Worthy of the Grand Final

[Fairleigh Good!]

Great game tonight between Saints and Hull and I feel it has to be repeated as the Final for there to be any justice this season.

Saints were off the pace tonight, but probably only because Hull wouldn't let them play. I feel Hull need to lift it a gear or two in attack as they never troubled Saints tonight, but they certainly know how to frustrate Saints.

Some superb individual performances tonight particularly from Ade Gardner and James Roby. Gardner being left out of the GB squad with the likes of Aspinwall in it is wrong, another faultless performance from him tonight. Roby won Saints the game I feel as Hull, as with Huddersfield in the Cup final, couldn't cope with the increased pace around the ruck, meaning the second half was all Saints pressure and starved them of the chance to score the winning try. They tried hard all night, but never came close to crossing in the second half.

For Hull I thought the usual suspects were great. Cooke, Swain and Yeaman amongst the stars for them. Yeaman has to get his chance for GB, he handled it superbly again tonight. Carvell let them down a lot tonight I thought, he was swinging all night and was lucky to not be more severely dealt with on a few occasions.

Superb turnout from the Hull fans tonight as ever. I genuinely hope they at least reach the final.

 

[JasonE]

Absolutely,
that game was what Rugby League is all about, real edge of the seat stuff.
Roby said after the game he was surprised to win the award, i thought he thoroughly deserved it.

Yes there were mistakes but that was down to pressure and the very slippery ball.

Credit to both teams, great stuff.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

It was a pretty tense game but you never thought Hull were going to win it. After they did so well to score that first try with some good decoy runners creating space out wide, they then never did it again all game. Hull also showed no urgency at the end whenthey had to do something. They almost played the last five minutes as if it was the first. They were giving it to Carvell on the fourth tackle to trundle it up and even when the likes of Horne or Yeaman got the ball they just tucked it under their arm and ran headlong into the defence. They seemed to think their only attacking chance was with a kick at the end of the set. They did well to keep Saints to only two tries but Hull were never going to score the points to win the game. I hope they get another chance in the grand final, God knows Bradford and Wire don't deserve to be there, but there is no way Saints won't win it. I enjoyed the game though, just frustrated Hull couldn't throw more at them.

 

[douglasallen91]

dang it, it was their to be taken as well.

 

[pmarrow]

I agree with most parts but not all.

Firstly Carvell was our best performer on the field.

Secondly we lost it in the second half because of our kicking game was so dire. Your players were receiving the ball on the full on there own 30/40 were we would get it back in the in goal area. That was the difference which swung the advantage in Saints favour.

I think both sides had the same game plan as neither would have wanted to give too much away knowing at least one of them will be in the Grand final. Both sides played a simple forward defensive game, probably why the scoreline was so low.

Hull need to show better in attack I agree but so do Saints.

 

[deluded pom?]

For once I agree with Marrow regarding the kicking game . Hull also lacked discipline when they gave away dumb penalties several times when they had Sts pinned in their own thirty. I hate to criticise officials but how they allowed the pass from Gilmour to Meli to stand was beyond belief . The touch judge is in a great position to give the call but he bottled it and kept his flag by his side . For all Sts possession and field position I thought Hull defended brilliantly . Hull never looked like scoring in the second half but then , a forward pass aside , neither did Sts . Agree with Fairleigh though , this has to be the GF . Please not Bradford at OT again .

 

[bartman]

Hull last year and in their better form this year seem to have the ability to put on a big game and cramp their opposition for style. Was good that they stepped up for the Saints game, and it was a close run thing for mine, still alive all the way.

Trouble is they now have to repeat the effort against Bradford for another shot at Saints. That will be make of these big game efforts in a row if they are to get to a victory lap at Old Trafford. The clash with Bradford next week should be a beauty.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

How has Meli gone this year? Considering how disinterested he looked in 2005 I'm surprised he's managed to retain his position.

How about Motu Tony, worthy of the Kiwi hooking spot again? He always seems to go pretty good when I see Hull play.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Tony has got to be in the Kiwi side. Unfortunately with SL still running two weeks late he won't be there until at least 3N game 3.

 

[bartman]

I think Motu is that ultimate utility type of guy. Very useful to have in your squad, as he can fit in almost anywhere when needed, jack of all trades but master of none? I think he goes better at dummy half than out in the backs personally, will be interested to see if he gets the kiwi nod there.

Meli doesn't really do it for me. He's probably got one of the easiest jobs playing wing in such a successful talented side, and does OK but personally I think NZ have access to better wingers for Tri-Nations. The guys that played last year played out of their skin.

 

[Fairleigh Good!]

How has Meli gone this year? Considering how disinterested he looked in 2005 I'm surprised he's managed to retain his position.

How about Motu Tony, worthy of the Kiwi hooking spot again? He always seems to go pretty good when I see Hull play.

Meli, Meli, Meli!!!

He's been pretty awesome for the most part, certainly none of the laziness we were warned about. He's added an extra dimension to Saints I feel as we've rarely had any size out wide. He has had a very good season and I feel he is the perfect foil for Willie Talau as his defensive failings are covered by Big Willie, who is arguably the form centre at St Helens this season and thats saying something with Mr Incredible on the other side.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Awesome. Meli is one of my favourite players ever. At his best (which only really occurred for parts of 2001 and 2003) he just stomped all over opposing wingers and was unstoppable. However, in between times he ran like a powderpuff and just didn't seem the same player, and that was the case pretty much throughout 2005. Also, in 2005 it seemed apparent that, from being a genuinely big and fast guy, he was suddenly much too slow to play on the wing. I didn't know if it was due to injuries or whatever, or just that he didn't care anymore.