XIII Oceans

And then there were seven…

Hull v Harlequins RL
It was Boyz II Men time for Harlequins RL at hooters last week.  Dreams of salvaging something from an initially promising season slowly drifted away as Daniel Anderson’s side wrestled free of McDermott’s after looking like it would be the end of the streak.  Now it’s Harlequins RL journey to posh Grimsby participating in a much needed warm-up game for Wembley-bound Hull.  All eyes within Agar’s camp will, whether they say so or not, be on causing the biggest Challenge Cup Final upset in ten years.  We’ve talked about that need for Hull to energise themselves with some form before ploughing into next week’s showpiece event and, like Wakefield before them, they haven’t done that.  Part of that disruption to their preparation lies with injuries the team has had to deal with but the slaughter at the JJB indicates to the outside observer that the side dozed after the semi and the alarm hasn’t gone off yet.  It’s a common trait of cup final teams over the years and I’m sure many of us have witnessed it first hand.  Harlequins RL have to expect that Agar will be looking for a significantly more committed Hull display and yet they’ll also be wary about developing any more injuries at this stage as well.  Of course this could all be a sleight of hand for a Millwardian miracle with Hull turning up fully fit at the final.  It’s a crazy idea but it might just work.  Hull by 6.

Wigan v Leeds
Friday night football offers Wigan the chance to give us all another Brian Noble directed Braveheart against Leeds.  The man’s record against the Rhinos is as great as it isn’t against Saints.  If you were to look on the Wigan board you’ll regularly find comments that suggest Noble almost concentrates on coaching his side best when Leeds are the opponents.  Ridiculous idea.  We’ve talked about how s=Superstition or historic records are rarely given credibility in determining winners but in Wigan-Leeds games at Wigan you cannot ignore the visitors record.  I’m not talking about the way that Wigan have bundled Leeds off the park this year, it’s their overall record in Wigan.  Wigan’s history, despite the wealth of h-i-s-t-o-r-y that there is, wouldn’t be my Sports Mastermind specialist subject.  However I do know that the number of victories to defeats lies in Wigan’s favour by about 80 wins to 15 (or something silly like that).  Faced with facts like that it’s dangerous shying away from Wigan for this game.  A loss here for Leeds will gift Saints The Hubcap and that has to be strong motivation.  I remember two tremendous Leeds wins at Central Park;  the game in which Morley was decapitated and left for dead before rising off the bench to set up the winning try and John Bentley going the length of the field a few years before that (I think Leeds shut out Wigan that night).  The quality of the opposition may not be there anymore but the will to win and go against the grain is.  Leeds by 4.

Catalans Dragons v Wakefield
I don’t know why John Kear felt the need to defend his side’s campaign this week.  So Wakefield fell apart at the worst part of the year but Kear and his team can hold their heads up high for what was promising to be the second most surprising season this year.  With a final month that contains trips to Wigan and France alongside hosting Saints and Leeds this was always a tough finish.  Sadly for Wakefield they switched off and lost touch well before the crunch and even last week, against twelve men, they came up short.  Facing Wakefield are the surprise team in the competition (did someone mention the big four?).  Catalans gave us a glimpse of that professional eighty minute attitude in front of 12,000 Huddersfield fans last week, clinching third spot in the process.  Potter should be walking away with Super League’s coach of their year and there are a number of Dragons names in with a chance of the Dream Team.  The forthcoming playoff series has had the local Vichy clowns out but the dream is on and let’s hope that this wonderful franchise gives the locals some long overdue pleasure.  Dragons by 10.

Castleford v Warrington
After two big efforts against Leeds and Saints, Warrington might just have run out of juice when they collapsed at home to Rovers in a typical Cullenesque Numberwang scoreline.  With the way that Warrington applied themselves in those games against the competition’s top two, most of us figured for a win last round with the final result undermining what credibility Lowes had secured for himself from two gutsy performances.  On the positive side for Warrington fans it’s better to get that glimpse into reality now and not in the playoffs.  Besides it’s not the end of the world by any means and they finish with two interesting games that they should win but might have unnecessarily struggled with in the past.  There’s been plenty of eyes on Castleford recently and I was disappointed to see the attitudes of the locals who had that £1m park put on their doorstep given the state it was in before.  I know the argument about consultation and all that but what the hell was going on with that guy whose lip was closer to the floor than Jimmy Lowes’ was circa 1999?  It’s pretty much the same around St Helens with the old “change is bad” mantras that you can probably just substitute into any M62 community.  What they should have done is told them that they were going to move The Jungle near their houses onto the waste land, the park flattened and a car park put on there with a driver-thru Bargain Booze. Magic.  Warrington by 4.

