Super League XIII
Encyclopedia
Engage Super League XIII was the official name, due to sponsorship, for the 2008 Super League
season by Engage Mutual. Twelve teams competed for the Minor Premiership over 27 rounds (including Millennium Magic
) after which, the top 6 finishing teams entered the play-offs where they competed for a place in the Grand Final
and the chance to win the Super League Trophy.
The Castleford Tigers
took the place of the Salford City Reds
who finished last in the Super League in 2007
and were therefore relegated.
The season kicked off on Saturday 2 February, with Leeds Rhinos
playing Hull Kingston Rovers
at Headingley Carnegie
. This was the only game played on this weekend, due to Leeds' 2008 World Club Challenge
fixture with Melbourne Storm
on Friday 29 February. Leeds won the close-fought game 20-12.
The interest in events on the pitch was matched by those off it with the lead up to and the announcement of which teams were to be awarded Super League licences for 2009–11.
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To provide a bigger pool of talent for the Great Britain
team:
in the United Kingdom.
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
season by Engage Mutual. Twelve teams competed for the Minor Premiership over 27 rounds (including Millennium Magic
Magic Weekend
The Magic Weekend, previously Millennium Magic, is a concept by the Rugby Football League to stage an entire round of Super League matches in prestigious and exciting cities to showcase the sport....
) after which, the top 6 finishing teams entered the play-offs where they competed for a place in the Grand Final
2008 Super League Grand Final
The 2008 Super League Grand Final was held on Saturday 4 October 2008, at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK. The match was between Super League XIII League Leaders St Helens and defending champions from 2007 Leeds Rhinos.-Route to final:...
and the chance to win the Super League Trophy.
The Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
took the place of the Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
who finished last in the Super League in 2007
Super League XII
Engage Super League XII is the official name for the year 2007's Super League season in the sport of rugby league.The 2007 season kicked off on the weekend of 2 February 2007 at the Galpharm Stadium. For the first time, the league had a staggered start due to the World Club Challenge between St...
and were therefore relegated.
The season kicked off on Saturday 2 February, with Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
playing Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
at Headingley Carnegie
Headingley Stadium
Headingley Stadium is a sporting complex in the Leeds suburb of Headingley in West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, rugby league team Leeds Rhinos and rugby union team Leeds Carnegie ....
. This was the only game played on this weekend, due to Leeds' 2008 World Club Challenge
2008 World Club Challenge
The 2008 Carnegie World Club Challenge was contested between Super League XII champions, the Leeds Rhinos and National Rugby League season 2007 premiers, the Melbourne Storm. For the fifth consecutive year the English home team defeated their Australian counterparts.-Leeds Rhinos:Leeds Rhinos...
fixture with Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
on Friday 29 February. Leeds won the close-fought game 20-12.
The interest in events on the pitch was matched by those off it with the lead up to and the announcement of which teams were to be awarded Super League licences for 2009–11.
Teams
| Team | Stadium | Capacity | >- |  Bradford BullsBradford Bulls Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league.... (2008 season Bradford Bulls 2008 The 2008 Bradford Bulls season saw the club compete in Super League XIII as well as the 2008 Challenge Cup tournament.- February :Super League 13 Started in February with a game against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Bradford narrowly were deafeted by a in form Wakefield side 24-26, Bradford tries came... ) |
Grattan Stadium, Odsal Odsal Stadium Odsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Odsal, Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls/Bradford Northern since 1934... |
27,000 | Bradford Bradford Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897... , West Yorkshire West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Castleford TigersCastleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... (2008 season) |
The Jungle The Jungle (Wheldon Road) The Jungle is the former name of Wheldon Road, a stadium in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. This is the home of the Castleford Tigers rugby league team.... |
11,750 | Castleford Castleford Castleford is the largest of the "five towns" district in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. It is near Pontefract, and has a population of 37,525 according to the 2001 Census, but has seen a rise in recent years and is now around 45-50,000. To the north... , West Yorkshire West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972.... |
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 Catalans DragonsCatalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom... (2008 season) |
Stade Gilbert Brutus Stade Gilbert Brutus Stade Gilbert Brutus is a rugby league stadium located in Perpignan, in the south of France. Even though the stadium currently has around 9,000 seats installed, it can accommodate around 1,000 fans more due to standing room... |
12,000 | Perpignan Perpignan -Sport:Perpignan is a rugby stronghold: their rugby union side, USA Perpignan, is a regular competitor in the Heineken Cup and seven times champion of the Top 14 , while their rugby league side plays in the engage Super League under the name Catalans Dragons.-Culture:Since 2004, every year in the... , Pyrénées-Orientales Pyrénées-Orientales Pyrénées-Orientales is a department of southern France adjacent to the northern Spanish frontier and the Mediterranean Sea. It also surrounds the tiny Spanish enclave of Llívia, and thus has two distinct borders with Spain.- History :... , France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
