World Club Challenge

WORLD AT HIS FEET: Sam Tomkins can showcase his talents tonight

Wigan Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons

WIGAN WARRIORS are fighting to be crowned World Club champions against NRL winners St George Illawarra Dragons this weekend and Michael Maguire’s men will take some stopping at evens with William Hill.

After English dominance in this event for five successive years, Manly bucked that trend by beating Leeds in 2009 and Melbourne Storm repeated the trick at Elland Road 12 months ago. The strength of the NRL and Aussie stronghold on the international scene seals the Dragons as marginal favourites  for this contest – 4-5 with Hills.

However, there is plenty to suggest punters should be backing the Cherry and Whites. Firstly, home advantage, as always, goes to the English team and, in Wigan’s case, that means a sell-out partisan crowd at their very own DW Stadium.

Secondly, the Dragons, unlike Manly and Melbourne before them, have opted not to play a warm-up game on these shores – a fatal error in my book. Wigan will hit the ground battle hardened after a full pre-season and two Super League matches already under their belts.

In contrast, the NRL has yet to kick-off and it is a serious lack of respect on Illwarra’s part to head into this clash without any match preparation.

St George’s legendary coach Wayne Bennett has flown home on compassionate grounds, which is a massive blow to the visitors.

Maguire’s men blew a 16-0 lead to draw with St Helens in their season opener, but cut through the Bulls with ominous ease at Odsal last week and are just too good to turn down at Hills’ double-your-money price.

St George’s man to watch out for is 23-year-old full-back Darius Boyd. A prodigious talent, equally skilled on the wing or at centre, Boyd adds a creative touch to what is largely a well disciplined and workmanlike outfit.

His opposite number, Sam Tomkins, is the best talent in the British game and I expect Super League’s young player of the year to deliver.

A Grand Final try suggests he is the man for the big occassion and, at 12-1 (Hills) for the first try, his timely support play and notorious sidestep could well reward punters.

Winner: Wigan (Evens William Hill)
Score Tip: Wigan to win by 13+ points (4-1 bet365)
First Tryscorer: Sam Tomkins (12-1 William Hill)

Super League Betting Tips - Round 3 (Friday)

SHOULD I STAY OT SHOULD I GO? Kyle Eastmond is in talks about a
possible move to rugby union, but has been in fine form for Saints

 St Helens v Warrington (Friday)

I MAY have tipped Warrington for success this year, but it’s impossible to ignore The Wire’s  hoodoo against Saints.

The Wolves have won just one of 31 Super League games against St Helens and have yet to taste victory at Knowsley Road in the summer era.

Regardless of this contest taking place at Widness’ Stobart Stadium ¬- Saints temporary home during their own ground developments – it would be crazy for punters to ignore Warrington’s horrific form in this fixture.

Royce Simmons’ team followed up their sensational comeback against champions Wigan in the opening round with an emphatic 56-22 romp at Salford and look good value for another two points at 4-9 with Stan James.

James Roby and Kyle Eastmond were both back to their best last week and will prove influential once again, though Wolves’ Michael Monaghan is also showing some terrific form.

Monaghan will be at the hub of Warrington’s best work and Tony Smith’s men have more than enough quality to push Saints all the way. Sadly for Wire fans though, there seems to be a psychological barrier that their team just cannot pass in this fixture.

Winner: St Helens (4-9  Stan James)
Score Tip: Saints to win by 1-5 points (13-2 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Kyle Eastmond (14-1 William Hill)

FAMILIAR FACE: Leeds' Ben Jones-Bishop impressed on-loan at The Stoop
last season and can sink his old pals at Headingley on Friday night

Leeds v Harlequins (Friday)

SECOND hosts third at Headingley and, despite Leeds’ growing injury list, I expect Harlequins’ flying start to come to a sudden halt.

Rob Powell’s men spanked Salford at Cardiff and edged out Crusaders at The Stoop last week, but the Rhinos have shown enough form early on to suggest an upset is not on the cards, even though Betfred’s 1-9 on a home win is far too short.

Brian McDermott will be missing Carl Ablett, Ryan Bailey, Ben Cross, Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire, but the early performances of Rob Burrow, Kallum Watkins and Ben Jones-Bishop tell me the Rhinos will have plenty of points in them in this 80 minutes.

Jones-Bishop has been in scintillating form, scoring a terrific long range solo try in the win at Hull last week and is worth a punt in both the first and last try-scorer markets at 11-1 with Hills to add to his three tries this campaign.

