By Chris Lord
February 5 2006

12 teams will battle it our for the engage Super League crown in 2006. Find out who are the 12 teams.

Bradford Bulls

Coach: Brian Noble

Last Season: Grand Final Winners

Key Man: Shontayne Hape

Title Odds: 11-4

IN: Terry Newton (Wigan Warriors), Marcus Bai (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Mckenna (Leeds Rhinos), Stanley Gene (Huddersfield Giants), Adam Watene (Castleford Tigers).

FIVE Grand Final appearances in five years says something about Noble's ability and i'm sure sure he will one day coach in Australia, but not just yet. Lesley Vainikolo and Hape are the ones to stop.

Castleford Tigers

Coach: Terry Matterson

Last Season: Promoted from National League One

Star Man: Keith Mason

Title Odds: 1,000-1

IN: Danny Sculthorpe (Wigan Warriors, Loan), Matt Whitaker (Widnes Vikings), Andy Bailey (Hull FC), Luke Dyer (Penrith Panthers), Keith Mason (St. Helens), Ryan McGoldrick (Cronulla Sharks), Danny Nutley (Cronulla Sharks), Willie Manu (St. George Illawarra), Richard Fa'aoso (Sydney Roosters), Ben Roarty (Huddersfield Giants), Gary Viane (Widnes Vikings).

Will do well to stay up, but have the quality in prop Mason and fellow forward Nutley.

Les Catalans Dragons

Coach: David Waite

Last Season: N/A

Star Man: Stacey Jones

Title Odds: 100-1

IN: Alex Chan (Melbourne Storm), Mark Hughes (Newcastle Knights), Stacey Jones (New Zealand Warriors), Ian Hindmarsh (Canbarra Raiders), John Wilson (West Tigers), Jerome Guisset (Wigan Warriors), Frank Lagrange (Pia), Sebastien Terrado (Pia).

The new boys will keep their fingers crossed in the hope they can avoid injuries and stay competative. Jones is a world-class play maker and will be a joy to watch.

Harlequins RL

Coach: Tony Rea

Last Season: 6th

Star Man: Thomas Leuluai

Title Odds: 100-1

IN: Karl Temata (New Zealand Warriors), Daniel Heckenberg (Widnes Vikings), David Mills (Widnes Vikings), Rikki Sheriffe (Halifax RLFC), Pat Weisner (Halifax RLFC), Tim Hartley (Salford City Reds), Matt Gafa (Canbarra Raiders), Michael Worrincy (Hull FC).

A NEW dawn for the old London Broncos. The capital really needs to prove it wants a top Rugby League team. If it doesn't work this time, it probably never will.

Huddersfield Giants

Coach: Jon Sharpe

Last Season: 8th

Star Man: Chris Thorman

Title Odds: 150-1

IN: Andy Raleigh (Hull KR), Steve Snitch (Wakefield Wildcats), Matt Gardner (Leeds Rhinos), Stephen Wild (Wigan Warriors), Martin Aspinwall (Wigan Warriors), Albert Torrens (St. George Illawarra), Robbie Paul (Bradford Bulls).

MUCH will rest on the fitness of Australian centre Michael de Vere, along with the versatile Thorman, and whether Robbie Paul has retained his hunger.

Hull FC

Coach: John Kear

Last Season: 5th

Star Man: Richard Horne

Title Odds: 33-1

IN: Lee Radford (Bradford Bulls), Sid Domic (Wakefield Wildcats).

KEAR muct be happy because he has only made two signings. Domic has real quality, while winger Nathan Blacklock is one of the quickest finishers around. However, alot will depend on how Horne and Danny Brough gel in the centre. Will do well to finish in the top 5 again.

Leeds Rhinos

Coach: Tony Smith

Last Season: Grand Final runners-up

Star Man: Keith Senior

Title Odds: 2-1

IN: Jamie Peacock (Bradford Bulls), Scott Donald (Manly Sea Eagles), Shane Millard (Widnes Vikings), Mark O'Neill (West Tigers), Nathan McAvoy (Salford City Reds).

ALWAYS dangerous but must start well. Much will rest on Senior and new boy Jamie Peacock, who was brilliant for Bradford and Great Britian, and Leeds fans will expect more of the same.

Salford City Reds

Coach: Karl Harrison

Last Season: 9th

Star Man: Luke Robinson

Title Odds: 500-1

IN: John Wilshere (Leigh Centurions), Aaron Moule (Widnes Vikings), Simon Finnigan (Widnes Vikings), Stephen Myler (Widnes Vikings), Ryan Clayton (Huddersfield Giants), Andrew Dunemann (Leeds Rhinos).

YEAR after yeyar, Harrison pulls out all the stops to keep the Reds in the Super League - and will need to do so again. Will require 100 per cent effort from his squad if they are to stay out of trouble.

St. Helens

Coach: Daniel Anderson

Last Season: Grand Final play-off losers

Star Man: Jamie Lyon

Title Odds: 7-4 fav

IN: Jason Cayyless (Sydney Roosters), Francis Meli (New Zealand Warriors), Leon Pryce (Bradford Bulls).

WHEN coach Ian Millward left last May, I feared the Saints would fall awayy. But Anderson did a great job and they can win the Grand Final this time around. They ooze class and keep an eye out for Jason Cayless and the exciting winger Francis Meli.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Coach: Tony Smith

Last Season: 10th

Star Man: Jamie Rooney

Title Odds: 250-1

IN: Monty Betham (New Zealand Warriors), Paul White (Huddersfield Giants), Jon Whittle (Widnes Vikings), Ned Catic (Sydney Roosters).

NOBODY likes going to Belle Vue and stand-off Rooney will be an influential figure. However, need their best players to remain fit to repeat the heroics of 2004, when they finished 6th to make the play-offs. Could cause a suprise or two again.

Warrington Wolves

Coach: Paul Cullen

Last Season: 4th

Star Man: Martin Gleeson

Title Odds: 16-1

IN: Paul Rauhihi (North Queensland Cowboys), Michael Sullivan (Cronulla Sharks), Richie Barnett Jr (Hull FC), Stuart Reardon (Bradford Bulls), Rob Parker (Bradford Bulls).

Time for the Wolves to be consistent and shake up the big guns. Have spenk bundles, so it will be interesting to see if centre Gleeson can live upto his reputation. He is magic when he's in the mood - could be a make or break season for the club.

Wigan Warriors

Coach: Ian Millward

Last Season: 7th

Star Man: Mickey Higham

Title Odds: 9-1

IN: Iefeta Palea'asina (New Zealand Warriors), Scott Logan (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Bryan Fletcher (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Pat Richards (West Tigers), Mark Calderwood (Leeds Rhinos), Mickey Higham (Bradford Bulls/St. Helens).

NEW Aussie second-rower Fletcher and prop Palea'asina will toughen them up, while hooker Higham can help restore their flagging reputation - should make the play-offs this time around, but will struggle to mount a challange for Old Trafford.

 

Final Table:

 

1. St. Helens

2. Leeds Rhinos

3. Warrington Wolves

4. Wigan Warriors

5. Bradford Bulls

6. Hull FC

7. Harlequins RL

8. Les Catalans Dragons

9. Castleford Tigers

10. Huddersfield Giants

11. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

12. Salford City Reds