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 Harlequins RL (2008 seasonHarlequins Rugby League 2008 -2008 Fixtures/Results:2008 Engage Super LeagueNotes- 2008 Season Players:-2008 Signings & Transfers:-2008 Gains & Losses:... ) |
Twickenham Stoop | 12,700 | Twickenham Twickenham Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan... , London |
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 Huddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... (2008 season Huddersfield Giants 2008 The 2008 Huddersfield Giants season saw the club compete in Super League XIII as well as the 2008 Challenge Cup tournament.-2008 Squad:-Transfers In:-Transfers out:-Fixtures/Results:Engage Super League XIII Huddersfield GiantsRound 1.... ) |
Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
24,544 | Huddersfield Huddersfield Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city.... , West Yorkshire West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972.... |
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 Hull (2008 season) |
Kingston Communications Stadium KC Stadium The KC Stadium, often shortened to the KC, is a multi-purpose facility in the city of Kingston upon Hull , England. Conceived as early as the late 1990s, it was completed in 2002 at a cost of approximately £44 million. It is named after the stadium's sponsors, telecommunications provider KC,... |
25,404 | Kingston upon Hull Kingston upon Hull Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of... , East Riding of Yorkshire East Riding of Yorkshire The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority... |
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 Hull Kingston RoversHull Kingston Rovers Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006... (2008 season) |
"New" Craven Park | 9,471 | Kingston upon Hull Kingston upon Hull Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of... , East Riding of Yorkshire East Riding of Yorkshire The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority... |
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 Leeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... (2008 season Leeds Rhinos 2008 The 2008 Leeds Rhinos season saw the club compete in Super League XIII as well as the 2008 Challenge Cup tournament.-February:* Super League 13 Started on Friday, February 2 with Leeds beating Hull KR 20-12 at Headingley.... ) (Reigning Champions) |
Headingley Carnegie Stadium | 22,250 | Leeds Leeds Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial... , West Yorkshire West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972.... |
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 St Helens RLFC (2008 seasonSt Helens RLFC 2008 The 2008 St Helens RLFC season was the 136th in the club's history. They competed in Super League XIII as well as the 2008 Challenge Cup tournament.-2008 Fixtures/Results:... ) |
Knowsley Road Knowsley Road Knowsley Road was a stadium located in Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside. It was the home of St Helens RLFC from 1890 until its closure in 2010. St Helens Town FC played their home fixtures at Knowsley Road from 2002 until 2010. For a period, the venue also hosted Liverpool FC Reserves... |
17,500 | St Helens, Merseyside St Helens, Merseyside St Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census... |
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 Wakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield Trinity Wildcats Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts... (2008 season) |
Belle Vue Belle Vue (Wakefield) Belle Vue is a rugby league stadium in Wakefield, England. It is the home stadium of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. It is located beside the A638 Doncaster Road, approximately one mile south of Wakefield City Centre.- Description :Currently, the East stand has a covered stand with seating, with some... |
12,600 | Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield is the main settlement and administrative centre of the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. Located by the River Calder on the eastern edge of the Pennines, the urban area is and had a population of 76,886 in 2001.... , West Yorkshire West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972.... |
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 Warrington WolvesWarrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... (2008 season) |
Halliwell Jones Stadium Halliwell Jones Stadium Halliwell Jones Stadium is a rugby league stadium in Warrington, England that is the home ground of Warrington Wolves. It has also staged Challenge Cup semi-finals, the European Nations Final and the National League Grand Finals' Day.... |
14,206 | Warrington Warrington Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens... , Cheshire Cheshire Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow... |
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 Wigan WarriorsWigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... (2008 season Wigan Warriors 2008 The 2008 Wigan Warriors season saw the club compete in Super League XIII as well as the 2008 Challenge Cup tournament.-Season Preview:Wigan will be looking to continue their return to the top of Super League after finishing 6th in 2007... ) |
JJB Stadium JJB Stadium The DW Stadium is a sports stadium in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, that is home to Wigan Athletic football club and Wigan Warriors rugby league club.... |
25,138 | , Greater Manchester Greater Manchester Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the... |
Rule changes
- If a team kicks the ball from a 20 metre restart and the ball bounces into touch or over the dead ball line they will be given head and feed at the resulting scrum.
- In the scrum the ball can no longer be trapped by the loose forward in an attempt to catch the opposition offside. If the scrum moves forwards and the ball comes from between and behind the inner feet of the second row forwards it will be deemed to be out of the scrum.
