International Rugby League

Chase-ing the dream - is it a step too far?

If you’re patriotic about rugby league, the sight of Rangi Chase in an England shirt tonight is a bitter pill to swallow.

Quite simply, if coach Steve McNamara had enough belief in the English talent at his disposal, Chase wouldn’t get a look in.

McNamara’s selection is a kick in the teeth for English rugby league – make no mistake about it. What he’s saying is clear: We’re not good enough to beat the Kiwis and Australia in the Four Nations.

To give ourselves a chance we need to capitalise on some pathetically weak international regulations that allow us to pick an outrageously talented stand-off born in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand in 1986.

And talented Chase is. Man of Steel in Super League this season and an attacking threat every time he has the ball in hand. He could really make a difference to England’s chances.

But, if like me, you regard the ideology of international sport as the opportunity for men to represent their country and test themselves against the rest of the world – well, this really isn’t it.

Sure, we’ve done it before with Maurie Fa’asavalu and England’s cricket and rugby union teams are also an insult to the old phrase 'representing your country'. It’s the same with other nations too, but it doesn’t make it right.

It’s a means to an end for Chase. He’s desperate to play on the biggest stage of all. Despite all his patriotic English bravado and McNamara churning out ridiculous comments like “he’s committed to the cause” – one thing is for certain – if Kiwi captain Benji Marshall wasn’t around, Chase would be wearing a black shirt this Four Nations.

Gareth Widdop and Danny McGuire both lay in waiting. Widdop has enjoyed a sensational season in the NRL with the Storm at stand-off and deserves the chance to impress for his country of birth.

McGuire ended the campaign in great form for Leeds. If McNamara thinks Chase isn’t stopping English talent from representing their country then he needs his head testing.

If England – 7-1 with Hills to win the Four Nations – are lifting the trophy come November 19, I’ll be bursting with pride. But it won’t be the same feeling as if they’d done it with just English talent. That would be something special. Instead, they’ll always be a bitter taste.

Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals

4-1 drop goal could clinch cup classic

LEE-DING THE WAY: Briers can inspire Warrington down back to Wembley

Back from a glorious two weeks in the Dominican and rugby league welcomes me home with a Saturday Challenge Cup blockbuster. The other three quarter-final contests promise to be tasty clashes as well.

Champions and Super League leaders Wigan Warriors are 7-2 with Unibet to win the Cup before coach Michael Maguire returns Down Under to link up with South Sydney, but will have to overcome holders Warrington Wolves - 12-5 Sportingbet to seal a hat-trick of Wembley triumphs.

The Cherry and Whites were my pre-season tip to top the regular season standings, but Wire to take the Grand Final honours at Old Trafford. This should be an almighty blood and thunder contest between the two best teams the country this campaign and it's a tough one to call for punters.

Wire have ran in 35 more tries than Wigan in Super League this term and Tony Smith's defence has been imposingly cruel, though the Warriors have shipped 10 less points themselves.

Both head into this fixture in fine form, Wigan with six straight wins and Warrington five. The bookies are, not too surprisingly, struggling to split the two - hosts Wire slight favourites at 17-20 (Sportingbet) and Warriors at 5-4 (Blue Square).

Wolves won 24-6 at Wigan in round seven and if they can put in a similar defensive effort will not be too far off the money.

I think home advantage and the return of Lee Briers could prove decisive for Warrington. Victor Chandler offer 4-1 on a drop-goal being scored in the 80 minutes and I think that's a great offer given this should be tight, the importance of the game and, of course, the presence of one-point specialist Briers.


Last year's finalists Leeds Rhinos head to the KC Stadium to face their tormentors in the 2005 showpiece, Hull FC.

Surely the Airliebirds will improve on their dire showing in the 20-0 defeat to the Rhinos last week, but Paddy Power offer 4-6 on another Leeds win and the gulf between both sides last week suggest that is the mosty sensible bet on offer.

Leeds are also way off the pace in Super League and the Cup offers what is realistically their only chance of silverware. Danny McGuire can lead the way at 12-1 with Stan James for the first try and a Rhinos win by 11-20 points is 10-3 with Paddy Power.

St Helens, winners in 2006, 2007 and 2008 will also realise that Wembley is also their most likely route to success this season and the visit of Hull KR is unlikely to halt their march into the semi-finals.

Winger Jamie Foster is in red-hot form right now, five tries in his last two games, and is the best bet in first try stakes - 8-1 with Hills, while Saints are bound to deliver with a handicap at -14 on offer at 10-11.

In the remaining quarter-final Castleford Tigers welcome Huddersfield Giants and this game is all about the hosts' in-form stand-off Rangi Chase - 16-1 with Sky Bet to grab the first try of the game.

