By Chris Lord
December 14 2006

Super League starts in less then 8 weeks and Wired Rugby League previews all 12 teams. Today we focus on Wigan, Huddersfield, Wakefield and Salford.

 

   
Countdown to Super League XII - Part I

Wigan Warriors will be looking to start 2007 the way they finished the 2006 campaign. Midway through last season, Wigan were bottom of the Super League and facing relegation to National League One. In came Bradford Bulls boss Brian Noble, and the turn around at The JJB Stadium was impressive. Wigan finished the later stages of 2006 as one of the form teams and only just missed out on a place in the playoffs.  Michael Withers, Shane Millward, Thomas Leuluai, Trent Barrett and Phil Bailey will all be at The JJB Stadium in 2007, and will surely add even more strenth to Wigan's push back towards the top end of Rugby League.

Prediction: 6th

Huddersfield Giants will be looking to continue there year or year improvement in 2007. In 2006, The Giants reached the final of the Challange Cup and despite a thumping defeat to St. Helens, Huddersfield were credited for the part in making it to the final. Huddersfield like Wigan just missed out on the playoffs and with Shane Elford, Darrell Griffin, Ryan Hudson, John Skandalis and Jomahl Lolesi added to the squad, The Giants should be making a real push to make the playoffs in 2007.

Prediction: 9th

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have added 11 new signings to the squad for the 2007 season, and in recent years teams who have added this may new recruits have gone on to struggle. The real question will be is can the Wildcats gel in time. If not then Wakefield could be in for another real struggle. 11,000 fans packed Belle Vue for the crunch relegation clash with Castleford at the end of 2006 and another question is how many of that crowd will get behind the Wildcats in 2007. New coach John Kear has no doubt added some belief into the team and this was evident in the Wildcats end of season survival, and more of the same will be needed this time around.

Prediction: 12th

Salford were the real suprise package of 2006, finishing 5th in the Super League and making the playoffs for the first time in the Super League era. Coach Karl Harrison has added real determination into the men from The Willows, and 2007 will show if Salford can continue there progress of if last season was simply a one off. Salford have added some fresh new faces to the 2006 squad and will be hoping to keep there place in the playoffs come September time. With Salford finally getting planning permission approved for the new 20,000 capacity stadium in Barton, Salford could be the next team like Hull FC and Warrington who have made real progress thanks to the new stadium.

Prediction: 7th