2004 Super League season

Last updated
Super League IX
League Super League
Duration28 Rounds
Teams12
Highest attendance23,375
Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos (2 July)
Lowest attendance2,198
London Broncos vs Salford City Reds (28 March)
Attendance1,439,706 Increase2.svg
(average 8,570)
Broadcast partners Sky Sports
2004 Season
Champions Leeds Rhinos
1st Super League title
4th British title
League Leaders Leeds Rhinos
Man of Steel Flag of England.svg Andrew Farrell
Top point-scorer(s) Flag of England.svg Kevin Sinfield (277)
Top try-scorer(s) Flag of Tonga.svg Lesley Vainikolo (36)
Promotion and relegation
Promoted from National League One Leigh Centurions
Relegated to National League One Castleford Tigers

Tetley's Super League IX was the name of the 2004 Super League championship season due to sponsorship by Tetley's Bitter. [1] This was the 110th season of top-level professional rugby league held in Britain, and the ninth championship decided by Super League. The season culminated in the grand final between Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls, which Leeds won, claiming the 2004 title.

Contents

Season summary

During this season Leeds claimed a couple of records, they became the 1st team until Castleford in 2017 to accumulate 50 points from the regular rounds and finished a record 9 points clear of 2nd placed Bradford Bulls, they also became only the 2nd team in the Super League era to finish at home with a 100% record in the regular weekly rounds. Lesley Vainikolo scored more tries than anybody else that season with 37, beating Danny McGuire who finished on 36.

Table

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos (L, C)2824221037443+59450Semi Final
2 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls 282017918565+35341
3 Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. 281927843478+36540Elimination Semi Final
4 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors 281747736558+17838
5 Saintscolours.svg St Helens 2817110821662+15935
6 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 2815013788662+12630
7 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants 2812016518757−23924
8 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves 2810117700715−1521
9 Redscolours.svg Salford City Reds 288020507828−32116
10 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos 287120561968−40715
11 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings 287021466850−38414
12 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers (R)286022515924−40912Relegation to National League One
Source: Rugby League Project
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (L) League Leaders' Shield Winners; (R) Relegated

Play-offs

Elimination play-offsQualifying / Elimination semifinalElimination final Grand Final
1 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos 12 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos 16
2 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls 26 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls 8
Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos 40
3 Hullcolours.svg Hull 18
Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors 12
6 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 28
Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors 18
Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 14
4 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors 18
5 Saintscolours.svg St. Helens 12

Media

Television

Live Super League IX matches were broadcast in the United Kingdom by Sky Sports in the first year of a new five-year television deal. [1] The contract was signed less than three weeks before the start of the season. [2] The deal, worth £53 million, represented a 15 percent, or £7 million, increase on the last contract. [1] [3] The contract would run until the end of the 2008 season and also cover the international game minus the 2008 World Cup, which is worth £5 million of the total amount. [1] [4] It was speculated in the media that clubs would receive around £700,000-£800,000 per year from the deal - less than the £1 million clubs received in 1995 when British rugby league agreed to switch to a summer season. [1] [3] The clubs had received in initial offer of £55.5 million from Sky, one of two offers rejected; after that offer was declined the amount was reduced with the final figure agreed being settled later after an intervention by Maurice Lindsay. [3] [4] Sky's offer took into account their dissatisfaction with the - BBC requested - proposed move of the Challenge Cup Final to between May and August in 2005, which they believed was too near to the October Grand Final. [3] An RFL spokesman said: "To increase our overall take in a falling market is a major step forward for our game". [4] Vic Wakeling speaking for Sky said: "Our relationship with rugby league is one of the longest in the 12-year history of Sky Sports and we are delighted to be announcing the same again in terms of Super League and international rights. [2]

The BBC secured secondary broadcast rights to show the Super League play-offs and Grand Final nationally with a provision to show match highlights of regular season games. [3] Previously, a deal with the BBC had seen a Sky highlights package shown in the BBC's northern regions. [3]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Telegraph (2004-02-03). "More money for League from TV deal". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  2. 1 2 Andy Wilson (2004-02-04). "New Sky deal gives League £53m boost". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Christopher Irvine (2004-02-04). "BBC seals terrestrial broadcasting deal". Times Online. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  4. 1 2 3 Dave Hadfield (2004-02-04). "RFL secures £53m five-year television contract". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-07-25.[ dead link ]
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