Super League XV transfers and odds - Huddersfield Giants and Wigan warriors are tied for fourth
LEEDS coach Brian McClennan claims the Super League champions are hungrier than ever as they set their sights on a fourth successive title.
The New Zealander sent out the warning to the rest of the League as the Rhinos prepare to launch the latest defence of their title against Crusaders in Wrexham tonight (Wakefield visit Harlequins tomorrow in the other Round One match of the weekend).
"We’re in better shape in every way, physically and mentally and all sorts of ways," said McClennan. "Last year I think we were a little bit hungover with the success we had in ’08.
"I don’t think we went in hungry enough. This year there seems to be a stronger sense of purpose about us."
McClennan, who is starting his third season at the helm, has identified two areas where his side can improve on their 2009 record. He wants more consistency and for them to have the meanest defence in the league.
"We had some blips in the season," he said. "We really struggled through Easter. There’s a bit of a hangover when you play a World Club Challenge.
"We’ve not managed to get out of that well the last two times. We’ve got to manage that a lot better. Also, Huddersfield took our mantle as the best defensive team last year so we’d like to win that back."
St Helens, who have lost to Leeds in each of the last three Grand Finals, are once more tipped to provide the biggest rivalry but McClennan is expecting other teams to challenge, like Warrington, Hull and Bradford.
"You could make a good case for a lot of the teams," he said. "What makes me think it’s going to be really competitive this year is the fact that Bradford, Hull and Warrington didn’t finish in the top eight and you look at their potential.
"That must mean it’s going to be competitive. I look around at all the clubs and you could say something nice about all of them. They’ve all got potential, I wouldn’t name one team."
Of the Crusaders, he added: "They have obviously got a new management team in there from last season, a lot of new players and a new base up at Wrexham," he said.
"They are expecting a big crowd and I am sure they will want to make a statement."
BRADFORD BULLS
Coach: Steve McNamara (since April 2006).
In: Danny Sculthorpe (Wakefield via Huddersfield), Brett Kearney (Cronulla), Matt Orford, Glenn Hall, Heath L’Estrange (all Manly), Stuart Reardon (ex-Warrington).
Out: Sam Burgess (South Sydney), Terry Newton, Glenn Morrison, Ben Jeffries (all Wakefield), Matt Cook (Hull KR), David Solomona (Warrington), Matt James (Harlequins), Semi Tadulala (released), Paul Deacon (Wigan).
Odds to finish top: 16-1.
CASTLEFORD TIGERS
Coach: Terry Matterson (since November 2005).
In: Steve Snitch (Wakefield), Paul Jackson (Huddersfield).
Out: Sione Faumuina (released), James Ford (Widnes), Chris Feather (Villeneuve), Ryan Boyle (Salford).
Odds to finish top: 80-1.
CATALANS DRAGONS
Coach: Kevin Walters (since December 2008).
In: Chris Walker (Gold Coast), Setaimata Sa (Sydney Roosters), Dallas Johnson (Melbourne), Tony Gigot (Harlequins).
Out: Jason Ryles (Sydney Roosters), Shane Perry, Jason Croker (both released), Vincent Duport (Toulouse), Greg Bird (Gold Coast).
Odds to finish top: 20-1.
Share
