In our first article on our new website, our director Dan discusses the 5 players he thinks will shake up Super League in 2020.
Anthony Gelling (Warrington)
Everyone knows Gelling for his humorous social media posts but after a couple of years away, he is returning to Super League!
Gelling, 29, played for New Zealand Warriors in 2018 & had been playing for Widnes in 2019 but due to their financial problems, could not stay there any longer. He has a new home for 2020 but it’s not with his former club, Wigan. Instead, it’s with the reigning Challenge Cup Winners Warrington Wolves.
Gelling has just performed out of his skin during his inaugural 9s tournament by participating with the Cook Islands side which shocked both Tonga (30-7) & Fiji (12-10) so Warrington fans have high expectations.
George Burgess (Wigan)
Yorkshire-born Burgess has ended his 8-year stint with South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL to join Wigan as one of their marquee signings in 2020!
The England International often plays as a prop but recently, has been in controversy with two incidents regarding eye gouging – both of which saw punishments – which means that he has not played in the last few months.
However, George will enter pastures new in 2020 by beginning his Super League career with the Warriors – a side who have a number of well-known & gifted players including heavily-experienced veteran Sean O’Loughlin, rapid wingers Dom Manfredi & Joe Burgess and Liam Farrell, who has been granted a testimonial year. All of the above players have been recognised for their skill by being participants in previous Super League Dream Teams.
Gareth Widdop (Warrington)
One of Warrington’s marquee signings who, along with other marquee Blake Austin, will form their half-backs for 2020.
30-year-old Widdop will be beginning his Super League career and like George Burgess, will bring a plethora of NRL experience. Widdop has played 196 NRL games with 125 of these being with his most recent club, St George Illawarra, where he was awarded the prestigious accolade of Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year in 2017 for a series of impressive performances. The past two years have been tough for the England International as he, unfortunately, dislocated his shoulder twice & therefore, needed reconstructions.
Warrington fans have already seen Widdop play at the Halliwell Jones as he featured in the St George side which defeated the Wolves 18-12 back in the 2015 World Club Series.
James Maloney (Catalan)
A very impressive gain for Super League is the Australian half-back Maloney, who will join the Perpignan-based Catalan Dragons after signing as their marquee from Penrith Panthers on a 3-year deal.
Maloney brings the most experience over to the UK with an impressive 249 NRL appearances across 5 different clubs; Melbourne Storm, NZ Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla Sharks & Penrith Panthers. Maloney also brings over his 14 games of State of Origin experience including two performances during Game II & III in last year’s series which New South Wales went on to win for the second successive year.
Catalan will have to wait a while to see their stalwart player in action – their first home game is Round 1 against Huddersfield Giants (Saturday 1st Feb)
Mahe Fonua (Hull FC)
Finally, we have chosen Tongan international Mahe Fonua, who will return for his second stint with Hull FC for 2020 and beyond!
Fonua, along with his 58 previous games for Hull where he scored 31 tries, will bring over his 72 additional games of NRL background (51 for Melbourne & 21 for West Tigers). Alike with Widdop, the past two years have been tough for Melbourne-born Mahe as he has sustained a broken arm & a season ending injury.
Fans will remember incredibly powerful Fonua for his contributions towards FC’s two Challenge Cup victories (2016 v Warrington & 2017 v Wigan) along with his performances which earned him two appearances in the Super League Dream Team.
When could you see these players in Super League action?
You may see Gareth Widdop, Anthony Gelling & George Burgess in action on Thursday 30st January as the 2020 Super League kicks off LIVE on Sky Sports with a recently-renewed rivalry as Wigan take on Warrington at the DW Stadium (KO: 7:45pm)
As we mentioned earlier, Catalan Dragons & James Maloney will first be action on Saturday 1st February at the Stade Gilbert Brutus as they battle the Huddersfield Giants (KO: 5pm GMT).
To see Mahe Fonua, Hull FC fans are going to have to wait even longer. The Black and Whites’ opening round fixture sees them play the Leeds Rhinos as part of a history-making double header at Emerald Headingley on Sunday 2nd February (KO: 4:45pm).
The Rugby League Scene 