XIII Oceans

So for the cost of Super League you can buy a football player.  £80m?  WTF!  I suppose if Ronaldo is worth £80m then you can see why Stuart Fielden was £450k.  Madness.  Madness of the sort you don’t see in a game as honest as rugby league.  There is no slave labour in league.  Our men do it for the love of the game, the thrill of the collision and the majesty of bringing joy to thousands of miserable folk oppressed by this country’s obsession with tennis, cricket and motor racing.  Time for the real sport again.  Forget about football, Super League is gathering pace and if results go as I predict this week I think we might just be looking at this year’s playoff teams in the top eight.

Hull KR v Harlequins RL
It just goes to show how serious we are about Hull KR’s involvement in this year’s Grand Final challenge when you look at how many games they’ve been selected for in my game of the round.  Friday’s match-up against the Spivs was edged out because we all need a break from Rovers mania.  I pointed out last week that Rovers had gotten most of the tough away games out of the way which doesn’t mean there aren’t difficult home battles to be had.  Harlequins RL you probably recall impressed me enough a few weeks ago to change my opinion on them.  However, we are discussing their merits against a side which has entranced the world.  Rovers’ victory in the capital would normally make this an easy selection.  With Harlequins RL winning me over an off day for the home side could let in McDermott’s men and that easy prediction isn’t as sure as it was a month ago.  Tipping the visitors is difficult though made worse by the fact they probably need to win with a game against Leeds followed by a trip to Wakefield threatening to push them out of the top half.  Morgan’s men have shown an ability to bounce back, compete and win.  Tight game decided by Rovers.  Either they win this game or hand it to Harlequins RL.  Hull KR by 4.

St Helens v Castleford
At Castleford this was one way traffic and might well be the result which gave us a bigger clue about the Tigers capabilities this season than any other.  Despite defeats prior to that sixty-odd point hammering, Castleford had competed more effectively than last season to the extent that the playoffs were looking like a good bet.  In Super League a short, good run can push you into contention which is what happened to Castleford.  If you look where the Tigers sit they are level on points with Wigan, Hull and Warrington.  Yeah I know what’s popped into your mind.  There are two teams gaining momentum whilst the two others are either scrambling around for points or juddering to a big fat halt.  To even get close to competing in this game Castleford will have to reproduce some of that crushing defence we saw in the cup and then throw is some good ball retention.  My memory is nearly as bad as the voting populations’ so me saying I can’t remember how often Castleford have won at Saints in the past twenty years means nothing.  I’m sure they have but I can only remember Dean Sampson’s one man show when he took on the entire Saints team on his own with the home side scraping a draw out of it.  Don’t fancy that happening again.  Saints by 24.

Celtic v Wigan
I can’t tell whether the Crusaders are getting better or not.  Losing by twenty in London is no embarrassment when you’ve been beaten more comprehensively by the same team at your own gaff.  The visit of Wigan, THE brand name in rugby league during Mrs Thatcher’s reign should guarantee a six figure crowd and give the locals a chance to see how the origins of their union rebirth is progressing.  Of course, we can’t compare this Wigan side with the majesty of those glory days because teams no longer include lying down and dying in their pre-match preparation.  If Wigan win I can see nothing other than to attribute Celtic’s failure to win to a lack of motivation.  It used to be that a big name walking into town would result in the town’s gunslingers queuing up to take a shot at them.  I’m struggling to see where Celtic are going to get their motivation in playing a team from a bygone era.  Wigan by 12.

Wakefield v Hull
Saturday night thriller installed for us here.  Wakefield are bobbing about a bit and Hull are sinking.  If there’s any rain complicating events this could get truly messy.  I don’t mean any offence by this Wakefield and Hull fans.  I am struggling with something to write about here.  If there is a focal point for this game it’s one team can go ahead of the other by winning.  Thrilling isn’t it?  Let’s face it there’s not much going for Hull at the moment which is why you have to go for Wakefield by default even if they have got more about themselves.  Does this review sound as boring as it feels typing it?  Wakefield by 10.

Warrington v Bradford
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there was some interest in seeing Bradford heading over to Warrington because it wasn’t always plain sailing.  It’s positively choppy waters now.  In fact with Saints seeking revenge next week at Odsal there’s every chance that Professor Yaffle might be on the touchlines with the mice.  The loss of Mickey Higham for three months might push the determination of Wire but I am a believer!  Yes I am a believer in Wire as a trophy contending force!  If you read my previews on a regular basis you will know I’ve not hidden my admiration for Tony Smith and how he was the right man for the Warrington job.  Getdownmonkeyman tipped us all off when Lowes got the job about Smith and I’m sure he’s delighted his team hasn’t had to wait until next year to see some benefit.  I daresay Smith’s arrival will be key to the club retaining the services of Matt King, who has been excellent since the coaching change.  All this loving of Warrington ignores Bradford.  Sadly I’ve only got mocking things to say about Bradford at the moment so better to say nothing.  Just snigger because next year, it could be you.   Warrington by 12.

************GAME OF THE ROUND************

Leeds v Huddersfield
Yay!  The big one.  The big one that was a big one a while back and turned into a disaster for Huddersfield.  Will the lack of SKY coverage inspire the Giants to pass and catch?  In the interests of developing our competition there will be many hoping so.  Leeds, well what can you say about Leeds?  Does anybody know where they’re going?  If they’re not careful they could be heading for a world full of women, probably via facebook.  Camptastic!  Wilma Deering, now here’s a choice worth considering, Wilma Deering or Princess Ardala?  Good, straight-laced authoritarian who is demanding to be shown how to RTC or the posh bad girl who knows how to in ways you haven’t imagined who can’t help but throw herself at you?  I love them both.  Leeds by 10.

Last week’s predictions.

Saints by 6 (won by 24)
Wigan by 12 (won by 16)
Castleford by 4 (lost by 16)
Leeds by 10 (lost by 2)
Harlequins RL by 12 (won by 20)
Bradford by 2 (won by 14)
Hull KR by 6 (lost by 16)

Another 4-3 week making it 57-46.