XIII Oceans

Was last week’s round of playoff games the least inspiring we’ve had? Catalans destroyed Warrington whilst there never really looked like something special was about to happen at Widnes. What’s happened to the Bulls? They are a far removed club from the one that collected silverware during the professional era and my doubts surrounding McNamara remain although signing Ricky Sheriffe and Steve Menzies should ensure the double for them next year.

Saints v Leeds (+4)
Funny how everyone complains about having to play their local rivals three or four times a year yet nobody bats an eyelid about this being the fourth time these teams have clashed. Why is that? Will they be facing off in Edinburgh as well? I think so. Back to this Friday and this is a mouthwatering clash. A few weeks ago Leeds looked all washed up and were stumbling into the playoffs until a blistering win at Whelan’s lifted spirits. Similarly Saints were looking strong with The Streak except each performance got progressively weaker towards the end of the regular season. Logic subsequently suggests that these are teams going in opposite directions on the gradient and it feels like they will meet in the middle this Friday. How close are these too going into this game? Difficult to say without it being a guess. Yes Leeds have got some form back and rightly their fans are confident of coming away with the silverware even if this game is a loss. For Saints fans there’s every reason to believe that the side are better positioned in the fatigue stakes but last year’s Grand Final is a prominent thought. Is Leeds’ return to form built on as solid a foundation as it needs to be? Are Saints really better positioned? Are Fozzard and Cayless ready to face a side with this kind of intensity in defence? I can’t wait. Saints by 2.

Catalans Dragons v Wigan (+8 )
Zut alors! Are the Dragons hot right now or was last week just another tale of Warrington woe? More the former for me as the power of the Catalans defence took centre stage with their persistent attacking down the flanks reaping great rewards. How is Noble going to defend against Potter’s damaging forwards? Have Wigan got enough in the forwards to make the necessary yardage? Catalans scattering of Warrington bodies over the field last week was enough to impress their claims for Grand Final inclusion, removing expectation from the shoulders of Wigan. Everyone knows what kind of lift that can give to a side with Huddersfield’s post-Sharp form an example from this season. Will it play a part? It can. It can keep things closer and given the closeness of games between these sides recently it could tip things in Wigan’s favour. For me though it would take a poor performance from the Dragons here for an upset. Catalans looked gelled last week, they have a strong attack out wide and plenty of questions will be asked of Wigan’s Super League Dream Team hero, George Carmont. Carmont has been exposed several times this year in defence and Catalans should exploit that to the full. Supplement that with the defence shown against Wire last week, homefield advantage, Catalans wins against Wigan this year and the divine demi-gods of expansion. What have you got? It will take a monumental effort for Wigan to win here and they might, but Saints or Leeds will lie in waiting for a team that will probably have an empty tank. Catalans by 8.