XIII Oceans

With Saints pushing the champions all the way, Harlequins shocking the next-big-things and Dwain Chambers promised some kicking tee duties on Sunday it’s been an interesting week in SL as we plough into round ten.  Round ten?  The NRL is, in contrast, heading into round five without any additional rounds for challenge cup ties or additional fixtures so just remember that come the end of the season when the superhuman efforts of Harlequins RL fade into obscurity at the World Cup as our exhausted heroes are dragged onto the paddock for humiliation at the hands of the Australians.  It’s a saddening thought because some of the forward efforts this year have been the strongest for years and finally just as it looks like Peacock might well get some fresh blood out there supporting him, they’ll probably be shattered. 

Huddersfield v Catalans (+
The Giants followed up an excellent win against Saints by pinching a point at Hull KR and they’ll be fancying their chances against the league’s most penalised side.  Although the Dragons are undefeated in four games they haven’t been conclusive victories and whilst this is a game that both teams can win I expect that Huddersfield’s form at home is going to be too good for them to let two points slip from their grasp, however don’t rule out a close game because this Catalans side has shown that it can put points on the board with Bosc and Mogg alleviating the absence of Casey McGuire.  Giants by 6.

(+4) Hull v Bradford
Last week Hull ruined their 100% record in the south of France, dropping a point in a draw that could easily have been a win.  The Bulls, on the other hand, took the Tigers to the cleaners and that was the kind of result that Brian Noble would use to stablise his side against a poor run of form.  Can the faltering Steve McNamara do the same?  Had Hull a first choice front row on the field then I would say no.  However, fortune is favouring McNamara in the same way that it did on occasions with Noble and it’s set up for the Bulls to take two points that would’ve been a bonus a few weeks ago.  Don’t let the Hull hysteria about injuries fool you though, they’ve had plenty of good quality players on the field during this crisis and now have the returning Ewan Dowes in consideration for Friday’s game.  The home side will have taken a lot of confidence from maintaining their unbeaten record in Perpignan so it should be another tight game between two teams looking to string together some results that will put them on a roll or in Hull’s case, back amongst the playoff hunt.  Despite the poor start the Bulls have had they still sit level on points with Saints and only two points from second, having conceded less points than all but two other teams in the league, Leeds and Hull KR.  This is a tough game to call and with an unchanged line-up for the Bulls you can overlook their stuttering form and presume that their pack will remain too big for Hull’s.  Bulls by 2.

Harlequins RL v Hull KR (+2)
Now here’s a game and a half.  High-flying Harlequins RL at home to a team they can beat but probably won’t.  Is this my own concern about Harlequins RL inconsistency coming to the fore or am I seeing last week’s brilliant win over Warrington for the watersplash coin toss that it was?  I don’t know.  Last week’s win at the HJ owes everything to Brian McDermott’s team ethos and was nothing short of sensational.  The star-studded wage packets of Wire were left fumbling around in the puddles trying to do something with the ball before finally giving the ball some air when it was too late.  I know the conditions were bad but against a side that was missing as many starters as Harlequins RL was, I think you have to push the pace a bit more and put some pressure on them.  Hull KR have the personnel that can apply that kind of game and unfortunatley for the home side I don’t think there’ll be the weather around to act as the leveller like it did last week.  This, of course, isn’t taking anything away from last week’s result, it’s to highlight that when you’re up against a pack that is similarly hardworking but has a bit more power and creativity behind it you expect them to get the upper hand eventually during the game.  Will Hull KR do that?  It’s a true 50/50 game that would put a bit of daylight between Harlequins RL and their rivals for one of the lower top six spots and I just doubt that McDermott can extract another tremendous performance out of his troops for a second week in a row.  Hull KR by 4.

Leeds v Wigoon (+12)
A tougher-than-expected victory over Saints will have provided the champions with perfect preparation for the visit of a side that has a knack of being able to beat them.  There’s a world of difference though this time out between the two sides as Leeds seek to consolidate their quest for the league leader’s shield whilst the visitors remain unconvincing even though their results have been positive against sides where more fancied teams have failed.  It’s unlikely that Wigoon will repeat some of their more amazing feats with their pack really up against a forward group that has proven steadfast versus more physical sides.  For many it will be a question of how many the visitors can keep Leeds down to, however I’m not sure that will be the case on Saturday.  Leeds continue to avoid severe injuries to key personnel whereas Wigoon have missed key forwards and against a side that can manhandle your big men it’s going to be a long night for the travelling support.  Trent Barrett is likely to miss out again and although that won’t make much difference defensively, other than give Leeds forwards the opportunity to run at Mathers, you imagine that his absence virtually eliminates any chance of getting a result for the visitors.  That said, Wigoon have done this to Leeds many times before however I can’t see anybody going against the logic in this one with the anticipated downpour keeping the scoreline lower than it might have been.  Leeds by 14.

(+16) Castleford v Saints
An impressive performance in defeat to the champions last week suggests that Saints may be establishing some form for themselves and although victory on Sunday won’t confirm that (it’s expected), the manner of the performance might give a good indication.  Castleford have a history of proving difficult opposition for Saints at home, however their last meeting in Super League showed that the Yorkshire club really had fallen off the pace in professional football.  It I was a Cas fan I wouldn’t be peturbed at this stage of the season, the fact that they’ve claimed the champions’ scalp is enough preparation for the forthcoming reverse fixtures when I’d expect the results to be closer, particularly against the clubs in the middle and lower half of the table.  Saints are resting a couple of players for this game so it might be closer than many think but I was expecting the same a couple of years ago when Saints’ intensity exposed that difference in experience.  Saints by 14.

(+6) Wakefield v Warrington
This is an interesting fixture and after the Hull-Bulls game my game of the week.  It’s an interesting fixture not only because it promises to be an entertaining and competitive match but because of its importance to Warrington who embarrassed themselves at home to Harlequins RL last week.  Admittedly the conditions were appalling but it was still an unexpected loss that undermines their claims to be a team that has progressed significantly over recent years.  In contrast, Wakefield battled hard at the Stade De La Crust falling short by just four points and sadly for them, they’ve lost their talismanic skipper, Jason Demetriou, for the rest of the season and that’s a blow that I think will make it too hard for them to make the top six.  John Kear has his team playing good football and I don’t think that Wakefield will be struggling but Demetriou has been so important for them in recent seasons so it could mean an interesting reaction at Hells Belles Vue on Sunday.  Will the home side respond to that loss and surprise the re-aligning Wolves?  They could but I’m putting a bit more faith in Adrian Morley’s ability to lead his side to a win after a couple of good personal performances from him this season, part-justifying his salary and hype.  Wolves by 4.

Last week’s predictions;

Leeds by 12 (won by 4)
Wigoon by 14 (won by 4)
Catalans by 6 (draw)
Warrington by 18 (lost by 2)
Bulls by 14 (won by 46)
Hull KR by 8 (draw)

Two draws last week throw out the average a bit, making it 35-19 (65%)