Gentle aiming for success at Hull

New Hull FC (Grand Final outright with bet365) boss Peter Gentle says that he will be doing all he can to make the Humberside club genuine Super League contenders and insists he isn’t using his spell in England to engineer a move back to the NRL.

The Australian succeeded Richard Agar at the KC Stadium in what is his first role as a head coach after years of being an assistant to Tim Sheens at the Wests Tigers.

Gentle was given the job by new FC director of rugby Shaun McRae, who had coincidently recommended his compatriot to succeed him as the coach when he left the Salford City Reds last season.

However, Gentle declined saying he wanted to see out the rest of his contract with the Sydneysiders before deciding on his next move.

McRae was adamant he would get his man though and, following Agar’s departure, immediately offered Gentle the job and the former half-back says he is excited about trying to turn the Black and Whites into genuine contenders (Regular Season outright with bet365).

“It’s something I’ve looked at for quite a while,” he said. “I did six years under Tim Sheens and he was encouraging me to get a job.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, coach in Super League, and I’m not using it as a stepping stone to get back into the NRL or anything like that.”

Saints trio could miss opener

St Helens could be without key trio Paul Wellens, Tony Puletua and Michael Shenton for their Super League season opener at London Broncos due to injury (Super League matches – handicap with tie – London Broncos +12 10/11, St Helens -12 10/11, tie 16/1 with bet365).

Wellens and Puletua are recovering from close-season operations but could be involved at the Broncos, who were known as Harlequins last season, but Shenton will definitely miss out as he continues his recovery from nerve damage in his shoulder.

Coach Royce Simmons told the St Helens Star: “He (Puletua) is targeting the first round, but it is touch and go. Wello has had a bone spur shaved off and although he is again targeting round one.

“Michael Shenton dislocated his elbow in the Grand Final, but what people don’t know is that he carried nerve damage in his shoulder into that game.

“Those nerves heal when they want to. You can’t do anything about them – you have just got to wait.”

Saints have lost the last four Grand Finals and Simmons will be eager to go one better in 2012, although it would seem as if Wellens, Puletua and Shenton will all miss the season opener (Grand Final winner – St Helens 7/2 with bet365).

Myler blow for Wolves

Warrington Wolves (11/4 Grand Final Winner with bet365) have been hit by a major blow with the news that scrum-half Richie Myler will miss the opening rounds of Super League after dislocating his elbow.

The England man was forced off the field after only 29 minutes of the Wolves’ 32-18 Boxing Day friendly match against Widnes Vikings.

Myler was instrumental in the Wolves’ superb campaign in 2011 as they finished top of the table before crashing out in the play-offs to eventual champions Leeds Rhinos (Wolves 9/4 Regular Season Winner with bet365).

The injury is likely to see him miss the Wire’s upcoming pre-season trip to Australia and, more importantly, his side’s first few Super League matches.

Tony Smith and his men are due to fly to Down Under at the turn of the year for a three-week training and conditioning camp before facing NRL side South Sydney on January 28.

Smith is understandably unhappy about the injury and says he is disappointed for Myler, who has been in fine form in training.

“It’s a significant injury and one that’s come at a bad time,” said Smith. “He’s been training exceptionally well and he was definitely keyed up for a big start to the season.

“But he may just have to delay that a little bit – it’s a blow for him.”

Rhinos ace eyes Grand Final repeat

Jamie Jones-Buchanan insists the fact he has won five Grand Finals with Leeds Rhinos has not dampened his desire for silverware after signing a new deal with the Super League giants (Grand Final outright – Leeds Rhinos 9/2 with bet365).

Jones-Buchanan, 30, has just signed a three-year extension with the Rhinos and the England international is keen to end his career with Leeds.

He told the club’s official website: “It has always been a privilege to play for Leeds Rhinos and by agreeing a new long-term contract, my intention is to finish my playing days here and only ever play for Leeds.

