XIII Oceans

I take a week off when it’s Challenge Cup weekend and whilst I was eagerly anticipating last week’s historic final it sadly lived up to my expectations.  The result was a side issue for me.  Two teams who could win a big trophy for the first time in decades has monumental written all over it.  It was though a bitty affair, brought to life in the early stages by characteristic mistakes which created a false feeling of top class entertainment.  It was definitely an exciting start.  It was also a first half in which neither team was able to generate a good rhythm with the ball in hand and it wasn’t until the second half that the game really felt like a Super League game.  Up until the interval it felt very much like a typically scrappy cup game where neither team wanted to win.  The first twenty minutes or so of the second half were more like it.  It finally felt like a Super League game.

So it wasn’t a cup final for the ages and it won’t be one that people outside of the participants’ towns will be remembering twenty years later.  It was though a brilliant sampling of Tony Smith’s coaching ability as his Warrington side dominated the Giants with a defensive display as strong as their opponents was in the semi-final.  Smith’s side took some chances in shifting the ball wide and the selection of youngster McCarthy was indicative of Smith’s desire to present a mobile and fast moving defensive line.  It worked exceptionally well.  Right from the off Huddersfield had no way of penetrating the Wire line and didn’t look like they would make much yardage up the middle no matter how long the game went on.  Invincible is a strong word and we would be being overly dramatic if we used that word to describe the defence of the Giants after the semi-final.  Overly dramatic possibly.  Not without some substance though.  It was a deceptively intelligent coaching performance which superseded Brown’s victory over Saints.  Despite whatever reservations or disappointments you may have about what happened it was truly a pleasure to see a different set of fans experience the joys of winning a meaningful trophy.  Moments like Saturday’s mean nothing without having first tasted the barren years and Wire fans have had decades of those.

Leeds (1st) v St Helens (2nd)
For many this would appear to be one of the season’s critical fixtures, however there is little to be gained from pushing too hard on Friday.  Victory for either team should see them finish the regular season as minor premiers.  What does defeat bring for the other?  Not much difference in terms of play-off difficulty.  The pressure of being minor premiers has laid heavy on the heads of the visitors who have succumbed to the champions in the last two Grand Finals.  Leeds, I think, would relish the opportunity to convert a minor premiership to a Grand Final win and given the way their season has unfolded, finishing top and winning at Old Trafford would be some achievement.  Neither side has managed to establish an over bearing consistency with mishaps and convincing defeats along the way.  SKY’s game of the round merely presents both teams with the chance to establish some sort of psychological superiority going into the play-offs.  Leeds and Saints aren’t into psychological superiority when it comes to facing each other.  Other teams may already be onto the road to defeat before they’ve taken the field against these sets of highly-powered athletes.  When Leeds play Saints you can never be sure of what the outcome will be unless form is so heavily weighted in favour of one of the sides and even then we’ve seen surprises in recent seasons.  Think Grand Finals and Challenge Cup match-ups.  There is little psychological advantage at this stage because Old Trafford is all that matters to these two.  Standing in their way are expected to be Hull KR and Huddersfield.  Finish top and you will be rewarded by inviting one of those two new kids into your backyard.  It is no longer the reward that it used to be.  Leeds by 8.

Wigan (5th) v Hull (12th)
So Wigan made it.  Congratulations to the most maligned coach in Super League.  Brian Noble is there and whenever a Noble side is sniffing around silverware there’s always a chance, unless it’s at international level or not against Leeds or Wigan.  The home fans can switch off for a couple of games and enjoy the free-flowing and thrilling style in which they’ve been treated to this year.  They should all be on their knees from this day forward praying they get a shot at Leeds.  Wigan by 12.

Catalans (7th) v Wakefield (6th)
Saturday night’s SKY game is my second pick of the round’s games.  Wakefield will be partaking in knockout footy and remain in the hunt for a very creditable fifth place.  With Wigan hosting Hull that hunt is more than a stretch which shifts the concentration levels in favour of the home side.  We all know that Wakefield are a mystery team and unreliable when it comes to predicting.  The same is true of Catalans.  Is it enough by saying it means more to Catalans than Wakefield?  I think it is.  Should be a cracker.  Catalans by 2.

Celtic (14th) v Huddersfield (4th)
I thought pick your game was only in operation in the play-offs.  Surely the Giants must have fixed this one for themselves.  Play a cup final and then take a trip to South Wales, ideal isn’t it?  Not so sure.  Who wants to be making two such long trips in the space of a week?  Huddersfield fans don’t even like taking long trips down the M62.  Holiday in the valleys or a disaster waiting to happen?  If visas weren’t an issue then it might just have been the latter.  Huddersfield by 4.