Winner: Leeds (1-9  Betfred)
Score Tip: Leeds to win by 16-20 points (11-2 Totesport)
First Tryscorer: Ben Jones-Bishop (11-1 William Hill)

Super League Betting Tips - Round 2 (Friday)

WAT A FUTURE: Kallum Watkins is set for a big season with the Rhinos

Hull FC v  Leeds Rhinos

LEEDS have won their last six contests against the Airlie Birds and Skybet’s 4-7 on Brian McDermott’s Rhinos is worth tucking into.

Youngsters Kallum Watkins, 19, and Ben Jones-Bishop, 22, are two of the most prodigious up and coming talents in the game and combined superbly as the latter crossed the whitewash to complete a dramatic Leeds comeback in Cardiff last Sunday.

Centre Watkins and winger Jones-Bishop certainly look like being two to watch in Sky Sport’s first Friday night clash of the campaign, as is second-rower Weller Hauraki.

The former Parramatta Eel, set for his Rhinos debut after finally bagging a work permit, was hugely impressive for Crusaders last term and I expect him to flourish alongside some of Leeds’ star names.

The Black and Whites came flying out of the blocks against Hull KR last week, but quickly, and worrying I’m sure for coach Richard Agar, fell away.

A 14-0 lead ended in a comprehensive 34-22 defeat and, if there is any team in Super League you need to stay switched on for 80 minutes against, it is the Rhinos.

I can see a similar pattern emerging at the KC Stadium, with a strong opening from the hosts, for who new recruit Sam Obst should feature, but Leeds proving the stronger come the final hooter. Paddy Power offer 13-2 that Hull lead at half-time, with Leeds ending victorious and that’s a cracking price.

Watkins is 16-1 with Hills to bag the final try and it would come as no surprise to see the Leeds ace reward punters while underlining his undoubted potential.

Winner: Leeds (4-7 Skybet)
Score Tip: Leeds to win by 1-12 points (2-1 Stan James)
First Tryscorer: Kirk Yeaman (16-1 Sportingbet)


Salford v St Helens

SAINTS boss Royce Simmons will be cursing an injury list that deprives him of James Graham, Leon Pryce, Gary Wheeler and new signing Josh Perry, but at least rugby union target Kyle Eastmond is still expected to feature and see out the last year of his contract.

St Helens comeback from 16-0 down against arch rivals and champions Wigan last week emphasised to any doubters that Saints will once again be challenging come Grand Final reckoning, while Salford’s 42-12 crushing at the hands of Crusaders should convince punters there can be only one winner at The Willows.

Salford had been tipped in many quarters to mount a challenge for the play-offs, but last week’s showing was a rude awakening for Reds’ fans.

Saints may be without some key names, but a comfortable win is surely on the cards, with James Roby and the irrepressible Tony Puletua, inspirational in last Saturday’s late heroics, leading the charge for the visitors.

Winner: St Helens (1-3 Betfred)
Score Tip: St Helens win by 16-20 points (6-1 Hills)
First Tryscorer: James Roby (20-1 Hills)

Super League Betting Tips - Round 1 (Sunday)

DISK-O TIME: Can new Bulls hooker Matt Diskin get Bradford ticking over?

 Crusaders v Salford

A crack at the Super League play-offs is not out of the question for Salford this campaign after Shaun McRae brought in a wealth of experienced players in the off-season.

The likes of Stephen Wild, Chris Nero, Vinnie Anderson, Sean Gleeson, Iafeta Paleassina and Phil Bailey will ensure McRae’s men are much more competitive than last time out and I’m backing Salford to get off to a flyer by bagging the points against Crusaders.

Iestyn Harris beings his Super League coaching career with a four point deficit due to the Crusaders going into administration but, in Jarrod Sammut, he has an exciting talent who can inspire the Welsh to some surprise victories.

Winner: Salford (8-13 Stan James)
Score Tip: Salford by 1-12 points (15-8 Blue Square)
First Tryscorer: Ashley Gibson (14-1 William Hill)

Bradford v Leeds

Mick Potter has included all 10 of his new signings for the derby with Leeds and there is certainly a few interesting sub-plots to this West Yorkshire clash.

Former Rhinos stalwarts Chev Walker and Matt Diskin will line-up for the Bulls, while many are interested to see how Leeds’ new coaching duo of former Bradford men Brian McDermott and James Lowes will get on.

And then there’s also the small matter of official Steve Ganson taking charge after the chaos he caused with Leeds last-gasp win at this very ground in 2007!

Potter has, perhaps wisely, recruited players with something to prove, but it’s hard to see Bradford’s new team clicking together instantly and, though Leeds are missing Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire, they still boast an established squad with plenty of quality.