Huddersfield v Saints
Glory evades the Giants with last week’s loss.  There will be no stealing of sixth place and on reflection forcing their way up the table the way they have is a great result.  Having beaten Saints at the Galpharm earlier this season there’s no reason to fear the visit of the competition’s front runners.  Underneath that scoreline was a record Super League tackle count by Saints and yet it was as tight game as you will get.  Anderson might decide to forgo two points here, especially if Wigan do them a favour on Friday night.  At the same time victory here would likely seal first whatever the score at the JJB and then you start thinking about the league leaders not wanting to lose form at the most vital time of the year.  Has there been signs of fatigue seeping in recently?  Is the strain of The Streak stretching their resolve?  For Huddersfield, Anderson has commented about the shackles being off but you know as well as I do that those shackles have been off for the past two months with playoffs thoughts distant not immediate.  However much I’m reluctant to tip the Giants solely on “Saints playing at Wembley” it’s difficult to remove it from the equation and even without that distraction I’ve been favouring the Giants a lot this year.  It’ll be interesting to learn what Sunday’s attendance is after last week’s prime time promotion with what is a meaty follow-up fixture.  A good 8,000 crowd and victory here might just have that lift on next year’s season tickets haul.  Giants by 2.

Bradford v Hull KR
This has to be everyone’s game of the round as the two teams battling for the final playoff spot meet up.  It’s throw everything into the game for Rovers with a virtually impossible three points to make up on the Bulls.  A trip to The Jungle awaits the Bulls so a Rovers win gives the visitors nothing more than hope that a win against Hull will lift them into the postseason action.  As courageous as last week’s win at Wire was, I don’t expect Rovers will be able to turn it on again away from home.  They’re away from home, Bradford have Paul Deacon back and Paul Cooke’s learnt of a BOGOF offer at the local working men’s.  Deacon’s return had instant impact against Hull and whilst there’s criticism of the Bulls lack of zip in the middle of the park, his direction has been sorely missed.  It’s time to push Harris off to 13 or the bench and let Jeffries give his side something that’s less pedestrian than Jon Scales.  Safe in the knowledge that there’s in a second shot at securing sixth next week the Bulls won’t want to chance their arm away from home at Castleford.  Bulls by 8.

Last week’s predictions;

Leeds by 12 (won by 42)
Wigan by 12 (won by 10)
Giants by 8 (lost by 2)
Bulls by 10 (won by 30)
Saints by 10 (won by 16)
Warrington by 10 (lost by 2)

Two close two points defeats prevent it being a rare six of six bringing things up to 81-52 (61%).

Another blistering round of games last time with two exciting televised games, two huge away wins against the odds and a draw between third and fifth. Brilliant stuff and it’s looking like a thrilling end to the regular season with all but two teams in the hunt for playoff spots. At the other end of the table the top two can be sealed off this weekend but with difficult away trips to Harlequins RL, Wigan and Huddersfield to come the race for the hubcap isn’t over yet. Anyone hanker for the old days anymore? You do? Section this lunatic sir!

Leeds v Castleford
Astonishing as Castleford’s long overdue victory in the £1m derby was it still pales in comparison to their victory over Leeds early on this competition. Can they repeat their success this round? Have you put some money on it? I bet you’ve put it on Leeds. The home side were outplayed by the Bulls with that disjointed look of the past two months having a vampiric effect on their form and confidence. Castleford should provide comfortable cannon fodder, enough to send Leeds into next week’s important trip to the JJB with belief. After you’ve said that you realise that the Tigers will rightly be fancying their chances with their own results complementing Leeds’ struggle. It might be interesting but probably not as interesting as the programme about the bridge over the weir. Holy grumpy neighbours! Leeds by 12.

