4:20:00 > 4:20:00SUPER LEAGUE SHOW ERY C999K/01 BRD000000
5:11:58 > 5:12:01Hello, the Super League trophy is once again spending its winter
5:12:01 > 5:12:03months here at Headingley.
5:12:03 > 5:12:06It was deja vu in 2012 as the Leeds Rhinos
5:12:06 > 5:12:09ended as champions for the fifth time in six years.
5:12:09 > 5:12:12We'll be looking back at an eventful season which
5:12:12 > 5:12:17culminated in a sensational Grand Final at Old Trafford.
5:12:27 > 5:12:33The nerve-tingling entrance of two sides seeking one prize.
5:12:33 > 5:12:36Rugby league's title is up for grabs here again tonight.
5:12:37 > 5:12:40Here's Richie Myler with the only try of the game.
5:12:43 > 5:12:46Takes it on to Ablett who looks for support
5:12:46 > 5:12:50and he's got it in the shape of Kevin Sinfield.
5:12:50 > 5:12:54Ben Jones-Bishop has shrugged off two to get over.
5:12:54 > 5:12:57A scorer from a seemingly impossible position.
5:12:57 > 5:12:59Briers with the ball.
5:12:59 > 5:13:01What a pass from Lee Briers.
5:13:01 > 5:13:05Joel Monaghan with a catch and a finish.
5:13:05 > 5:13:08Adrian Morley, what a collision that was.
5:13:08 > 5:13:14He gets up and gets on with it. Astonishing.
5:13:14 > 5:13:16Clash of heads.
5:13:16 > 5:13:18The clash of heads.
5:13:18 > 5:13:23Hodgson goes left and Atkins is in.
5:13:23 > 5:13:26Ryan Atkins is in!
5:13:26 > 5:13:31Look for the short pass and Carl Ablett!
5:13:32 > 5:13:34Ryan Hall back corner.
5:13:34 > 5:13:39Ryan Hall could possibly win it.
5:13:39 > 5:13:41It is Leeds' year again.
5:13:41 > 5:13:46And what an impressive magnificent performance they put in tonight.
5:13:46 > 5:13:49The Leeds Rhinos have just written
5:13:49 > 5:13:54another chapter of rugby league history.
5:13:55 > 5:13:58Just a few weeks after their grand final success,
5:13:58 > 5:14:01the Rhinos coach, Brian McDermott got together with his old boss Brian Noble in the
5:14:01 > 5:14:05Headingley dressing room to reflect on another title-winning season.
5:14:05 > 5:14:08It's remarkable some of the things that have happened over
5:14:08 > 5:14:10the last ten years.
5:14:10 > 5:14:13But within that ten years, a fifth title in six years,
5:14:13 > 5:14:15I'm not sure it'll be done again.
5:14:15 > 5:14:19The club will endeavour to continue to try and be successful
5:14:19 > 5:14:21but it's a big achievement.
5:14:21 > 5:14:25To find yourselves fifth again after the regular season,
5:14:25 > 5:14:27to do it from fifth again,
5:14:27 > 5:14:29they're certainly not doing it the easy way for you, are they?
5:14:29 > 5:14:31It was an interesting route, wasn't it? We...
5:14:31 > 5:14:35There are lots of similarities between this year and last year,
5:14:35 > 5:14:40but last year we found form probably for the last eight, nine, ten games.
5:14:40 > 5:14:43Where this year we had indifferent form right up to
5:14:43 > 5:14:44the start of the play-offs.
5:14:44 > 5:14:47This year we've had some great wins, we've had some sensational wins
5:14:47 > 5:14:50and some really big performances.
5:14:50 > 5:14:53The Challenge Cup semifinal against Wigan,
5:14:53 > 5:14:55that will go down as one of the biggest wins that we've
5:14:55 > 5:14:58had in my time as a coach cos of where we were
5:14:58 > 5:15:01and where Wigan were at the time in terms of form.
5:15:01 > 5:15:03But we have been scratchy at times and very good at times
5:15:03 > 5:15:07and we went into play-offs we were a little bit not sure.
5:15:07 > 5:15:09Last year, we went into play-offs we were confident,
5:15:09 > 5:15:12we had a fair bit behind us, we had a Challenge Cup loss,
5:15:12 > 5:15:15but we performed really well and had a run of momentum behind us.
5:15:15 > 5:15:19But this year, we pretty much didn't have too much momentum.
5:15:19 > 5:15:21And the run that we had in the play-offs,
5:15:21 > 5:15:23it makes it even a bit more...
5:15:23 > 5:15:26It gives you a sense of achievement because of the tough route
5:15:26 > 5:15:27we had in play-offs.
5:15:27 > 5:15:30Do you see in the Leeds team, something that you saw
5:15:30 > 5:15:32when you were the Bulls' coach,
5:15:32 > 5:15:35that when Brian was playing that you sometimes get in sport, this
5:15:35 > 5:15:39special group of players that come together when it really matters?
5:15:39 > 5:15:42Yes, is the short answer to your long question.
5:15:42 > 5:15:44A lot of similarities character-wise.
5:15:44 > 5:15:48Differences in styles of play, things like this at times.
5:15:48 > 5:15:51But the Bradford team used to consciously six or seven weeks
5:15:51 > 5:15:53out pull in the oars,
5:15:53 > 5:15:57if you like, make sure for the next seven weeks, we're fully committed.
5:15:57 > 5:16:00To do that, you've got to have a core of players that
5:16:00 > 5:16:04absolutely believe and dedicate themselves to the task at hand.
5:16:04 > 5:16:06That's obviously very, very similar.
5:16:06 > 5:16:08But the manner in which Leeds did it.
5:16:08 > 5:16:10Again, going back to the Catalan.
5:16:10 > 5:16:13I was in the airport straight after the game against the Catalan
5:16:13 > 5:16:16and I saw the vinegar and the brown paper and the sticking plaster
5:16:16 > 5:16:22and the bodies lying around and I thought, "No chance next week."
5:16:22 > 5:16:24Then I thought, you're a bit silly here
5:16:24 > 5:16:27because you've been in situations yourself where you thought...
5:16:27 > 5:16:32You quietly question yourself and you think, "Do you reckon?"
5:16:32 > 5:16:34"Can you believe it? Can you sniff it?
5:16:34 > 5:16:36"Have we got the gameplan, have we got the tools?"
5:16:36 > 5:16:38That confidence grows.
5:16:38 > 5:16:41This might sound strange and Brian might disagree with me.
5:16:41 > 5:16:43- I probably will.- We usually do.
5:16:43 > 5:16:46But the final for me was probably the easiest task,
5:16:46 > 5:16:50if that makes sense, because along the way in the play-offs, if you'd
5:16:50 > 5:16:52given yourself a challenge from outside those top two,
5:16:52 > 5:16:56there's going to be a pivotal game where you're quite worried
5:16:56 > 5:16:59and they bring it out of the bag.
5:16:59 > 5:17:01It might be one player or one break, you know.
5:17:01 > 5:17:03I remember the Ryan Bailey break down in Catalan
5:17:03 > 5:17:06when he went nearly the length of the field and you thought,
5:17:06 > 5:17:07"Yeah, this could happen again."
5:17:07 > 5:17:10And absolutely there are similarities to the team.
5:17:10 > 5:17:11The Leeds fans look like
5:17:11 > 5:17:14he Bradford Bulls teams and vice versa.
5:17:14 > 5:17:17I think the point is and I don't think for a minute you're
5:17:17 > 5:17:21- saying that this team replicates Bradford Bulls.- No, I'm not.
5:17:21 > 5:17:23But it's about people.
5:17:23 > 5:17:27I've been saying since I've been coaching the team, sometimes
5:17:27 > 5:17:30it's not about technicalities, it's not about your tactical game plan.
5:17:30 > 5:17:33Sometimes you can actually get that wrong.
5:17:33 > 5:17:37But the players drag it out the bag for you and I'm very fortunate
5:17:37 > 5:17:40the team's got some people who've been there, seen it and done it.
5:17:40 > 5:17:44But it doesn't mean much if they don't still have it under there.
5:17:44 > 5:17:47It's the people that make this team special,
5:17:47 > 5:17:50the players themselves, not how they pass and kick and tackle.
5:17:50 > 5:17:51It's who they are as people
5:17:51 > 5:17:55when they walk around away from the club that make this a special team.
5:17:55 > 5:17:57If you talk about great characters,
5:17:57 > 5:18:00you have to talk about Kevin Sinfield.
5:18:00 > 5:18:03He put in another "man of the match" performance in the Grand Final.
5:18:03 > 5:18:08The Rhino skipper lifted the trophy for an unprecedented sixth time.
5:18:08 > 5:18:11It's another Grand Final win for Leeds
5:18:11 > 5:18:15and yet again we need to talk about Kevin.
5:18:15 > 5:18:20An extraordinary performer at the heart of an extraordinary team.
5:18:20 > 5:18:23The Leeds Rhinos have just written
5:18:23 > 5:18:27another chapter of rugby league history.
