SUPER League returns tonight with Grand Final winners Leeds starting the defence of their crown at Warrington.
But what will happen in 2018? Will the trophy stay with the Rhinos or will it head elsewhere? Can Castleford make sure they were not one season wonders?
There will be plenty of questions thrown this year, not least to clubs off the field as we still await an answer about what next season will look like.
Here’s 10 that SunSport poses before a ball is kicked in anger.
Can Warrington bounce back like Leeds did?
LESS said about last year for the Wolves, the better but Leeds went from defying relegation through the Qualifiers to being Super League champions and with new coach Steve Price and a host of new players, Warrington will be up there if they perform.
Will the World Cup have added confidence to England’s players?
NO FEWER than 11 of the 17 who pushed Australia all the way in last year’s epic final ply their trade in Super League, so having proved they can do it, why not help raise levels of the game here. Intensity at club level was the difference, more of it week in, week out may close the gap.
Can Sam Tomkins get back to his best?
INJURIES left the world’s most expensive rugby league player a shadow of the man who terrified defences to death and it cost him an England spot but Tomkins may benefit from having extra training in pre-season and opponents should watch out.
Can Castleford come close to a repeat without Zak Hardaker?
WHATEVER could go wrong did go wrong for Cas in the laed up to and at the Grand Final, notably having full-back Hardaker banned after testing positive for cocaine, but Daryl Powell’s men will be determined to show there is much more about them than one brilliant player.
Are Hull and Wigan blazing a trail?
NEXT week sees Super League travel 10,500 miles to Wollongong, where Wigan and Hull will face off in a big test both on and off the field. If it works, expect more clubs to be interested in heading overseas to play league matches.
Can Hull produce Cup form in the league?
TWO years running now, Hull have been the Wembley kings but Old Trafford is now their aim and Lee Radford’s men are desperate to get there after falling just short last year. A Hull win would be massive for an area with rugby league at its heart.
Will Super League grow for 2019?
WE WERE meant to know by now if the top flight was being increased by two clubs next year but so far, Super League’s new power base – the clubs – has failed to reach agreement. An answer, expected to be a raise to 14, is needed soon.
What effect will not having Marwan Koukash have on Salford?
THINGS will certainly be quieter at the Red Devils now the controversial owner has handed over to a trust and there is a real sense of doing things the right way and together at the club, tipped by many to struggle.
Can Catalans pull through after a horror 2017?
GOING through the Million Pound Game was huge for the club, the area and French rugby league. Now, former England boss Steve McNamara has to shape the Dragons into top eight contenders and signing Michael McIlorum and David Mead are big statements.
Could Super League have the world champions for a second successive year?
LEEDS head to Melbourne as they hope to be crowned the world’s best team in the World Club Challenge, hopefully following Wigan as winners and after England’s showing in the World Cup, there is no reason why they cannot.
Leave a comment