McDermott has expressed his desire to see his Leeds team adopt an exciting brand of rugby league this term and where better to indulge in that expansive style of play than on Cardiff’s giant pitch.

Winner: Leeds (2-5 William Hill)
Score Tip: Leeds by 13+ points (17-10 bet365)
First Tryscorer: Weller Hauraki (28-1 Sportingbet)

Hull FC v Hull KR

What a way to end the opening weekend as the Airlie Birds and Robins tear into each other in Cardiff!

Two evenly matched sides in my eyes after watching both Super League derbies between these two in 2010 but, with Sean Long fit and raring to go, I’m going to side with Hull FC for this one.

Loose-forward Joe Westerman is a hugely talented player who may shine further in a new environment, while visa problems rob opponents Hull KR of their major off-season signing, Willie Mason.

Winner: Hull FC (Evens Stan James)
Score Tip: Hull FC by 1-5 points (5-1 Stan James)
First Tryscorer: Kirk Yeaman (16-1 Stan James)

Super League Betting Tips - Round 1 (Saturday)

DEMOLITION DERBY: Saints and Wigan clash in Saturday's final contest

 Super League Betting Tips - Round 1

Huddersfield v Warrington

Kicking off Millenium Magic is a repeat of the 2009 Challenge Cup Final and, after backing Warrington to win this year's Super League Grand Final, it will come as no surprise to learn that I'm tipping the same outcome as in that Wembley showpiece.

Mind you, I'm expecting a big year from the Giants and expect stand-off Kevin Brown, fantastic over the last two seasons, to push on even further now he has replaced Brett Hodgson as captain.

Coach Nathan Brown has also brought in Australian forward Luke O'Donnell, who will have a major impact, but it's Warrington who are the team to challenge Wigan in 2011.

Hodgson will prove influential, along with the likes of Adrian Morley and Ben Westwood, while the form of centre Ryan Atkins will again catch the eye. Joel Monaghan should be a real sensation in Super League and he's a great shout to bag the first try at 10-1 with William Hill.

Winner: Warrington (4-7 Betfred)
Score Tip: Wolves by 13+ points (2-1 Blue Square)
First Tryscorer: Joel Monaghan (10-1 William Hill)

Catalans v Harlequins

It's exciting times for Catalans under new coach Trent Robinson who has recruited well and I fancy the French will make a winning start to the new season.

Rob Powell is the youngest, most inexperienced coach in the competition and, if that wasn't enough, he has the weakest squad to boot. It could be a baptism of fire for Powell in Cardiff.

The likes of Scott Dureau, Steve Menzies and Ian Henderson will make Catalans a tougher force than last time out and they'll get off to a flyer.

Winner: Catalans (8-15 Betfred)
Score Tip: Catalans by 6-10 points (5-1 Coral)
First Tryscorer: Steve Menzies (20-1 Betfred)

Castleford v Wakefield

The departure of talented young duo Michael Shenton and Joe Westerman is a major blow to Castleford, though Richard Mathers, returning favourite Danny Orr and Saints pair Nick Fozzard and Jacob Emmitt will ensure a solid spine to the side.

Stand-off Rangi Chase will again be the man to watch and he could have a field day this weekend against a Wildcats outfit that has been in turmoil off the field.

Wakefield's small squad will need all the experience of coach John Kear this term after a distinct lack of high-profile signings due to now re-solved financial issues, but I fear it could be a testing first 80 minutes in what promises to be a tough season for the Wildcats.

Winner: Castleford (2-5 Betfred)
Score Tip: Castleford by 11-15 points (6-1 Paddy Power)
First Tryscorer: Richard Mathers (18-1 Sportingbet)

St Helens v Wigan

A thrilling finale to the opening day of Super League XVI sees a repeat of last year's Grand Final and, I'm sorry Saints fans, it's hard to envisage a different outcome.

Stuart Fielden, Pat Richards and Brett Finch are out injured, but the Cherry and Whites are still bursting with quality.

The addition of Ryan Hoffman ensures the Warriors have the best back-row in the competition, while Sam Tomkins heads a list of young talent that many suspect will see another prolonged period of Wigan dominance.

New Saints coach Royce Simmons, though, has a squad that will be competing for a sixth successive Grand Final showing and I'm expecting big things from centre Michael Shenton.

You can't bet against the champions right now though and that's where my money will be going.

Winner: Wigan (8-15 William Hill)
Score Tip: Wigan by 13+ points (21-10 Blue Square)
First Tryscorer: Michael Shenton (14-1 Stan James)

Super League Top Try Scorer Betting

MY OH MY: Wolves' Richie Myler is a stunning 35-1 with Paddy Power

LEEDS RHINOS' Ryan Hall heads the betting to top the Super League try chart in 2011 but, at 10-1 with Betfred and as short as 8-1 with Stan James, I think there’s better value to be had.

