddersfield vice-captain Brett Ferres said: “It’s an exciting match to open with.

“Obviously, it doesn’t get much bigger than playing the champions in the first game of the season.

“It gives us something to look forward to now through the pre-season and a bit of a goal to get to. We’re looking forward to it and it won’t get much tougher.”

Ferres, the second-row who has scored three tries in four games for England during the World Cup, added: “Wigan are obviously the benchmark. We had a good season this year but we know what we’ve done and where we’ve gone wrong.

“We will be quick to evaluate that and try get further on in the competition next year.

“We were consistent during the season this time but just stumbled a little bit towards the bigger games as such. Hopefully, we’ll get that right in 2014.”

Of the region’s other Super League sides, dethroned champions Leeds Rhinos start at Hull KR on Sunday, February 16, while Bradford Bulls host Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats head to big-spending Salford on that same afternoon.

Lee Radford takes charge of his first game as Hull FC coach when they face Catalan Dragons at the KC Stadium in the televised game on Friday Feburary 14.

“It will be a tough test,” admitted the 34-year-old.

“They’re always a physical side Catalan and now they’ve signed Jeff Lima, too, that’s only going to add to that.

“They’ve brought the Aussie centre Ben Pomeroy in from Cronulla, too, who I think will be a big hit in Super League; he’s strong and powerful.

“It’ll be my first match as a head coach but I’m looking forward to it now. Things are going well in training, we’ve been away on an army camp and got some good work done.

“We’ll have Feka (Paleaaesina) in training for the first time on Monday and then we’ll just be waiting on Mickey Paea, who has been in the World Cup with Tonga, and Fetuli Talanoa to arrive.

“I think we’ll get one more signing in before the start of the season too.”

Given the huge uncertainty surrounding their future, it is pleasing to see London Broncos included in the fixture list.

They have yet to confirm where they will play their home games next season, have seen the vast majority of their players leave and are still waiting to announce any new signings for 2014 as doubts surrounding the game’s future in the capital continue to linger.

Long-time owner David Hughes has made it clear he is seeking new investment but they are inked in to start at Widnes Vikings on Sunday, February 16 before a ‘home’ game against Salford the following week.

Super League will have televised games on Thursday nights – instead of Saturdays – next season after a successful trial this year.

Strong television audiences and no detrimental impact on attendances has persuaded organisers to make it a permanent fixture in 2014.

The Warrington v St Helens derby on February 13 is the first of 22 Thursday night games already selected and no club will have more than two Thursday home fixtures.

Magic Weekend will again take place at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, where seven Round 13 fixtures will be played over Saturday and Sunday May 17 and 18 but details of who faces who will not be announced until next month.

The play-offs get underway over the weekend of September 18-21 and climax with the Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 11 (6.00pm) while the Tetley’s Challenge Cup final will be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, August 23.

The Kingstone Press Championships clubs will enter the Challenge Cup at the third round stage on the weekend of March 15-16 with the Super League clubs joining the fray over the weekend of April 5-6.

Wakefield have re-signed prop Richard Moore after he was released by Leeds last month.

Moore, 31, made more than 100 appearances for Trinity during a three-year spell before moving to the Crusaders for 2011 and spending the last two seasons at Headingley.

He found first-team opportunities hard to come by with Leeds, however, and, therefore, is relishing his chance to return to Belle Vue.

“I probably played my best rugby here and that’s one of the main reasons I chose to come back when I had this chance,” said Moore, with Wakefield recruiting again after unloading so many of their star players this autumn to ease financial problems.

“The club has had to let a few players go but the lads that are left still have a lot of talent and I’m looking forward to playing with them.

“People will be doubting Wakefield but they did that the last time I was here and it’s something that Wakefield deal with.

“I enjoy stuff like that and thrive off people putting me down and asking questions.”

Key dates for your Super League and Challenge Cup diary

THE Super League campaign will have regular Thursday night fixtures in 2014 after a successful trial this year.

Next season, meanwhile, will be the last in the current format of a 14-club division before plans to restructure the competition are put in place.

Those details are still to be ratified, however, after six current Super League clubs walked out of a meeting to discuss the subject last month.

Plans for 2015 have been put on hold until the World Cup is completed but these are the key dates for the forthcoming campaign...

Super League Round 1 – February 13-16

World Club Challenge – Wigan Warriors v Sydney Roosters (TBC)

Magic Weekend – May 17 & 18.

Super League play-offs start – September 18-21

2014 Super League Grand Final, Old Trafford – Saturday October 11.

Tetley’s Challenge Cup

Round 4 – Weekend of April 6

Round 5 – Weekend of April 27

Quarter-finals – Weekend of June 8

Semi-finals – Weekend of August 10

Wembley Final – Saturday, August 23.