Wigan v Wakefield
Brian Noble’s men are hanging in there, snatching a draw late last week and allowing themselves to hang on to those Wire heels. With Leeds and Saints to follow for Wigan, you anticipate that two point gap may well be just enough to keep Lowes men in fourth although a trip to Castleford and a home game against in-form Huddersfield are not points in the bag. Tonight has to represent points in the bag for Wigan though. Wakefield wilted once they reached the semis (something I’m sure their fans aren’t tired of hearing) and all that jubilation and Wembley rosette fever is a cruel reminder of how painful it can be almost touching success after living in a silverware vacuum for decades. Losing at home to Castleford after drubbing them regularly this year won’t have pleased the Wildcats fans and there’s little for Wigan to fear in this having boosted their morale with come from behind heroics last week. This should be a perfect stepping stone into those final two clashes for Wigan and give their forwards the mental strength they’ll need if they want to overtake Warrington. Holy double ewes! Wigan by 12.

Huddersfield v Catalans
Come on the Giants! Thundering up the table and heading for seventh, there’s a shaky Dragons team heading back for what I think will be an avenging win for the home side. Both sides were in close encounters last round in different places with the Giants victory over a wounded Hull side being a better result although Catalans perhaps should have won their game. It says a lot about the turn around in fortunes for the Giants that they could slip into a postseason trip to France so there’s more on show here than the quest for two points. Expecting Catalans to not show their hand is misguided because Potter knows his side aren’t stringing together the performances. Both teams have been accused of spoiling to stifle opponents so this could be a frustrating game for spectators. Huddersfield fans won’t mind because their on a thriller of a trip. Of all the teams in the league these are the two we’ve seen the least which is another great reason for this being my game of the round and you can see it for FREE! Holy history! Giants by 8.

Bradford v Hull
Things have gotten pretty hot just below the Bradford Bulls. Wakefield’s unexpected loss at home to Castleford coupled with Rovers failure at home to Harlequins RL should give McNamara’s side a relatively comfortable walk into the playoffs but there is a chasing pack ready. Already this year Hull have surprised the Bulls at Odsal and in that desperate search for form, to take into the cup final, they’ve had a week off before losing to the Giants. Bradford’s search for form started with a courageous performance at Leeds, pushing the champions and with better options closer to the line they could have come away with the win. If they can continue with the spirit they found in the last round they should have no troubles here. Holy cows! Bulls by 10.

Harlequins RL v Saints
Here it is. The match all Harlequins RL fans have been waiting for. A chance to end the longest winning run in the history of the professional era and right after a simply awesome win up in Rovers territory. The home side’s record hosting Saints is appalling, claiming not even a gnat’s pube off the current league leaders. Everything is set up for either this game or Saints’ trip to Huddersfield, for a loss with the visitors not wanting to be taking a historic unbeaten run into a Grand Final. Given Saints’ tremendous record on their trips to London it’s the kind of against the odds set up Harlequins RL like. Can Harlequins RL penetrate Saints defence? Many times, during Super League, I’ve mentioned Harlequins RL haven’t had a good prop probably since Grant Young was on their roster and if there’s one thing you need to beat Saints under Anderson it’s props. Consider the sides that have caused Anderson’s sides problems and you look at the aggressive front rows Leeds and Hulls have had. Sides without that ability to take the game to Saints have struggled to put them on the back foot. It’s a simple observation to say getting on the front foot and quick play the balls is the key to victory but when it’s critical to even the likes of the Kangaroos you can’t argue against it. I think Huddersfield have a stronger case for ending this winning run, a perfect suggestion of an upset for Harlequins RL’s singing supporters. Holy jellied eels! Saints by 10.

Warrington v Hull KR
Devastating losses all round here for these two. Devastating in different ways too. Warrington’s loss was one of those where they went head-to-head with a great heavyweight champion and although the champion got the decision they’d done more than enough to earn an immediate re-match. Will that re-match be in the Grand Final? Unlikely but so was Matt Diskin making a clean break and that happened last week. Rovers on the other hand were the up and coming contender that got cleaned out by an outsider with nothing to lose. In losing Rovers haven’t quite condemned themselves (or the CPS Paul Cooke) to early holidays yet and looking at the fixture list for those above them they could still sneak into the playoffs. It’s a long shot though. This should be an interesting match because Rovers can play without pressure now. They’re not expected to qualify and Warrington are coming off their toughest game of the season and might be a bit low on energy reserves for this. Whatever Wire’s resolve coming into this game you can’t go against them after they turned in their finest Super League performance against Saints and if they can learn to control the ball a bit better in these closing weeks, progression in the playoffs is possible i.e. sub Briers. Holy knobhead central! Warrington by 10.