5:18:27 > 5:18:31You get better at it every year. They get better every time
5:18:31 > 5:18:34and we thought last year was special coming from fifth.
5:18:34 > 5:18:37But to be able to do it a second time and if you look at the
5:18:37 > 5:18:40opposition we faced in the play-offs and where we had to go,
5:18:40 > 5:18:42we made it a bit more difficult for ourselves
5:18:42 > 5:18:47this year and thankfully we were good enough on the final day
5:18:47 > 5:18:49and we got another win.
5:18:49 > 5:18:53The Leeds success over the last ten years or
5:18:53 > 5:18:55so has been a lot down to Kevin.
5:18:55 > 5:18:58He's a fantastic leader and even more just a great professional.
5:18:58 > 5:19:02When I joined Leeds, I really saw how to become a professional
5:19:02 > 5:19:06rugby league player and Kevin Sinfield was at the head
5:19:06 > 5:19:10of that watching him how he conducted himself on and off the field.
5:19:10 > 5:19:13How he trained and how he ate.
5:19:13 > 5:19:16Every little thing that he scrutinises rubbed off on me.
5:19:16 > 5:19:20He's one of the players that can guide you through big games.
5:19:20 > 5:19:23You can have all the flair and the passion and the enthusiastic youngsters,
5:19:23 > 5:19:27but what Kevin's got of experience in big games,
5:19:27 > 5:19:30he never fails to deliver.
5:19:30 > 5:19:36This is a potential match-winning moment. Who can bear to look?
5:19:36 > 5:19:39Kevin Sinfield.
5:19:39 > 5:19:42How many big occasions has he found himself in this
5:19:42 > 5:19:45situation in these colours?
5:19:46 > 5:19:50A kick to potentially win the game
5:19:50 > 5:19:52and take Leeds back to the Grand Final.
5:19:54 > 5:19:56Here comes Sinfield.
5:19:57 > 5:20:03The champions are hanging onto their prize and they will not let it go!
5:20:03 > 5:20:06And Kevin Sinfield is their hero again.
5:20:06 > 5:20:09There are no better blokes to go out there and lead a team.
5:20:09 > 5:20:12Even when he's on the field, nowt flusters him, he'll just
5:20:12 > 5:20:16direct us round the field without getting his head in a muddle.
5:20:16 > 5:20:18He's got a clear head.
5:20:21 > 5:20:24Sinfield went in where it hurts to find success in 2012.
5:20:24 > 5:20:27He was man of the match in a grand final that he might not even
5:20:27 > 5:20:29have finished.
5:20:29 > 5:20:32Ooh, a clash of heads. The clash of heads.
5:20:32 > 5:20:34Boy, do Leeds need that player.
5:20:34 > 5:20:36I never doubted that he wouldn't carry on.
5:20:36 > 5:20:40It would take a serious injury for Kev not to carry on so
5:20:40 > 5:20:41when he got up on his feet,
5:20:41 > 5:20:45I weren't shocked and he went on and had a fantastic effort after that.
5:20:45 > 5:20:49I've not had a chance to watch the game.
5:20:49 > 5:20:52I'm sure there'll be some point in the off season
5:20:52 > 5:20:53when I sneak a look,
5:20:53 > 5:20:56but it probably did me some good, knocking me out,
5:20:56 > 5:20:58Monaghan knocked a bit of sense in me.
5:20:58 > 5:21:01Of all the sportsmen I have ever seen,
5:21:01 > 5:21:04this guy is the most impressive.
5:21:04 > 5:21:06They tried to knock you out,
5:21:06 > 5:21:09they tried to kick you where it hurts, you got up, you kept going.
5:21:09 > 5:21:11That was immense.
5:21:11 > 5:21:12Big team effort.
5:21:12 > 5:21:17It's obviously nice and really humbling that people say nice things about you.
5:21:17 > 5:21:21But, for me, it was all about the team and I play a team sport
5:21:21 > 5:21:25and I feel so fortunate I play for a fantastic club with some great
5:21:25 > 5:21:30players and throughout all that time I've made some great friendships.
5:21:30 > 5:21:35I've played with Danny now for maybe 12 or 13 years and along with
5:21:35 > 5:21:37Jamie Jones an Rob Burrow and Ryan Bailey.
5:21:37 > 5:21:41We've seen everything that's happened since 2004.
5:21:41 > 5:21:43Kevin Sinfield with a kick that could nail it.
5:21:43 > 5:21:47It'll be an eight-point game if he puts this over.
5:21:47 > 5:21:51Why ever pose the question of if when Kevin Sinfield
5:21:51 > 5:21:55is kicking for goal on these big occasions.
5:21:55 > 5:21:57Of course he nails it.
5:21:57 > 5:22:01He's actually got a bit of OCD. He sticks to his rhythms.
5:22:01 > 5:22:03It probably shows in his goal kicking.
5:22:03 > 5:22:05It's the same routine every time.
5:22:05 > 5:22:08It's the same routine when he gets out of his car.
5:22:08 > 5:22:10There's a red light that flashes on his car when he locks it
5:22:10 > 5:22:13and he has to watch it until it completely blinks out
5:22:13 > 5:22:17and then he'll try the door even though he knows it's locked.
5:22:17 > 5:22:18He has some strange little things.
5:22:18 > 5:22:21He likes to play the odd joke or he definitely don't forget things
5:22:21 > 5:22:24when jokes are played against him.
5:22:24 > 5:22:29He's really serious throughout the game,
5:22:29 > 5:22:31but in the changing rooms, the pranks go on.
5:22:31 > 5:22:34If you ever get Kev,
5:22:34 > 5:22:37you know you're going to get done 100 times worse straightaway.
5:22:37 > 5:22:42No middle ground with him. So you regret doing that straightaway.
5:22:42 > 5:22:45There's a lot of great kickers in rugby,
5:22:45 > 5:22:47but I wouldn't swap any of them for him.
5:22:47 > 5:22:49He's Mr Cool and he always delivers.
5:22:49 > 5:22:52Maybe at the end of his career, he might have a look back
5:22:52 > 5:22:54and give himself a pat on the back.
5:22:54 > 5:22:58Everyone else does at the moment, but hopefully
5:22:58 > 5:23:03he can realise what heights he's hit throughout his career.
5:23:03 > 5:23:07I love playing, so the more games the better for me.
5:23:07 > 5:23:10My body's all right so I'm looking forward to next year
5:23:10 > 5:23:14and the challenge ahead for both club and country,
5:23:14 > 5:23:17so it should be exciting times.
5:23:21 > 5:23:24Can you sum up what Kevin Sinfield is as a captain?
5:23:24 > 5:23:28- He seems to have been so phenomenal. - Probably not.
5:23:28 > 5:23:31I won't be able to sum it up in words. He's clearly an exceptional player.
5:23:31 > 5:23:37He has some traits about him that make him a good player on the field.
5:23:37 > 5:23:40He can read a game, that's the thing with Kev.
5:23:40 > 5:23:42There's quite a few players that can pass and kick and step and make
5:23:42 > 5:23:46breaks and are physically very good as players,
5:23:46 > 5:23:49and Kev's got a fair bit of that, but he can read a game.
5:23:49 > 5:23:52He knows when it needs to be kicked long,
5:23:52 > 5:23:54he knows when he should go for the attacking kicks.
5:23:54 > 5:23:57Some of that leadership stuff, it's usually what he says
5:23:57 > 5:24:00but sometimes what he does.
5:24:00 > 5:24:03It's hard to put into words, but I think the single biggest thing with
5:24:03 > 5:24:06Kev is him as a bloke,
5:24:06 > 5:24:09him what he's like when he's not got a Leeds Rhinos top on and
5:24:09 > 5:24:11when he's away from the club, how he lives his life.
5:24:11 > 5:24:14He's a fairly strong character.
5:24:14 > 5:24:16He's got a bit of an edge to him, Kev,
5:24:16 > 5:24:19which not many people see and I'm very fortunate that I see.
5:24:19 > 5:24:24If something's not right, he will come straight up to you and say it isn't right.
5:24:24 > 5:24:29Whether he's saying that to the head coach or to my assistant or
5:24:29 > 5:24:32to Jason Davidson, the conditioner, or just to some players in the team.
5:24:32 > 5:24:36It's a really uncomfortable moment when that happens, but it needs to happen.
5:24:36 > 5:24:38If something isn't right and we're in this environment where
5:24:38 > 5:24:42we get judged every single week and people make judgements about
5:24:42 > 5:24:46whether we've done good or bad, usually the people at the top cop
5:24:46 > 5:24:49for the flack and Kev's at the top and he usually cops the flack
5:24:49 > 5:24:50if the team goes really poor.
5:24:50 > 5:24:53So he has this very demanding nature about him
5:24:53 > 5:24:56of everybody that he works with. If it's not right, he'll tell you.
5:24:56 > 5:24:59It's hard to encapsulate it,
5:24:59 > 5:25:04but it's a whole range of things about why he's special.
5:25:04 > 5:25:07You probably see all those traits when it gets tough.
5:25:07 > 5:25:09It's easy being great when you're a good team
5:25:09 > 5:25:12and winning every week, but to be great as a player
5:25:12 > 5:25:16and great as a leader when it's tough, that says more about him.
