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“I WANT TO WIN MAN OF STEEL.” St Helens youngster Danny Richardson talks about how he wants to become the best.

OLIVER GILDART Young Player of the Year discusses how he thought his career was over.

PLUS EXCLUSIVES

INTERVIEW WITH REECE LYNE ABOUT HIS TIME WITH PETER MATA’UTIA DISCUSSES LIFE WITH LEIGH, JAMES CLARE RE-JOINS 2 Rugby League Paper

CLARES’ CASTLEFORD COMEBACK by Josh McAllister ames Clare has admitted it’s a ‘real “It’s something that the tigers group have special feeling’ to re-sign for the club “IT DIDN’T TAKE spoken about,” Clare explained. where he made his Super League “It’s a game we’ll remind ourselves of. Jdebut back in 2012. MUCH “It’s something that the team as a group The utility back played his first three- PERSUADING AT will remember and will continue to re- years of professional rugby league with ALL TO SIGN THE member to push ourselves. the Tigers, making 38 appearances and “We’ve had meetings and talked about quickly establishing himself as a fan’s CONTRACT” wanting to go one better and become the favourite with 24 tries. greatest team ever.” In 2015 Clare joined the Bulls “The Catalan’s captain came and said Clare has joined the club for pre-, in the , before a few words to the whole team and has spoken about his excitement to be making a move to Leigh at the end and expressed he back at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle. Centurions for the 2017 didn’t enjoy it. “It’s a real special feeling for me person- season back in the Super “One of those things, ally. League. and unlucky to be a “I never wanted to leave the first time However, an ACL p ar t of .” around so to get another chance was injury side-lined , months later great. the player for the James Clare will re- “They’re such a bigger club and have majority of the sea- join greater ambitions since I was last here. son, before making and the club where “Hopefully I’ll be part of something spe- a comeback with six his career began. cial to a tries in five games. “It didn’t take much team that’s One of those tries persuading at all to meant so were scored during sign the contract,” much to the Million Pound said Clare. m e .” Game, which saw his “I jumped at the op- side relegated back to the portunity. It’s such a great Picture Championship after just club with talented players credit: one year in the top division. and a great challenge to be the North “It’s a really difficult game to play and best I can be.” Photo- to get up for,” said the 26-year-old. Castleford Tigers made the graphic “Contracts are on the line and every for the first time in their history after nar- player wants to win, but you’re playing rowly beating St Helens in in against the players with the same thought the semi-finals. process. However, their dream year was cut short “It’s a game not worth celebrating in suffering a 24-6 defeat to Brian McDer- James Clare back with Castleford in sense. mott’s Rhinos. 2016. Credit: @JamesClare91

SAM WILDE READY FOR NEW CHAPTER WITH VIKINGS

ormer Wolves forward Sam “I enjoyed the set up, the training and enjoyed The second-rower has also made appearances FWilde has expressed his excitement to getting out there and playing for them as well so for and League 1 side Roch- start a new chapter with hopefully that can continue.” dale Hornets, but is now ready to push for a after signing a two-year contract. Wilde made six appearances for the Vikings in top eight spot with the Vikings who are well The 22-year-old made his debut in 2015 2017, including their fixture at the Magic Week- underway in pre-season. under Tony Smith, and went on to make over end against Wakefield. “We’re looking to get into the top 8 this season. 20 appearances for the Wolves including a He has expressed his gratitude to Warrington, a “Nobody wants to be in the bottom four and in Grand Final appearance in 2016. club in which he has been with since the start of the middle eights. However, just a month with Widnes on loan his career.w “The Championship sides are getting stronger was enough to persuade the youngster to join “I’m really grateful for everyone at Warrington,” each year. Now there’s competition from the the rivals under Dennis Betts. Wilde said. likes of Toronto, Leigh and London. “I really enjoyed my time there,” he ex- “I’ve been there since I was 15, and have been “No Super League team will want to be in the plained. through the youth system and enjoyed my time bottom four this season.” “I got on well with the lads. there but I felt the time was right to move on.” Rugby League Paper 3

