Castleford Tigers (Last Season - 5th)
Castleford will go into this season with yet another half-back partnership and that will be the biggest question asked of the Tigers this season. Will Jake Truemen and new signing Danny Richardson gel together? I feel they will work well together, however I do think it will take them a season to fully get to know how to adapt themselves to each others game. Castleford's key player this season in my eyes is 2019 Man of Steel contender Liam Watts who has been impressive for the Tigers since signing from Hull FC and I am expecting Australian import Sosaia Feki to be their top try scorer this season. I feel they will fall short of the playoffs this season after creeping in to the post-season in 2019 at the expense of Hull FC. They're an easy team on the eye are Castleford and an exciting team to watch when chosen to be the televised game.
My Prediction - 7th
Catalans Dragons (Last Season - 7th)
Well haven't Catalans brewed up a storm, whilst I am writing this they have just completed the signing of disgraced Australian rugby union player Israel Folau on a 1 year deal, something I didn't see coming. However with other signing James Maloney, favourite for the Man of Steel, also coming in to the side, I do see this being a good season for the Perpignan outfit. I'm a huge fan of the pack of the Dragons, especially captain Remi Casty who I feel has been fantastic the last couple of seasons and I expect him to lead from the front once again this season. It's also hard to ignore England international Sam Tomkins when talking about the Dragons who I felt had a good season last year off the back of his move from Wigan and proved a reliable goal kicker when needs be last season. They have lost the talented Tony Gigot but I do see this being a season where Catalans make the playoffs.
My Prediction - 4th
Huddersfield Giants (Last Season - 10th)
This is an interesting season for the Giants who I do feel will be battling to save themselves from the drop. They have brought in half-back Aiden Sezer and immediately decided he will captain the Giants this season, they will be hoping he can fill the void left by Danny Brough before his move to Wakefield before the start of last season. I do worry for their depth at the hooker position with the departure of Kruise Leeming to Leeds in the offseason and therefore leaving them with just Adam O'Brien in that position, they have also lost the talented Alex Mellor to Leeds as well which could hurt them in the long run as I felt he had a good season in the Second Row last season. Overall I do see Huddersfield having enough to beat the drop, as long as they keep Jermaine McGillvary fit you know he will provide tries for the Giants. I am also a fan of Darnell McIntosh at full-back and I'm expecting a big year from him.
My Prediction - 10th
Hull FC (Last Season - 6th)
Possibly the trickiest team to predict in the Super League are Hull as you just do not know what is round the corner with Lee Radford's team. They've made solid signings in the offseason such as winger Mahe Fonua and second rower Josh Jones, but their marquee signing has to be the 'Tongan Terminator' Manu Ma'u, all of this on top of a solid team which includes such players as Jake Connor and in my eyes underrated full-back Jamie Shaul. I see Hull having a good year this season and I do believe they will creep into the playoffs come the end of the season, however I just don't see them progressing far as I do feel the 3 powerhouses come the end of the season will have enough to see them off. Hull are also my pick for the Challenge Cup, they have had a great Wembley record lately, winning the trophy back to back in 2016-2017. I will back Marc Sneyd to control the game and collect the Lance Todd Trophy.
My Prediction - 5th
Hull KR (Last Season - 11th)
I feel it's going to be another long season for Hull KR, they didn't hit the heights last year and losing the experience of Danny McGuire and Mose Masoe will really hurt them in 2020. They have however improved their backs with players such as Greg Minikin and Shaun Kenny-Dowall, and their solution to the retirement of McGuire is to bring in London Broncos stand-off Jordan Abdull in his place, he will probably partner Jamie Ellis or young Mikey Lewis in the halves. I do feel as if they are going into this season as arguably the weakest outfit and with the fitness doubts of Weller Hauraki and Mitch Garbutt, I do feel it could be a season too far for the Robins. It'll be tight come the end of the season at the foot of the table, but I'm predicting this could be our relegated side.
My Prediction - 12th
Leeds Rhinos (Last Season - 8th)
Leeds go into this season with a point to prove and so does their new signing, 2017 Man of Steel winner, Luke Gale. Gale has been injury ridden since that Man of Steel victory and it will be interesting to see if he can reclaim his wonderful form when he was the spearhead of a brilliant Castleford team, his kicking game putting teams on the back foot and working with Paul McShane down the right edge of a devastating attack. This year Gale will probably be partnering Rob Lui in the halves, so if Leeds want to achieve playoff rugby this year, they will have to gel quickly. Leeds have also strengthened with the addition of prop Matt Prior and it'll be interesting to see who plays at hooker with Kruise Leeming and Brad Dwyer battling for the starting spot. Big seasons expected from youngsters Jack Walker and Harry Newman as well, Walker a recognised starter and Newman will push for the centre spot alongside man mountain, Konrad Hurrell.
My Prediction - 6th
Salford Red Devils (Last Season - 3rd)
They may have brought in numerous offseason recruits but make no mistake about it, this is a weaker Salford side than the one that played St Helens in the Grand Final in October. Any team in the Super League would miss a player of Jackson Hastings' calibre, especially a team like Salford who exceeded everyone's expectations last season. They've opted for an experienced replacement in Kevin Brown from Warrington, however you have to feel Brown will not be able to live up to the heights of Hastings last season, who was crowned Man of Steel. The Red Devils have also been able to attract centre Dan Sarginson from Wigan, Chris Atkin from Hull KR and have also loaned in prop Sebastian Ikahihifo from Huddersfield to bolster a pack including Lee Mossop and Gil Dudson, who were so impressive the second half of last season. I don't see Salford being in danger of being relegated this season but I do however see them finishing outside of the playoffs, I don't see last season as a one off but this season will certainly not hit the heights of the 2019 campaign.