5:25:16 > 5:25:20By the end of that Grand Final, Kevin seemed to have almost taken on legendary status.
5:25:20 > 5:25:25It must have made it an easy decision for Steve McNamara to make him the England captain.
5:25:25 > 5:25:28Well, not easy, but I'm sure he rang Brian and asked him his traits.
5:25:28 > 5:25:32But he certainly led the Leeds team magnificently towards the back end.
5:25:32 > 5:25:36But, like you said, that honesty and trust, he has both with
5:25:36 > 5:25:39the players and the coaching staff was there for all to see.
5:25:39 > 5:25:44I like the fact that people are feisty, it means they care.
5:25:44 > 5:25:48That care will reflect in his team and give him the direction
5:25:48 > 5:25:52and the authority on the field to be trusted to implement ideas
5:25:52 > 5:25:55and actions that Brian and James put into him.
5:25:55 > 5:25:58That's the quality of the man because he also can play as well,
5:25:58 > 5:26:00which helps. He can change a game himself.
5:26:00 > 5:26:03If it's not his kicking game, it might be a short pass or
5:26:03 > 5:26:05an offload or the direction he gives his team.
5:26:05 > 5:26:08So it probably was a no-brainer for Steve McNamara to pick him because
5:26:08 > 5:26:11of the form with him and the absolute outstanding characteristics
5:26:11 > 5:26:16he showed going up towards the final. In that respect, it was a no-brainer.
5:26:16 > 5:26:17But you also have to play.
5:26:17 > 5:26:21You can't rest on your laurels as a leader,
5:26:21 > 5:26:25you also have to play silverbacks, the senior,
5:26:25 > 5:26:28sometimes junior, if they've got a senior mind, in your team,
5:26:28 > 5:26:31are out there doing it week in, week out.
5:26:31 > 5:26:34As much as he likes to think he's still out there, he's not
5:26:34 > 5:26:36and so you need that fresh information coming in all
5:26:36 > 5:26:39the time, but actually what it's like out there.
5:26:39 > 5:26:41And that honest feedback is invaluable.
5:26:41 > 5:26:43He has improved as a player.
5:26:43 > 5:26:47I think he's improved over the years and become a better player,
5:26:47 > 5:26:50which means he is absolutely in the frame for international selection.
5:26:50 > 5:26:52To be selected as captain was probably
5:26:52 > 5:26:54the easiest part for McNamara.
5:26:54 > 5:26:57There's been lots of plaudits for Kevin Sinfield,
5:26:57 > 5:27:01but it was Wigan's Sam Tomkins who was named Man of Steel.
5:27:01 > 5:27:04He is simply one of Super League's most exciting talents.
5:27:04 > 5:27:09Tomkins. It's a cheeky little dummy and then off he goes!
5:27:09 > 5:27:10Look at the pace here.
5:27:10 > 5:27:12Has support on the outside.
5:27:14 > 5:27:16Mercurial stuff.
5:27:16 > 5:27:19Been nominated in the top three. I was happy with that.
5:27:19 > 5:27:22But then to pick up the trophy was a massive honour.
5:27:22 > 5:27:27It just means a lot because it is voted for by other players.
5:27:27 > 5:27:30If you ask any player who he wants to impress most,
5:27:30 > 5:27:33it's your peers, people you play with and against.
5:27:35 > 5:27:37I don't like playing against people like Sam.
5:27:37 > 5:27:39He causes that much damage to the team.
5:27:39 > 5:27:41He rarely has a quiet game.
5:27:41 > 5:27:44Every time I've played against him, he's caused havoc.
5:27:44 > 5:27:47He is very quick, he is very strong.
5:27:47 > 5:27:50Nobody likes to play against him, let's be honest!
5:27:50 > 5:27:53You get a headache because you don't know what to do for the best.
5:27:53 > 5:27:56Sometimes he makes you look silly.
5:27:56 > 5:27:58He'll just run past you with ease.
5:27:58 > 5:28:00A big forward's nightmare actually.
5:28:00 > 5:28:04So nimble, good on his feet. He is a world-class player.
5:28:04 > 5:28:07You don't become Man of Steel for nothing.
5:28:07 > 5:28:09Thoroughly deserves it.
5:28:09 > 5:28:13He's an incredible player, incredible skill and talent.
5:28:13 > 5:28:18He is only young as well. so he has got at huge future ahead of him.
5:28:18 > 5:28:23He is really elusive. You know, he's only slight.
5:28:23 > 5:28:26People expect to grab hold of him, but he is really strong.
5:28:26 > 5:28:29He's real agile, so it's very difficult getting hold of them.
5:28:29 > 5:28:33He could be a once in a generation type player.
5:28:33 > 5:28:35Great work off the field as well.
5:28:35 > 5:28:38He's somebody everybody gets along with.
5:28:38 > 5:28:42Some of the stuff he does on of the field is so different and freakish.
5:28:42 > 5:28:44Like I say, he could be one in a generation.
5:28:44 > 5:28:47There are not many superstars in our sport.
5:28:47 > 5:28:49Sam is certainly one of them.
5:28:49 > 5:28:52Someone we can base the England team around for many years.
5:28:52 > 5:28:56But he's also, you know, Super League is the figurehead really.
5:28:56 > 5:29:01So it's important he stays fit and healthy and carries on doing what he is doing.
5:29:01 > 5:29:03I want to be successful with Wigan.
5:29:03 > 5:29:06We will remember the semi-finals from the previous season
5:29:06 > 5:29:09and think about how much we wanted it.
5:29:09 > 5:29:10We got the League Leaders Shield.
5:29:10 > 5:29:13We were the most consistent team all year.
5:29:13 > 5:29:16But we don't kid ourselves into thinking it's equal to a Grand Final.
5:29:16 > 5:29:18That's the big one for us.
5:29:18 > 5:29:21The Grand Final is what we wanted and the Challenge Cup as well.
5:29:21 > 5:29:23But not a lot will be changed.
5:29:23 > 5:29:25Sometimes it's the bounce of the ball.
5:29:25 > 5:29:28You know, it's things that are very fixable.
5:29:28 > 5:29:31There'll be no drastic change in preparation.
5:29:31 > 5:29:34We prepared perfectly well for the semi-final.
5:29:34 > 5:29:36Things didn't quite click on the day.
5:29:36 > 5:29:39The bounce of a ball, a knock-on, an error, a penalty,
5:29:39 > 5:29:41it can cost you a big game.
5:29:41 > 5:29:43That's the lesson we've learned this year.
5:29:44 > 5:29:47Brian, Sam Tomkins is a very special player, isn't he?
5:29:47 > 5:29:49He has shown it week-in, week-out.
5:29:49 > 5:29:52The true test of greatness is we'll put some game plans in,
5:29:52 > 5:29:55put him under pressure, kick to him this way, that way,
5:29:55 > 5:29:58and he comes up with something.
5:29:58 > 5:30:01His physical prowess and athleticism is there for all to see.
5:30:01 > 5:30:03But he can play, he can see things.
5:30:03 > 5:30:07Some people are visionaries. He can see things other people can't see
5:30:07 > 5:30:09and comes up with a game-breaking play.
5:30:09 > 5:30:12Every team likes that element of X-factor in there.
5:30:12 > 5:30:16It frustrates you a bit sometimes cos you..."Oh, do something!"
5:30:16 > 5:30:20And then... But he produces pretty much week-in, week-out.
5:30:20 > 5:30:22That is the mark of quality.
5:30:22 > 5:30:24Probably the mark of, going forward, greatness.
5:30:24 > 5:30:28I am sure he'll want to be respected as one of the greats as he goes on.
5:30:28 > 5:30:30But it's pretty much doing the right thing at the right time.
5:30:30 > 5:30:34You had Zak Hardaker come through from a Featherstone, young player of the season.
5:30:34 > 5:30:36You've had Chris Hill at Warrington who's come from Leigh.
5:30:36 > 5:30:39How important for players outside the top flight to see
5:30:39 > 5:30:42these guys from the Championship can make it at the top level?
5:30:42 > 5:30:45Yeah, it is. I would say that is a significant part.
5:30:45 > 5:30:48There are quite a few players in the Championship...
5:30:48 > 5:30:51that could handle Super League week-in, week-out.
5:30:51 > 5:30:54We sometimes draw Championship clubs
5:30:54 > 5:30:57in the Challenge Cup early in the year.
5:30:57 > 5:31:01Sometimes it's...unfair to make a judgment that they are miles off,
5:31:01 > 5:31:03Championship's miles off, it isn't.
5:31:03 > 5:31:06There's quite a few players that probably just need a chance,
5:31:06 > 5:31:08they just need an opening at a Super League club.
5:31:08 > 5:31:10Zak's done incredibly well.
5:31:10 > 5:31:14He came from Featherstone and had a bit of a bedding-in period with us.
5:31:14 > 5:31:16Not just the actual standard or speed of the game,
5:31:16 > 5:31:19but the lifestyle of a full-time rugby league player.