Hall is an accomplished finisher. He was fifth in the standings with 23 tries last year, 12 months after leading the way with 28 scores in 2009. The Leeds ace is a physically imposing winger with speed to burn and I fully expect Hall to be fighting it out to be top dog once again. But who will he be up against?

Well, there are some eye-catching odds in this market and none more so than St Helens' Kyle Eastmond. The scrum-half ran in 15 tries in 19 games for Saints last season and, should he avoid the injuries that have so far dogged his early development, the 25-1 Victor Chandler have priced up certainly catches the eye. However, with talk of an impending switch to union still doing the rounds, the St Helens man is best avoided.

Warrington's Joel Monaghan will have to endure plenty of stick from the terraces this campaign after his controversial exit from the NRL, but the bookies would be barking mad to dismiss the former Canberra centre and Hills clearly think the Wolves recruit is up to the task – 12-1 to top the charts. 

Team-mate Chris Riley is also high up in the betting at 16-1 (Betfred), but I rather fancy Monaghan could outscore the 22-year-old. He is quality player who should have few problems settling it at Wolves.

Man of Steel Pat Richards clinched this market last year with 29 tries, but missing through injury early on, Wigan's Darrell Goulding is perhaps a better Cherry and Whites prospect, best priced at 14-1 with Victor Chandler. Richards, though, is still a threat according to Hills - 18-1 to retain his place at the top of the standings.

Sam Tomkins is 25-1 with Betfred and looked a deadly finisher from full-back last term. That notorious turn of pace and side-step should see England's bright young hope to the try line on a regular basis and Tomkins is well worth an each-way flutter at that price.

Another Warriors man, Amos Roberts, is 16-1 with Stan James, but is unlikely to hit the ground running after a long injury lay-off last season. 

Ade Gardner (20-1 Hills) used to top this betting market, but is merely a finisher in my eyes and unlikely to rack up any tries through his own hard work. With just 14 tries last year, I'd give Gardner the swerve and think James Roby - an astonishing 80-1 with bet365 - could be the darkhorse in this market.

Roby managed 13 tries last term with limited game time due to his regular interchange with Kieron Cunningham, but with more minutes on the field, Roby could turn out to be a very profitable each-way option.

Huddersfield pair Leroy Cudjoe (20-1 Blue Square) and David Hodgson (25-1 Blue Square) are also contenders, while Hull KR's Peter Fox and cross-city rival Tom Briscoe (both 20-1 Coral) will also have their backers.

Elsewhere, Danny McGuire's form last year would have made him a stand-out bet in this market and, even 11 weeks away from fitness, still has the bookies running a little scared at 20-1 (various).

For me though, Richie Myler sparkles with value at 35-1 with Paddy Power. The scrum-half bagged 15 tries last season and has a support game that boss Tony Smith should ensure is fully utilised at Warrington as Myler shows his class after a testing end to 2010. 

TOP TRYSCORER SELECTIONS:

Sam Tomkins - Each way (1/4) - 25-1 Betfred

James Roby - Each way (1/4) - 80-1 bet365

Richie Myler - Outright - 35-1 Paddy Power

Super League 2011 Betting Preview

WIG WHAM BAM: Can Wigan carry their sensational form into 2011?

THE almighty conundrum facing rugby league punters in 2011 is can anyone stop Wigan Warriors bagging a second successive Grand Final victory?

Michael Maguire’s Cherry and Whites finished the regular season four points clear of the field and a memorable first campaign for their Australian coach culminated in an emphatic 22-10 victory over arch rivals St Helens at old Trafford to seal a deserved Super League trophy.

And it wasn’t the only silverware heading to those at the DW Stadium. Goal-kicking winger Pat Richards was crowned Man of Steel, while Sam Tomkins, for the second year in a row, was young player of the year.

As if that wasn’t enough, coach of the year Maguire has shipped in the talented trio of Brett Finch, Ryan Hoffman and Jeff Lima from Melbourne Storm to strengthen even further.

Second-rower Gareth Hock should also return from a two-year drugs ban in July and, with an array of young talent coming through, spearheaded by the best young talent in the game, Tomkins, Wigan will be the team to beat.

Consequently, the champions are overwhelming favourites with the bookies to retain their title (2-1 various) and are best priced at only 15-8 (Skybet) to wrap up another League Leaders’ Shield.

Rugby League, though, thankfully, is rarely that predictable and hope already springs eternal for the pretenders to Wigan’s throne.