My Prediction - 8th
St Helens (Last Season - 1st + Grand Final champions)
St Helens were the runaway leaders of the league last season and I do see them as the team to beat this season as well. It'll be an interesting transition for Saints as they are now under the leadership of new coach, Kristian Woolf as he takes over from outgoing Justin Holbrook who has moved to Gold Coast Titans. Saints just have proven quality all over the field, wingers Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace, both scored over 20 tries last season, stand-off Jonny Lomax was my personal Man of Steel, showing his class in that position with a superb partnership with Theo Fages. Prop forwards Luke Thompson, Alex Walmsley and young player of the year, Matty Lees went well all season, and loose forward Morgan Knowles gets better every year. Expect a big season this year from youngster James Bentley who will play either second row or fill in for the ever-dependable hooker James Roby. I don't see Saints having the league won as easy as they did last season but I still see them coming out on top. I also do believe Saints will go on to lift the Grand Final as well for the 2nd year running, with Lachlan Coote collecting the Harry Sunderland Trophy.
My Prediction - 1st
Toronto Wolfpack (Last Season - Promoted)
Sonny Bill Williams is here. The man who seems as if he has done everything in rugby has signed for the Canadian outfit. The Wolfpack have divided opinion on their inclusion into the Super League, however, I think it is great for the game to see a team with huge ambitions join the league. They come into the league with some greatly experienced Super League players such as ex-Saints captain Jon Wilkin, full-back Gareth O'Brien and prop Brad Singleton. I don't see the Wolfpack going straight into the playoff picture however I don't see them going straight back down. I think they will give a good account of themselves in their first season and the only way is up for Toronto.
My Prediction - 9th
Wakefield Trinity (Last Season - 9th)
Another team I think may be looking over their shoulder towards the end of the season are the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. They're a good side on paper but year in year out they have a constant burden with injuries, losing both Tom Johnstone and Bill Tupou for an extended period in 2019, losing one of their left edge is a worry but losing arguably their 2 most influential attacking players has the potential to ruin a season. The key for Wakefield this offseason was keeping hold of prop forward David Fifita which they have been able to do, Fifita also a player who struggled with injuries last season. I don't think Wakefield will go down but I do believe they'll be the ones fighting with Hull KR and Huddersfield for survival, Chris Chester's side will really need to battle this season.
My Prediction - 11th
Warrington Wolves (Last Season - 4th)
Last years Challenge Cup winners Warrington will go into this season with all confidence they can break their Grand Final duck. They have done some superb business in the offseason bringing in such players as Anthony Gelling, Gareth Widdop and newest recruit, Leilani Latu. The Wolves have however lost centre Bryson Goodwin who will be a big miss to them this season, however they do have the afore mentioned Gelling and Luther Burrell who can adapt to that position. Blake Austin is always a threat with his running game and can confuse the defence with a dummy better than anyone in the league, however the biggest threat in the Warrington team for me is hooker, Daryl Clark. Clark, the 2014 winner of the Man of Steel trophy, is a fantastic player and scored the final try in the Challenge Cup final victory in August. I do think Warrington will give the title a good run this season but as has been the case, they just won't get over the line this season.
My Prediction - 3rd
Wigan Warriors (Last Season - 2nd)
Wigan will want to get revenge for losing their Super League crown last season and losing out in both semi-finals in the playoffs to St Helens and Salford. They've made a huge statement in their recruitment of Man of Steel, Jackson Hastings in the offseason who will be a replacement for the outgoing George Williams to Canberra Raiders. Hastings will probably slot in to the halves alongside Bevan French who has been given the 6 jersey by the Warriors this season, so it will be interesting to see yet another new half-back partnership in Super League this season and how it will develop. Wigan have also boosted their pack with the acquisitions of George Burgess and Mitch Clark, 2 players who will run hard for the warriors and will cause defences all sorts of trouble especially if Tony Clubb performs this season, another impressive member of the Wigan side.
My Prediction - 2nd
Steve Prescott Man Of Steel
My pick for Man of Steel this year is the 22/1 rated Warrington hooker Daryl Clark. I'm backing Clark to win this for a 2nd time because of the way the points are tallied I see him being the stand-out performer in so many Warrington games this season, especially whilst Widdop and Austin gel in the halves. I think the other 4 contenders he will beat to the award will be Jonny Lomax, Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney and Jackson Hastings. I feel Lomax will lose out due to the versatility of Saints and how many players will pick up points this season, Williams will lose out due to his side not winning enough games and the opposition players will pick up the 3,2 and 1 points on a weekly basis, however he will still impress enough to end up in contention. Maloney and Hastings will be in a position where they will still pick up a good amount of points but there will be other good performers in their team, they're probably in the same position as Lomax but not to the same extent.
Top Try Scorer
If you're looking for a flutter on who may score the most tries in 2020, look no further than Saints winger Regan Grace. Grace is a 20/1 shot with Betfred to score the most tries this season, with teammate Tommy Makinson and Warrington wingman Josh Charnley joint favourites at 11/1. Grace worked well with Saints centre Mark Percival in their warm-up game against London Broncos, so if they can work well together this season, I expect Grace is the best bet for the award.
I couldn't write this without putting a footnote in for rugby league legend Rob Burrow who it was revealed over the offseason is battling Motor Neurone Disease. Burrow was a wonderful player for the Leeds Rhinos and the reception he received off the Headingley crowd in Jamie Jones-Buchanan's testimonial brought the great man to tears. It was nothing less than Burrow deserved for what he has done, not only for Leeds but the Super League over the years, one of the greatest players to ever play in the Super League and a legend in my eyes.
Rob Burrow fund - https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=robburrow
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