5:31:19 > 5:31:22I should imagine Chris Hill's had a period where
5:31:22 > 5:31:24he needed to bed in at Warrington.
5:31:24 > 5:31:28But both players, especially Hill at Warrington, has done really well.
5:31:28 > 5:31:33Hill in the internationals has stepped up, not just being a Super League player,
5:31:33 > 5:31:36but an international player and has shone within that,
5:31:36 > 5:31:37all in a really short space.
5:31:37 > 5:31:40Not long ago, he was playing in the Championship.
5:31:40 > 5:31:42There are quite a few Championship players
5:31:42 > 5:31:46and if I were to give them advice, it's don't give up, keep trying.
5:31:46 > 5:31:49It's up to Super League clubs to not look to overseas too often.
5:31:49 > 5:31:52Although that will always be the case and is probably needed.
5:31:52 > 5:31:54It's up to Super League clubs
5:31:54 > 5:31:56to try and find the gems that are in there.
5:32:02 > 5:32:06Wigan coach Shaun Wane had big boots to fill when replacing Michael Maguire at the start of the year.
5:32:06 > 5:32:09But the local hero steered his side back to the top of the table.
5:32:09 > 5:32:11At times, Wigan were breathtaking,
5:32:11 > 5:32:14none more so than their 50 point hammering of Leeds.
5:32:14 > 5:32:18What a night it has been for the side in cherry and white.
5:32:18 > 5:32:21Rhinos' revenge came first in the Challenge Cup semi-final
5:32:21 > 5:32:24and it's fair to say Wigan never really recovered.
5:32:24 > 5:32:27A record-breaking Super League comeback was needed to beat Hull KR,
5:32:27 > 5:32:30a result which clinched the league leaders' shield.
5:32:30 > 5:32:33We won the shield. It's what I wanted to do.
5:32:33 > 5:32:35I wanted to win the Premiership and show consistency.
5:32:35 > 5:32:39But the manner in which we did it today, I'm still disappointed about.
5:32:39 > 5:32:43Wigan had to negotiate the play-offs without the suspended Michael McIlorum.
5:32:43 > 5:32:46George Carmont's hat-trick helped them pass Catalan,
5:32:46 > 5:32:48but without the injured Sam Tomkins,
5:32:48 > 5:32:51it was again the Rhinos who blocked Wigan's road to glory in 2012.
5:32:55 > 5:32:58The Challenge Cup was again claimed by Warrington,
5:32:58 > 5:33:01a third Wembley win in four years for Tony Smith.
5:33:01 > 5:33:05He followed up, leading the Wolves to their first-ever Grand Final.
5:33:05 > 5:33:09We had a pretty good year in total. We were in both finals.
5:33:09 > 5:33:13Managed to win the Challenge Cup. We come a bit short in the Grand Final.
5:33:13 > 5:33:15But we're pretty happy with the way the season went.
5:33:15 > 5:33:19It was the first time the club has ever been there.
5:33:19 > 5:33:21So I suppose you can see it as a positive.
5:33:21 > 5:33:24Try and take what you can out of a negative.
5:33:24 > 5:33:27It's only made us stronger to strive to get back next year.
5:33:27 > 5:33:31We want a bit more to push that little bit further.
5:33:31 > 5:33:33Hopefully next year we will have the chance to do that.
5:33:33 > 5:33:37Obviously, the likes of Brett Hodgson has had a great season.
5:33:37 > 5:33:40Lee Briers has been very good through the season.
5:33:40 > 5:33:44We've got to look at a few, but Benny Westwood is good.
5:33:44 > 5:33:48Benny is an incredible athlete. He defies logic really.
5:33:48 > 5:33:52He's not the best trainer and hasn't got the best attitude.
5:33:52 > 5:33:55But come game day he's an absolute machine.
5:33:55 > 5:33:58This year has been probably one of his best years.
5:33:58 > 5:34:00I mean, he's incredibly consistent.
5:34:00 > 5:34:02But this year he's really upped his game.
5:34:02 > 5:34:06When we lost Louis Anderson to Catalan at the start of the season,
5:34:06 > 5:34:09people thought we might not be able to fill that void
5:34:09 > 5:34:11of that left back row player.
5:34:11 > 5:34:14But Trent Waterhouse coming in, I thought he was outstanding for us
5:34:14 > 5:34:17in his first season. He has a young family as well.
5:34:17 > 5:34:21He has brought them over with him and settled in really well.
5:34:21 > 5:34:23He has had a tremendous season.
5:34:26 > 5:34:28St Helens had a new home.
5:34:28 > 5:34:31The spectacular Langtree Park finally opened its doors
5:34:31 > 5:34:33at the start of a new era for the club.
5:34:35 > 5:34:39Coach Royce Simmons oversaw a difficult start to the season.
5:34:39 > 5:34:41Saints won just two of their opening seven matches
5:34:41 > 5:34:45and the Australian left the club after just over a year in charge.
5:34:46 > 5:34:50Mike Rush and Keiron Cunningham took control for the rest of the season,
5:34:50 > 5:34:52conducting an impressive revival.
5:34:53 > 5:34:57That's Lomax. They're going again here, it's another for Wellens.
5:34:58 > 5:34:59My word!
5:35:01 > 5:35:05One of the key players this year has been James Roby.
5:35:05 > 5:35:07He's been phenomenal all year for us,
5:35:07 > 5:35:10he consistently does the same things every week,
5:35:10 > 5:35:12which is so good to have in your team.
5:35:12 > 5:35:16You know he's going to have that consistency of performance.
5:35:16 > 5:35:20Another one is a guy probably coming towards the end of his career, Paul Wellens.
5:35:20 > 5:35:22I think people have been so quick to write Paul off
5:35:22 > 5:35:25as being in the twilight of his career.
5:35:25 > 5:35:28I think this year he has been one of the stand-out full-backs
5:35:28 > 5:35:29in the Super League.
5:35:29 > 5:35:31After Sam Tomkins, I would say
5:35:31 > 5:35:34Paul is up there with the best full-backs in Super League.
5:35:34 > 5:35:37He has been great for us this year.
5:35:37 > 5:35:39And we have got so many guys in good form.
5:35:39 > 5:35:43One of the exciting things about St Helen's is that we have
5:35:43 > 5:35:46a number of young players coming into the team.
5:35:46 > 5:35:49The development of young players at this club has been great.
5:35:49 > 5:35:54If you look at Tommy Makinson on the wing, he's been a revelation.
5:35:54 > 5:35:57And Josh Jones, a young player.
5:35:57 > 5:35:59For me, I get excited
5:35:59 > 5:36:02when I see these young guys come into the team and performing.
5:36:02 > 5:36:06They not only perform week-in, week-out, but in the big games.
5:36:06 > 5:36:11Those guys have probably been the most pleasing part of the season for me.
5:36:13 > 5:36:18Not too many teams return from the South of France with two points in their luggage.
5:36:18 > 5:36:21Only Saints and Wigan won there during the regular season.
5:36:21 > 5:36:25Dreamteam listed Remi Casty and Scott Dureau inspired their side to some memorable moments,
5:36:25 > 5:36:28aided by the experience of Leon Pryce.
5:36:34 > 5:36:37Steve Menzies became Super League's oldest ever player.
5:36:37 > 5:36:41He'll be back again next year, but the Dragons simply ran out of steam in the play-offs.
5:36:41 > 5:36:45A heavy defeat at Wigan was followed by a bruising one against Leeds.
5:36:45 > 5:36:47Safely enough by McGuire.
5:36:49 > 5:36:52Oh, and Bailey has made the break.
5:36:52 > 5:36:55Taking on Greenshields. Simply runs through him!
5:36:55 > 5:37:00Bailey's still going and now has support from Danny McGuire
5:37:00 > 5:37:04and McGuire will streak away for an easy finish.
5:37:05 > 5:37:08Plenty have left the Dragons over the winter,
5:37:08 > 5:37:12including coach Trent Robinson, who's headed home to the NRL.
5:37:13 > 5:37:15We have had snowstorms in Salford,
5:37:15 > 5:37:18sun in the South of France, and anyone who was at Wembley
5:37:18 > 5:37:22will remember the torrential downpour during the Challenge Cup final.
5:37:22 > 5:37:26But one thing has been a constant in every match, and that is tries.
5:37:26 > 5:37:27Here are some of the best.
5:39:36 > 5:39:39Well, we certainly saw some cracking tries throughout the season.
5:39:39 > 5:39:42But in terms of quality overall, was it a good season?
5:39:42 > 5:39:45I think I'd say probably not as good as it has been.
5:39:45 > 5:39:48That doesn't mean to say it's not good.
5:39:48 > 5:39:50It is a great, great product is rugby league.
5:39:50 > 5:39:54But I think we have to look at the quality of the game week-in, week-out.
5:39:54 > 5:39:57And probably not so much the quality, the intensity of the game.
5:39:57 > 5:40:02So it's important that the people who make those decisions can look at how we achieve that.
5:40:02 > 5:40:04They are looking into the game. There's been a big report
5:40:04 > 5:40:07by Maurice Watkins. What would you like to see happen?
