Hull FC are all set to break elite monopoly, says Noble

Considering there have been just four winners – Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Bradford Bulls – in the competition’s 17 years of existence, it is easy to comprehend why.

Warrington Wolves have flexed their muscles recently, reaching their maiden Grand Final last October and seemingly replacing the fallen Bulls in the leading quartet, but most observers still see chances of silverware as a closed shop.

Indeed, given Leeds have emerged victorious in five of the last six seasons alone, perhaps the number of potential champions should be reduced even further.

Regardless, the capacity for a fresh club to get their name on the trophy seems to be shrinking and there appears more chance of Papua New Guinea winning a World Cup than an outsider prospering at Old Trafford.

However, former Great Britain coach Brian Noble believes the tide is turning and 2013 could see the most competitive season to date.

Having reached five consecutive Grand Finals while at Bradford, winning a trio of titles, he certainly knows what it takes to plot a course to the Theatre of Dreams and ultimately be successful.

As the new season approaches, Noble feels aspiring Hull FC, who have not lifted a Championship for 30 years, could be the ones to finally break down the barriers.

“There are raised expectations at KC Stadium and Adam Pearson has put his money where his mouth is,” said Noble, referring to the Airlie Birds’ owner who has invested significantly in the squad’s rebuilding.

“They have recruited really well with the likes of Gaz Ellis, Daniel Holdsworth and Benny Galea.

“I think they’ll be looking for a big season and don’t see why they shouldn’t achieve it given the personalities they have there.

“They’ve got good people – (director of football) Shaun McRae, (head coach) Peter Gentle and Pearson at the top – and you can see them not only being really strong at the KC but also knocking a few over away from home, too.

“They have all the right ingredients for a successful year and Hull are definitely the ones to watch.”

The East Riding club’s solitary Grand Final appearance was in 2006, the year after their last Challenge Cup final win over Leeds, but Pearson has instigated a significant turnaround in culture since arriving 18 months ago.

His capture of Ellis, the England star courted by all the leading Super League sides on his return from the NRL, was a major coup although there is a concern from some that the people of west Hull will feel such a stellar signing should automatically equal success. Noble, who coached Ellis at international level, has no doubt he will handle the expectancy levels and added: “I think there’s more pressure on Holdsworth.

“Part and parcel of Hull’s challenge has been they’ve been trying, very publicly, to find another half-back to go with him.

“They couldn’t land Scott Prince or Rangi Chase so there’s a lot of pressure on whoever takes the mantle of the halves there, whether it be Richard Horne, Brett Seymour or Aaron Heremaia.

“Every ship needs a rudder and that is the only unanswered question at Hull. Holdsworth has to perform but I definitely say watch out for the Black and Whites.”

Noble – who launched his book Building Winning Teams last month – accepts Super League has not been challenging enough recently, forever struggling compared to the higher-class NRL, which produces more competitive fixtures more regularly.

However, he maintains: “I think Super League will be a lot stronger this year and we’ll have a cracking competition. The most important thing is we need a more competitive Super League.

“Warrington and Leeds are obviously up there but we need another two or three teams to emerge.

“Hull are one but Huddersfield need to come back into the fray, too, and we’ve got to stop having too many one-sided games.

“We need our top teams and international players getting ready for the World Cup later this year by playing intense rugby every week and we can only do that with strength of competition.”

One of his former players is Paul Anderson, the juggernaut prop who formed part of the ‘Awesome Foursome’ during Bradford’s halcyon days along with fellow front-rowers Stuart Fielden, Joe Vagana and Brian McDermott.

Anderson is adopting the same principles now as Huddersfield chief, having recruited a raft of powerful props to ease the load on England’s Eorl Crabtree and make the side – who so often start a campaign in style before fading – a more dominant force.

Ex-Wigan and Crusaders chief Noble, 51, said: “It’s not a bad formula. You’ve got to have some big blokes there, I don’t care what anyone says. I had some great mentors who always told me front-rows and half-backs win games.

“I’ve never changed on that philosophy and the most successful teams do have that combination. Baloo’s (Anderson) beefed his pack up but – like Hull – has he sorted his halves?

“Is it going to be Danny Brough and Scott Grix or Brough and Luke Robinson? They’ve lost Kevin Brown, who played a big role. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if they still brought someone in but you also have to look at their mental toughness.

“Have they the ability to grind some wins out? Huddersfield have got talent, size and a great kicking game through Brough but they need to dig some wins out, too, and it’ll be interesting to see if they develop that this season.”

Noble praises Castleford Tigers’ recruitment and expects them to have more of an impact after finishing joint-bottom last time.

Michael Shenton, Lee Gilmour and Keith Mason add some gravitas and, he said: “When you look at how they’ve strengthened it’s quite exciting.

“They’ve added experience which they obviously lacked last year and that’s a massive lesson to all those involved in the sport; it’s great to get youngsters in but to get over the line the reality is you need experience.

“Joel Moon is a fabulous signing for Leeds. They know the formula and the element of consistency is probably the only thing that concerns them.

“Warrington haven’t even made any signings which shows they’re real happy with their squad. Their challenge is the other teams; they need to challenge Warrington every week.

“There’s no doubt Tony Smith managed the season brilliantly last year but then they blew the final.

“We’ll see them there again, though, and they’re style is refreshing; they’re prepared to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes and actually play rugby, a massive statement in an era when so many are under pressure to win.

“Wakefield finished really strong and could be that bolter we need to shake up the competition but I think Wigan might struggle.

“They have lost some real talent in Brett Finch, Thomas Leuluai, Jeff Lima and now – the big surprise – Gareth Hock.

“Whatever happens, we need to see everyone having a real crack at playing some football in 2013.

“While sometimes we need the five drives and a kick mantra to stay in games, we need more variety to win matches. I’d like to see some shocks week to week and I think we’re going to get that.”