“The novelty of pulling on a Rhinos shirt and playing at Headingley Carnegie has never worn off for me.”

Jones-Buchanan insists he is keen to secure more Grand Final titles with Leeds. The second-rower is also desperate to land the Challenge Cup title, a trophy that has eluded the Super League side since 1999, although they have tasted defeat in the last two finals (Challenge Cup outright – Leeds Rhinos 13/2 with bet365).

He added: “I am greedy for success, all the boys are. That is the funny thing about when you win those big games, you want more of that and you won’t settle for anything else, it drives you on.

“We have got a lot of young lads in the squad now and they inspire the older guys to keep striving for more. We want to win the Challenge Cup and retain the title.”

Ellis ready to rock

Gareth Ellis is in contention to return to the England side for Saturday’s Gillette Four Nations final clash against Australia at Elland Road (England 7/2, draw 25/1, Australia 2/9 – bet365 Match Result).

The second rower missed last weekend’s win over New Zealand with a back problem but he has now recovered to take his place in a 21-man squad which will be cut by four in due course.

McNamara has also named Garreth Carvell is his squad after the Warrington prop replaced Ellis last week in the only change during the tournament to date.

Huddersfield centre Leroy Cudjoe, Rhinos winger Ben Jones-Bishop and hooker Michael McIlorum of Wigan are the three players omitted from the 24-man squad.

The Kangaroos are the 1/5 favourites to win the Four Nations, with England available at 10/3 to pull off a shock win in West Yorkshire.

England: S Tomkins (Wigan), R Hall (Leeds), J Reed (Brisbane), K Yeaman (Hull), T Briscoe (Hull), K Sinfield (Leeds), R Chase (Castleford), D McGuire (Leeds), G Widdop (Melbourne), J Graham (St Helens), G Carvell (Warrington), J Roby (St Helens), J Peacock (Leeds, capt), A Morley (Warrington), R Bailey (Leeds), J Wilkin (St Helens), B Westwood (Warrington), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), C Heighington (Wests Tigers), J Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), C Ablett (Leeds).

England expect Ellis return

Wests Tigers forward Gareth Ellis is expected to feature for England in their Four Nations showdown with Australia on Saturday (England 7/2, draw 25/1, Australia 2/9 – 80 minutes bet365).

The powerful second-rower missed his side’s impressive 28-6 victory over New Zealand at the KC Stadium last weekend with a back injury.

Ellis sustained the problem during England’s 36-20 defeat at the hands of the Kangaroos at Wembley but is expected to be back in the thick of the action for their next encounter at Elland Road on Saturday.

England(10/3 Four Nations outright with bet365) head coach Steve McNamara is confident the 30-year-old will make a return to the side ahead of the crucial game against the Australians.

He said: “Gareth was very close to being fit and I would be surprised if he wasn’t available this week.”

As for Australia they will be without star full-back Billy Slater, who also suffered an injury at Wembley, but Darren Lockyer is set for his return after being rested for the comprehensive victory over Wales.

The Australian legend is set to make his final appearance at Elland Road before retiring from rugby league after a long and successful career.

Leuluai – Tomkins can hurt Kangaroos

New Zealand’s Thomas Leuluai has backed his Wigan team-mate Sam Tomkins to help England see off Australia in the Four Nations final on Saturday (England 7/2, Tie 25/1, Australia 2/9 – Match Betting with bet365).

Leuluai was impressed with the way England performed in eliminating his side from the competition with their 28-6 victory in Hull over the weekend.

However, Steve McNamara’s side have already been defeated by Australia so far in this year’s competition when they went down 36-20 at Wembley.

The Kangaroos remain unbeaten, having easily dispatched Wales with 10 tries in the final group game at the Racecourse Ground on Sunday.

Despite Australia’s dominance on this year’s competition, Leuluai believes England (11/8 to score the first try in the Four Nations final with bet365) are capable of beating Tim Sheen’s side if they repeat their display against the Kiwis.