5:40:07 > 5:40:11Gosh, it's going to need better brains than mine to change it around.
5:40:11 > 5:40:14I certainly think they've got to look at the import structure,
5:40:14 > 5:40:17whether we're getting the right quality of imports.
5:40:17 > 5:40:20Is there another place where we can get more players from?
5:40:20 > 5:40:22Probably South Africa is an example.
5:40:22 > 5:40:24Do we need to release players from there?
5:40:24 > 5:40:27Are we over-burdening our young players to get them
5:40:27 > 5:40:30to the highest level quickly, and there's a fallout rate there?
5:40:30 > 5:40:33There's no doubt a lot of clubs are producing a lot of good talent.
5:40:33 > 5:40:36But it's getting them through to the highest standard
5:40:36 > 5:40:39and finding more players, mechanisms to find more players
5:40:39 > 5:40:42if we're going to stick with 14.
5:40:42 > 5:40:45Otherwise, I feel, to raise the quality and intensity,
5:40:45 > 5:40:48we've got to reduce the amount of clubs in Super League.
5:40:48 > 5:40:51But none of the Super League clubs will vote for that.
5:40:51 > 5:40:54That old chestnut - promotion and relegation - would you like to see it come back?
5:40:54 > 5:40:57It depends under what guise it comes.
5:40:57 > 5:41:01The psyche of this country revolves around promotion and relegation.
5:41:01 > 5:41:04You have to look at the mechanisms as well.
5:41:04 > 5:41:06My belief is it should be a two-year process
5:41:06 > 5:41:08so we don't get the yo-yo effect.
5:41:08 > 5:41:11That's one of the reasons we went to franchising.
5:41:11 > 5:41:14Obviously, to improve the standards of the game,
5:41:14 > 5:41:17to improve the amount of money people are investing,
5:41:17 > 5:41:22however, promotion and relegation destabilises that bottom end.
5:41:22 > 5:41:25It's hard to plan to achieve anything and you need time.
5:41:25 > 5:41:28We should look at a mechanism whereby
5:41:28 > 5:41:30either a playoff happens so you stay in or go out
5:41:30 > 5:41:32or you look at every two years.
5:41:41 > 5:41:44A season of great contrast for Huddersfield began
5:41:44 > 5:41:47with a surprise win over Wigan on the opening weekend.
5:41:47 > 5:41:51After 13 rounds, there was no stopping the table-topping Giants.
5:41:52 > 5:41:54This is good. Here comes George now.
5:41:55 > 5:42:00George looks on his inside. George is after it.
5:42:00 > 5:42:02And will score!
5:42:02 > 5:42:05To keep getting better and competing in big games.
5:42:05 > 5:42:07It's about consistency.
5:42:07 > 5:42:11The top sides, like Leeds,
5:42:11 > 5:42:14who've won grand finals or Warrington, who've won
5:42:14 > 5:42:16two or three trophies or Wigan, who've won trophies,
5:42:16 > 5:42:20they do it over long periods and that's the key for us.
5:42:21 > 5:42:23Consistency never awry for Nathan Brown.
5:42:23 > 5:42:26The coach took early leave on his way to St Helens,
5:42:26 > 5:42:29Paul Anderson taking over earlier than expected.
5:42:30 > 5:42:34Huddersfield won just 4 of their final 14 games
5:42:34 > 5:42:35in the regular season.
5:42:35 > 5:42:38A campaign that promised much, ended up in a play-off defeat
5:42:38 > 5:42:39at Hull FC.
5:42:43 > 5:42:46Peter Gentle brought smiles back to the west side of Hull.
5:42:46 > 5:42:49There was a derby double against their city rivals
5:42:49 > 5:42:52and a rare win for the black and whites against Leeds.
5:42:52 > 5:42:56A little offload and they've got the numbers here,
5:42:56 > 5:43:00including Sharp on the far right-hand side.
5:43:00 > 5:43:02And Will Sharp's in!
5:43:02 > 5:43:05Hull made it through to the second-round of the playoffs
5:43:05 > 5:43:09but there will be new faces at the KC next year, including Gareth Ellis.
5:43:09 > 5:43:13People spoke about Hull for years, how much potential they've got
5:43:13 > 5:43:15but they've never come through,
5:43:15 > 5:43:19in my first year at Leeds when they beat us in the Challenge Cup Final,
5:43:19 > 5:43:22people thought that might be a turning point for the club.
5:43:22 > 5:43:24It never happened.
5:43:24 > 5:43:26They've been happy to make the playoffs
5:43:26 > 5:43:29but not make much of an impact.
5:43:29 > 5:43:32From what I can take from speaking to Peter Gentle
5:43:32 > 5:43:35and the coaching staff is they are a club that wants to go forward.
5:43:38 > 5:43:42Hull Kingston Rovers had the new management signs up too.
5:43:42 > 5:43:44Craig Sandercock failed to guide Rovers to the playoffs.
5:43:44 > 5:43:48But a run of four wins had the Robins smiling for a short while.
5:43:48 > 5:43:52Withers at the heart of so much. Good work for Rovers.
5:43:52 > 5:43:54This is Hall running for space.
5:43:54 > 5:43:56Round the outside to cap this one off.
5:43:56 > 5:43:59Four wins on the spin for Hull Kingston Rovers.
5:44:01 > 5:44:04That was as good as it got for Rovers in 2012.
5:44:04 > 5:44:07Lessons will have to be learned from some narrow defeats
5:44:07 > 5:44:09towards the back-end of the season.
5:44:13 > 5:44:16The supporters with the most to smile about in the second half
5:44:16 > 5:44:18of 2012 were those from Wakefield.
5:44:18 > 5:44:21The Wildcats have the green light for a new stadium.
5:44:21 > 5:44:24Guided by Tim Smith, they had a season to remember
5:44:24 > 5:44:26on the field as well.
5:44:31 > 5:44:35Seven straight wins took Wakefield into the top eight.
5:44:35 > 5:44:38A squad that barely knew each other at the start of the season,
5:44:38 > 5:44:40made it all the way to the playoffs.
5:44:43 > 5:44:46Play to go in the set of six, back to Paul Sykes to kick.
5:44:46 > 5:44:49It's on its way. It's there!
5:44:49 > 5:44:53Paul Sykes has nailed it from 20 metres!
5:44:53 > 5:44:59There's ten seconds to go. It's Wakefield 33-32 St Helens!
5:45:03 > 5:45:07Back inside to Sykes. Sykes has done it again!
5:45:07 > 5:45:12Hull Kingston Rovers 30-31 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
5:45:13 > 5:45:16We seem to have found a formula that works,
5:45:16 > 5:45:20particularly in attack, for ourselves.
5:45:20 > 5:45:23There again, our defensive structure has enabled us to do that.
5:45:23 > 5:45:26We're all thrown together, not just to play inside but
5:45:26 > 5:45:32the new coaching staff - Lee Smith came in and Paul Sykes -
5:45:32 > 5:45:35so it's not been a settled squad throughout the season,
5:45:35 > 5:45:39which is the encouraging thing -
5:45:39 > 5:45:41we've come together, worked hard together.
5:45:41 > 5:45:44That's one thing we wanted to do - work hard as a group.
5:45:44 > 5:45:49As the season has evolved, we've learned more about each other.
5:45:49 > 5:45:52We've reflected that in some of our performances.
5:45:52 > 5:45:57The exciting thing is when we have a full pre-season next year,
5:45:57 > 5:46:00who knows what could happen.
5:46:04 > 5:46:08We've moved on to Odsal where they'll probably be pleased
5:46:08 > 5:46:10to see the back of 2012.
5:46:10 > 5:46:13The Bradford Bulls financial problems cast a shadow over
5:46:13 > 5:46:16their entire season and Super League as well.
5:46:27 > 5:46:30Good morning. A West Yorkshire rugby league team
5:46:30 > 5:46:32is on the verge of going bankrupt.
5:46:32 > 5:46:35The Bradford Bulls could go bust unless they raise £1 million,
5:46:35 > 5:46:37half of it by the middle of April.
5:46:37 > 5:46:41One of the most famous teams in rugby league is on the brink
5:46:41 > 5:46:42of collapse.
5:46:42 > 5:46:46Bradford Bulls say that their match against Leeds on Good Friday
5:46:46 > 5:46:49could be their last unless the raise £500,000
5:46:49 > 5:46:51to solve their crippling cash problem.
5:46:51 > 5:46:55Got a plan to tackle it. We need support from out stakeholders -
5:46:55 > 5:46:57supporters or sponsors -
5:46:57 > 5:46:58in the near future.
5:46:58 > 5:47:01The response we've had so far has been fantastic.
5:47:01 > 5:47:03It's a serious situation.
5:47:03 > 5:47:06Crisis is not over-exaggerating it.
5:47:06 > 5:47:11An iconic team in rugby league. It would be sad if it goes under.
5:47:11 > 5:47:1380 there with the hand.
5:47:13 > 5:47:17An auction of memorabilia, including Grand Final winning shirts
5:47:17 > 5:47:21and rings, raised a further £28,000 in their bid for survival.
