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Super League XXIII - Where Will the Silverware Go
Two weeks tomorrow, Betfred Super League XXIII gets underway as the Warrington Wolves welcome last season’s Champions the Leeds Rhinos to the Halliwell-Jones Stadium in the opening fixture. A few minutes later the Challenge Cup winners Hull FC open their campaign with a home fixture against the Huddersfield Giants.
Friday sees three fixtures with; Salford Red Devils at home to Wigan Warriors, St Helens entertaining the minor premiers the Castleford Tigers, and the newly promoted Hull KR at home against Wakefield Trinity. The final game of the opening round takes place on Sunday afternoon when the Widnes Vikings have their first game against last season’s Million Pound victors, the Catalans Dragons.
But what do the bookies think will be the outcome of what promises to be a closely fought season?
READ MORE ON THIS STORY... |
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Super League XXIII - Where Will the Silverware Go
Two weeks tomorrow, Betfred Super League XXIII gets underway as the Warrington Wolves welcome last season’s Champions the Leeds Rhinos to the Halliwell-Jones Stadium in the opening fixture. A few minutes later the Challenge Cup winners Hull FC open their campaign with a home fixture against the Huddersfield Giants.
Friday sees three fixtures with; Salford Red Devils at home to Wigan Warriors, St Helens entertaining the minor premiers the Castleford Tigers, and the newly promoted Hull KR at home against Wakefield Trinity. The final game of the opening round takes place on Sunday afternoon when the Widnes Vikings have their first game against last season’s Million Pound victors, the Catalans Dragons.
But what do the bookies think will be the outcome of what promises to be a closely fought season?
READ MORE ON THIS STORY... | |
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I am prepared to make a bold prediction: should Anthony Gigot be successful in his appeal against a two year ban, and if he returns to Catalans to play in the centres at the expense of Michael Thornleigh, then Catalans have a chance of winning the Challenge Cup.
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| Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE"I am prepared to make a bold prediction: should Anthony Gigot be successful in his appeal against a two year ban, and if he returns to Catalans to play in the centres at the expense of Michael Thornleigh, then Catalans have a chance of winning the Challenge Cup.'"
Would that Michael Thornleigh be any relation to Iain Thornley John? |
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| Quote ="little wayne69"Would that Michael Thornleigh be any relation to Iain Thornley John?'"
I think that he very well might be "Iain Thornley," as opposed to "Iain Thornley John." |
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| Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE"I think that he very well might be "Iain Thornley," as opposed to "Iain Thornley John."'"
This Michael Thornleigh you rate so highly John, what can you tell us about this exciting centre at Catalan Dragons you speak so highly of. |
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| Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE"Michael Thornleigh'"
You clearly need to do far more research on players that you rate so highly Jean: 
Please don't stop posting though  |
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| Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE"I am prepared to make a bold prediction: should Anthony Gigot be successful in his appeal against a two year ban, and if he returns to Catalans to play in the centres at the expense of Michael Thornleigh, then Catalans have a chance of winning the Challenge Cup.'"
Well, they're a 25-1 shot at the moment, so a fortune to be made for you if you're prepared to put your money where your mouth is! |
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| Quote ="little wayne69"This Michael Thornleigh you rate so highly John, what can you tell us about this exciting centre at Catalan Dragons you speak so highly of.'"
I never suggested that he was highly rated or exciting. In fact my argument was that if Anthony Gigot was to be pardoned from his ban, and replaced Thornley, Catalans prospects of winning silverware would improve greatly. |
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| Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE"I am prepared to make a bold prediction: should Anthony Gigot be successful in his appeal against a two year ban, and if he returns to Catalans to play in the centres at the expense of Michael Thornleigh, then Catalans have a chance of winning the Challenge Cup.'"
Why the challenge cup out of interest? |
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| Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE":eocw1a45I am prepared to make a bold prediction: should Anthony Gigot be successful in his appeal against a two year ban, and if he returns to Catalans to play in the centres at the expense of Michael Thornleigh, then Catalans have a chance of winning the Challenge Cup.'" :eocw1a45
Edited for accuracy.
I am prepared to make an :eocw1a45=#0000FF:eocw1a45IDIOTIC:eocw1a45:eocw1a45 prediction: should Anthony Gigot be successful in his appeal against a two year ban, and if he returns to Catalans to play in the centres at the expense of Michael Thornleigh, then Catalans have a chance of winning :eocw1a45=#0000FF:eocw1a45FA:eocw1a45 |
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| Quote ="wire-flyer"Why the challenge cup out of interest?'"
Because the uncertainty of the CC match ups gives everyone a better chance than if it was the better predictability of just playing each other team twice in order to get to the playoffs. |
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Michael Thornleigh haha.... maybe get Michael Flatley in the back line for some dazzling footwork.
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| Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE"I am prepared to make a bold prediction: should Anthony Gigot be successful in his appeal against a two year ban, and if he returns to Catalans to play in the centres at the expense of Michael Thornleigh, then Catalans have a chance of winning the Challenge Cup.'"
Its going to take more than Gigot going by yesterdays performance. |
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Warrington won't be doing anything. I know all of their fans believe every year is going to be the 'year of the wolf' regarding them becoming Super League champions, (hence the birth of the 'it's always your year' chant) but they simply don't have the quality again this season.