- Defenders, excluding the markers at a play-the-ball, must stand with both feet behind the referee's front foot to be judged onside.
- If over their try-line the defenders steal the ball from the attacking team when there is more than one defender involved in the tackle a penalty will be given rather than a penalty try.
Notable events
- 2 February - 16 weeks to the day after their Grand Final2007 Super League Grand FinalThe 2007 Super League Grand Final was held on Saturday 13 October 2007, at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. The game was played between St Helens, who finished top of the league after the 27 weekly rounds, and Leeds Rhinos, who finished second after the weekly rounds.-Route to final:Regular...
win, Super League XIISuper League XIIEngage Super League XII is the official name for the year 2007's Super League season in the sport of rugby league.The 2007 season kicked off on the weekend of 2 February 2007 at the Galpharm Stadium. For the first time, the league had a staggered start due to the World Club Challenge between St...
champions Leeds RhinosLeeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
open the new season with a 20-12 win at home to Hull KRHull Kingston RoversHull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
. - 10 February - The first upsetUpsetAn upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
s of the new season, with Hull KRHull Kingston RoversHull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
beating St Helens 24-22, and Wakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
beating Bradford BullsBradford BullsBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
26-24. - 24 February - Huddersfield GiantsHuddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
became the first team in the league to score in excess of fifty points, by beating Castleford TigersCastleford TigersCastleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
64-12, running in twelve triesTryA try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
. - 7 March - The winless (0-4) Castleford TigersCastleford TigersCastleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
comfortably beat the unbeaten (4-0) Leeds RhinosLeeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
by 38-20. In doing so, the only two 100% records in the league (Leeds 100% victories, Castleford 100% defeats) are broken. - 8 March - Richie MathersRichard MathersRichard 'Richie' Mathers is an English rugby league footballerwho currently plays for the Castleford Tigers of Europe's Super League competition...
becomes the first player to be sent off during Super League XIII following a 49th minute high tackle on Matt King, playing in Wigan WarriorsWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
' 32-20 away defeat by Warrington WolvesWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
. - 8 March - Harlequins RL become the first team to 'nil' their opponents in Super League XIII, beating Huddersfield GiantsHuddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
24-0 at home. - 3/4 May - The second Millennium MagicMagic WeekendThe Magic Weekend, previously Millennium Magic, is a concept by the Rugby Football League to stage an entire round of Super League matches in prestigious and exciting cities to showcase the sport....
weekend takes place over the May bank holiday weekend; WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
, WakefieldWakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
and LeedsLeeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
are victorious on the Saturday with CatalansCatalans DragonsThe Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
, Hull KRHull Kingston RoversHull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
and St Helens emerging victorious on the Sunday. - 20 May - Peter SharpPeter SharpPeter Sharp is an Australian professional rugby league coach. He is currently the assistant coach of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Australia's National Rugby League....
becomes the first coach to be sacked in the season after Hull moved to 11th place in the table following their defeat to Harlequins. - 26 May - Paul CullenPaul Cullen (rugby league)Paul Cullen is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves as well as the England national team...
becomes the second coach to depart in a week, resigning after 6 years in charge following his team's 36-28 loss to Castleford. - 2 June - Jon SharpJon SharpJon Sharp is the current first team coach of Super League club Crusaders Rugby League. Between 2004 and 2008 he was head coach of Huddersfield Giants, having been appointed in 2003 when Tony Smith left the club for Leeds Rhinos. He was also part of the Great Britain coaching set-up under head coach...
makes it three casualties on the coaching front in the space of less than a fortnight as he is sacked after a poor run of form culminating in a 48-0 defeat in the southCatalans DragonsThe Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
of France. - 5 July - Saints claw back a 6 point table deficit and unseat LeedsLeeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
as Super League leaders. For the first time this season there is a different team occupying top spot.
Operational rules
Refined salary cap regulation to prevent clubs over-spending:- Super League clubs agreed to use the pro-active salary cap already in use in Australasia with the NRLNational Rugby LeagueThe National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
. The new cap examines each club's salary cap position at the beginning of and then during the season, new player signings will be permitted only if it is affordable within the cap. Nigel Wood, the RFL's chief operating officer, explained that new system dealt with the weaknesses of the previous one that had meant breaches were only discovered in retrospect and could only be acted upon during the following season, as the new system is 'live' clubs cannot breach through miscalculation or mismanagement. - The salary cap for this season was set at £1.6 million for the combined earnings of the top 25 players. Clubs are permitted to spend a £50,000 maximum on players outside the top 25 earners who have made at least one appearance for the club in the first grade during the year. Expenditure on players outside the top 25 who make no appearance for the first team are unregulated. If a player has represented the same club for 10 consecutive seasons only half of their salary will be counted towards the cap for the eleventh and subsequent seasons - subject to a £50,000 maximum for each club.
To provide a bigger pool of talent for the Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
team:
- Clubs ratified a homegrown player rule designating 'club trained players'. Clubs must include a minimum of five players who have come through their academy or are under 21 years old in their 25-player first team squads. British clubs were required to have ten United Kingdom-trained players and no more than ten overseas-trained players in their 25-player squads.
Television
In 2008, Super League games were broadcast exclusively live by Sky SportsSky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
in the United Kingdom.
Sponsorship
Engage Mutual, a financial services provider, agreed a deal with the Rugby Football League to extend their title sponsorship of the Super League competition for up for three years. The agreement continues title sponsorship until the end of the 2010 season and gives Engage Mutual an option for the 2011 season.Attendance
The average attendance for the regular season in 2008 was 10,338 (a Super League record) this was up from 9,855 in 2007 which was previously the record. The regular season attendance aggregate was also the highest ever for Super League at 1,674,809 up from 1,537,326 for 2007. For the seventh consecutive season since 2001 the regular season average attendance and aggregate attendance had increased from the previous year.Tries
| No. | Player | Club | P | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ade Gardner Ade Gardner Adrian Antonio Gardner is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain representative winger, he previously played for Barrow Raiders. He is the older brother of Ex-Salford City Reds winger, Mat Gardner.Gardner went to St Columba's Roman... |
St Helens RLFC | 26 | 28 |
| 2 | Scott Donald Scott Donald Scott Albert Donald is a retired Australian professional rugby league footballer and played for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League competition... |
Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... |
24 | 21 |
| 3 | Luke Dorn Luke Dorn Luke Dorn is an Australian rugby league footballer who currently plays for the London Broncos club of the English Super League... |
Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... |
26 | 19 |
| =3 | Pat Richards Pat Richards Pat Richards is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of Europe's Super League. An Ireland and Exiles international representative winger, he previously played in the National Rugby League for Sydney clubs the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers, winning the 2005... |
Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
25 | 19 |
| 5 | Semi Tadulala Semi Tadulala Semi Tadulala is a Fijian professional rugby league football winger for English club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. He has also played for Gloucester Rugby and Leeds Carnegie at rugby union... |
Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league.... |
23 | 17 |
| =5 | Clint Greenshields Clint Greenshields Clint Greenshields is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Catalans Dragons of Super League, having previously played for the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League... |
Catalans Dragons Catalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom... |
27 | 17 |
| =5 | Danny McGuire Danny McGuire Danny McGuire is an English professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. His preferred position is at /. He has played his entire career to date with the Rhinos, having come through the club's Academy.... |
Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... |
21 | 17 |
| 8 | Kirk Yeaman Kirk Yeaman Kirk Yeaman is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull FC of Super League. An England international representative centre three-quarter back, he also previously played for the Great Britain national rugby league team.... |
Hull | 23 | 16 |
| =8 | Chris Hicks | Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... |
27 | 16 |
| 10 | Paul Sykes | Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league.... |
25 | 15 |
| =10 | Justin Murphy Justin Murphy (rugby league) -Playing career:Murphy joined the Catalans Dragons club at the end of 2004 when the club was in the national French competition. He quickly established himself as one of the better players, topping the try scoring charts and helping the club become the first French team to go through a season... |
Catalans Dragons Catalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom... |
14 | 15 |
| =10 | Brent Webb Brent Webb Brent Webb is an Australian-born New Zealand rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Leeds in the Super League. Webb plays as a full-back and is a former New Zealand international.-Early years:... |
Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... |
25 | 15 |
Points
| No. | Player | Club | P | T | G | FG | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Richards Pat Richards Pat Richards is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of Europe's Super League. An Ireland and Exiles international representative winger, he previously played in the National Rugby League for Sydney clubs the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers, winning the 2005... |
Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
25 | 19 | 115 | 1 | 307 |
| 2 | Thomas Bosc Thomas Bosc Thomas Bosc is a French professional rugby league footballer for the Catalan Dragons of Super League... |
Catalans Dragons Catalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom... |
26 | 7 | 118 | 1 | 265 |
| 3 | Kevin Sinfield Kevin Sinfield Kevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at... |
Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... |
26 | 4 | 119 | 1 | 255 |
| 4 | Sean Long Sean Long Sean Long is an English former professional rugby league and current rugby union footballer with Preston Grasshoppers. He has played for Wigan, Widnes and Hull but is best known for playing for St Helens in the Super League. Internationally he has represented England and Great Britain at /... |
St Helens RLFC | 23 | 8 | 104 | 2 | 242 |
| 5 | Chris Hicks | Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... |
27 | 16 | 70 | 0 | 204 |
| 6 | Danny Brough Danny Brough Danny Brough is a Dewsbury born English international rugby league footballer.Danny Brough plays for the Huddersfield Giants in Super League. He has also played for the Scotland... |
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts... |
25 | 4 | 86 | 0 | 188 |
| 7 | Chris Thorman Chris Thorman Christopher Thorman is a professional rugby league player currently playing for York City Knights in the Co-Operative Championship]and previously Hull in the Engage Super League... |
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... |
21 | 5 | 83 | 1 | 187 |
| 8 | Danny Tickle Danny Tickle Danny Tickle, is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull of Super League. His usual position is in the .-Playing career:... |
Hull | 25 | 5 | 81 | 0 | 182 |
| 9 | Paul Deacon Paul Deacon Paul Deacon is a retired rugby league footballer. He previously played for Bradford Bulls from 1998 until joining his hometown club Wigan Warriors in 2010... |
Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league.... |
18 | 3 | 82 | 1 | 177 |
| 10 | Ade Gardner Ade Gardner Adrian Antonio Gardner is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain representative winger, he previously played for Barrow Raiders. He is the older brother of Ex-Salford City Reds winger, Mat Gardner.Gardner went to St Columba's Roman... |
St Helens RLFC | 26 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 112 |
Red cards
| No. | Player | Club | # | Date(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richie Mathers Richard Mathers Richard 'Richie' Mathers is an English rugby league footballerwho currently plays for the Castleford Tigers of Europe's Super League competition... |
Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
2 | 03/08/2008; 15/08/2008 |
| 2 | Michael McIlorum Michael Mcilorum Michael David J. McIlorum is an English rugby league player who currently plays for English club Wigan Warriors in the Super League competition... |
Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
1 | 18/07/2008 |
| =2 | Tevita Latu | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts... |
1 | 14/03/2008 |
| =2 | Darrell Griffin Darrell Griffin Darrell Griffin is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of Super League. An England international representative prop forward, his former clubs include Oxford Cavaliers, London Broncos, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Huddersfield Giants.He is notable as being a top... |
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... |
1 | 16/03/2008 |
| =2 | Maurie Fa'asavalu Maurie Fa'asavalu Maurie Fa'asavalu is a Samoan rugby union player who formerly played rugby league for St Helens. He was recently picked in the Great Britain rugby league squad after living in England for 4 years... |
St Helens RLFC | 1 | 06/04/2008 |
| =2 | Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook , is an English professional rugby league footballer for St Helens RLFC of Super League. An England international representative forward, he previously played for Harlequins in his home town of London.-Harlequins:McCarthy-Scarsbrook is a product of the Quins RL Junior... |
Harlequins RL | 1 | 12/07/2008 |
| =2 | Ben Westwood Ben Westwood Ben Westwood is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League. An England international representative forward, he previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats before moving to Warrington in 2002 and winning the 2009 Challenge Cup with... |
Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... |
1 | 06/04/2008 |
| =2 | Luke Robinson Luke Robinson Luke Robinson is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Huddersfield Giants of Super League... |
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... |
1 | 15/06/2008 |
| =2 | Adam Mogg Adam Mogg Adam Mogg is an Australian rugby league coach and former footballer.-Playing career:Mogg spent five years with the Redcliffe Dolphins, participating in four grand finals in the Queensland Cup and winning the club's player of the year award in 2001, before being scouted in 2002 by the Parramatta... |
Catalans Dragons Catalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom... |
1 | 12/07/2008 |
| =2 | Ned Catic Ned Catic Ned Catic is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays for Barrow Raiders after being released by Castleford Tigers at the end of the 2008 Super League season... |
Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... |
1 | 06/09/2008 |
| =2 | Paul Sykes | Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league.... |
1 | 06/07/2008 |
| =2 | Nick Scruton Nick Scruton Nick Scruton is a rugby league player who plays for Bradford Bulls and has also represented England. He was part of the Rhinos Grand Final victory in 2007 over St Helens at Old Trafford and also part of the team that won the 2008 World Club Challenge versus the Melbourne Storm at Elland Road.Nick... |
Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... |
1 | 20/06/2008 |
| =2 | Gareth Hock Gareth Hock Gareth Hock is an English rugby league player who currently plays for English club Wigan Warriors in the Super League competition. His primary position is as a second-row forward.-Early Years:... |
Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
1 | 25/07/2008 |