Brian Noble reveals the period in Super League IMG need to replicate

Brian Noble was once at the Super League summit leading Bradford to three Grand Final triumphs in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

He went on to coach at Wigan Warriors in 2006 but believes this period was when Super League was at its best and had teams capable of competing with the NRL and rugby union.

It is this period he feels IMG need to try and emulate:

“Between 1999 and 2006 the standard of Super League was unbelievable. The teams Saints, Bradford, Leeds, Hull, Wigan had were of the highest calibre and would match whatever rugby union and the NRL had.

“It was a brilliant place to be with world class superstars on both sides especially in this fixture and throughout the game which is why the game had an international flavour to it.

“Everyone understood that it was a great game and the athletes playing it were of the highest class and we have to get back to that.

“We have to show people how good this game is and to do that we need Leeds and Bradford to earn their right to be at that top table.”

He also reflected on the days when the Leeds-Bradford fixture held the two biggest attendances in Super League history:

“The most important fixture was Leeds and they grew within that period and started to knock us off which was terrible and the sleepless nights it gave me.

“We had the record Super League crowds, one at Headingley and Odsal, the people of Bradford and Leeds, and neutrals enjoyed it.”

The Rhinos host Bradford tomorrow in a pre-season friendly.