Johnny_L_O
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So here we are, 80 minutes from Old Trafford and 4 teams remain.
Warrington v Leeds
St Helens v Wigan
The safe money IMO is still on a Wire/Wigan GF but I think Leeds and Saints will both have a big say in what happens.
Leeds have really come into some form over the last month or so and had it not taken until the back end of the season we could have pushed Saints for 3rd. We did survive a scare in the last 10 last week and I was very critical of Webb who gifted Huddersfield 12 points in that time but it turned out he had been very ill leading up to the game and I guess fatigue caught up with him. The defensive line speed was there though and although the game ended close, Hudds were never really in it.
If Leeds want to trouble Warrington next week though they need to avoid these 10 minute defensive lapses that keep costing us a heap of points. Hopefully Ablett and Watkins will be back to strengthen out back line and give us more speed and punch, not to mention firming it up aswell. Hardaker was very good with ball in hand but defensively he's not up to par yet (as a centre). If he's to get a spot in a full strength team it would be on the wing if Webb gets dropped and BJB moves to full back. He is one for the future though and remember he is only 19.
Warrington have looked unstoppable at times this season but every so often after a big win they have a poor game and look beatable. They will also have to be weary of the week off. So often in the play offs has a team that wins and gets the bye then comes unstuck 2 weeks later. I cant see Tony Smith letting this affect them too much though as he has been there with Leeds and should know how to guard against it.
It is an interesting game though and I can't see Leeds not turning up. It's just a matter of whether their best can match this Warrington teams best.
In the 2nd game, looking at the regular season, you would pick Wigan all day long. 1-17 apart from the odd couple of players they are better on paper man for man. The great thing about Rugby League though is that it isn't played on paper. 2 weeks ago St Helens travelled to the DW and caught Wigan with their pants down. Lomax controlled things behind a good Saints pack and they came away with the surprising victory. Now they have home field advantage and have the chance to make it 5 Grand Final losses in a row ;-)
Wigan though, have been in this situation before. Just 12 months ago 4th placed Leeds went across to the DW on a nice september night and did the same to Wigan as Saints did last week. 2 weeks later they came back to Leeds and after a close 1st half, put Leeds to the sword. In all honesty I can only see this scenario panning out the same way. Saints have a good coach, a good young team and had a very good season but this game will be 1 too many in my opinion. They wont be too far off the pace though and will run Wigan close but I just feel this team under MaGuire know how to play well when the pressure is on. Sometimes they do it ugly, but at the end of the day a win is a win.
There should be 2 decent crowds this weekend though and hopefully 2 competative games. My guess is Warrington by 8 and Wigan by 4, but I hope I am wrong... on both counts ;-)
Warrington v Leeds
St Helens v Wigan
The safe money IMO is still on a Wire/Wigan GF but I think Leeds and Saints will both have a big say in what happens.
Leeds have really come into some form over the last month or so and had it not taken until the back end of the season we could have pushed Saints for 3rd. We did survive a scare in the last 10 last week and I was very critical of Webb who gifted Huddersfield 12 points in that time but it turned out he had been very ill leading up to the game and I guess fatigue caught up with him. The defensive line speed was there though and although the game ended close, Hudds were never really in it.
If Leeds want to trouble Warrington next week though they need to avoid these 10 minute defensive lapses that keep costing us a heap of points. Hopefully Ablett and Watkins will be back to strengthen out back line and give us more speed and punch, not to mention firming it up aswell. Hardaker was very good with ball in hand but defensively he's not up to par yet (as a centre). If he's to get a spot in a full strength team it would be on the wing if Webb gets dropped and BJB moves to full back. He is one for the future though and remember he is only 19.
Warrington have looked unstoppable at times this season but every so often after a big win they have a poor game and look beatable. They will also have to be weary of the week off. So often in the play offs has a team that wins and gets the bye then comes unstuck 2 weeks later. I cant see Tony Smith letting this affect them too much though as he has been there with Leeds and should know how to guard against it.
It is an interesting game though and I can't see Leeds not turning up. It's just a matter of whether their best can match this Warrington teams best.
In the 2nd game, looking at the regular season, you would pick Wigan all day long. 1-17 apart from the odd couple of players they are better on paper man for man. The great thing about Rugby League though is that it isn't played on paper. 2 weeks ago St Helens travelled to the DW and caught Wigan with their pants down. Lomax controlled things behind a good Saints pack and they came away with the surprising victory. Now they have home field advantage and have the chance to make it 5 Grand Final losses in a row ;-)
Wigan though, have been in this situation before. Just 12 months ago 4th placed Leeds went across to the DW on a nice september night and did the same to Wigan as Saints did last week. 2 weeks later they came back to Leeds and after a close 1st half, put Leeds to the sword. In all honesty I can only see this scenario panning out the same way. Saints have a good coach, a good young team and had a very good season but this game will be 1 too many in my opinion. They wont be too far off the pace though and will run Wigan close but I just feel this team under MaGuire know how to play well when the pressure is on. Sometimes they do it ugly, but at the end of the day a win is a win.
There should be 2 decent crowds this weekend though and hopefully 2 competative games. My guess is Warrington by 8 and Wigan by 4, but I hope I am wrong... on both counts ;-)