The Giants 36-0 loss at Bradford last week was a real surprise and I think Cas can rub salt into the wounds at 7-4 with Totesport.

If you're chasing a treble, wins for Leeds, Castleford and Warrington combine at a price of 8.5-1.

Super League Betting Tips - Round 21 (Sat / Sun)

14-1 Webb will weave his magic

FLYING HIGH NOW: Brent Webb is back in great form for Leeds Rhinos

Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos

LEEDS RHINOS are hardly flying right now, but the form of Kiwi full-back Brent Webb is certainly living up to his 'Superman' nickname. 

The 30-year-old has been dogged by injuries in recent seasons, but is returning to the kind of form that saw him clinch a Tri Nations’ winners medal with New Zealand back in 2005.

Webb bagged his fifth try of the season (he has 14 assists) in Leeds’ narrow 26-24 loss at Wigan last week and is a great price at 14-1 (Ladbrokes) to grab the first try of the game in France.

Brian McDermott’s Rhinos, for the second occassion this season, pushed the reigning champions all the way and I think Leeds are a decent shout to edge out an in-form Catalans side.

An aggregate score of 46-44 against the Warriors this season suggests Leeds can still mix it with the best when they raise their game and, four points behind fifth-placed Dragons, McDermott’s men need to hit form soon.

A top-four finish is looking incrasingly unlikely for the former three-in-a-row champions, but Leeds will be desperate to build up some form and momentum for the end of season play-offs.

Keeping Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire fit is key to Leeds’ aspirations. They look, quite frankly, lost without them.

Both, however, should be in action tomorrow and the away win is available at 11-8 with Skybet.

Trent Robinson’s Dragons will run Leeds close – they have won five of their last six and beat Bradford last time out with only 12 men.

Prior to that run, though, Catalans were soundly beaten 30-6 at Headingley and Leeds have enough strike players to come out on top again.

Both these teams tend to look for tries with ball in hand and have made less attacking kicks than most of their counterparts.

This will suit Leeds most – they were dreadful under the high ball at Wigan.

But Webb, McGuire and Ben Jones-Bishop all looked dangerous against Wigan and that improved display should give the Rhinos a decisive boost for this game.

SELECTION:
Leeds to win (11-8 Skybet)

Best of the rest 

Castleford Tigers welcome the Bradford Bulls and are good value at 10-11 (Skybet) to return to winning ways.

Bradford hoped their win at Leeds would prove the catalyst for a change in fortunes, but defeat to 12-man Catalans shows they still have a long way to go.

Wigan should run out easy winners at Harlequins – a punt on a Cherry and Whites win with a handicap of minus 20 points catches the eye at 10-11 (Skybet).

Resurgent Hull KR, who have ran in a total of 104 points in their last two games, can stay on the
winning trail at bottom club Crusaders – 4-11 with Skybet.

Wakefield, thumped 70-14 by Rovers last week, will be on the end of another hiding – St Helens by 42 points or more is at 4-1 with Coral.

Super League Betting Tips - Round 19 (Friday)

Hungry Wolves will maul Saints

CASE FOR THE DEFENCE: Ben Westwood's tackling has been ferocious

Warrington v St Helens 

Wolves are aiming to seal their first ever Super League double over St Helens and I'm backing Tony Smith's men to do just that at 3-10 with Betfred.

Warrington have been sensational at times this season, top points scorers, best defence and looking very much Grand Final material.

Smith's table-toppers have led the standings for 10 of the 18 rounds this season and look too good for Saints right now.

Royce Simmons visitors may only be three points off the Wire, but punters should read little into that misleading statistic.

Take more notice of this – Wolves have racked up 191 more points than Saints so far this campaign and shipped 103 less points.

At times, a fierce defence and an expansive attack orchestrated by Lee Briers has seen Wolves looking almost unstoppable, while Saints showed very little against Wigan last week to suggest they are ready for this assignment.

With the exception of two defeats to Huddersfield, Wolves have been in great shape against Super League's big hitters this term.

Leeds have been hit for an aggregate score of 82-30, Wigan were humbled 24-6 on their own patch and Saints were also beaten on home turf, 25-18 back in round three.

Saints lacklustre 32-10 loss to the champions last week, allied with a run of four away games without a win, means their price of 11-4 (Boylesports) has little appeal.

Warrington's defence has been brutal this season. Ben Westwood's efforts in particular have hugely impressed, though it is very much a disciplined team unit.

In attack, the likes of Westood, Gareth Carvell, Paul Wood and Adrian Morley have laid the perfect platform for the likes of Brett Hodgson and Briers to weave their magic and, with two of the best centres around in Chris Bridge and Ryan Atkins, Wolves have plenty of ammunition out wide.