Last week’s predictions;

Leeds by 24 (won by 10)
Wigan by 8 (draw)
Saints by 12 (won by 1)
Giants by 4 (won by 6)
Rovers by 10 (lost by 24)
Wakefield by 18 (lost by 26)

Another split week with several results going against the betting spread making it 77-50 (61% just lol)

An excellent round of fixtures coming up with at least four, if not all six, of the games worthy of a live television scheduling.

Leeds v Bradford
Sadly Friday’s match is probably one of those games that you wouldn’t mind if they gave it a miss. Does anyone really expect the Bulls to give a struggling-for-form Leeds side a game? With Saints-Wigan usually Wigan have put in a series of good performances or results and there’s some belief this might be the derby that brings a halt to the procession of Saints victories. This one doesn’t work in the same way. Dodo, parrot, Jim Davidson’s routine and Paul Cooke’s driving licence all have more life in them than this match up. I can’t imagine that even the most upbeat Bulls fan is expecting this to be anything other than a timely boost for the champions to the confidence that disappeared in recent weeks. Steve McNamara is likely to see the Wildcats pull level with his side this Sunday but with home games against both Hull teams I don’t foresee any problems with the Bulls making the playoffs. Serious questions need to be asked if they don’t and it’s a shame the Kaiser is now a player’s agent because I’m sure the Bulls supporters would like to pull him in for a grilling over the club’s current plight. They can’t though and like true victims of mismanagement they have no redress other than to watch their investment fade away as the gloryhunters go back to watching Halifax and Keighley whilst the true Northern fans go back to watching on telly. Please save the viewing public from another forty point butchering. Leeds by 24.

Catalans Dragons v Wigan
This could have been game of the round as the Dragons seek to hold onto their hard-fought third place. What denies this match-up that is the indifferent form both sides have shown in recent weeks. At Wigan the near-evaporation of their playoff hopes prompted a dressing down in public of the players by head honcho, Ian Lenegan. What kind of response such an action hopes to achieve, other than to play to the galleries, is difficult to ascertain after all, the last time I looked these are professional individuals who put their bodies on the line every week for Lenegan’s ego. Whether that approach is appropriate is entirely dependent upon what the situation is at Wigan, which we don’t entirely know or care about. What it has done is lead to some belting threads on the Wigan board with some terrific infighting as the majority blindly kowtows to their boss man. One thing’s for sure in Wigan, there’s no more fancy eatin’, drinkin’ coffee or smoking big cigars anymore, this is chain gang stuff. It will take a disciplined effort for Wigan to take the spoils here, both with and without the ball. Disciplined because Catalans can be a bit loose with their own penalty count although I’ve no idea what the difference is for them at home where you’d expect the crowd and ref to help things to fall in their favour. After winning eleven from twelve Catalans have lost consecutive games for the first time since losing to the Wolves and Bulls in rounds four and five, which is an amazing stat. Statistically, Wigan have to be slight favourites, giving away less penalties and errors but the Dragons aren’t a statistic side, they’re a hardworking, focussed and intelligent side. Both of the previous games, between these sides, have gone Catalans way but neither has been convincing and there must be some residuals from the last two weeks for both sides. Are Catalans coming unstuck just at the wrong time? Where they really serious contenders? Did Brian Noble really tell Trent Barrett he’d “lost his bottle”? If he did, what took him so long? The race for third is on and with ‘The Messiah’ linking brilliantly with Bottle Boy against a ‘deplorable’ (Phil Kinsella’s words not mine) Hull last week this is an exciting win for Wigan, setting up a thrilling finish for these two and Warrington. Wigan by 8.

