Toughest start for Crusaders (From South Wales Argus)

Toughest start for Crusaders

1:00pm Thursday 19th November 2009

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THE Crusaders kick off their Super League campaign at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground on Friday, January 29, rather than Newport’s Rodney Parade, against reigning champions Leeds.

Opening matches don’t come much – if any – harder with new coach Brian Noble having his work cut out to start his tenure with a win.

In the corresponding fixture last season, played at Rodney Parade in August, the Rhinos crushed the Crusaders 68-0.

That was on the way to Leeds’ 18-10 Grand Final win over St Helens which gave them an unprecedented hat trick of titles.

The Crusaders are due to play almost all their home games for the next two seasons at Rodney Parade after they moved from Bridgend’s Brewery Field.

But it hasn’t yet been confirmed if their next home game against Hull on February 20 after Leeds will be in Newport.

In fact, none of their home fixtures have been confirmed at either Newport or Wrexham apart from the opener at the Racecourse.

The Crusaders finished bottom of the Super League table this year, their inaugural season in top flight rugby.

Their new coaching team of Noble, Jon Sharp and Iestyn Harris will be desperate to improve on a painful campaign.

The Crusaders won just three out of their 27 games, shipping 874 points while scoring just 357.

And Noble will face his former club Bradford Bulls when Super League’s Magic Weekend takes place in Edinburgh on May 1 and 2.

The Crusaders boss led Bradford to three Super League and three World Club titles and a Challenge Cup Final victory before joining Wigan.

The weekend sees all 14 top flight teams in action over one weekend at Murrayfield.

The date for the Crusaders’ clash with Bradford is yet to be confirmed.

Crusaders Super League fixtures January: 29, Leeds Rhinos (h, at Wrexham FC) February: 5, Wigan Warriors (a); 12, Salford City Reds (a); 20, Hull FC (h).

March: 7, Warrington Wolves (a); 12, St Helens (a); 19 Catalans Dragons (h); 26 Castleford Tigers (a).

April: 2, Harlequins RL (h); 5, Bradford Bulls (a); 11 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (a); 24 Huddersfield Giants (h).

May: 16 Hull KR (a); 22 Wigan Warriors (h).

June: 6, Harlequins RL (a); 12, Bradford Bulls (h); 18, Leeds Rhinos (a); 26 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (h).

July: 3, Warrington Wolves (h); 11 Huddersfield Giants (a); 17, Catalans Dragons (a); 24, Castleford Tigers (h); 31, Salford City Reds (h).

August: 13, Hull FC (a); 21, St Helens (h).

September: 4, Hull KR (h).

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