One major aspect to Wolves' play is the amount of offloads they are coming up with – 284 in total, that's 83 more than Saints.

It was a high-profile trait during Smith's reign at Leeds that the Rhinos topped the table for offloads and it is no surprise to see the Wire now succeeding with similar tactics.

On the evidence of what I've seen this season, I am left to think that the only question for punters is how many points Warrington will run out winners by.

Led by their two instrumental James's, Roby and Graham, Saints will no doubt put up a fight, but a Wolves win by 21-30 points is worth a punt at 5-1 with Paddy Power.

Warrington to win both halves also catches the eye at 11-8 with bet365.

I've always sang the praises of Bridge, a hugely talented and creative ball-runner, but he also knows the way to the line and he is available at 12-1 with Betfred to grab the first try.

Winner: Warrington (3-10 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Wolves by 21-30 points (5-1 PADDY P) / Wolves win both halves (11-8 BET365)
First Tryscorer: Chris Bridge (12-1 BETFRED) 

11-1 Jones-Bishop will lead Rhinos charge

RHINO RETURN: Jones-Bishop is a great prospect for the Blue and Amber

Leeds v Bradford 

These two teams headed into this corresponding fixture last season in similar predicaments and played out a thrilling 20-20 draw.

Once again Leeds are struggling to establish themselves among the top four, while Bradford, at this stage at least, look no better than 12 months ago.

Skybet offer 25-1 on another share of the spoils, but I think Leeds should have too much for their West Yorkshire rivals.

The Rhinos defence has been shoddy at best this term, but 20 points shipped in their last two games reflects a modicum of improvement in that area.

In attack, the Blue and Amber have run hot and cold, but even if the likes of Danny McGuire, Kevin Sinfield and Brent Webb are just luke warm, you sense the hosts should have too much quality for the Bulls.

Much will be made of Matt Diskin's return to Headingley and I'm confident the home faithful will give the hooker the reception he deserves after more than a decade with Leeds.

With that exception, though, I doubt Diskin's return will be an enjoyable one. Bradford have shown few signs of improvement this season and sneaking into the play-offs is surely coach Mick Potter's most realistic target.

Two wins in nine is hardly helping the Bull's cause and, short of ideas in attack, I think Leeds' defence will cope well enough, despite conceding a few points along the way.

Young winger Ben Jones-Bishop was on fire at the start of the season before injury struck and he can grab the first try of the game on his return to action – best priced 11-1 with Totesport.

McGuire was back on the scoresheet in last week's narrow 12-7 victory at Crusaders and is 12-1 with Betfred to run-in the last try.

Winner: Leeds (2-7 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Leeds by 16-20 points (11-2 BETFRED)
First Tryscorer: Ben Jones-Bishop (11-1 TOTESPORT)


Crusaders v Salford

Crusaders are looking to clinch a hat-trick of wins over the Reds this year and they look great value to do so at 10-11 with Betfred.

Iestyn Harris' Welsh outfit smashed Salford 42-12 in their Cardiff season opener and edged out the Reds 16-10 in round eight.

After a shock 18-16 win at leaders Warrington, Salford were brought back down to earth by Castleford last week and I think basement club Crusaders can continue their recent dominance over the Reds, having won the previous five League meetings.

Harris thought his team were unfortunate to come away from their last contest against the Rhinos empty handed, but he'll be in better spirits after this 80 minutes.

Aussie stand-off Michael Witt is key for Crusaders and he looks nicely priced for the opening score at 16-1 with Betfred.

Winner: Crusaders (10-11 BETFRED)
Score Tip: Crusaders by 1-12 points (2-1 BET365)
First Tryscorer: Michael Witt (16-1 BETFRED)

Super League Betting Tips - Round 15 (Friday)

14-1 McGuire will lead Rhinos' charge 

TRY MACHINE: Leeds' Danny McGuire remains a great first scorer option

Leeds v Warrington

I know, it has been away a while, but fear not, I've not been on the end of a Gareth Raynor right-hook, just a little snowed under at work.

This preview should hopefully herald a triumphant return and I'm backing a resurgent Leeds to beat Warrington – best priced at 9-5 with Stan James.

Six successive wins in all competitions has restored confidence among Rhinos fans after a shaky start, but they now sit just three points off Friday night's opponents and league leaders Warrington.

Wolves cruised to a 40-24 victory over Leeds in round four, but the Blue and Amber have steadily improved and are a much sterner test with England duo Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire back in their ranks.

McGuire and full-back Brent Webb return from short injury stints on the sidelines to boost Leeds' support play artillery and you need look no further for a first try-scorer tip.

