Relegation Watch

[bartman]

This just got more interesting with the deduction of two competition points from Wigan... here's how it stands with five rounds to play.

Wakefield 14 (-142) play Catalans (H), Leeds (H), St Helens (A), Bradford (A), Castleford (H)
Wigan 14* (-120) play Leeds (A), Huddersfield (H), Bradford (H), Harlequins (A), Hull (H).
Catalans 14 (-207) exempt from relegation
(* = two points deducted for 2005 salary cap breach)

Could come down to points differential? Can only see two possibel wins each there.

 

[Pistol]

wouldnt Wigan have the priority on the table due to their better points differential?

 

[bartman]

Yep, if they keep their 22 point advantage over the next five weeks. But one bad game in Superleague though, and the 22 points could go in a flash.

 

[Pistol]

fingers crossed bart that success will follow the warriors

 

[bartman]

Wakefield had two players sent off on the weekend, so despite their new found form they might be without Betham or Catic for a week or so? Haven't seen the incidents to be able to judge though.

 

[fourplay]

So its just out of Wakefield and Wigan ? and one of them HAS to be relegated ?

After a relegation is there normally a mass exodus of players from the club ?

 

[bartman]

Other teams are 3 points ahead - stranger things have happened, but I'd be surprised if anyone else fell into contention?

There were a number of years where the team finishing last was not relegated, based on league claims that the team due for promotion did not meet certain criteria. Now days the criteria have been published in advance to give lower division clubs a chance to get those things right before it comes time for the decision.

Yes, there tends to be a mass exodus from relegated clubs, as the money available in the lower division vastly reduces the club's salary cup even if they take the risk to stay "full-time". Superleague level players generally want to keep playing Superleague and not bide their time in National Leagues.

Rumour has it that the RFL have told three lower division clubs this year that they would be approved should they win the grand final - Hull KR, Leigh, and Widnes. The league has denied that Whitehaven have been told they have not met the criteria - they certainly met the criteria when told they were eligible for promotion in the lead up to losing grand finals the last two years.

 

[fourplay]

ok thanks !!

 

[bartman]

Confirmation in that Monty Betham and Ned Catic are out for 2 and 3 matches.

Wakefield must win against Catalans this week to keep their momentum, but might find it tough with two first-team forwards unavailable. They'd be counting on a win in their final round game against Castleford too, and then hoping Wigan only manage one win from five (either Huddersfield or Halrequins).