Hull KR (3rd) v Warrington (9th)
As professional as Tony Smith is and as professional he makes his sides I cannot foresee the Wolves being drilled into the ground for this game after winning the cup.  We all know the story of what happens in the weeks leading up to and the week after the final, it’s preparation then party.  With the two teams above them facing difficult games which could leave them hanging on their final games to quality for the post-season, Wire could conceivably enjoy their cobweb-soaked champagne week and still be in with a shout of making the grade next week.  Can they take that chance?  If you were in the boss’ chair at Wire what would you do?  You’d be silly to force the play this week.  Let them enjoy their week and if there’s a sniff of a chance next week, go for it.  Whatever happens the season has been a success and anything else is now a bonus.  Besides, what harm does a few extra weeks rest do in preparation for the four nations and next season?  It’s a win-win for Cyrano.  Hull KR by 12.

Bradford (11th) v Salford (13th)
Mathematically it is possible.  Theoretically it is possible.  Realistically it is possible and it will happen.  So have been going Steve McNamara’s regular pre-match talks for the past two months.  We all knew the Bulls would storm along towards the end of the year when there was no pressure on them.  It’s motivational coaching of the highest order.  I wish Chris Caisley could see them now.  Bradford by 6.

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

Harlequins RL (10th)v Castleford (8th)
Sudden death it is.  A promising season is on the verge of lying in tatters for Brian McDermott’s men.  A run of just one win in ten rounds has seen Harlequins RL dive out of the play-off picture.  I’m sure they were third at one point as well.  What has gone wrong?  Injuries.  It’s one thing a team blooding youngsters during confident times and occasionally McDermott has managed to inspire brilliant performances.  Sadly, you can’t live on that.  A team like Harlequins RL needs to stay clear of squad testing absences because the depth isn’t there yet.  It might not be enough for them to win here unless they rack up a good score.  With Castleford travelling to Warrington in the final round a win for either of those clubs may still be enough for one of them to go through.  The spivs need favours.  They have to hope that Wakefield and Hull KR rattle up some big numbers and even then it’ll mean nothing without two points from this game.  Sudden death football is great.  Castleford by 2.

Last round predictions;

Hull by 2 (won by 20)
Hull KR by 8 (won by 4)
Saints by 6 (won by 2)
Warrington by 2 (lost by 12)
Leeds by 54 (won by 68)
Bradford by 6 (won by 24)
Wigan by 1 (won by 3)

A wild gamble on Warrington left the week’s predictions at 6-1.  96-68 overall.

Momentous.  Truly momentous.  This year’s Challenge Cup semi-finals were the most eagerly anticipated since 1996 and they didn’t disappoint.  Saturday’s contest deteriorated into an error-fest in the second half, however the entertainment level never dipped and you carried on watching.  Warrington almost goofed their way into twenty years only for Lee Briers to save the day.  What a transformation by Briers.  When Tony Smith came in I talked about the psychological benefit he brings to a side.  You have seen it in Lee Briers’ performances of late.  Gone is the petulant hissy-fit throwing Briers, replaced by a player who is finally realising that it was always his inner demons which were holding him back.  I hope such a transformation seeps through into his character and personality.  A possible tale of redemption on our 114th birthday?

Sunday was as incredible a semi-final as I have ever seen.  Competition favourites, Saints, were kept out by the best defensive showing of Super League XIV.  Saints’ looping wide attack was completely shut down by an aggressive defensive strategy, picking out the runner and disrupting their passing patterns.  Without that defence there is no way they would have won.  The cup holders attack might have been stymied but it wasn’t neutered and a weaker team would have shipped more points.  I remember my own personal excitement during the 1996 cup run when we knew Wigan were out of the competition.  More than at any other time of attending cup matches I knew the chance of success was there.  Both sets of fans must feel that now.  It is a tremendous feeling and one which will leave one set of fans disappointed in a way that many of us have experienced.  Huddersfield have been threatening to break through and they face the side most likely to if they don’t achieve it themselves.  A fascinating possibility and I know I speak for pretty much the entire RL population when I say this year’s Cup Final is not only one I will be tuning in for it is one I cannot wait for.

Leeds (2nd) v Castleford (7th)
One of the contenders for this week’s pick of the pops. Castleford going to Leeds is normally a home win and I’m sure most people will be thinking and going that way.  This year you just don’t know do you.  A week of rest will have done both sides good especially Castleford whose revival was crushed by Justiniho’s men.  This is the start of a relatively comfortable run-in for Leeds, who have their one tough match at home (Saints).  Aside from that this is the next hardest.  There’s a least six points in the bag for the champions coming and a couple of big scores at Celtic and Salford might just see them topple Saints as minor premiers.  Castleford have really been too inconsistent this season for me to be tipping them.  Leeds by 8.