REECE LYNE: WAKEFIELD HAS BECOME MY HOME

Reece Lynn has explained it was a good feeling to we’ve got at the club” prove the pundits wrong last year after Wake- “I’m hoping to improve again this season.” field’s successful campaign. Wakefield have recruited just a handful of players Chris Chester’s men were predicted by many to for the 2018 season, including Catalan Dragons be fighting for their Super League title, but the back-rower , but lost stand-out player team had other plans. Sam Williams who has returned back to the NRL. The Trinity, formally known as Wakefield Wild- “Sam is a great lad and a great player. I got on cats, finished fifth in the Super League season really well with him. and made it to the quarter-finals of the Challenge “We had some great depths in the halves with Cup. Finn, Milky and Sam so it was always tough to Lynn, who takes the number four shirt for the decide who’d play there. second consecutive year at Wakefield, has admit- “Sam had limited opportunities towards the end ted the season was an achievement. with Jacob Miller and going really “Last year was really successful,” said the 25-year- well, so he made the decision to go back. old. “But now we have Ryan Hampshire this year and “The pundits and the media made their opinions he looks sharp so he will put good competition clear of us at the beginning of the season so it was on for the halfback spot.” good to prove a few people wrong. Despite playing over 110 games since 2012 for “Missing out on that four was a bit gutting as we Wakefield, the centre still believes he has to claim got so close to it, but we’re hoping to make that a spot in the squad after signing a new two-year goal this season.” contract. The former Hull FC man, who scored 9 tries in “I want to stake a claim in the team this year,” said 2017, suffered an ACL injury, but is looking to Lyne. come back better and stronger in the upcoming “I want to keep improving every week and be a campaign. real threat with the ball and strong in defence. “It was pretty successful up until I got my injury,” “I’ve really enjoy my time at the club, the lads he said. are great and great coaching staff so it was a no “I was in good form until I picked up my ACL brainer to extend my contract. Reece Lyne is motivated to claim his spot in injury and obviously have to get back in the team “It was a pretty simple decision. Wakefield has 2018. Credit: North Photographic which is always tough with the quality of centres become like my home.”

EXPERTS OPINION: BBC PUNDIT DAVE WOODS PREDICTS SUPER LEAGUE XXIII Grand Final? Wembley will host the Challenge St Helens are going to take some stopping this year. Cup Final in 2018. Credit: Nick League Leaders? Richards, Creative Commons. I think St Helens will be the League Leaders. In a way, that’s easier to predict because you look at their squad. ? The great unknown of the Challenge Cup is the draw. I think Wakefield have come close past couple of years. It could be a Castleford made their first Grand year that Wakefield Final appearance in 2017. Photo Trinity lift it. Credit Pat Neary, Creative Commons. 4 Rugby League Paper

OLIVER GILDART HUNGRY OLIVER GILDART: POSSIBLE CAREER ENDING INJURY TO YOUNG SUPER LEAGUE PLAYER AWARD, A YEAR TO REMEMBER. by Josh McAllister Olier Gildart has admitted his career was almost over after due to “We had the chance to do it this year but lost in the final. a back injury, before making one of the greatest returns known to It’s always been a dream of mine to win at Wembley so I’m rugby league, hoping this year we can go on and do that.” The 21-year-old featured in his side’s victory over NRL Champions The player continued his form and received the Young Play- Cronulla Sharks in the , crowning them the er of the Year award at the Super League Awards night, an Champions. achievement that made his year. The classy centre scored one of ’s four tries, which saw team- “It was massive for me. Obviously we didn’t succeed in any- mate bag a hat-trick. thing last season, so personally to pick up that award it gave “Looking back I’ve realised just how big the game was,” said me positives about the year. Gildart, whose father had also played for Wigan in the 80s. “I was buzzing.” “It came around so fast, we played one game of the season then it Despite his personal achievements, Wigan failed to claim was here. Looking back now, it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever any silverware in the 2017 season, something that rarely h a d .” happens at the established side admits Gildart. Fast forward to two months later, and Gildart admitted that his “At Wigan, you’re expected to win things and as a player and career was almost over when he sustained a back injury when his as a team everyone knows that. side faced the . “If we don’t make top four everyone’s disappointed. Gildart had recently received a promotion to the starting centre “I think last year was the first year we’ve not been to the spot under , but his injury could have seen him never Grand Final in a few years, so training has been really hard feature on a field again. this year. It has stepped up quite a lot making sure that we “The doctors said if it had been any higher I would have been get there this season.” However, Wigan face an uphill battle after losing Anthony Oliver Gildart at Wigan’s media Gelling, a face that often lit up the Super League world. day. Courtesy of the Wigan Ireland international Michael McIIorum also made the Observer’ switch to French side for the upcoming season. “They are both massive characters and massive players for us on and off the pitch,” he explained. “It’s sad to see them go, but we’ve got the players to go on. “it has opened up to have a bit more of a bigger role this year for us. “He played at dummy-half when we won the Grand Final when Micky was injured, so that year was probably the best year he’s had at Wigan. “This is his year now to crack on and make that paralysed,” said Gildart, whose father had also played for Wigan in 9 shirt his. I’m hoping the forwards. he does well.” “It was my first big injury to be honest, so mentally it was pretty Wigan will travel to tough and physically I was out completely for a month. to face Hull “I lost everything I worked on in pre-season. I was pretty gutted.” FC in the second round The youngster was side-lined for three-months before making his of the Super League, a anticipated return in the derby vs Leigh. concept that has never But he returned a better player, helping his side make the Chal- before been seen in the lenge Cup at Wembley. However, the dream was cut short as Wigan Super League. Oliver Gildart hopes best mate Sam lost out to underdogs Hull FC. They will then face NRL Powell will claim a spot this year “Wembley was a big one,” he said. side South Rabbi- with Wigan Credit: @OliverGildart3 Rugby League Paper 5

