XIII Oceans

A bit quiet this last week.  Not too much happening outside of the State Of Origin game.  Unfortunately I am not able to view the games but I have seen plenty of action from games in the past.  Some of the feats I’ve learned about, usually involving Queensland and Wally Lewis, will remain with me forever.

Hull (11th) v Celtic (14th)
It’s Ben Folds Five time at the KC this weekend.  The league’s two hottest attractions come together for an orgasm of Super League rugby.  There has never been a match-up that’s created so much press coverage in the history of Welsh rugby league trips to Hull by a team called the Crusaders.  This is beyond immense.  This is like a date with Scarlett Johansson.  Hull by 12.

Leeds (2nd) v Hull KR (4th)
Hey Rovers!  How’s it going?  How are those early season scalps looking?  Who’s the cock of the north now?  On Friday night we should find out who the boss boys of the M62 eastern bloc is.  I’m expecting Leeds to hammer home their undoubted superiority with maybe even a bit to spare.  The pressure might be off Rovers in this one because nobody gives them much of a chance.  Leeds looked vulnerable last week though and a return to the earlier season form by Rovers could see them taking advantage.  Brian McClennan summed up Rovers pretty well when he said “You have to have good communication in your defence in order to cope with what they throw at you.”  We all know about those kicking options and Nick Fozzard’s nose and I’m confident Leeds are tight enough in defence to hold this one.  Leeds by 10.

Salford (13th) v Castleford (9th)
The elusiveness of consistency is an all too familiar tale in sports especially in Super League.  Win at Leeds, close down Saints at your own place and your reward from the devils of consistency is defeat to the bottom placed team.  How wonderful it is to live a rugby league existence that is tied to torture.  Friday night offers little respite for Salford.  Castleford waltz into town holding onto the tail end of the playoff picture and in some style as well.  Not content with overturning the Giants, Matterson’s boys crunched Hull and should be good enough here to deal with one of the less predictable teams in Super League.  Castleford by 8.

St Helens (1st) v Wakefield (7th)
Over the past four or five years Wakefield have given a pretty good account of themselves at Knowsley Road with little reward in return.  Last Friday’s loss to Leeds fell along similar lines for Wakefield.  Why didn’t they go for the two points?  Well, RL logic suggests you only go for the two points if it puts you an additional score ahead which taking two points last week wouldn’t have done.  However, given the way Brough was popping them over earlier in the game the decision appeared to go against their gameplan which is confusing.  Me?  I’d have taken the two points given the way the game was playing out.  It’s one thing going with RL logic but it’s another when you’re tackling one of the game’s premier teams.  Leeds obviously figured they could give penalties away instead of four points, an overly familiar tactic used by some of the more professional teams over the past twenty or so years.  Friday night’s viewing public won’t be expecting too much because a minnow on the road to big gun usually only ends one way.  There is scope for this being a tougher game than you’d expect though thanks to some injuries which mean Saints will line-up less a few of their higher profile players.  Joining Long and long-term absentee Cayless on the sidelines is Fa’asavalu who is set to miss the next ten to twelve weeks which will probably see him sit out the remainder of the regular season.  I fancy this will be a lot more entertaining than we’re imagining however with Cunningham and Gidley probably back Saints should be just a bit too strong at home.  Saints by 8.

Bradford (12th) v Wigan (5th)
Wigan are on the rise again.  Not too long ago people were laughing, Wigan fans themselves were talking of hanging Noble from the rafters and yet three wins in a row has the former glamour club up in fifth on the back of nine wins out of their last twelve with a winnable semi-final on the horizon.  It’s all about perception.  This should be an away win against the dead Bulls.  It won’t be an easy one though.  A former glamour club is exactly the type of game where dismal home teams fancy their chances.  Call it compensating for no silverware.  With games against Leeds and Saints coming up Wigan need to win because you can’t go into those two matches expecting to come out with two points.  You have to be prepared for putting a lot of effort in and getting nothing out.  Here Wigan can put a lot of effort in and that should be enough to see off Bradford, who appear to be the new Wigan.  Wigan by 6.

Huddersfield (3rd) v Warrington (8th)
I know.  Perhaps this is the pick of the round’s games.  Last week was tough for Wire and they put a lot of effort into it.  It was a pack which missed Morley.  Huddersfield have definitely improved in their forwards and it’s here where they can build a good platform to promote the ball.  Tony Smith identified defence as being something his side needs to work on and a strong defence has caused Huddersfield problems.  With four points between the Giants and Leeds I want to see a home win here.  It will firmly plant them in a two-horse race for third with a shot at second.  Warrington can afford to take a week off because the teams around them are bound to slip up over the coming weeks and with the cup semi-final around the corner I’d be more interested in working towards that, including here by tightening up the defence.  Should be lovely.  Huddersfield by 4.

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

Catalans (10th) v Harlequins RL (6th)
As fans of the UK’s best value for money sport we follow last week’s game of the round with another guaranteed thrillfest.  Catalans and Harlequins RL have managed to turn this game into one of the most exciting in the competition.  Usually we’re treated to highlights so it stands to reason that Sunday’s head-to-head will disappoint in the same way both teams have done when the big time has beckoned.  Both remain in the hunt for the top eight and victory for Walter’s hommes will go some way to bridging that gap.  Catalans results may not be improving but to me they look like they have improved, however I’m not really sure if that’s been more down to the lack of dazzle from their opponents.  I’m going to use it I’m afraid.  Greg ‘Jail’ Bird (ho-ho) has been brilliant in patches and I’m looking forward to seeing how Harlequins RL’s defence is going to cope with him coming off those French meaty muscle boys.  It’s mouthwatering.  Catalans by 2.

Last week’s predictions;

Leeds by 6 (won by 2)
Wigan by 6 (won by 2)
Salford by 4 (lost by 13)
Harlequins RL by 2 (lost by 16)
Castleford by 6 (won by 22)
Rovers by 6 (won by 20)
Warrington by 2 (lost by 14)

77-59 overall me hearties.