Wolves are ready to spring from the pack of usual suspects – Kear

As someone who has coached in every one of its 16 seasons so far, be it with Paris St Germain in its infancy, assisting with Wigan Warriors or taking Hull FC to Challenge Cup glory, there are few more experienced operators.

However, the effusive Yorkshireman finds himself on the outside looking in as the countdown begins to the latest campaign.

Released by Wakefield Trinity Wildcats after a typically troubled season, bringing an end to what seemed like six years of perpetual fire-fighting, Kear finds himself in charge at Championship part-timers Batley Bulldogs.

Unsurprisingly, given his innate love of the game, the charismatic 57-year-old is thriving amid the distinct change of scenery while admittedly still keeping an eye on events around his erstwhile home in the top flight.

“It is strange in a way,” Kear told the Yorkshire Post.

“I am certainly envious of what’s going on at Wakefield now with all the players they have got in.

“It’s a bit different to what I had last year! But it is what it is and I’ve been really impressed with the squad at Batley.

“They go to work every day lifting bricks, laying Tarmac, plastering and all sorts yet come to training on a night absolutely committed 100 per cent to their rugby league.

“It has really re-energised and re-enthused me.

“I spoke to (Warrington coach) Tony Smith when I first came here and he said I’d really enjoy it.

“He’d done something similar with Huddersfield Giants and he’s been proved correct.

“We’re all looking forward to the season starting and it’s a fascinating division.

“If you asked 100 people how they think the Championship would finish this season I reckon you’d get plenty of different answers as it is so close.

“There’s a lot of quality in here and it could be really tight between so many clubs.”

Indeed, with fellow former Super League coaches such as Daryl Powell (Featherstone) and Karl Harrison (Halifax), and ex-internationals like Nick Fozzard, Chris Thorman and Gareth Raynor in the ranks, it is an improving competition.

However, it is the seasoned Kear’s vast knowledge of Super League which is required ahead of the season’s kick-off on Friday.

Few people can cast an eye over each of the 14 clubs with quite as much understanding of what makes them tick given his personal experiences.

And, while accepting champions Leeds Rhinos will once more be challenging, he sees 2012 as the time when Super League ushers in new victors for the first time.

“This is the year you could see Warrington establish themselves as part of the elite,” said Kear.

“Wigan, obviously, are always a consideration while you don’t need to say anything about Saints and Leeds.

“It’s going to be the usual suspects but it would be nice to think there may be a bolter from a team normally between fifth and 12th. I do reckon Warrington, though. They have true quality across the board, I love watching Lee Briers while Trent Waterhouse is a terrific signing.

“He is just what they need. He’ll compliment what they already have at Warrington and is a real astute piece of recruitment.

“He’ll make them even better and I expect him to be the best overseas signing this year and someone who could turn Warrington into champions.”

Of the rest, Kear believes Catalan Dragons might be the ones who “bolt” and threaten to upset the equilibrium and a Yorkshireman could be central to that effort.

Former Bradford Bulls star Leon Pryce has ended his long association with St Helens to become the first Englishman to move to Perpignan.

The highly-decorated former Great Britain international is now aged 30 and fell out of favour at Knowsley Road following a series of injury problems and the emergence of talented young half-backs Lee Gaskell and Jonny Lomax.

However, undoubtedly skilled, Kear said: “I think Leon will have a rebirth this year.

“He’s got a point to prove after what’s happened in recent seasons and he’s walking into a good set-up and a good team, who are well coached.

“Catalan’s style of play will suit him as well as their playing surface over there. I reckon he could make a real difference for them and am looking forward to seeing what he does. They are talking about Clint Greenshields moving to the wing and Thomas Bosc to full-back to accommodate him at stand-off. But Leon can play anywhere from one to six, it really doesn’t matter.

“If Catalan just give him the ball, he can make things happen – he always does something creative.”

Kear is also intrigued by the new rule change which sees the number of replacements dropped from 12 to 10 in the season ahead.

That has been introduced in order to try and test players’ endurance levels more – especially front-rows – with the hope that it could create more space for the likes of Pryce to exploit.

The likelihood is that props will not be afforded as much rest time and their “spells” will become longer, perhaps reducing their ability to have an instant impact unless fitness improves.

“You will see a different type of prop now, a more athletic type such as Paul Gallen,” explained Kear, referring to the New South Wales captain and Australia international, who has brilliantly converted from loose-forward over the last 12 months.

“You can also have some interesting permutations. Coaches will have to get more minutes out of their forwards and that may, in turn, see a return to the 80-minute hooker.

“If you’re going to rotate your bigger guys still, then you may need your smaller players – hookers – to go for longer.

“Some coaches may opt not to have a second hooker at all on the bench. It should all be good for the game.”

It remains to be seen whether the same can be said about the RFL’s controversial decision to accept Stobart’s offer to take naming rights for Super League.

There is no cash involved and, instead, around 100 of the elite distribution company’s trucks will be branded with Super League and club imagery.

Given there was an offer on the table of £750,000 per annum from Betfair it was no surprise that, when the Super League clubs voted, the risky alternative was only marginally passed through.

The RFL insists there will be added opportunities to bring in further finance from other partners but the deal has raised questions about the state of the game.

“They’ve taken a punt but sometimes you need to do that,” said Kear.

“I can see how it might raise awareness of Super League – it’s a massive brand and if they’re plastered all over their lorries which travel up and down the country it can’t help but increase the sport’s profile.

“But people forget it’s a difficult game to play as well – tough and physical – and that’s why it is so hard to take outside of the heartlands.

“The most successful development team is obviously Catalan but they are steeped in RL history in the south of France unlike Wales and London.”

Which is why he accepts, in all likelihood, the destination of the 2012 Stobart Super League title will again be all too familiar.

“The standard of play is improving but, at the end, quality outs,” he said.

“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to look at the number of stars in each squad and realise that, where the majority of class is, teams tend to be successful.”

Follow Dave Craven via Twitter throughout this season at @DCravenYPSport