St Helens v Warrington
These are exciting times for the citizens of Warrington as the most predictable exciting fixture in Super League takes centre stage as game of the round, live on SKY. A cup final atmosphere is guaranteed in the away end for it is exactly that for the Wolves’ travelling hoardes. Monumental! Epic! Colossal! These are the words James Lowes has had inscribed on the walls and inside of contact lenses of his players to push the importance of getting a second win over Saints in Super League. Any fan who has been on the end of defeat after defeat against a local rival knows how the Warrington fans feel. We’ve all been there and some still are. There will be more than relief if Lowes men finally succeed. The Mayor Of Warrington has promised a public holiday and party c/o Dr Herman’s if Lowes can conjure up some Morley magic. How likely is that? Isn’t it just going to be a game where Warrington slug it out before folding in heads-up play after sixty minutes? Isn’t that how it always works? I don’t think many would position themselves too far away from that viewpoint and many will hope last week’s victory is more than just Warrington’s Austerlitz. In beating Leeds, Warrington were excellent, that is certain. What isn’t certain is just how good a performance it was. Yes, it was convincing, it was well-earned and defensively it was a good display against the league’s premier length-of-the-pitch attacking side. It was also a defence that was facing the first receiver as ball carrier far too often and two half backs that forgot their was a game on until past the hour mark. It’s unlikely Saints’ attack will be as containable this week. In the league, Saints have rattled up forty or more points in seven out of their last eight games, Leeds away being the exception, with most of those points coming on the back of opposition errors and piggyback penalties. Surprisingly, Warrington lie second to Saints, in terms of penalties conceded, a brilliant statistic which has to be worth two scores against a side that thrives on that opposition weakness. Unfortunately with Warrington there’s usually a flip side and they are a side prone to coughing up the ball, especially against Saints. Anyone who has watched any of the more competitive battles between these two sides will be all too aware of times when Wolves mistakes have either gifted tries or shifted momentum in Saints favour. It’s an undeniable truth that, against Saints, Warrington can be their own worst enemy. I think you have to go back to the days of Les Boyd for a Saints-Wire clash as eagerly anticipated as this and probably to the days of Alex Murphy coaching Saints since both sides have been in such good form (thirteen straight in the league for Saints, seven from eight for Wire). It truly is the most predictable exciting fixture in Super League. Saints by 12.

Hull v Huddersfield
Is there any stopping Huddersfield at the moment? Hot! Hot! Hot! Very hot in fact and there’s a real chance the Giants will claim eighth if not seventh spot come the season end. With Hull on the pop last week a comedown was inevitable and a great tonic for a troubled Wigan side but that was then. Agar was probably entitled to let his troops have a day off, even though they don’t push the working time directive to the limit like the rest of us. Written for most of us if we showed such disdain for our job. How is he going to approach this? You don’t have to be a poster on RLfans to know returning to form is going to be critical to his side competing in the cup final so this should be an good game. I’m surprised nobody has made the point yet that a game between teams in this position at this stage of the season would be dull and lifeless without promotion and relegation. Here we are though, both teams with little to play for in the league yet I’m talking about it being a match-up that’s worth watching. How’s that for one in the eye of the traditionalists? Hull need to get back into the groove to have the last laugh after Rovers were threatening to squash their upmarket rivals (i.e. KFC consumers not McDonald’s) this year and even if they don’t, a cup final appearance is a definite 1-0, unless they forget to turn up. Huddersfield are hard to back against for this. They’ve dismantled better sides than Hull since Sharp left and even with improvements I’ve not been overly impressed by Agar’s men with defence still a big concern. Can Hull recover after the holiday last round? If they were a better team you wouldn’t question it. The fact we are is enough for me to think it’s another fruitful journey for the Giants. Giants by 4.

Hull KR v Harlequins RL
Rovers ran riot last week in securing not just an impressive victory over the Dragons but also the worst video ref decision ever. Of all the teams in this year’s competition, these two are the ones that have provided me with the most surprising results. Early in the season Harlequins RL battled successfully against the odds whilst Rovers haven’t in the second half of the year, leaving my own current success rates of predicting their results at a whopping 48% (Harlequins RL) and 41% (Rovers). Their two previous encounters have resulted in relatively comfortable home wins so will that change? Harlequins pulled a real live rabbit out of the hat last week. Considering their circumstances and as clichéd as this now is, it is exactly the type of result they’re capable of pulling off. I don’t fancy them though. It’s not just that motivating your side for the visit of the big guns is significantly easier, it’s keeping that adrenalin pumping is too difficult for a side as disrupted as McDermott’s. Rovers won’t be in cruise control, they know the Bulls are likely to drop points this weekend, which will put them just one point behind Bradford if they beat Harlequins RL. Following this match there’s a tough but not impossible trip to the HJ and then Odsal, by which time Rovers could be battling for sixth. Unlikely I know but they need something to stop their premature celebrations getting too embarrassing. Rovers by 10.

Wakefield v Castleford
Like Leeds, Wakey’s prime time derby is a perfect prescription for points after a pitiful run that’s almost ended their season prematurely. The form that lifted Wakefield into fourth has deserted them completely at the wrong time and this game is probably their last chance at making the playoffs i.e. lose this and I think you can forget about the remaining games. They are overwhelming favourites and I don’t expect that Castleford’s defensive frailties will do anything other than serve to promote Wakefield’s attacking prowess again. Castleford’s year of experience is almost over and next year must see an improvement in points return but I think most Cas fans would be happy derailing their rivals postseason hopes with a win here. They should bring Stuart Raper back. Wildcats by 18.