“If they play like that and complete the sets like they did, they definitely have a chance of winning,” he said. “They’ve got a great forward pack who dominated and, if they do that again, they’ve got a big chance.”

Leuluai felt Tomkins was outstanding against New Zealand and believes he is the player capable of hurting Australia the most.

“He’s a special player,” he added. “I found out. I’m glad he’s on my side.

“If England’s pack dominate like that [against Australia], Sam’s going to have the time and space. I’m definitely going for England.”

The Four Nations final will take place from Elland Road on Saturday with Australia firm favourites to pick up the trophy.

Leuluai backing Tomkins and England

New Zealand international Thomas Leuluai believes England (4/1 Four Nations outright with bet365) have what it takes to defeat Australia in next Saturday’s Four Nations final at Elland Road.

The Wigan hooker was part of the Kiwi side that lost 28-6 to Steve McNamara’s team at the KC Stadium in Hull on Saturday and feels a repeat performance from the home side could see them defeat the Australians.

“I’m definitely going for England,” he said. “If they play like that and complete the sets like they did, they definitely have a chance of winning.

“They’ve got a great forward pack who dominated and, if they do that again, they’ve got a big chance.”

Tim Sheen’s side have cruised through the tournament so-far and comfortably beat England at Wembley last week. However, many believed the Australians benefitted from a number of debatable calls from the referee.

And with a number of key individuals performing in the showdown against the Kiwis, Leuluai feels England are now ready to take on the Kangaroos and win.

Leuluai’s Wigan team-mate Sam Tomkins was one of these star players to perform on the night and the hooker feels the full-back could hold the key to any possible success for England, not just next Saturday, but in future tournaments (England 15/2 World Cup outright with bet365).

“He’s a special player. I suppose I found out that I’m glad he’s on my side and I’m not playing against him. He was pretty hard to handle.”

Kangaroos wary of Wales

Australia head-coach Tim Sheens has insisted his side have prepared properly for their Four Nations clash with Wales in Wrexham on Sunday, despite already qualifying for the final (Wales 40/1, draw 66/1, Australia 1/500 with bet365).

The Kangaroos booked their place in the final of the competition following victories over New Zealand and England (9/1 Four Nations outright with bet365).

Now the tournament favourites take on Wales, who are yet to win a game in the Four Nations after heavy defeats to the hosts and the Kiwis, as they struggle to compete with the big three rugby league countries.

Despite being heavy favourites, Sheens insists his side have done their homework ahead of their clash with the Welsh and has highlighted Warrington Wolves star Lee Briers as their potential danger man.

He said: “I’ve watched their games. I watched the England game live.

“They’ve got a good kicking game with Briers and their forwards are willing. They’ve a little bit of speed in the backs.”

Heighington highlights NZ danger

Chris Heighington has warned his team-mates that Benji Marshall is the man the most likely to end England’s chances of reaching the Four Nations final when they take on New Zealand on Saturday (England 5/4, Tie 20/1, New Zealand 8/11 Match Betting with bet365).

It is all to play for at Wembley with both sides on two points after beating Wales and losing to Australia, while the points difference is identical at 22.

Which ever side wins on Saturday will go on to play the Kangaroos in the final on November 19th at Elland Road and Heighington is fully aware of the biggest threat to England – his Wests Tiger team-mate Marshall (13/8 Anytime Tryscorer with bet365).

“He’s a star obviously and we’ll be trying to minimise his impact in the game,” Heighington said.

“He’s pretty off-the-cuff and hard to read – even at training, where he’s got a lot of trick plays.

“I don’t think you can cut him fully out but, if you can slow their forwards up, it takes a bit out of his game. If we can do that, we’ve a chance of winning.”

England, who lost 36-20 to Australia last weekend, are still awaiting news on Jamie Peacock, James Graham and Gareth Ellis, who are doubtful after picking up injuries against the Kangaroos.