Super League Power Rankings: Leeds Rhinos remain team to beat, Wakefield to rise but Hull KR to fall

Who enters the season as the team to beat? Which club head into the new year as the ones’ to keep an eye on? Who has their work cut out to avoid slipping into the Qualifying 8s?

Based on last season’s finishing position, a team’s summer recruitment, and the expectation levels surrounding them this coming season, we have compiled these Power Rankings ahead of Super League 2016.

1) Leeds Rhinos

You can’t start anywhere else other than treble-winning Leeds Rhinos.

Everyone will be out to get them but they are used to that and, even allowing for the huge holes left by the departure of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai (don’t forget Paul Aiton, too) they start as favourites to emerge as champions again. Keith Galloway and Brett Ferres are terrific signings up front and Liam Sutcliffe is fit once more eager to prove he is Sinfield’s heir apparent in that stand-off role.

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A tough opening fixture against Warrington Wolves but expect Brian McDermott’s side to get off to a winning start come Thursday.

2) St Helens

Finished fourth last season but look better balanced this time around, especially when Jonny Lomax returns from long-term injury in the coming weeks. Although some excellent additions in Lama Tasi and Theo Fages from Salford plus New Zealand Warriors’ Dominique Peyroux, it will be the regulars who underpin their campaign - James Roby, Alex Walmsley, Jon Wilkin and the like. Huddersfield Giants first up is not the easiest of openers but home advantage should see them edge it.

3) Wigan Warriors

Last season’s beaten Grand Finalists are hoping to avoid a third successive Old Trafford defeat and the return of England superstar Sam Tomkins has certainly lifted spirits.

The dazzling full-back remains sidelined through injury until Easter, though, so there’s pressure on whoever stands in, whether England centre Dan Sarginson or Jason Robinson’s son Lewis Tierney.

A thinner squad than usual, Wigan could come unstuck if they endure any sustained injury problems, but still full of matchwinners and, in Shaun Wane, have one of the competition’s most respected coaches.

4) Castleford Tigers

Starting off in the Yorkshire Post Power Rankings a place above where they finished last term in Super League hints at the feel-good factor emanating from Wheldon Road.

Daryl Powell’s side will more than fancy their opener at a Hull KR side who have suffered some dismal pre-season form.

Always good to watch, Castleford have loads of firepower and character to match, so expect big things.

5) Hull FC

Plenty of expectancy at the KC Stadium this season, a home game against Salford Red Devils should see them off to a flyer as they bid for a top-four spot after last year’s below average eighth.

Lee Radford has gone big - quite literally given the size of some of his latest forward recruits - for 2016 and there needs to be dividends or he will be under pressure.

Lots of experienced pros there, now, which is just what they needed, they should start punching their weight.

6) Warrington Wolves

Finished sixth last term but given their recruitment is potentially as good as anyone’s they should be higher than that in the Yorkshire Post Power Rankings not stood still.

However, they head to Leeds first up so…

Nevertheless, former Kangaroo Kurt Gidley brings some much-needed quality to the half-back role while Warrington have also splashed the cash to secure Tom Lineham and Joe Westerman from Hull FC.

Tony Smith, more akin to winning trophies than floundering halfway down the table, knew work had to be done and I fully expect him to remedy those issues. Envisage movement up in the early weeks.

7) Huddersfield Giants

A far cry from their third place finish in 2015, this position is down to Huddersfield’s tough opening game at St Helens, their early season injury problems - prop Craig Huby, for example, is missing for six weeks - and the potential lingering effects of Brett Ferres’ controversial sale to Leeds Rhinos.

They will get better, especially once NRL signings Sam Rapira and Ryan Hinchcliffe settle, but could be teething problems.

Head coach Paul Anderson is desperate to rid their ‘nearly-man’ tag and all eyes will be on them.

8) Catalans Dragons

If they were at home, they’d be higher but we all know what Catalans are like on the road (or should that be in the air?).

Doesn’t get much tougher than an away trip to Wigan to begin things.

That said, some cracking signings in the shape of Paul Aiton, Glenn Stewart and David Taylor which suggests this really could be Catalans’ year to flourish once they get into a groove.

9) Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Bottom last season when they only survived in the top-flight by virtue of the Million Pound Game but I’m tipping them for an opening day win over Widnes Vikings so hence their starting point further up the Yorkshire Post Power Rankings.

A much better looking squad, too, and genuine belief they can crack on with the likes of Liam Finn, Ben Jones-Bishop and some decent NRL captures.

Crucial they get off on a winning note to demonstrate there is genuine reason to believe.

10) Salford Red Devils

Revamped their squad but still lots of question marks after the debacle of last season.

However, the presence of former Australia boss Tim Sheens alone gives them an immediate one place shot up the Yorkshire Post Power Rankings.

In Justin Carney, Robert Lui, Mark Flanagan and Josh Jones there’s some quality and experience added to the ranks and, if all the off-field shenanigans dogging them previously can be avoided, expect them to move up soon.

11) Widnes Vikings

Ninth last term, Denis Betts has made some high-calibre signings including NRL duo Chris Houston and Corey Thompson.

On paper, will be stronger than in 2015 but I’m going for a loss at Wakefield so they get a lowly start here.

Always difficult to predict, it remains to be seen if the Vikings can truly push for the top eight. Doubtful.

12) Hull KR

They may have reached the Challenge Cup final last season but there’s some real fears about Hull KR for 2016, fuelled mainly by their disastrous pre-season form and injuries to key players.

Captain Terry Campese is still yet to return while ex-England hooker Shaun Lunt and France second-row Kevin Larroyer will both miss the opening few weeks.

Rovers are low on numbers and it is easy to understand why they are keen on signing Leigh scrum-half Ryan Brierley but can they get everything in order for Sunday’s opener versus Castleford? Could be a difficult few weeks, at least, for Chris Chester’s side.