Super League Round 6 (Friday)

LUKE-ING UP: Luke Robinson is integral to Huddersfield Giants' challenge

Huddersfield v Wigan 

LEAGUE leaders Huddersfield will underline their Grand Final hopes tonight by becoming the first team to beat champions Wigan.

Nathan Brown’s Giants have stormed to four wins from their opening five fixtures, including a 28-18 opening day success over Challenge Cup holders – and my tip to be crowned winners at Old Trafford – Warrington.

The form of stand-off Kevin Brown, the Giants’ newly-appointed captain, has been inspirational, but the truth is that Huddersfield have been knocking on the door for a few years now.

Australian coach Brown has instilled a fantastic, disciplined defensive side to the Giants game, while the likes of the talismanic Brown, Luke Robinson and Danny Brough ensure the League leaders have plenty of creative juices pumping through their veins.

The Giants, who showed all their attacking prowess in a 50-16 mauling of Bradford last week, are 8-13 with Betfred to beat Michael Maguire’s Cherry and Whites, and I rate that as a stunning price.

The Warriors will be missing two of their top performers in brothers Sam and Joel Tomkins through suspension, while Paul Deacon, Pat Richards and Brett Finch are out injured.

The future of missing centre Martin Gleeson is also up in the air and a home win by 13+ points (2-1 Stan James) certainly catches the eye.

This contest does, however, showcase two of the League’s best defences and a Giants’ margin of victory by 6-10 points could prove a much safer option for punters (13-2 Betfred).

As for the first try market, Danny Brough has two tries to his name already and looks a class act now he has had time to settle in at one of Super League’s big contenders. Brough is 16-1 across the board, while the equally influential Brown is a stand-out 16-1 (Skybet) to round off the scoring with the final try of the game.

Winner: Giants (8-13 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Danny Brough (16-1 Skybet)


Crusaders v Catalans

Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris got off to flyer with a

42-12 win over Salford in Cardiff, but is now looking to end a run of four successive defeats.

Notoriously poor travellers Catalans should provide the former Great Britain stand-off with the perfect opportunity to set that record straight and the Welsh are good value for the two points at 10-11 with Stan James.

Captain Jack Sparrow look-alike Jarrod Sammut has started the season in fine form, with five tries to his name already, and is 16-1 (Skybet) to grab the first four-pointer of the contest.


Winner: Crusaders (10-11 Stan James)
First Tryscorer: Jarrod Sammut (16-1 Skybet)


Hull FC v Wakefield

THE Airlie Birds came mightily close to toppling Wigan last week, but will bag their second win of the campaign against the Wildcats (1-20 Hills).

A 42-18 thumping of Catalans in their last outing at the KC Stadium suggests Hull should have few problems seeing off John Kear’s rock-bottom side.

Wakey have lost four from five this term and are struggling to get over the whitewash – just 88 points to their name thus far. Nigerian-born Will Sharp has notched up four tries already this season, and can get the hosts up and running with the first tonight at 8-1 with Skybet.

Winner: Hull FC (1-20 Hills)
First Tryscorer: Will Sharp (8-1 Skybet)


Salford v Hull KR

AUSTRALIAN man-mountain Willie Mason made a terrific debut in Rovers’ 40-22 win over Crusaders last week and can inspire Justin Morgan’s men to a third win of the campaign.

Mason was at his tackle-busting and offloading best last week, while Salford, who have shipped more points than any other team, were getting spanked by an injury-hit Leeds Rhinos.

Back Ben Galea to get the first try (16-1 Skybet) in a Robins win (2-5 Betfred).

Winner: Hull KR (2-5 Betfred)
First Tryscorer: Ben Galea (16-1 Skybet)

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)