Firstly, the influential Richards will miss Wigan’s opening fixtures due to an Achilles injury, while neck surgery has also ruled out new recruit Finch early doors.

Other clubs have also been busy brining in new blood to improve their chances, but who are Wigan’s likeliest challengers?

Well, fallen champions Leeds will have the bit between their teeth, but new coach Brian McDermott must be cursing the injuries to England captain Jamie Peacock and support-play expert Danny McGuire.

Leeds are best avoided at 6-1 with Betfred to top the standings at the end of the regular season, but with both McGuire and Peacock set to return in May, that could give the Blue and Amber just the boost they need going into the play-offs. Leeds are 5-1 with Stan James to get their hands back on the Super League trophy and they will have their backers.

With two of the game’s best off-loaders and line-breakers in Ali Lauitiiti and the ever-green Keith Senior, backed up by the support play talents of Brent Webb, Lee Smith and Ryan Hall, the Rhinos will always be a threat.

Beaten Grand-finalists St Helens are forced to pick themselves up after a fourth successive heartache at Old Trafford and, under new coach Royce Simmons, are 7-2 with Blue Square to end that recent hoodoo.

The retention of exciting half-back Kyle Eastmond is paramount to Simmons’ hopes of bagging silverware, though hooker James Roby can be expected to flourish even further after his well served apprenticeship under the now retired Keiron Cunningham.

New signings Michael Shenton and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook will also thrive in their new enviroment, but a ground share with Widness relinquishes Saints of any home advantage this term and that could hinder their League position and play-off chances.

For me, Tony Smith’s back-to-back Challenge Cup winners Warrington are the best value option – 4-1 with Skybet to seal their first Super League crown.

Brett Hodgson will provide a steady pair of hands at full-back, while Adrian Morley and Ben Westwood spearhead a fearsome pack that should lay the groundwork for the boot and creative touch of Lee Briers.

The pace and support play among the likes of Ryan Atkins, Matt King, Richie Myler and Joel Monaghan should also ensure punters are not left barking up the wrong tree. If Wolves’ progress so far under Smith continues, they will not be far off come the final hooter at Old Trafford.

Elsewhere, no-one has been more active than new Bradford Bulls’ boss Mick Potter. High-profile recruits like Matt Diskin, Oliver Elima, Bryn Hargreaves and Chev Walker should carry the Bulls back into the play-offs, but at 40-1 (Blue Square) for Grand Final glory, that’s as good as it will get.

Huddersfield Giants have an astute coach in Nathan Brown, will be tight in defence, and have some fine English talent in Kevin Brown, Luke Robinson, Eorl Crabtree and Leroy Cudjoe.

For me, the Giants (25-1 Victor Chandler) lack the cutting edge to rival the likes of Wigan, St Helens and Leeds, but at 3-1 with Hills to top the regular season standings without last season’s top four, Brown’s men are sparkling with value.

Castleford are 100-1 with Betfred, a price which reflects the departures of star men Shenton and Joe Westermen. The Tigers are likely to struggle, but stand-off Rangi Chase will no doubt provide some memorable moments.

Hull FC could bring the best out loose forward Westerman, but they would still be relying on Sean Long rolling back the years to cash in at 28-1 with Betfred, while cross-city rivals Hull KR (33-1 Hills) could surprise a few people if former Aussie Test forward Willie Mason finds his form. The prospect of Mason squaring up with Jamie Peacock and Stuart Fielden once more certainly wets the appetite!

Trent Robinson has made some smart signings at Catalans (40-1 Betfred), particularly Scott Dureau from Newcastle Knights, which should make the Dragons a stronger force but, just like Iestyn Harris’ Crusaders (150-1 Stan James), they will struggle to pick up points on their travels.

Harlequins new coach Rob Powell faces a baptism of fire. At 250-1 with Blue Square, the Londoners will be happy to avoid finishing bottom, though John Kear’s Wakefield (300-1 Stan James), ravaged by off-field problems, have an even tougher challenge ahead.

Finally, some experienced signings including Vinnie Anderson, Sean Gleeson, Iafeta Paleaessina, and Phil Bailey should see Salford – 150-1 with Stan James – vastly improve and pushing for the play-offs.

Expect all the usual contenders to be fighting it out, but it’s 4-1 Warrington that, for me, offer the best value in the market and can take the champions Wigan to the wire.

SELECTIONS:Wigan to finish top (regular season) – 15-8 Skybet
Warrington to win Grand Final – 4-1 Skybet
Huddersfield to finish top (regular season) without big four - 3-1 William Hill