5:47:21 > 5:47:25Right up until kickoff, buckets were being rattled.
5:47:25 > 5:47:28For the fans, uncertainty about the whole situation.
5:47:28 > 5:47:31We get to find out what's happening behind the scenes.
5:47:31 > 5:47:33We only get what we're told.
5:47:33 > 5:47:35We don't know what's going on half the time.
5:47:35 > 5:47:38I've been coming here since I was 12. I'm 29 now.
5:47:38 > 5:47:41It's heart wrenching.
5:47:41 > 5:47:44A club like this has been around for so long
5:47:44 > 5:47:47and you don't know what's going to happen. It could go either way.
5:47:47 > 5:47:51The perilous state of Bradford Bulls' finances has come to a head
5:47:51 > 5:47:55with the news that the club is in the hands of administrators.
5:47:55 > 5:47:58We were told the business needed £1 million.
5:47:58 > 5:48:02The tremendous efforts of the supporters has raised
5:48:02 > 5:48:05half of that money, prior to change at the top taking place.
5:48:05 > 5:48:10We came in, believing that £500,000 was what was required
5:48:10 > 5:48:13to match the magnificent effort by the supporters.
5:48:13 > 5:48:18Within 24 hours of getting in through the door,
5:48:18 > 5:48:21the position worsened by 360,000.
5:48:21 > 5:48:23It means the club has run out of money
5:48:23 > 5:48:26and the directors have been unsuccessful
5:48:26 > 5:48:29in raising finance to enable the company that operates
5:48:29 > 5:48:30the Bradford Bulls to continue.
5:48:30 > 5:48:32I've been appointed administrator
5:48:32 > 5:48:35with a view to finding a buyer for the club.
5:48:35 > 5:48:38The news tonight is that Bradford Bulls have made
5:48:38 > 5:48:4216 members of staff, including their entire coaching team, redundant
5:48:42 > 5:48:45as they look to stave off the threat of liquidation.
5:48:45 > 5:48:48For the whole coaching staff to be
5:48:48 > 5:48:51told they're redundant was extraordinary.
5:48:51 > 5:48:57The majority of the staff in the office were told they no longer
5:48:57 > 5:48:58have a job.
5:48:58 > 5:49:00It's disappointing to say the least.
5:49:00 > 5:49:03We can't believe what you've just said.
5:49:03 > 5:49:07You've sacked our coach cos you've got someone who will do it for nowt.
5:49:07 > 5:49:12I've got no choice. The cuts I need to make
5:49:12 > 5:49:15to reduce the amount I've got to find, HAVE TO fall on senior staff.
5:49:15 > 5:49:18The mood is very mixed.
5:49:18 > 5:49:22Everybody is feeling frustrated.
5:49:22 > 5:49:25Quite emotional, loss of friends and staff yesterday.
5:49:25 > 5:49:28We're very close. It's bad to see people lose their jobs.
5:49:28 > 5:49:33They've got families to provide for and to see that happen,
5:49:33 > 5:49:36to your friends is hard to take.
5:49:36 > 5:49:40There were emotional scenes at the end of Bradford's game
5:49:40 > 5:49:42against London.
5:49:42 > 5:49:45Mick Potter and a number of the Bradford employees have returned
5:49:45 > 5:49:46in order to get the game on.
5:49:46 > 5:49:5016 members of the club's non-playing staff were made redundant
5:49:50 > 5:49:54as the club tries to stave off the threat of liquidation.
5:49:54 > 5:49:58In Super League, Bradford Bulls have been handed a points deduction.
5:49:58 > 5:50:02It's the expected punishment for the club having gone into administration.
5:50:02 > 5:50:06They've been hit by the maximum six-point penalty
5:50:06 > 5:50:07with immediate effect.
5:50:07 > 5:50:10As soon as I found out what was going on,
5:50:10 > 5:50:13the team has stuck together and we've said
5:50:13 > 5:50:17there's nothing we can do other than playing as well as we can.
5:50:17 > 5:50:21There's been a dramatic development in the long-running saga
5:50:21 > 5:50:24over the future of the Bradford Bulls.
5:50:24 > 5:50:27Local businessman Omar Khan has confirmed to Look North
5:50:27 > 5:50:29that he's the club's new owner.
5:50:29 > 5:50:32Bradford Bulls fans are being told to relax a bit
5:50:32 > 5:50:36now the club is out of administration and has new owners.
5:50:36 > 5:50:38In a strange kind of way, it's been good.
5:50:38 > 5:50:41It cut a lot of the peripheral things out and focused everyone
5:50:41 > 5:50:43on the rugby and the training.
5:50:43 > 5:50:46How we were going to get the points.
5:50:46 > 5:50:49There has been a lot of players shown a lot of character.
5:50:49 > 5:50:51A lot of will to play for the club
5:50:51 > 5:50:55and the fans because the fans have been terrific this year.
5:50:55 > 5:50:57Hopefully, they'll want more of that.
5:50:57 > 5:51:00That has to be the standard from now on.
5:51:04 > 5:51:07I'm joined by the Honorary Chairman of the Bradford Bulls,
5:51:07 > 5:51:10Gerry Sutcliffe. You looked on from the outside.
5:51:10 > 5:51:13Why did you decided to get involved?
5:51:13 > 5:51:15This is a great club, in a great city.
5:51:15 > 5:51:17It would have been a travesty had it gone under.
5:51:17 > 5:51:20It's not just about the rugby club. It's about the city
5:51:20 > 5:51:24and the regeneration of the city. I felt it was an important part
5:51:24 > 5:51:27of the city's heritage to keep the Bulls going.
5:51:27 > 5:51:29I'm glad Omar Khan agreed.
5:51:29 > 5:51:31As somebody who has come from outside rugby league,
5:51:31 > 5:51:34what can the sport learn from the plight of the Bulls?
5:51:34 > 5:51:38There's a big issue, not just for rugby league but for other sports
5:51:38 > 5:51:42as well, about how you have to be professional in terms of
5:51:42 > 5:51:44the governing body. They have to learn lessons about
5:51:44 > 5:51:49how sport is moving forward, how spectators expect a good product,
5:51:49 > 5:51:52expect to visit a ground that has the right facilities.
5:51:52 > 5:51:55It's also got to make sure the competition
5:51:55 > 5:52:00is a good one, that people can play a fair competition,
5:52:00 > 5:52:03that you don't have a small elite at the top and the rest suffer.
5:52:03 > 5:52:08We can learn some lessons in terms of the game itself.
5:52:08 > 5:52:11I also think in terms of financial management,
5:52:11 > 5:52:15rugby league gave this club a Category B licence for Super League.
5:52:15 > 5:52:19The problems were undoubtedly there at the time.
5:52:19 > 5:52:23There are issues around that the game has got to learn lessons from.
5:52:23 > 5:52:26We're waiting for the administrator's report.
5:52:26 > 5:52:28I believe that will show some real problems
5:52:28 > 5:52:31in terms of how this business was run.
5:52:31 > 5:52:34Do you fear other clubs might be teetering on the brink?
5:52:34 > 5:52:37I don't know. We're concentrating on this club.
5:52:37 > 5:52:40I suspect there are similar issues around other clubs.
5:52:40 > 5:52:45The time is right to sit down, take a root-and-branch look at the game
5:52:45 > 5:52:49cos I think it's a fantastic game and we will see that here next year
5:52:49 > 5:52:52when people will come back to watch a great product.
5:52:52 > 5:52:55But the game has got to learn the lessons.
5:53:00 > 5:53:02Salford face an uncertain financial future
5:53:02 > 5:53:05after a difficult first season in their new home.
5:53:05 > 5:53:09The influence of new coach Phil Veivers and assistant Sean Long
5:53:09 > 5:53:11was clear in the opening rounds.
5:53:14 > 5:53:18Good hands. Along the line. Good offload for Broughton!
5:53:18 > 5:53:20Jodie Broughton!
5:53:20 > 5:53:23I tell the boys, "Do a bit off the cuff
5:53:23 > 5:53:25"and we'll call it ad-lib footy."
5:53:25 > 5:53:28We score some real good tries.
5:53:28 > 5:53:31One of my favourites was the first game
5:53:31 > 5:53:33of the season against Castleford
5:53:33 > 5:53:36and the conditions, we played against tough opposition,
5:53:36 > 5:53:40bad conditions, about three inches of snow.
5:53:40 > 5:53:43We probably scored one of the tries of the season.
5:53:43 > 5:53:46It went through the hands in our own half
5:53:46 > 5:53:49and then Matty Ashurst got it and scored in the corner.
5:53:49 > 5:53:52It's our team tries. It's not individual -
5:53:52 > 5:53:54we've not got a load of individuals.
5:53:54 > 5:53:57We have to play as a team to get where we want to be.
5:53:57 > 5:54:00Castleford ended the campaign with just six wins to their name.
5:54:00 > 5:54:03A disappointing first year in charge for Ian Millward,
5:54:03 > 5:54:05despite an impressive start at Salford.
5:54:05 > 5:54:10Castleford, one final chance. Lovely little kick.
