The Best Teams Of The English Super League Era – November 2009

When Super League was started in England, Rugby League was to change for ever. With the English game having been dominated by one club for so long, new money brought new challengers to the table. This is a look back at the best teams of the Super League era so far.

1. St Helens
Over the course of the Super League Era, St Helens have always been one of the teams to beat. They built a solid foundation in the early days and that foundation has carried them along until today. Throw in some very good signings from the NRL and they are without doubt the best team in the Super League era.

2. Bradford Bulls
In the early noughties Bradford built a very good team on the base of a lot of New Zealand imports. They were not flashing, they were not exciting. They were big, they were relentless, and for a few years they were just about impossible to beat.

3. Leeds Rhinos
Leeds used to be a team that got close, but could never get over the final hurdle. However in the latter part of the decade they had an influx of good juniors make first grade, they made a couple of good signings from other clubs and from the NRL, and it finally got them over the hump, with terrific results.

4. Wigan
Super League seemed made for teams like Wigan, however as other teams strengthened, Wigan seemed to struggle with the new era the British game had found itself in. Unable to buy all the talent it wanted, Wigan started to rely heavily on its own junior, and unfortunately their own juniors were very average over the last part of this decade.

5. Hull FC
Possibly the most controversial selection but here is my thinking. They won a Challenge Cup and in 2006 they took part in the Super League Grand Final (A game I attended). They have looked the most likely to make the step up with the bigger teams without having a rich backer buying up talent for them.

How could League Freak leave out your club! I think he did it on purpose! You should join his web site and then rubbish this list in the comments section below!

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