FOR SUCCESS IN 2018 OLIVER GILDART: POSSIBLE CAREER ENDING INJURY TO YOUNG SUPER LEAGUE PLAYER AWARD, A YEAR TO REMEMBER. Oliver Gildart celebrates his try against Red Devils Credit: @OliverGildart3

“We had the chance to do it this year but lost in the final. It’s always been a dream of mine to win at Wembley so I’m hoping this year we can go on and do that.” The player continued his form and received the Young Play- er of the Year award at the Super League Awards night, an achievement that made his year. “It was massive for me. Obviously we didn’t succeed in any- thing last season, so personally to pick up that award it gave me positives about the year. “I was buzzing.” Despite his personal achievements, Wigan failed to claim any silverware in the 2017 season, something that rarely happens at the established side admits Gildart. “At Wigan, you’re expected to win things and as a player and as a team everyone knows that. “If we don’t make top four everyone’s disappointed. “I think last year was the first year we’ve not been to the Grand Final in a few years, so training has been really hard this year. It has stepped up quite a lot making sure that we get there this season.” However, Wigan face an uphill battle after losing , a face that often lit up the Super League world. Ireland international Michael McIIorum also made the tohs as a part of the World Club Challenge. EXPERT CORNER switch to French side Catalans Dragons for the upcoming season. Gildart has admitted training has become a lot more intense, and “They are both massive characters and massive players for us on the players are eager to lift silverware this year. JONATHAN DAVIES: IS A and off the pitch,” he explained. “Everyone seems a lot more hungry coming into this year,” he LOSER’S GAME “It’s sad to see them go, but we’ve got the players to go on. said. “it has opened up Sam Powell to have a bit more of a bigger role “Everyone’s a bit angry that we didn’t make the final last year. Jonathan Davies has confessed he believes the this year for us. “A lot of the lads aren’t used to that at Wigan, they are used to Million Pound Games is for losers, but it’s here to stay. “He played at dummy-half when we won the Grand Final when winning trophies. Micky was injured, so that year was probably the best year he’s had “Personally since I’ve been in the first team squad I’ve only seen us “You know that it’s there at the start of the season, so at Wigan. go to Grand Finals. So it’s made me a lot more hungry to succeed you can’t really complain about it becaue it’s in position. “This is his year now to this year and I’m hoping the team can do that.” “You can’t celebrate it because it’s a loser’s game. crack on and make that “One’s a real loser, and one’s got out of jail. It’s still rel- 9 shirt his. I’m hoping egation at the end of the day. I think they have tried to he does well.” glam it up and make it interesting. Wigan will travel to “What I would do, is look how to Australia to face Hull make the comeptition a lot more interesting and competitive. FC in the second round “I understand what they’re of the Super League, a trying to do, but they need concept that has never to make it more competi- before been seen in the tive, like they do in the NRL. Super League. “If that means cutting teams, They will then face NRL Wigan won the Grand Final in 2016. then so be it. It’s a question of @JiffyRugby getting that quality and raising side South Sydney Rabbi- Credit: @OliverGildart3 the quality of what’s below them.” 6 Rugby League Paper

TOP FIVE SUPER LEAGUE SIGNINGS

DAVID MEAD FORMER CLUB: NRL APPS: 159 PNG CAPS: 10 CLUB: CATALAN

PAULI PAULI FORMER CLUB: NRL APPS: 48 CLUB: WAKEFIELD

BRYSON Danny Richardson featured for GOODWIN Saints against Hull FC. FORMER CLUB: SOUTH SYDNEY Pictures: Bernard Platt RABBITOHS NRL APPS: 179 NZ CAPS: 6 DANNY RICHARDSON EAGER TO CLAIM CLUB: WARRINGTON STARTING SPOT AT SAINTS

