Bulls chairman Chris Caisley has thrown down the gauntlet to title favourites Wigan as the countdown to Super League III launch night continues.

While the reigning champions were putting the final touches to their preparations for a spectacular launch night against Huddersfield Giants at the McAlpine Stadium on Friday, Caisley insisted: "All the talk is about Wigan. We will see about that with our performances on the field.

"We are the champions and only lost two games last season but all we hear is Wigan, Wigan and more Wigan.

"It's annoying but it's now up to the players to redress the balance.

"We have some excellent players, a strong squad and with luck on the injury front I feel we are going to be very strong contenders again.

"It hasn't started well with the disappointment of losing Paul Anderson but Matthew (Elliott) is happy that he has sufficient cover and the emergence of Stuart Fielden is a real plus. I think he will be really pressing for inclusion as the season goes on.

"It should be a great opening night at the McAlpine. Huddersfield are very fired-up, there is a great entertainment package organised and we hope our fans can come up trumps again and help give the competition an opening night boost."

Financial incentives are massive with the news that the winners of Super League's inaugural JJB Grand Final will collect a record £275,000 prize.

The bumper pay-out, announced at the Super League launch at Old Trafford yesterday is more than double the amount the Bulls picked up for lifting the title last year.

Former St Helens utility back Phil Vievers, the newly-appointed assistant coach of Huddersfield, will spearhead the Giants' assault from stand-off on Friday night.

Huddersfield player-coach Garry Schofield has opted for his right-hand man, who celebrates his 34th birthday in May, in preference to fellow Australians Dean Hanger and Craig Weston.

"Phil played very well against Warrington in our last friendly. He came off the bench after 25 or 30 minutes and settled the lads down. He has the organisation skills we need."

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