Dire will more likely be fighting in the middles 8s yet again than troubling the Big Clubs come the business end of the season.
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| Quote ="oooh Gravy!"Its going to take more than Gigot going by yesterdays performance.'"
Yesterday's performance -- at KC stadium under dire weather conditions which are not likely to be repeated during the season (and certainly not at Stade Gilbert Brutus) -- does not tell us anything about Catalans prospects for 2018. |
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| Quote ="JonnoTheGreat"Warrington won't be doing anything. I know all of their fans believe every year is going to be the 'year of the wolf' regarding them becoming Super League champions, (hence the birth of the 'it's always your year' chant) but they simply don't have the quality again this season.
Dire will more likely be fighting in the middles 8s yet again than troubling the Big Clubs come the business end of the season.'"
"It's always OUR year". Don't think you will find many of us predicting anything more than a better year than last year...and even that with fingers crossed. |
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I think that Hull FC have a great chance of winning the Challenge Cup for a third year on the trot and could also reach the Grand Final.
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The top four for 2018 will be St Helens, Hull FC, Warrington and Leeds and the bottom four will be Widnes, Hull KR, Salford and Huddersfield.
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| Quote ="Eddy100"I think that Hull FC have a great chance of winning the Challenge Cup for a third year on the trot and could also reach the Grand Final.'"
Will be interesting to see how they approach the cup. They've been great in it the last 2 years but it's arguably cost them a GF appearance. Tough to reach a GF especially if you haven't made it before (2006 was so long ago it doesn't really apply to the current Hull team). Could reach and and even win the GF but might need to miss Wembley to achieve it. |
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| Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE"Yesterday's performance -- at KC stadium under dire weather conditions which are not likely to be repeated during the season (and certainly not at Stade Gilbert Brutus) -- does not tell us anything about Catalans prospects for 2018.'"
You do realise the season starts next week! Catalans always have a good home record but the cold seemed to be a shock to the system for Mead and co. Hope it warms up soon, I had four layers on watching it, I can't imagine how cold it felt out on the pitch. |
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| Quote ="PrinterThe"Will be interesting to see how they approach the cup. They've been great in it the last 2 years but it's arguably cost them a GF appearance. Tough to reach a GF especially if you haven't made it before (2006 was so long ago it doesn't really apply to the current Hull team). Could reach and and even win the GF but might need to miss Wembley to achieve it.'"
The fact that we have played good SL opposition all the way through both cup runs hasnt helped either. No chance to rest players, just foot to floor all season. It takes its toll.
I certainly think the cup cost us a GF spot (and definately the LLS) in 2016. Last year we dealt with it ok. We had some decent performances post Wembley, we just didnt quite perform to the best of our ability in the semi against a Leeds side that was desperate to make up for the year before.
If you offered me a choice between a third cup or a GF appearance I would take Old Trafford. But I dont necessarily subscribe to the thought it has to be one or the other. Its doable, but you need to manage your squad well. |
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On the subject of Catalans. I do agree to an extent with John that a snowy January in Hull isnt the best place to guage how your season will go, however. That was effectively their best team against a Hull side missing Shaul and pretty much the entire pack. Taylor, Watts, Bowden, Green, Manu and Minichiello all sat it out and yet they couldnt make any inroads. Hull just strolled through in second gear. It wasnt a good sign if you are a Catalans fan.
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| Quote ="Mr. Zucchini Head"Its doable, but you need to manage your squad well.'"
I know this was something Hull fans talked a bit about this year but I don't think it's as vital as you think. Leeds don't rotate or rest players that well compared to others and 3 of our 4 GF's under McDermott we've reached Wembley so had no weeks rest. As seen with Leeds struggles in CC finals and Warrington winning cups but no GF's the two competitions are very different to win and it's learning to win playoff games and yes they are different to cup games especially as you don't have 4/5 weeks to prepare for a certain opponent |
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| Quote ="Mr. Zucchini Head"On the subject of Catalans. I do agree to an extent with =#FF0000Jean that a snowy January in Hull isnt the best place to =#FF0000gauge how your season will go, however. That was effectively their best team against a Hull side missing Shaul and pretty much the entire pack. Taylor, Watts, Bowden, Green, Manu and Minichiello all sat it out and yet they couldnt make any inroads. Hull just strolled through in second gear. It wasnt a good sign if you are a Catalans fan.'" Spelling mistakes corrected in =#FF0000red.
No it wasn't Catalans' best team. The team was missing star forwards Michael McIlorum, Louis Anderson, and Thibaud Margalet who were not yet fit enough to play.
This would have been the first time David Mead has played in snow. |
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| Quote ="PrinterThe"I know this was something Hull fans talked a bit about this year but I don't think it's as vital as you think. Leeds don't rotate or rest players that well compared to others and 3 of our 4 GF's under McDermott we've reached Wembley so had no weeks rest. As seen with Leeds struggles in CC finals and Warrington winning cups but no GF's the two competitions are very different to win and it's learning to win playoff games and yes they are different to cup games especially as you don't have 4/5 weeks to prepare for a certain opponent'"
Rested everyone ahead of the cup semi last year .
Rested everyone and his dog against London ahead of the cup final in 2014 if memory serves. |
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