Wigan (5th) v Warrington (8th)
I know I should probably keep my chatter about last week’s game to the opening paragraphs of the review.  What’s the point though?  Surely Warrington will have been partying all week whilst Wigan got back into training with revenge and a big stick in the Wire spokes on their mind.  Pity there’s no Terry Newton playing for Wigan anymore some  of their fans have been thinking.  He could have bust a few nuts and bolts before Wemberlee.  What did happen last week?  Pretty straightforward really.  O’Loughlin had his first game back from injury and he wasn’t able to get into the game like he has been doing.  Warrington blitzed Wigan with some devastating attacking rugby and controlled the final thirty minutes of the first half.  It was some half hour of RL.  I guess some Wigan fans would be tempted to mention the going-for-the-two or Phil Bailey’s injury as significant.  They weren’t.  Warrington just clicked man.  They clicked like two clicking things in the Greatest Clicking Things In The World Competition in a click-off in Clickheaton (I should have written Blackadder IV).  Wigan woke up in the second half as Wire folded three aces.  Truth is Wigan weren’t taking control.  They snaffled up a few chances without having to earn them.  Missing leadership on the field was the issue for Wigan.  Their captain’s return was neutralised by his physical condition and there was nobody else there to drive the team forward in the manner in which Morley was doing for Warrington.  What a season Morley is having as well.  If it weren’t for The Big Red Machine churning up the yards for Saints Morley could well be Man Of Steel.  He may still yet take it and I won’t bemoan him if he does.  Wigan by 6.

Catalans Dragons (10th) v Hull (11th)
Just take at look at those final Catalans fixtures.  Bulls (A), Wakefield (H) and Saints (A).  22 points for them now, level with Harlequins RL and Warrington.  Could they climb over those and maybe even catch a team further up the table?  If they can topple Bradford at The Great Pit Of Carkoon I think they will.  Should be two points here with one of the poorest Humberside teams to have graced Super League.  Catalans by 6.

Harlequins RL (9th) v Salford (13th)
Frustrating, frustrating, frustrating.  Frustration RL they should change their name to.  This is simply a must win for Brian McDermott.  His team’s schedule sees four games against teams in the bottom half with the final two at home to Castleford and away to Warrington.  Harlequins RL are a team with their destiny in their own hands right now.  Win all four of these and it will be play-offs time.  Cue big time frustration.  What’s the point in getting all excited about Harlequins RL when they disappoint nearly every single time.  If Harlequins RL appeared on Mock The Week they’d be Russell Howard.  Occasionally he’ll come out with a good one, usually once per series.  Harlequins RL by 8.

Huddersfield (3rd) v Bradford (12th)
Bradford just won’t die this year.  Of course I said this the other week when I said they will now play their hearts out so Stevie can proclaim his team to be heading in the right direction and ready to make up lost ground next year.  With Huddersfield there has to be a chance of Wembleyitis for this.  Are they going to go out full tilt with Saints next week and the Challenge Cup Final the week after?  Okay Saints might not be too much of an ask but who wants to risk an injury right now?  If Saints beat Hull KR the Giants can afford to lose this one and still be three points clear in third.  You know what?  I was obviously thinking a home win here and now I might have talked myself into believing an eager Bulls team can spring a surprise.  Stop!  Look I’m generally an optimist.  I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and look for the more positive aspects of someone’s personality.  Here I’m telling you that I believe Huddersfield have brought to the table a first rate defence that reminded me very much of the Saints-Hull teams of Super League XI.  I’d take that.  Huddersfield by 2.

Wakefield (6th) v Celtic Crusaders (14th)
The season is over for our Welsh brothers and my continual minimalist approach to writing about their games has to end at some point so I can talk about how successful their first season in the big league has been.  A Wakefield win will keep them vying for fifth but more importantly it will ease the pressure on the remaining tricky games.  Wakefield by 18.

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

Hull KR (4th) v St Helens (1st)
Given the results between the two sides over recent years I’m surprised this wasn’t singled out as one of the SKY’s weekend choices.  When Rovers turned over Saints earlier this year I was already looking at the return match as one of the season’s prime slabs.  Rovers have fourth more or less sewn up and with the possible distraction of the Cup Final for the Giants they may still push the chase for third down to the final weekend.  Three points with four games left to play means it is all on for Rovers.  Saints reeling is an awkward proposition particularly the way the side has played this year.  Despite hovering slightly above average with their form for most of the season Saints have shown some great resilience away from home.  It will be interesting to see if Justiniho tries to use the same defensive tactics as Huddersfield did and if they do will that be the end for Saints this year?  Rovers by 4.

Huddersfield by 2 (won by 24)
Wakefield by 4 (won by 6)
Catalans by 10 (won by 34)
Leeds by 6 (won by 2)
Bradford by 6 (lost by 8 )
Castleford by 4 (lost by 18 )
Wigan by 1 (lost by 4)

Continuing the average streak 85-65.

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.