GARY LO The young talented halfback is set of reserve games, but doesn’t believe FORMER CLUB: to be the next big hit in the Super the concept is entirely helping develop League and admits he wants to be players. APPS: 46 the best when he gets his chance at St “Reserve level is trying to work, but it’s PNG CAPS: 5 Helens. tough,” he said. CLUB: CASTLEFORD Danny Richardson has confessed he “I might play one game in every four JACK LITTLEJOHN knows how good he is, but playing weeks. FORMER CLUB: time has come hard at St Helens since “Sometimes it was even longer without his under 19s days. a game, and even then it’s teams scrap- NRL APPS: 22 The young halfback was a crucial part ing a squad. CLUB: SALFORD of the unbeaten under 19s St Helens “You’re not playing against the best squad in 2016 which saw him claim players who I believe I’m good enough man of the match in the Grand Final. to be playing against week in week out.” However now at the age of 21 he has However, the St Helens academy prod- found it tough to play regular games uct made his debut in 2017 and im- for the Saints, where the halfback role pressed the entire Super League, filling is one of the most competitive in the in the spot lefy by then-injured Matty

Gary Lo will join squad. Smith. Castleford in 2018. Richardson has featured in a handful “It was class. That’s what you want to Picture: Simon Hall Rugby League Paper 7

“I WANT TO WIN MAN OF STEEL. I WANT TO BE THE BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE.” do,” said the half-back. I appreciate and I don’t feel pressure St Helens play their first fixture of “That’s why the under 19s is in place. around him. I enjoy him coaching 2018 against Championship side It’s to develop the players so that they m e .” Sheffield Eagles in a friendly this can go on into the first team.” St Helens failed to claim any silver- Saturday. “The last game that I played before ware in 2017, but Richardson has my debut was the 2016 Grand Final. predicted a big year for both him- So I had gone straight off that still in self and his side in the upcoming a high during pre season and the next campaign after their first pre-season first game that I could have played at under Holdbrook. which was the Leeds one I played in “Without speaking too soon, have a so I was basically getting rewarded.” good feeling about this year,” Rich- Richardson has been praised by ardson said. many, including Head Coach Justin “We’ve had three months of pre Holbrook. season now to gel more as a team and “I like him a lot as a coach and as playing the way Justin wants us to a person and I assume he feels the play. I think we’ve got a good shout same way about me. this year. “I like the way he plays, he encour- “Personally I want to be in the start- ages me to do the team structure ing 17 every week. If I am playing, I bit and do little bits off the cuff. He want to win man of steel. I want to be includes that side of the game which the best player in the league.” Rugby League Paper 8

CHAMPIONSHIP EXCLUSIVE

NRL IMPORT PETER MATA’UTIA HAPPY TO HELP LEIGH DESPITE BEING CLOSE TO RETIREMENT

Former Newcastle Knights Peter Ma- captain. my teammates, and then make the Super ta’utia has joined recently-relegated Leigh It was only until he spoke with Kieron League and stay there.” Centurions on a three-year deal and faces Cunningham, Leigh’s Head of Rugby, that “I’m very excited to play with my new a challenge he’s happy to accept. he was persuaded to continue his career teammates in 2018.” Mata’utia made his debut in the NRL with at 27. the Knights in 2011 before signing with “I had a good chat with Kieron about the St George Illawarra Dragons, where the vision of the club and where it was he made 35 appearances scoring 11 tries. heading and I wanted to be a part of The Australian-born player admits he that. was close to retiring before hearing about “It was the recording of Derek Beau- ’’ offer. mont [Leigh’s owner] on Twitter that “To be honest I made my mind up got me over the line. The passion he pretty early that I didn’t want to play for had when he spoke about the rele- Newcastle anymore,” he admitted, with gation and getting back to the Super the club offering him a further one-year League. extension. “He sounded like a man who doesn’t “I wasn’t ready to pack up my family and give up especially when things get leave to another NRL club, so I was going tough.” to retire from professional footy. Mata’utia has received the number “My Manager told me he had a couple four jersey for the upcoming season, of offers from NRL and Super League and is enjoying life in Leigh. during the year but I wasn’t interested. “I was lucky to get the number four,” “My mind was already made up.” he said. The outside back re-joined the Knights “There’s some good backs in this team for the 2017 season, joining his three and my son wanted me to get the Peter Mata’utia caught in action. younger brothers; Pat, Chanel and Sione, number four. By Naparazzi, creative the latter currently leading the Knights as “My first goal is to earn the respect of commons.

SUPER LEAGUE ROUND ONE FIXTURES Thursday February 1st Picture by Chris Jones, Cre- Hull FC vs ative Commons. vs Leeds Rhinos

Friday February 2nd Hull KR Vs Salford Red Devfils vs St Helens vs Castleford Tigers

Sunday February 4th Widnes Vikings vs Catalans Dragons