The 2024 Betfred Super League season is underway and got off with a big with two big Super League rivals colliding in the shape of bitter rivals Hull FC and Hull KR in a game with two red cards and two yellow cards.
Tonight continues with three big Super League fixtures all on Sky Sports. Former Champions St Helens take on newly promoted London Broncos whilst Leigh Leopards and Huddersfield Giants do battle.
But the main game tonight is something of a reunion. Leeds Rhinos host Salford Red Devils with Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers debuting against their former club and Nene MacDonald doing the same for the Red Devils.
There are high expectations at Headingley in 2024 and Brian Carney believes this means there is pressure on Rohan Smith. He said on Sky Sports: “When I say Leeds are contenders this year because of who they’ve recruited because if not Rohan Smith will be under pressure.”
“But in the balance I’ll take, it’ll be a much stronger Leeds squad. Leeds will be looking top four, that’s what we believe in. Whether they say that or not.”
Sam Tomkins speaks on former Super League Champions
Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com – 24/04/2022 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 10 – Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils – DW Stadium, Wigan, England – The presenters of Channel 4 Rugby Helen Skelton and Sam Tomkins Wigan England
Also on Sky Sports, Sam Tomkins claimed that no one was surprised that Leeds missed out on the play-offs last year.
Tomkins said: “Yeah, I think they have to be better. I think what’s shocking is last year Leeds didn’t make the playoffs. And nobody was that surprised. You know, for a club as successful as Leeds, nobody was saying, ‘oh my, can you believe Leeds didn’t make it?’
“They have a quick fix there with Andy Ackers and Brodie Croft and their chemistry.”
Four of Sky Sports pundits predicted Leeds to be the team from last year’s bottom six to make the top six in 2024 with Jon Wilkin warning there will be “consequences” if they don’t given the money spent on assembling this squad ahead of the Super League season.