Last week’s predictions;

Catalans by 8 (lost by 14)
Wigan by 12 (won by 60)
Leeds by 6 (lost by 10)
Giants by 8 (won by 26)
Bulls by 6 (lost by 12)
Saints by 4 (won by 32)

A break-even round last week making it an average 74-47 (61%) overall.

Two contrasting but very entertaining semi-finals last weekend with varying displays of skill and defensive capability, thoroughly enjoyable for those with vested interest and neutrals alike.  It’s back to Super League this week and some bad news for this competition led by the injury to Sam Burgess, a devastating blow to England’s chances of competing at the World Cup.  It’s no surprise that he’s done his shoulder when you consider what happened to Sonny Bill Williams and his similar tackling technique but still infuriating.  Elsewhere since writing the Giants have taken the Australian approach to coaching, although I’m not convinced on Nathan Brown, whilst Warrington have saved themselves some cash, column inches and dummy spitting by appointing James Lowes as Cullen’s successor.

Hull KR v Les Catalans
Friday night gives us a rare chance to watch Mick Potters’s playoff bound Dragons on SKY against a punch-drunk Rovers recovering from a rare battering at the hands of their cellmate in Hull.  Despite losing their last seven league games, Rovers are still in with a slim chance of catching some postseason action, should their fairy godmother awake from her coma.  Rovers fans should be feeling frustrated because even a couple of wins during this losing streak would have their side in a useful, if still difficult position for the remaining games.  To head off a season of disappointment Rovers can still work towards achieving their highest league position since their couple of years in the limelight last century and it promises to be a good game for the cameras.  Can Catalans bounce back from the Leeds game?  Can Rovers arrest this slide?  Have Rovers been shafted by legend Paul Cooke?  Is Paul Cooke’s chin ever going to appear on his face again?  Is Cabman still singing “Who’s needs Mourinho, we’ve got Justinho?”  Is anyone?  Difficult questions for the Rovers crowd to ponder now that everything literally has fallen apart this year.  Do you think I can stick another jibe in this preview and if so is it only fair given how much stick that lifeless Hull side got earlier in the year?  It certainly is fair and now they’re on about stealing Nick Fozzard as well!  Allez Les Cats!  Catalans by 8.

Wigan v Hull
Wembley beckons for Hull and a climactic end to a bitterly disappointing season.  How much will that impending date with destiny distract players and performances in the preceding month?  If Wakefield’s past few weeks is any indicator, to allow it do so will result in failure and so must be avoided.  A trip to the JJB wouldn’t usually be regarded as a match against preferable opposition, however Wigan are out of sorts and form, getting flogged by Saints one week and then by former Saints employees the next.  Still Noble sits with his side in fifth and that should be enough to secure some postseason action because I can’t see both the Bulls and Wakefield turning in strong winning runs.  Agar must take a lesson from Wakefield’s indifferent form going into the semi-final and recognise what part that drop in competitiveness did to Wakey’s chances at Doncaster.  If Agar can lift his troops again his side can benefit from an indifferent Wigan side and keep that synchronicity going until the end of the month.  The manner in which Wigan lost in the last round and the vocal expression of an increasingly deluded support should mean that the home team will be eager to get back to winning ways and that combination with Hull’s exertions from last week should be decisive.  Wigan by 12.

Warrington v Leeds
Saturday night gives us the eagerly anticipated game of the round, and one of the most anticipated of the season, as second travels to fourth with perhaps more resting on this game for Leeds now that Warrington have got a couple of points between them and fifth.  Of course this is Lowes’ first game as head coach on a permanent basis and if Catalans lose at Hull KR a win for the Wolves would incredibly put them within striking distance of finishing third.  How crazy is that?  I could witter on here about how lacking in ambition the appointment of Lowes is and how the Warrington management have short-changed their fans again because they’re not prepared to make that ruthless decision that needs to be made but a lot of Wire fans know that already.  This means, reluctantly, I’m going to have to talk about the game and how that Warrington backline is still as ferocious as you will find in the league and how their forwards, notably Morley, have raised their game in recent weeks but also how they’ve not really beaten anyone during that same period of time.  A smarting Leeds team powers into town, looking to regain their focus amidst accusations amongst fans that their team is less structured and disciplined this season, whereas I see it as a team in a drop of form.  Last Saturday’s semi-final, for example, was a game they nearly managed to get hold of despite lacking that go forward up front.  There were few questions over the Leeds defence, barring the more physical challenges, and that’s exactly what you need to beat Warrington, a good defence.  The Wolves should remain confident and although I don’t think the home team will overturn the third McClennan’s men, any evaluation of an improvement in competitiveness, for Warrington, has to be put on hold until their acid test next Saturday at Saints.  Leeds by 6.