McGuire is always my first port of call in this market where Leeds are concerned and the 14-1 on offer from Hills should be gobbled up. His timing and anticipation, playing on the shoulder of his forwards remains of the highest order.

The loss of Keith Senior will be a blow to the Rhinos but, with Webb back at full-back, can Lee Smith return to form at centre? 

The former union convert was a stand-out performer before his brief flirtation with the other code, but has struggled to find his feet since...

Punters should take note that Wolves, despite their vast improvement under the guidance of Tony Smith, have failed to win at Headingley on their last four visits.

Leeds have been comprehensively beaten by Wolves, Huddersfield and St Helens so far this campaign, but now in better form, I rate Brian McDermott's team as a decent shout to get one over on his former Leeds mentor Smith.

The Rhinos, despite a few suggestions from the Sky Sports punditry team to the contrary, are far from a spent force, as shown in their 22-22 draw with champions Wigan.

Leeds should have ran out easy winners in that contest, but for some kamikaze defence, and now with Peacock and McGuire to lead the way, I think they'll find the inspiration needed to see off the Wire.

It will be a stern test of Leeds' credentials this season. Smith has Warrington running red-hot. Statistically, they have the top attack and defence in the league, scoring over 100 points more than their nearest rival, ironically Leeds.

Amazingly, Wolves have racked up 312 points and conceded only 14 in their last four games in all competitions. They are my tip to win the Grand Final, but they'll be a few defeats along the way. Leeds are due a result against one of the big guns.

That said, if Leeds offer up another lacklustre 80 minutes of defensive lapses, it would be no surprise to see Wolves run riot yet again. 

But I think Leeds will be switched on for this one. They need to make a statement. They must prove to themselves that they can still beat the best.

Leeds' defensive efforts this term would suggest a home win would need to be a close run affair and a 1-12 points success catches the eye at 10-3 with Coral. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Kevin Sinfield put over a one-pointer and a drop goal is 9-2 with Betfred.

Winner: Leeds (9-5 STAN JAMES)
Score Tip: Leeds by 1-12 points (10-3 CORAL)
First Tryscorer: Danny McGuire (14-1 WILLIAM HILL)

Super League Round 4 (Saturday)

FRIENDS REUNITED: Wolves boss Tony Smith can guide his team to
victory against former club Leeds Rhinos at the Halliwell Jones Stadium 

Warrington v Leeds (Saturday)

LEEDS RHINOS endured an injury-hit start to last season and they are having no better luck so far this campaign, with four first teamers ruled out for the trip to Wolves.

New coach Brian McDermott tasted success in his first two contests against Bradford and Hull FC, but a combination of injuries and a lacklustre performance saw Leeds fall to pace-setters Quins last Friday.

The Rhinos, 13-8 with Betfred, were without Brent Webb, Carl Ablett, Brett Delaney, Ryan Bailey, Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire through injury against Quins and require a giant effort to edge out a Wire side so impressive in turning over St Helens last week.

Kyle Leuluai is now another injury casualty, though Ablett, Webb and Bailey are all back in contention for this clash. It should be a great contest, but I'm backing Warrington boss boss Tony Smith to bag two points against his former club.

Lee Briers helped himself two tries in that success over Saints and is 20-1 (Stan James) to grab the first try, while the hosts are 1-2 with Betfred to prevail.

Leeds have enough talent to put up a fight, but I can see a Wolves win by 6-10 points (5-1 Hills), with Richie Myler's fine support play making him a terrific price to grab the final try at 16-1 with Skybet.

Winner: Warrington to win (1-2 Betfred)
Score Tip: Wolves to win by 11-15 points (7-1 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Lee Briers (20-1 Stan James)

Catalans Dragons v St Helens (Saturday)

WITH Kyle Eastmond's end-of-season switch to Union now confirmed, St Helens are free to focus on racking up some points rather than hanging onto their best young talent and a trip to France is just what the doctor ordered.

Last week's loss to Warrington will give Saints all the incentive they need to bounce back to winning ways and at 4-11 with Betfred, the bookies clearly agree that the visitors have this one in the bag.

After a surprise loss to Wakefield on home soil, Catalans responded well with a shock win of their own at Hull KR, but I think Saints should be clear winners here and bet365's 11-8 on an away win by 13+ points should be snapped up.

As for a first tryscorer, there's only one man to back. Eastmond is 14-1 with Hills to bag the first four-pointer and, with the speculation out of the window, he'll show his worth.

Winner: St Helens to win (4-11 Betfred)
Score Tip: Saints to win by 13+ points (11-8 bet365)
First Tryscorer: Kyle Eastmond (14-1 Stan James)

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 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)