League: Storm again looks team to beat

Warriors players celebrate a try during the pre-season game against the Brisbane Broncos at...
Warriors players celebrate a try during the pre-season game against the Brisbane Broncos at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium last month. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Another NRL season approaches - and New Zealand fans will be hoping they get to see it, pending a television agreement. Otago Daily Times rugby league correspondent Jack Salter identifies six teams to watch.

Melbourne Storm
Coach: Craig Bellamy.

Last year: Champion.

Love it or loathe it, the reigning champion is again the team to beat. With players like halfback Cooper Cronk, hooker Cameron Smith and fullback Billy Slater, the Storm can be relentless in attack and gritty on defence, and has a calmness under pressure other teams struggle to maintain.

Expect Smith, with his kicking game, and Slater, with his free-running style, to run the show. The forwards, led by second-rower Ryan Hoffman and lock Ryan Hinchcliffe, will gain the hard yards.

Player to watch: Centre/winger Mahe Fonua. He is tough and strong, and for a big guy has some enterprising skill.

New Zealand Warriors
Coach: Matthew Elliott.

Last year: 14th.

Predicting how the Warriors will go this year is like guessing the winner of a paper-scissors-rock duel. One thing is for sure: they will entertain.

The Warriors showed enough in Dunedin to suggest that if the halves combination of Thomas Leuluai and Shaun Johnson or hooker/halfback Pita Godinet can gel, the season could be a good one.

In lock Todd Lowrie, props Jacob Lillyman and Ben Matulino and second-rower Sebastian Ikahihifo the Warriors have real grunt and muscle. If the halves and talented outside backs can get good ball, it could get exciting. Or, they could all drop their bundle and it may be a complete disaster.

Player to watch: Wing/fullback Glen Fisiiahi has blinding speed and can step off both feet and bamboozle any defensive structure.

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Coach: Michael Maguire.

Last year: Third, beaten in preliminary finals.

A star-studded Rabbitohs team looks set to give the competition a good shake.

The Rabbitohs do not know what boring rugby league is. And with new recruits Beau Champion and Ben Te'o, they have added some game-breakers to accompany star fullback Greg Inglis.

In the forwards, prop Michael Crocker and prop/second-rower Sam Burgess will lead from the front. Add in the highly talented, but occasionally ill-disciplined, hooker Issac Luke and the Bunnies have the talent to win a first title since 1971.

Player to watch: Prop George Burgess. At 194cm and 125kg, there will be some bone-jarring tackles and hit-ups when big George gets on the field.

Sydney Roosters
Coach: Trent Robinson.

Last year: 13th.

The only club to play in every season since the competition's inception in 1908, the Roosters will be hoping key signings will turn around their awful form from last season.

With Sonny Bill Williams finally given the all-clear, and having ceased his boxing charade for the time being, at least the Roosters have a real star and game-breaker. His ability to commit defenders and offload in the tackle will open up all sorts of opportunities for his team.

The Roosters backline is full of talent. Another recruit, centre Michael Jennings, has blistering speed off the mark. Standoff James Maloney and halfback Mitchell Pearce have the talent to be the best combination in the competition.

In forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Frank-Paul Nuuaausala, the Roosters have some damaging tacklers.

Player to watch: SBW - enough said.

North Queensland Cowboys
Coach: Neil Henry.

Last year: Fifth, beaten semifinalists.

While some see the Brisbane Broncos as Queensland's best title hopes, the Cowboys are sleeping giants. Led by brilliant halfback and co-captain Johnathan Thurston (the man with the best laugh in the NRL), the Cowboys have depth in bucketloads.

Centre Brent Tate and fullback Matt Bowen provide spark and stability, and State of Origin and Australian representative props James Tamou and co-captain Matt Scott provide leadership in the pack.

If Thurston stays fit, the Cowboys could well be involved in the grand final.

Player to watch: Lock Tariq Sims. Missed last season with a serious leg injury but by all accounts is fit and raring to go. A strong ball-runner, Sims is bound to leave a few players sprawled on the pitch.

Canterbury Bulldogs
Coach: Des Hasler.

Last year: Minor premiers and beaten grand finalist.

If the Bulldogs do not thrill on the pitch, there is bound to be plenty of enjoyment out of Des Hasler's post-match interviews. His straight-up comments and visible frustrations at some referee decisions are priceless.

With the sad decline in fullback Ben Barba's personal life, the Bulldogs have lost, for now at least, one of the most dangerous weapons in the NRL. But last year's minor premiers still have a sound backline, featuring talented centres Josh Morris and Krisnan Inu.

With five international players in the forwards, the Bulldogs can draw on plenty of talent and depth. Although prop Sam Kasiano and Frank Pritchard will miss some opening rounds due to injury, they are bound to cause havoc when they get the chance. Former Manly second-rower Tony Williams has also joined the team.

The halves is where the Bulldogs may be tested. Standoff Josh Reynolds can be special but he has struggled at times to build cohesion with halfback Josh Keating.

Player to watch: Prop David Klemmer, last year's under-20 player of the year. Big things are expected of the 19-year-old in his debut season.

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