5:54:10 > 5:54:14Chased and scored by Adam Milner!
5:54:15 > 5:54:192011 man of steel Rangi Chase was at the centre of everything for Cas,
5:54:19 > 5:54:20on and off the pitch.
5:54:20 > 5:54:23Wins against Wakefield and Huddersfield
5:54:23 > 5:54:27provided rare memorable moments for the Tigers in 2012.
5:54:36 > 5:54:39London coach Rob Powell failed to see out the season.
5:54:39 > 5:54:43Tony Rae returned to the renamed Broncos and had
5:54:43 > 5:54:45an immediate impact on results.
5:54:45 > 5:54:47The long-term future of the club is clear.
5:54:47 > 5:54:51The owner is investing at the levels compared to everybody else,
5:54:51 > 5:54:52the intent is clear.
5:54:52 > 5:54:55The reason I'm here is that intent hasn't been delivered.
5:54:55 > 5:54:59There doesn't seem to be a problem with liking each other
5:54:59 > 5:55:03and morale. There is good agility, good energy there.
5:55:03 > 5:55:07Got some good playmakers that can make some good decisions.
5:55:07 > 5:55:10The shell is there just needs pointing in the right direction.
5:55:12 > 5:55:18Support to his right hand side. His fourth try of the match!
5:55:18 > 5:55:23And eight in two games, it is going to be 38 unanswered points
5:55:23 > 5:55:26in this second half by London. Astonishing.
5:55:26 > 5:55:29Four wins from their last five matches brought the smiles
5:55:29 > 5:55:32back to London and kept them off the bottom.
5:55:33 > 5:55:36Returning to Super League for the first time in seven years,
5:55:36 > 5:55:39it was a steep learning curve for Widnes and coach Denis Betts,
5:55:39 > 5:55:43whose six-week wait for a win ended in dramatic fashion against Wigan.
5:55:43 > 5:55:48O'Brien now at dummy-half, back it comes to wide.
5:55:48 > 5:55:53Two goals for the one pointer. And incredibly, Widnes lead.
5:55:53 > 5:55:57The real positives of this year have been that we have got better.
5:55:57 > 5:56:00We've seen the rewards in the work we have done.
5:56:00 > 5:56:02We have stayed true to what we were working on.
5:56:02 > 5:56:07We haven't broken up when we were getting beaten heavily.
5:56:07 > 5:56:10We had a belief in the way we wanted to defend
5:56:10 > 5:56:12and the way we wanted to attack.
5:56:12 > 5:56:14It took a bit of getting connected to each other
5:56:14 > 5:56:17and a bit of experience of working with each other as a group,
5:56:17 > 5:56:19and we stay true do that.
5:56:19 > 5:56:23That has been a real positive about what we have done this year.
5:56:23 > 5:56:25To see ourselves actually grow as a team.
5:56:25 > 5:56:27We are getting closer to where we want to be.
5:56:27 > 5:56:29We want a couple more quality players next year
5:56:29 > 5:56:31to push our standards up again.
5:56:31 > 5:56:34Plus, the season behind us, their experience,
5:56:34 > 5:56:36that will help us next year.
5:56:38 > 5:56:41There were plenty of candidates for match of the season.
5:56:41 > 5:56:44Catalan's dramatic victory over St Helen's,
5:56:44 > 5:56:46and a bruising battle between Leeds and Wigan
5:56:46 > 5:56:49in the playoff semi-final spring to mind.
5:56:49 > 5:56:52But in the Manchester sunshine, there was the Hull derby.
5:56:52 > 5:56:55A game that had just about everything.
5:56:56 > 5:56:59Martin to his feet. Here's Seymour.
5:56:59 > 5:57:02A little pass to his right which was taken on by Lynch who loves to
5:57:02 > 5:57:06get the left arm free and offload it and keep Hull on their way here.
5:57:07 > 5:57:11Tickle has done well to keep it alive. A super pass between the legs.
5:57:11 > 5:57:14Here is Jordan Turner. Turner's away, has support from Sharp.
5:57:16 > 5:57:20Well recovered by Kris Welham. Dobson is down there as well.
5:57:20 > 5:57:21WHISTLE BLOWS
5:57:21 > 5:57:22It is a penalty.
5:57:24 > 5:57:27It is a yellow card. It is a yellow card!
5:57:27 > 5:57:32Ten minutes played and Michael Dobson is sin-binned for holding down.
5:57:33 > 5:57:35It seems more than a little harsh.
5:57:35 > 5:57:37But a penalty for Hull.
5:57:39 > 5:57:42A try by Tickle. Here's Danny Houghton.
5:57:44 > 5:57:49Seymour! Tearing it in. Driven forward by Sam Moa.
5:57:50 > 5:57:55This is Houghton! This is Seymour! Through the gap!
5:57:55 > 5:57:59Where Dobson might have stood had he still been on the field.
5:57:59 > 5:58:00Hull get first blood.
5:58:07 > 5:58:10They will be anxious that they don't concede any more points
5:58:10 > 5:58:14while Dobson is still in the sin-bin of Hull Kingston Rovers.
5:58:14 > 5:58:16And if they could add some of their own,
5:58:16 > 5:58:18that would be a real bonus.
5:58:18 > 5:58:20Here comes Craig Hall! And away he goes!
5:58:20 > 5:58:23He is a classy player, is Craig Hall!
5:58:25 > 5:58:27It is going to be one of those days.
5:58:31 > 5:58:33Dobson back on the field.
5:58:33 > 5:58:36Happy that his side are still at parity.
5:58:37 > 5:58:39Six points apiece. It's a good pass to...
5:58:39 > 5:58:42Hull back on the inside for Shannon McDonnell!
5:58:42 > 5:58:47Good effort from Craig Hall. McDonnell anticipated it.
5:58:47 > 5:58:51The Hull defence is beaten again.
5:58:51 > 5:58:53It has been a tough old battle.
5:58:55 > 5:58:5725 minutes played and it is as you would expect,
5:58:57 > 5:59:00two sides who are giving nought and taking nought.
5:59:00 > 5:59:03Martin has support on the outside from Tom Briscoe!
5:59:03 > 5:59:06Who again has support from Richard Horne!
5:59:06 > 5:59:10Hull FC looking to pull it level again,
5:59:10 > 5:59:13with one of the tries of the games so far.
5:59:15 > 5:59:17Danny Houghton. Seymour.
5:59:19 > 5:59:20Taking it in the tough way.
5:59:20 > 5:59:23Brett Seymour has kept it alive well enough.
5:59:26 > 5:59:27Well, they are getting close.
5:59:29 > 5:59:32It's Westerman, Seymour, a little chip by him.
5:59:32 > 5:59:36Willie Manu playing and catching
5:59:36 > 5:59:39and putting a smile on the face of his coach.
5:59:44 > 5:59:45Here's Withers.
5:59:48 > 5:59:51They are threatening here but Hull's defence is hanging on.
5:59:51 > 5:59:54Lincoln Withers is the man at dummy half. Left it goes.
5:59:54 > 5:59:56Dobson. There's the overlap. Here's Hodgson!
5:59:56 > 5:59:59David Hodgson in at the corner.
6:00:04 > 6:00:05Liam Kent.
6:00:08 > 6:00:11They are almost giving the ball away there, Hull FC,
6:00:11 > 6:00:13but keeping it alive.
6:00:13 > 6:00:16Turner stumbles. Dobson's onto him.
6:00:16 > 6:00:17Four gone, a couple to go here.
6:00:19 > 6:00:23Seymour. Dummys to Warne, then spitting it out to Willie Manu.
6:00:23 > 6:00:24The excellent Willie Manu.
6:00:24 > 6:00:28Again draws his man. Here's Tony Martin! Between the two defenders.
6:00:30 > 6:00:33Hull stretching their lead.
6:00:33 > 6:00:36They are loving every moment of this, the black and whites.
6:00:39 > 6:00:41Manu is eventually held.
6:00:41 > 6:00:45That's Danny Houghton scooting away from dummy half.
6:00:45 > 6:00:49Trying to get them going again. Houghton, Seymour,
6:00:49 > 6:00:53Seymore with a little kick. It's allowed to bounce awkwardly!
6:00:53 > 6:00:55Turner scores!
6:00:55 > 6:00:58Has he? All eyes on the referee, he's giving it.
6:01:01 > 6:01:06Steve Ganson gives it. Surely Hull are turning the screw.
6:01:09 > 6:01:1240 minutes to play. 14 points the difference.
6:01:12 > 6:01:15Hull Kingston Rovers not giving this up at the moment.
6:01:15 > 6:01:19Scott Taylor, put down.
6:01:19 > 6:01:22Lincoln Withers. Spins it out.
6:01:22 > 6:01:27Wide it comes. Lovely flick again. Sam Latus is in.
6:01:27 > 6:01:29They haven't given it up.
6:01:29 > 6:01:31There is still a semblance of belief.
6:01:36 > 6:01:40Here's Withers. Eight minutes to play.
6:01:40 > 6:01:44It is getting a little desperate at the moment in attack and defence.