Castleford v Huddersfield
Two teams on a winning streak, Castleford saving their finest performance for one of their favourite rivals whilst the Giants clinched an away win in style at the JJB.  Returning to The Jungle would have had the Tigers in pole position for selection in this win, had Huddersfield not starting playing rugby.  Since Jon Sharp’s departure their results have been of the quality that many expected at the start of the season and it’s hard to ignore that as well as probably being disappointing for their fans.  Can you go against the Tigers after the last round’s score?  It’s not a case of thinking that the Tigers have no hope, more an indication that Huddersfield are playing good football, without pressure and with better personnel.  That last point is critical because we’ve seen how Wakefield have handled the Tigers this year and the form that the Giants are in will push a home defence that doesn’t appear to have improved in three years.  Giants by 8.

Harlequins RL v Bradford
One of those games that’s yearning for a home win prediction with Harlequins RL lying murdered in the bottom of a ditch after the Tigers had been clawing away at their flimsy defence.  Sadly, Harlequins RL pre-season defiance in the face of predictions that had them in the bottom two or three spots in the table, is now looking more hopeful than insubordinate and they’re on the precipice as the two teams directly below them collect points on a regular basis.  How will this season, that promised so much, be evaluated by Harlequins RL fans if they don’t arrest this slide?  Does the visit of the Bulls present a realistic opportunity to stop it here?  Who is the least dangerous ball carrier between Iestyn Harris and Henry Paul?  Which of them is the biggest sell out and which most ruined their rugby careers for cash?  Topics of conversation in the bars of Mayfair, Soho and Brighton no doubt.  I’m not sure that it matters too much how the season ends because McDermott’s men have demonstrated more commitment than several, more star-studded clubs have.  Injuries are always more of an issue with Harlequins RL but I think that this year, despite this tail off, has seen an improvement in their strength in depth and it’s something for their fans to look forward to next year.  If the Bulls have something to look forward to, their run to the playoffs is unlikely to be it and I imagine that whilst every set of fans looks forward to the playoffs, if you’re a team that’s used to occupying one of the top slots and Grand Final spots  you know when your side isn’t up to it, especially with Deacon being a doubt for the remaining games.  The victory over the Wildcats has put the Bulls firmly into the six and although Wakefield’s fixture list and points difference means McNamara can afford a loss here, the opposition here is both weak and hungry, which can be a potentially a dangerous situation but it can also mean the league’s worst team racking up 66 points too.  Bulls by 6.
 
Wakefield v St Helens
It’s almost over now for poor old Wakefield whom it appears placed too much stock in their cup semi-final appearance or was it that they just couldn’t keep up that great mid-season form?  It’s of no use now, so their focus should be firmly fixed on upsetting a couple of the big guns in their tough run-in.  First up at Belle Vue is Saints, who haven’t got the best of records on this patch and the home side’s efforts in the final hour of the semi-final suggests that this won’t be a holiday break especially with the Bulls within reach.  Saints are still in a three-way hunt for the top two and with their opponents both facing tricky away trips on the nights before they’ll know how important it is to win this game.  If Wakefield had been playing well before last week’s semi this would be a strong contender for game of the round and even though that lack of momentum is likely to counter home advantage Kear won’t have any problems rallying in his side for the visit of the league leaders.  This mix of factors is very tempting for a home win but that poor recent form and the way Saints are playing just make it too hard to go against the visitors.  Saints by 4.

Last round’s predictions;

Saints by 10 (won by 34)
Dragons by 2 (lost by 13)
Giants by 2 (lost by 1)
Bulls by 12 (won by 14)
Harlequins RL by 4 (lost by 54 lol)
Rovers by 2 (lost by 26)

Tough week with only two correct making an overall total of 81-52 (61%).  Dazzling stuff!