6:01:44 > 6:01:45Here's the last.
6:01:45 > 6:01:49Big tackle here. Hull holding out. You feel they've won the game.
6:01:49 > 6:01:50Spinning it to Dobson!
6:01:50 > 6:01:52Back to Lovegrove.
6:01:52 > 6:01:54Rhys Lovegrove pops it up. Dobson.
6:01:54 > 6:01:56It's in! What a dive! And what a score!
6:01:56 > 6:01:59And what a game we have got now!
6:02:01 > 6:02:06Dobson's goal will put Hull Kingston Rovers within two points of this.
6:02:07 > 6:02:10An excellent anticipation here. Lovegrove.
6:02:10 > 6:02:12It is forward.
6:02:12 > 6:02:15And it is forward by a distance.
6:02:15 > 6:02:18What a stroke of luck that was for Hull Kingston Rovers.
6:02:20 > 6:02:23About a minute left to play.
6:02:23 > 6:02:28There's a frenzied atmosphere around this stadium.
6:02:28 > 6:02:31Two points in it. These are the dying seconds.
6:02:32 > 6:02:35Here's Dobson. Quick hands away by McDonnell.
6:02:35 > 6:02:41Taken by David Hodgson. He's got the outside of Will Sharp
6:02:41 > 6:02:44and David Hodgson is away!
6:02:44 > 6:02:47What a finish! What a win!
6:02:48 > 6:02:52Unbelievable!
6:02:53 > 6:02:59Absolutely unbelievable! As good a try as you will see all weekend.
6:02:59 > 6:03:05It is a try that wins the game in the most sensational of circumstances.
6:03:06 > 6:03:07Hull FC cannot believe it.
6:03:10 > 6:03:13Some super wing play by David Hodgson.
6:03:13 > 6:03:14Good play in the build up.
6:03:14 > 6:03:19He stands up Seymour, he stands up Sharp,
6:03:19 > 6:03:21he has the pace to go all the way.
6:03:21 > 6:03:27Hull Kingston Rovers - absolutely unbelievable.
6:03:27 > 6:03:30Heartbreak for Hull FC.
6:03:31 > 6:03:34With me is Eorl Crabtree from the Huddersfield Giants.
6:03:34 > 6:03:38Have there been enough great moments this season to make it a great season?
6:03:38 > 6:03:42It has been a fantastic season. Some really good moments throughout.
6:03:42 > 6:03:46I wouldn't say great. I think there is a lot more to come from Super League.
6:03:46 > 6:03:49Especially next season. I think it will step up yet again.
6:03:49 > 6:03:51Going into the World Cup, there are a lot of players
6:03:51 > 6:03:54trying to put their hands up, trying to get into the World Cup squad.
6:03:54 > 6:03:56I expect a better year next year.
6:03:56 > 6:03:58A couple of teams disappointed last season.
6:03:58 > 6:04:01Would you expect them to make strides forward in 2013?
6:04:01 > 6:04:04Yes, one of those is probably ourselves, Huddersfield Giants.
6:04:04 > 6:04:07We had a very disappointing season, started very well.
6:04:07 > 6:04:11There's a few of us as well. Hull were showing a lot of promise
6:04:11 > 6:04:14but did not quite get as far as where they wanted to.
6:04:14 > 6:04:17Probably a few more around that mark as well.
6:04:17 > 6:04:21It will be interesting to see where these teams come next year,
6:04:21 > 6:04:24especially the lower ones to see if they can progress.
6:04:24 > 6:04:26The Magic Weekend will be back at the Etihad
6:04:26 > 6:04:28for the next couple of seasons.
6:04:28 > 6:04:29- Is that something you welcome?- Yes.
6:04:29 > 6:04:32It was a fantastic experience playing there.
6:04:32 > 6:04:35It is a venue that as a player you would love to play in.
6:04:35 > 6:04:38I've been fortunate to play and scored a couple of tries there
6:04:38 > 6:04:40on the day as well. I was very happy.
6:04:40 > 6:04:41It was absolutely red hot.
6:04:41 > 6:04:44Not looking forward to that. I hope it is a bit cooler.
6:04:44 > 6:04:46But the crowd was amazing.
6:04:46 > 6:04:48Hopefully we get a few more people down there
6:04:48 > 6:04:51and they buy into the product that we've got.
6:04:51 > 6:04:532012 is almost done and dusted.
6:04:53 > 6:04:55What will the new year have in store?
6:04:55 > 6:04:58There's already been some interesting transfer business.
6:04:58 > 6:05:00And at the end of the season, the World Cup.
6:05:02 > 6:05:05There is a massive carrot dangling in front of everybody.
6:05:05 > 6:05:07Everybody wants to play in the World Cup.
6:05:07 > 6:05:09There is nothing better than to have it in the UK.
6:05:09 > 6:05:11It is that huge opportunity for everybody.
6:05:11 > 6:05:15It is an opportunity for us as the national side to stamp our authority.
6:05:15 > 6:05:18For too many years we have been chasing the Aussies and Kiwis.
6:05:18 > 6:05:23I think we're bridging that gap. We always perform best on home soil.
6:05:23 > 6:05:26If we're going to win a World Cup, this is the one.
6:05:26 > 6:05:28Eorl, it has been a long season.
6:05:28 > 6:05:302013 will be even longer.
6:05:30 > 6:05:35The World Cup does not finish until 30th November. Is it too much?
6:05:35 > 6:05:38Every year I do talk about the Easter period
6:05:38 > 6:05:41and also the extra game at the Etihad.
6:05:41 > 6:05:43It is very demanding on the players,
6:05:43 > 6:05:46especially when you get to the end of the season.
6:05:46 > 6:05:49For me personally, I needed three operations at the end of the year.
6:05:49 > 6:05:52That is a testament to how rugby players play.
6:05:52 > 6:05:54People do not realise how tough it is.
6:05:54 > 6:05:58Going into next year it will be tough again. It probably is too long.
6:05:58 > 6:05:59But the lads will want to play in the World Cup.
6:05:59 > 6:06:01That is what is most important.
6:06:01 > 6:06:03None of us will moan about that fact
6:06:03 > 6:06:06but it probably needs to be addressed in the future.
6:06:06 > 6:06:09It is so enticing to be part of that World Cup squad.
6:06:09 > 6:06:13You had to sit and watch England this year. What did you make of them?
6:06:13 > 6:06:15They look very good, actually. Very well organised
6:06:15 > 6:06:17and they seemed to gel together.
6:06:17 > 6:06:20Also, the younger players coming through.
6:06:20 > 6:06:21A lot of talent coming through.
6:06:21 > 6:06:24It is not the old faithful that we've had to stick with throughout the past,
6:06:24 > 6:06:27where they've not achieved what we wanted to achieve.
6:06:27 > 6:06:31A lot of lads knocking on the door. That is what is exciting about rugby league in England at the moment.
6:06:31 > 6:06:36You have been banging the drum for the World Cup? What has been the reaction?
6:06:36 > 6:06:37It has been fantastic.
6:06:37 > 6:06:41Everyone's talking about it, and this is our opportunity
6:06:41 > 6:06:44as a rugby league nation, to make it so high profile,
6:06:44 > 6:06:47make people take notice of this product that we keep talking about.
6:06:47 > 6:06:51It is so exciting. Everybody wants it to do well.
6:06:51 > 6:06:53But we can't get to where we want to be.
6:06:53 > 6:06:56This is the opportunity. Everyone's really excited.
6:06:56 > 6:06:58Going down to Downing Street was a pleasure for myself.
6:06:58 > 6:07:03One of those things I was grateful for having the opportunity to do.
6:07:03 > 6:07:06Hopefully we keep taking it forward and it just gets bigger.
6:07:06 > 6:07:10There have been a few high profile signings. Quite a lot of movement between the clubs.
6:07:10 > 6:07:13Any moves that have particularly caught your eye?
6:07:13 > 6:07:15There have been a few decent moves.
6:07:15 > 6:07:17Stuart Fielden coming to is another interesting one.
6:07:17 > 6:07:23We've had Ukuma Ta'ai as well. Gaz Ellis going back to Hull, I think that's a fantastic one.
6:07:23 > 6:07:25No one probably expected him to go there.
6:07:25 > 6:07:28That shows the ambition of Hull and where they want to go themselves.
6:07:28 > 6:07:30What about your own fitness?
6:07:30 > 6:07:32You had three operations. Are you going to be all right?
6:07:32 > 6:07:35Yes, I am. I am looking forward to ripping back in again.
6:07:35 > 6:07:37It is just maintenance at the end of the year.
6:07:37 > 6:07:40A couple of clean outs and I will be raring to go
6:07:40 > 6:07:44in the first game of this season and looking forward to another good year.
6:07:44 > 6:07:46And then making the world cup squad at the end of the year.
6:07:46 > 6:07:50My thanks to Eorl Crabtree. We will see you next season.
6:07:50 > 6:07:54Let's leave you with some of the defining images of 2012. Goodbye.
6:07:54 > 6:07:56MUSIC: "Some Nights" by FUN
6:08:49 > 6:08:51Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd