Last week’s blog focused on the emergence of youth within the super league ranks. The shining lights of the Super League’s

Kiwi international Greg Eastwood will be hopeful of bringing more silverware to Headingley this season.

academies, who seem sure to have a big future in the game.  The discovery of these young starlets is obviously essential for the game, and a fantastic product of the licensing system, but fans want to see the big-time players as well.

This close season a number of clubs have captured the imagination of their fans with their signings of some of the world’s leading Rugby League players. Added to the existing array of foreign talent, Super League can expect to see the likes of Greg Eastwood, Matt Orford, Craig Fitzgibbon and Glenn Hall, plying their trade in the competition in 2010.

These imports can only enhance the stature and quality of the competition. We all recognise and accept that the main goal of super League is to create a competitive, world-class breeding ground for English international talent, much in the mould of the NRL, and these top-quality players can help by drawing on all their experiences, talent and nous to further improve the competition in such a way.

The blog normally sees me pick five players on the theme but with the amount of quality brought into the competition this year it was difficult and decided to pick seven players this time around. So these are the seven foreign imports I believe will make the biggest and most eye-catching contribution to Super League as a whole, but also their respective clubs.

Matt Orford – Bradford Bulls

The perceived star foreign import of 2010. The former Manly and Melbourne scrum-half arrives at Odsal with a glowing reputation. A highly skilled ball player, Orford possesses that touch of class to unlock any defence. The Australian’s kicking game is also without fault, and regularly turns the opposition around with astute, accurate kicking.

With the loss of Paul Deacon to Wigan, it seems likely Orford will take over the captaincy at the Grattan Stadium, a role he thrived in at Manly. The Australian captained the Sea Eagles to a NRL premiership in 2008 and a World Club Challenge over Leeds Rhinos in 2009.

If Bradford are to challenge the likes of Leeds and St Helens for honours again this year, Orford will most definitely be the central figure at Odsal.

Greg Eastwood – Leeds Rhinos

Kiwi international forward Greg Eastwood finally reaches Super League this year after spending last season on loan at the Canterbury Bulldogs due to visa problems.

A giant in all senses of the word, Eastwood is powerful, athletic, hits hard and is deceptively quick for such a big guy.  Leeds have been looking for a replacement for Gareth Ellis since his departure and they’ve finally got their man.

With Leeds looking strong in the forwards anyway, Eastwood adds yet more quality to the Rhinos pack.  Expect big things from this young Kiwi, who at 22 has his best years in front of him.

David Fa’alogo – Huddersfield Giants

Another Kiwi back-rower, David Fa’alogo looks an intelligent signing by Giants coach Nathan Brown.  Fa’alogo had his contract terminated in September for allegedly punching former South Sydney coach Jason Taylor, and Huddersfield moved quickly for their man.

Fa’alogo is a versatile second-rower, renowned for his high work-rate and solid defence and will add yet more steel and solidarity to the Huddersfield team who will be aiming to kick on from last years undoubted successes.

Craig Fitzgibbon – Hull FC

A veteran of the NRL, Craig Fitzgibbon represented the Sydney Roosters 228 times is his ten seasons at the club.  He also has 11 New South Wales appearances and 19 Australian caps to his name, and is a stalwart of a back-row forward.

An all-round individual Fitzgibbon runs aggressive lines in attack, is rock-solid in defence and can kick a goal or too as well.  Fitzgibbon will be key to any successes that Hull FC are striving towards this season, and along with fellow ex-Rooster, Mark O’Meley, the Hull pack look more potent than ever with the inclusion of Fitzgibbon.

Matt Utai – Crusaders RL

Maybe a strange pick for some, but when looked at against the raw facts, Utai looks a shrewd signing by the Brian Noble and his backroom staff.  In last year’s Super League, the Crusaders only managed 357 points all season and lacked pace and power in the backs.  Utai comes straight from the NRL where he touched down 71 times in 124 games for the Canterbury Bulldogs.

A pacey and powerful winger, Utai has represented New Zealand and Samoa on the international stage and was named Daly M Rookie of the Year back in 2002.

Utai’s try-scoring ability will be vital if the Crusaders are to improve and progress in Super League XV.

Dallas Johnson – Catalans Dragons

Former Melbourne Storm loose-forward Dallas Johnson moves to the south of France as a replacement for NRL-bound Greg Bird.

Johnson has represented Queensland 12 times and the Kangaroos once.  He is known for his style as a modern day workhorse, regularly averaging over 40 tackles a game.  In the 2007 origin series, Johnson made an Origin record 62 tackles in the 77 minutes he was on the field, and tackle every New South Wales player except Jamie Lyon.

This commitment and enthusiasm Johnson exhibits in every one of his matches will be vital for the Dragons, if they are to build on last season’s stunning play-off display and maybe make it one step further.

Iosia Soliola – St Helens

Yet another New Zealand international, Iosia Soliola joins St Helens on the back of four seasons with the Sydney Roosters.  Primarily utilised in the centres, but also a handy back-rower, Soliola will be hoping to stamp his authority onto Super League.

The Kiwi is a ferocious tackler, and averaged more tackles per game than any other centre in the NRL last season with nearly 20 per game.  He also uses his considerable size in attack to power through defences with barn-storming runs.

At 23, Soliola is open to improvement and Saints will be confident that he has his best Rugby years in the famous red vee.

El jugador australià dels Catalans Dragons, Greg Bird, acaba de ser exculpat d’haver agredit fa dos estius la seva companya sentimental, Katie Milligan. A l’agost, un tribunal australià va considerar-lo culpable de l’agressió, i el va condemnar a vuit mesos de presó. Però ara el recurs presentat per la defensa ha prosperat i Bird ha quedat exculpat perquè, segons un jutge de Sydney, es va tractar d’un accident.

Arran de l’acusació, Bird va ser acomiadat del seu club australià, els Cronulla Sharks, i va traslladar-se a Europa per jugar a la SuperLeague. Però cap equip anglès no el va voler contractar fins que no passés pels jutjats, ocasió que van aprofitar els Dragons per contractar-lo tota la temporada. Ara caldrà veure si, amb l’absolució, torna a la lliga australiana o es queda a Europa.

Avui els Catalans tenen el partit més important de lliga de les quatre temporades que hi juguen. La semifinal contra el Leeds no era esperable, ni en el millor dels casos, aquesta temporada. Però així és: a les nou del vespre, a Anglaterra, els de Perpinyà seran a vuitanta minuts d’Old Trafford.

I per explicar aquest canvi de mentalitat entre una temporada fluixa i irregular i uns play-offs esclatants i impecables, sols cal llegir el que en diu l’internacional Olivier Elima…

Here we are then. One week to go and it might well be the most eagerly anticipated match-ups in play-off history. We have two knockout games instead of the usual one. Last week Huddersfield’s season tailed off as Catalans played the game, controlled it and let the home side give in first. It was first rate performance in a game I thought was unfairly criticised. There may have been plenty of penalties in the opening thirty minutes but there was some exciting rugby as well with big breaks lighting up the match until Catalans score put them out of sight. If the opposition had been Leeds people would be wetting themselves about it.

A trip to Leeds was Catalans reward which means the only team left capable of beating Leeds play on Saturday night. Which team that is we’ll find out. Both Saints and Wigan can usually be relied on to provide resistance to Leeds even if recent Old Trafford battles have seen Leeds come home with the silver. At Rovers, Wigan never really looked to be in too much trouble and have set up the dream fixture on the ball of the universally successful club call.

Leeds vs Catalans
Of the two matches this is the one which attracts the least interest, not because we don’t follow Catalans because everybody does. It is the ominous feeling surrounding the game that the French have come as far as they can and now face the champions. Leeds aren’t champions by accident and although this season hasn’t seen them hit the heights they look very good from where I am sat. Catalans will need every bit of their recent defensive showings to even compete here. In the past three weeks the Dragons have given us performances not dissimilar to a top four team with serious Grand Final aspirations. Had they been at home for any of those games their probability of success on Friday would increase. This is not based on any sensible reasoning, merely the logic that teams looking to win away from home for four games in a row against statistically superior opposition come unstuck eventually. From where do you see Catalans breaking this Leeds side? Adam Mogg continues to be a vital cog and contributor and he is capable of being a key factor down the flanks for Walters. Casey and Bosc definitely give the back line some structure and momentum when they have the forwards pushing the defensive line backwards. Against Leeds they are less likely to get that. Over the past three seasons or so Leeds have perfected their tackling technique to the point of being the most effective wrestlers in the game. This is not a complaint in the manner that Walters’ comments about Huddersfield was. In the past two Grand Finals, Leeds’ game plan has centered around forcing ball carriers onto their backs with good defensive weight. Catalans do not strike me as a team with zip in the tackle which may explain Walters’ fears against the Giants. If you watch Leeds you can see they aren’t unnecessarily scrappy in the tackle. They are great with their timing in relation to what the referee is looking for. Pushing the boundaries would be an easy comment because I don’t see it in their style. A set Leeds defence is too strong for Catalans and coupled with Leeds’ freshness it has to be too much for the Dragons. Leeds by 12.

St Helens vs Wigan
What’s your prediction for the attendance on Saturday? It might not be the first time the old enemies have squared off for a place in the Grand Final with the loser going home. It might be the first time both sets of fans have been going in expecting to reach the Grand Final. If you haven’t heard Saints are at their weakest now since, well since 1997 by the sound of it. Despite looking much improved in their last outing at home to Huddersfield Wigan are running hotter at the moment. I can see how people have arrived at this opinion. Wigan have bowled over Castleford and Hull KR in the play-offs after being butchered at the Galph so it makes sense to point to those two comfortable wins and compare them favourably to facing Saints on their own turf. What have Saints got that Castleford and Rovers haven’t? Saints, after all, have lost more games at home this season for at least five years and, without consulting the record books, you probably have to go back to the last century to find a similar record of defeats. This means that Wigan confidence is not wild-eyed optimism. The visitors are battle-hardened with those two games but I ask you to look at those two games. Were they really the type of game that gives you irresistible armour against a team like Saints? Critics comment on the lack of cohesion when Saints have the ball in their hands whilst ignoring their other strengths such as defence and forward power. Is there a better yardage making set in the league? I don’t think there is and it will take an immense effort from Wigan to hold a side as fresh at Saints. The week off might take an edge off the attack but in both play-off games I thought Wigan looked ready for pushing on the back foot in the final third of the game. Neither Castleford nor Rovers was able to force the play well enough to test out Wigan. It will take a strong first half with a couple of tries lead for Wigan to win this. I don’t foresee a shoot out and if Wigan are to win it will be on the back of hard work, grit and determination, problem is I see Saints having more. Saints by 8.

Play-off predictions so far 2-4.

Divendres vinent, tota la temporada es juga a Headingley. El Leeds ha escollit els Catalans com a rival de les semifinals i Kevin Walters i companyia saben que són en una posició històrica. També ho saben els afeccionats catalans, que tenen l’oportunitat d’anar a Anglaterra divendres vinent.

Avui a migdia, en conferència de premsa des d’Anglaterra, el Leeds ha exercit el dret (que li correspon com a primer de la fase regular) d’elegir el rival de les semifinals. I ha escollit els Catalans Dragons en comptes de Wigan Warriors.

La decisió, diuen, ha estat difícil i s’ha adoptat tenint en compte la classificació final de la fase regular, en què els perpinyanesos han quedat per sota de Wigan.

Les estadístiques també han estat decisives: els Catalans sols han guanyat dos dels nou partits amb Leeds a la Super League (un dels quals, aquesta temporada al Gilbert Brutus), i mai en camp contrari. Però com ha comentat el cap executiu dels Dragons, Christophe Levy: “No hem guanyat mai al seu camp, però de fet tampoc ho havíem fet mai al de St. Helens fins fa dues setmanes”.

El partit es jugarà divendres vinent a les 21.00 a Headingley, mentre que dissabte jugaran l’altra final Wigan Warriors i St. Helens a Knowsley Road.

Aquests Catalans són imprevisibles. Divendres van tornar a sorprendre tothom a la fase de play-offs amb una victòria clara contra Huddersfield Giants a Anglaterra (6-16, amb assajos de Pelo i Elima) i s’han col·locat, gairebé sense voler-ho, a tan sols vuitanta minuts de la final d’Old Trafford.

Els de Perpinyà, doncs, han trobat un lloc a la taula de les semifinals de debò, que es jugaran divendres i dissabte que ve. I el rival pot ser tant el Leeds (que, com a primer classificat de la fase regular, té dret d’elegir-se el rival) com St. Helens. L’altra semifinal la juga els Wigan Warriors, que ahir es van desfer de Hull KR.

Cal recordar que el St. Helens, se’l va guanyar a l’últim partit de la fase regular a domicili, victòria que va permetre als Catalans de quedar vuitens i entrar als play-offs. I el fortíssim Leeds, aquesta temporada se l’ha guanyat a casa (32-30) i s’hi ha perdut a Anglaterra i al Magic Weekend.

Cròniques de la segona jornada de play-offs:

* Ils sont géants (L’Indépendant).

* Les Dragons ont du coffre (L’Indépendant).

* Nouvel exploit pour les Dragons, qualifiés en demi (Le Monde).

* Giants slain by Dragons (Sky Sports).

* Walters: I’m not surprised (Sky Sports).

No sé com s’ho fa aquest equip, però sembla que enguany vol sorprendre tothom. En contrast amb la mala temporada regular, la fase de semifinals sembla que li prova d’allò més. Ahir a la nit, en un partit a vida o mort a Wakefield, els Catalans es van endur amb més facilitat de la prevista la primera eliminatòria contra els Wildcats (16-25). I, gairebé sense voler-ho, han arribat gràcies al nou sistema de vuit equips a la mateixa alçada que la temporada anterior, boníssima: a la segona eliminatòria.

Els titulars de molts mitjans indiquen la sorpresa:

* Sky Sports: Dragons survive Cats comeback.

* BBC News: Dragons win ends Wakefield hopes.

* L’Indépendant: Plus rien ne les arrête, ils sont intouchables!

* SuperLeague.co.uk: Catalans hold their nerve.

El tècnic perpinyanès, Kevin Walters, ja ha gosat pronosticar que en la fase de semifinals els Catalans faran alguna cosa més… Per demostrar-ho, divendres vinent (21.00) han de guanyar, també a Anglaterra, els Huddersfield Giants, que van perdre ahir de manera bastant decebedora (15-2), en el primer grup, contra el St Helens de Mick Potter.

Dissabte, l’equip dels Catalans que es va imposar fa una setmana al St Helens en l’última jornada de la fase regular té un altre objectiu tant o més difícil: emportar-se la victòria al Bellevue Stadium contra Wakefield Wildcats (21.00).

Si guanyen, els de Perpinyà es mantindran vius en les semifinals. Si perden, s’haurà acabat la temporada 2008-2009, massa irregular.

Com es recorda a la magnífica web Dragons Story, no serà fàcil la victòria: en cinc desplaçaments dels Catalans a Wakefield, sols una vegada l’any passat van guanyar-hi.

Hey!  How a week changes your perspective.  Last week I couldn’t hold back my saliva when I thought about what these coming weeks has in store for us.  Turns out the first week is a mixture of death-defying victories alongside pre-ambles to possible encounters in a couple of weeks time.  Now you might not enjoy reading too much about how miserable a season your side as had and it’s tiring listening to the same old lack of RL analysis on this blog.  However, there is one thing nobody ever gets bored of reading and that’s mistakes.  I made a mistake last week.  It was a foolish one which I’m quite happy to put down to my usual playful exuberance about Super League play-off football.  There is no better time to be had watching professional rugby live in this country’s domestic calendar.  This will be our twelfth year of Super League play-off football and it has gone faster than a Keith Senior purchase order for shoulder chips.  From the epic first final when Jason Robinson’s dazzling footwork undid one of the best Leeds teams of the past thirty years to Wakefield’s heroics at Hull and from Castleford almost going all the way to the inevitable mention of “Wide to West.”  You may not like the play-off format and you’re a fool if you don’t.  You would prefer to deny us the pleasures of knockout football by the very best.  I’ve strayed from my point.  If you’re still arguing about the merits of a play-off system, stop watching the World Cup, Champions League Football, Major League Baseball, the Olympics, American Football and boxing because it’ll ruin your appreciation for round-robin leagues.

Back to my point.  My problem now is this could be the first of two encounters between Leeds and Hull KR.  Assuming results go to form and positioning there’s every chance that Hull KR and Huddersfield will have to beat Leeds and Saints twice just to progress to the Grand Final.  It will be some achievement for either to reach Old Trafford.  Why bother going 100mph this week when you could lose and end up facing a game next week just for the right to face the same side again?  Well I suppose if either team wins this week they will be at home in two weeks time with a week off inbetween.  Maybe it is more interesting than I thought it is.  The Giants and Rovers can more than upset the applecart if they win this weekend.  They will establish a golden opportunity for a new club to participate in the pinnacle of the northern hempishere’s professional domestic rugby competitions.

Leeds v Hull KR (winner advances to a home game in week 3)
Awesomeness.  Just how did Brian McClennan manage to have his team turn up one week, drift through games the next, snatch a victory after that and secure a minor premiership off the back of it?  The more cynical and loveless of us would decry such astonishment with throwaway ill-researched comments about decreasing quality instead of recognising the increased intensity.  Mentalists.  Given the way results between the champions, Hull KR and Huddersfield have played out this year we’re all probably glad that it is Michael Dobson and gang in town to give us a match that promises greater competitiveness.  Despite close defeats against Leeds, Rovers cannot feel too confident about the trip.  This Leeds team hasn’t yet hit top form which has me believing they are saving their best for last.  At their very best Leeds can burn up the grass like Lebowski and I fancy they are primed for release.  Leeds by 8.

St Helens v Huddersfield (winner advances to a home game in week 3)
Of the two tussles of the big time, this is the one filled with hope.  If you are not a Saints, Halifax or Bradford fan the chances are you will be sat on the edge of your seat this Saturday evening waiting to see if Huddersfield can break the seal.  Okay, I keep mentioning this mythical barrier between the great sides and the aspirational teams every time Huddersfield face up to a challenge.  There have been four of these challenges so far this year for Brownie’s boys.  Leeds twice, the cup semi-final and most recently, the Challenge Cup Final.  A 20% return from those games might not seem that great but it is.  You don’t suddenly start knocking off everybody on the back of an upturn in form.  What makes this game so enticing is the hurricane defence of Huddersfield fronting up again to the 20% opponent.  Now the Giants face a challenge with less pressure than they have had in any of the previous ones.  Expectation might be greater in the Huddersfield than it was before but we know this is expectation buoyed by confidence not hope.  Hope can be frail during the strongest of times.  When facing an adversary you know how to beat and who is making a bit of a mess of putting themselves in the Grand Final painting that hope becomes confidence.  For RL fans this is sure to be a treat with a possible re-match in two weeks time either at the same place or at the Galph.  The scruffbags which make up the bottom four of the play-off places might have something to say about that so let’s just savour this Saturday’s bust-up and pray that if we don’t see this contest again this year, there is something even better waiting to be served for the world’s viewers to gobble up.  Huddersfield by 2.

Wakefield v Catalans (winner advances to away game next week against one of the top four)
I try not to embellish my own ego by pointing out where I was wrong and others weren’t, however I can’t start talking about Catalans and ignore the fact that I singled out their trip to Saints as the climactic encounter in the final round of regular season games.  Saints fans will tell you it was a dull match with Saints unable to inject any sort of efficiency or enthusiasm into the game leading to a rejection of coach Potter and the boys from the terraces meerkats.  Like any set of home supporters the opposition’s win was down to the under-performance of their beloved celtic-tattooed beefchavs.  There is some truth to that assessment but as per usual such crying detracts from what was an impressive Catalans display.  How the French team would have fared against a front line Saints is irrelevant.  You can only beat what is put in front of you.  Quite.  Catalans produced some fine deft skills to embarrass Saints not only with their handling but with the result.  Can Walters’ improving touch help to bring about what wouldn’t be that big a surprise result?  It’s an interesting question and one that I would have ignored but for last week’s impressive application.  Now, we have a Wakefield side which has been good this year no doubt.  Good enough to sit in fifth?  They are.  There may be teams around them claiming to be better but Wakefield’s triumphs speak for themselves.  It is one thing upsetting a higher placed team like Rovers, it is something completely different when you end up belittling the reigning minor premiers on their own turf.  If I was looking purely at tactical nous and ability you might disagree with me and favour John Kear’s Challenge Cup history as evidence for Wakefield.  This weekend I am torn between the two.  Catalans, when they carry our their gameplan are a more effective team and one who can easily slip out of  your sight before you’ve got a foothold in the match.  I don’t see that in Wakefield.  Wakefield will bug you all the way and at home they are a difficult team to beat, so I am going for the emotion of the moment to help Wakefield through to a trip to one of the top four.  Wakefield by 2.

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

Wigan v Castleford (winner advances to away game next week against one of the top four)
Here it is, our final game of the round and what a contest in store.  Both games this year have gone to the away team although Wigan’s more recent victory is a better indicator of how this one should pattern out.  You can say nothing but good things about Castleford’s season.  Not many predicted a seventh place finish, a finish that has been helped by some great results, including their win at Wigan.  Good things at Wigan centre around the progression of Sam Tomkins and a second half of the season which has been very consistent, on the back of losing their strongest attacking forward, Hock.  Games between these two have been, over the years, great for the neutral.  Mainly I am talking about times when Castleford have upset the odds.  Who can forget the Stuart Raper led Tigers or the JPS Nikau inspired thrashing?  Memorable.  Will this be as memorable?  I think it will.  My feeling is it will still be a Wigan win even if it is closer than Noble would like.  Noble?  He is and maybe what is happening with his departure will provide Matterson with an intangible asset.  Wigan by 8.

Last round’s predictions;

Hull by 1 (lost by 3)
Leeds by 10 (won by 6)
Hull KR by 2 (lost by 14)
Castleford by 30 (won by 13)
Huddersfield by 2 (won by 32)
Warrington by 18 (won by 10)
Saints by 8 (lost by 12)

A return to the 4-3 days making it 106-72 overall.  Is anybody really bothered about the accuracy of the score predictions?

Feia molt que no escrivia al bloc: l’estiu se m’ha allargat més del compte! Però avui, seguint des de casa l’últim partit de la fase regular de la lliga, entre uns mediocres Catalans i un sempre imponent St. Helens (amb Potter a la banqueta), m’he vist obligat a trencar el silenci.

Després d’una temporada molt fluixa, plena d’alts i (molts) baixos, l’equip de Kevin Walters va deixar escapar la setmana passada en l’últim partit a Perpinyà l’oportunitat de classificar-se per a semifinals amb un rival teòricament a l’abast. Però no va poder ser. L’única opció per quedar entre els vuit equips primers i jugar semifinals, doncs, era guanyar l’últim partit d’avui, 11 de setembre, a casa del St. Helens.

Impossible, tal com han anat les coses enguany. Però, sense entendre-ho, des del primer moment els Catalans han sortit a guanyar i s’han acabat enduent la victòria amb comoditat (12-24). I, més important encara, entren directament a la fase de semifinals de la Super League. Per segon any consecutiu… i contra tot pronòstic!

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.

Hull (12th) v Harlequins RL (9th)
Harlequins RL need a win desperately.  From looking like certs for the play-offs they now loom dangerously close to missing out.  Fortunately for Harlequins RL Catalans and Castleford face difficult games so I can see any two point cushion remaining by the end of the weekend.  A four point deficit might be too much to overcome which is partly why I’m hoping for an away win.  To do that I know I have to back against Harlequins RL so they can fulfil their destiny.  Sadly I can’t write positively about Hull.  Good recruiting next for year should have Hull mentioned more often in Super League XV.  Inevitably I’ll be writing about Richard Agar and failing to live up to expectations.  A bit like Matt King being coached by Paul Cullen or James Lowes.  Hull by 2.

Salford (13th) v Hull KR (4th)
Test of Rovers mettle here.  It’s not good jerking off the big boys if you get strap-on-ed by a crack whore.  That’s no good for anybody, except maybe Lolly Badcock.  Huddersfield have the easier final two games but they’ll need three to be sure of third.  Justinho still believes his team can become champions and you know what?  I’m inclined to agree.  The biggest block in the way of that is Leeds’ improving form.  A red hot Leeds team stands to be too hard for any of the contenders.  Great review I know.  Hull KR by 8.

St Helens (1st) v Huddersfield (3rd)
Typical isn’t it?  We get a match up like this on Friday night football and it ends up being a week before a Saintsless Challenge Cup Final.  Nathan Brown, quite rightly, looks to be giving some much needed recovery time for some of his players.  Likely that such a decision will present Saints with a chance of both revenge and confidence building.  I can’t see it being so easy though.  A nervy home outing can give the Giants reason to concentrate on their game, however if they repeat the same amount of handling errors as they did in the semi-final Saints can’t be as merciful.  There’s no use in complaining about the cup final robbing us of one of the year’s prime time collisions because the probabilities  are that these things happen.  Even now though that Huddersfield defence lurks in the back of my mind and any defence like that can keep you in a Super League game.  I hope the Giants dip last week doesn’t get too comfortable though.  Saints by 6.

Warrington (10th) v Wakefield (6th)
Here’s an intriguing one.  Tony Smith knows his team are drifting in the league and defeat here will surely leave them with too much to do.  Last week was pathetic and you cannot just turn on the form tap when you want to.  It is worrying me for next week’s final.  I want both teams to be thrashing the life out of the other which means we need more than some effort here.  Coming into the semi-final Warrington managed to avoid stumbling into the game.  Their line-up for this one indicates Smith is going for this one.  Playing Celtic is like having a week off for some teams and has probably come at the right time for Kear’s men.  I fancy them to be flying around the pitch determined to win and when Wakefield hit their best form they are one of the most entertaining teams in the league to watch.  You may not think this is that interesting.  It is.  Warrington by 2.

Celtic Crusaders (14th) v Leeds (2nd)
Leeds quest for the top continues in South Wales as they embarrass the home side by sticking at least fifty on them.  Leeds by 54.

Bradford (11th) v Catalans Dragons (7th)
The French are fighting, refusing to bow out of the play-off hunt and as mentioned last week they need to take one of the next two games to make it.  It’s not guaranteed in the same way that victory in Bradford isn’t.  The carefree Bulls are spoiling everyone else’s party although even three miracle wins is unlikely to see them in the postseason action.  You all believe that the spoiling will carry on forcing the Dragons into what should be a belter next round at home to Wakefield.  Warrington’s Wembleyitis might just see them fall out of the play-off picture which should also mean one of Catalans or Harlequins RL will do battle beyond the regular season.  Fair play to the Bulls.  They’ve been crap for most of the year and still manage to generate more than two lines of writing.  Perhaps they deserve it.  Perhaps I should write about how terrible a season it has been for them.  My Name Is Earl.  Bradford by 6.

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

Castleford (8th) v Wigan (5th)
Wigan have made it.  A lollercoaster of a season looks set to end with a Brian Noble inspired surge to Grand Final defeat.  When you consider some of the histrionics rampaging across their forum earlier on in the season Noble must have proved some doubters wrong.  Darren Lockyer Jnr’s flashes of quality have given our former glamour boys hope for the next few years.  Similar can be said for Castleford who should be interesting next year when their good youngsters are a year older and a year closer to turning into game winning players.  At the moment Matterson can’t rely on such individual magic which is what makes this one of those great contrasts.  Over the years it was rare that Wigan would find it tough against a well-drilled side usually because of the dearth of them.  We are still some way from every side being able to at least defend each match.  We are not some way from Wigan finding it tough.  Improvements in the consistency of the less talked about clubs have brought us a competition where no brand is too big to be beaten.  Edge of our seat stuff.  Wigan by 1.

Leeds by 8 (won by 64)
Wigan by 6 (won by 20)
Catalans by 6 (won by 12)
Harlequins RL by 8  (lost by 4)
Huddersfield by 2 (lost by 10)
Wakefield by 18 (won by 34)
Rovers by 4 (won by 16)
Reasonable week last time out with 5-2 when I should have backed the Bulls like I almost talked myself into doing.  90-67 (57% which is quite a bit down from last year’s efforts).

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.

If you’re reading this on Thursday I’d just like to point you in the direction of We Are Klang’s new series on BBC3 at 10.30pm tonight.  I don’t know how they’ll translate to something as orthodox as this format.  If it’s anything like their live routine it can’t be missed.

Back to this week’s games and what a week.  Wigan steam on.  Brilliant win against Leeds.  The difference in their defence over the past month has been incredible.  Can they keep it going with Saints this week and the semi-final next?  What about Castleford sneaking back into the top half mix?  Still looks difficult for them.  As for Huddersfield, well I’m pleased to see a new kid on the block.  Can’t imagine Bradford fans are too chuffed as their own season splintered into pieces some time ago.  Over in Hull it was a terrific derby which was well deserved for those of us who have had to watch Hull more than once this year.

Due to being busy I haven’t been able to put an opening paragraph in and when I finally get free I have nothing to talk about.  Maybe I should talk about what I learned today.   Today I learned that our of last year’s England RL World Cup Squad five players proved to be damaging to the squad’s hopes, not because of their play on the field but their attitude off it.  Which five players were the negative influences which meant they were doomed to defeat before they even took the field?  Interesting isn’t it.

Hull (11th) v Huddersfield (3rd)
Not bad last week Hull.  A lot better than we thought they would play.  Wasn’t enough though was it.  In fact Hull still look like a side which hasn’t moved on in years.  Okay they threw the ball about a bit but what about that defence?  It’s as average as ever.  Top two chasing Huddersfield pose a different threat this week.  Third highest points scorers and lowest points conceded?  How has that happened?  Huddersfield are in the throes of ripping up the script, possibly starting next week and I hope they don’t leave their eye on that game for too long.  You can manage both.  Huddersfield by 2.

Salford (13th) v Wakefield (7th)
We thought it might be the case last week for Wakefield that too many huge games had them reeling and so it happened as the rejuvenated Tigers went ahead by two points.  It has to be an away win this week doesn’t it?  Salford collapsed in the second half at Warrington and McRae’s comments this week, to me, are not in proportion to his side’s efforts this year.  I don’t know what kind of criticism he’s come under this season.  His league position increase the chances of it being hard talk.  So when I say his comments I mean I’m not sure what criticism is that valid for a newly promoted team.  Makes you wonder if the team’s response will be a fiery  one.  If they do this can be a home win.  Have to go with Wakefield though.  It’s not so much Salford’s form more Wakefield’s and their need to keep up with their rivals.  Wakefield by 4.

Catalans (10th) v Celtic (14th)
Salford (A), Hull (H), Bulls (A) and Wakefield (H) before their season finale in St Helens.  Eight points is possible from those games so Catalans aren’t quite out of it yet.  Hopefully they can get plenty of locals in this one because it’s not going to be the boom weekend the hoteliers were hoping for.  Should be a comfortable win and a nice trip to France for our new Welsh brethren.  Catalans by 10.

Leeds (2nd) v Warrington (8th)
This should have been a crescendo.  Wire building up speed and Leeds trotting along, gearing up for the KO stuff.  It should have been.  We’re not really facing such a bang now.  Warrington went off the boil before regathering themselves ahead of next week’s semi-final.  Tony Smith has to be thinking Wigan will be backing up after too many tough games whereas his own side gets to test its intensity levels in preparation.  Do you expect Warrington to go at it like trench warfare?  Me?  I figure Smith will ask his side to hang in there and see if the Leeds that turns up means serious business or is still not locking together so well.  Aside from Peacock there isn’t too much good yardage work in the forwards.  It’s all a bit nip and tuck stuff at times.  If Leeds don’t up their game Smith’s men are sure to be hanging around to snaffle some scraps and a match more interesting than it should be sets up Warrington for next week.  At home Leeds can regroup after this round because they have no Challenge Cup aspirations this year.  They were knocked out.  KO’d.  Bullied out of a silverware hunt.  Time for them to set themselves for this year’s charge.  Just get through this one and top is a cert.  Leeds by 6.

Bradford (12th) v Harlequins (9th)
Hey spivs.  Looks like the bottom of the play-offs is your best bet now.  Warrington’s trip to Leeds should mean the visitors will still be in touch for the post-season action no matter what this result is.  I wouldn’t bother blaming my predictions for losses Harlequins RL fans.  It lets your team off the hook.  Your boys weren’t at the races last week.  It was one-way traffic until Saints tucked into bed and snoozed through to the hooter.  No let off this week.  If you think the Bulls are going to be going through the motions think again.  Bulls to come out fired up playing as if they can avenge everyone when it’s obviously too late.  Idiots.  Bradford by 6.

Castleford (6th) v Hull KR (4th)
Rovers almost gave it away last week.  What has happened to them?  Peaked way too early?  It has to be more than that.  They were coasting along at a competitive rate of knots and then WHAM! This is now a very tough trip.  Castleford have to be brimming with confidence thanks to their form improvement.  After our showstopper this has to be second choice of the round’s games.  A Tigers win brings Rover back into the pack and possibly out of third if Huddersfield kick on at Hull.  My logic says that Rovers are the more complete and consistent side.  Castleford’s wave of exhilaration has me wrapped in it and I’m going for Matterson to come up trumps.  Will it be enough for the play-offs?  It’s going to be very close I think.  Tigers by 4.

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

St Helens (1st) v Wigan (5th)
It has been a while since the neutrals have been able to look forward to a Saints-Wigan game.  I imagine most will be keen to watch this one.  Saints may have slipped back into gear at Harlequins RL but so have Wigan.  Noble has got a roll going.  It’s the kind of roll that he’s generated before and we know what happened at the end of that.  These are two huge games for Brian Noble and this club.  With their current form fans have every right to believe they can win both.  Why can’t they?  Their form is impressive and with Saints and Warrington experiencing indifferent form momentum is in their favour.  Test number one is right here.  I don’t believe Wigan have enough to take the Super League title.  If other sides hit a bit of form I suspect Wigan’s lack of punch may show through fatigue.  Consecutive wins could allow them some rest which Noble couldn’t sacrifice Bradford’s form for during that legendary run.  Both sides are missing key players and perhaps next week is more important too.  It doesn’t feel like it.  Wigan by 1.

Last week’s predictions;

Bulls by 6 (won by 22)
Harlequins RL by 2 (lost by 20)
Rovers by 12 (won by 6)
Huddersfield by 10 (won by 24)
Wakefield by 4 (lost by 8 )
Warrington by 6 (won by 42)
Leeds by 6 (lost by 18 )

Average.  81-62.

Celtic (14th) v Bradford (12th)
Where do I start with this one?  These teams might well be the two that I’ve written about the least over this past season.  There was never going to be much to talk about Celtic because we don’t get to see them that often and nobody is really interested in reading about teams that aren’t achieving especially when they’re facing a team in a similar position.  Writing about the Bulls over the years there’s been plenty of opportunities to be critical of their dour approach to the game, the Bullmania, bottling games and Chris Caisley.  Now I’ve exhausted all comments about decline, former glory days, decreasing crowds and the probable lack of Bulls players in this year’s Super League Dream Team.  It’s boring, just like Bradford at their peak.  Bulls by 6.

Harlequins RL (8th) v St Helens (1st)
Patch-up is the fashion for this fixture.  I won’t bore you with details of injuries because they cancel each other out here.  Last year this looked like a tricky game for Saints but they ran riot zilling Harlequins RL by 54.  Saints’ loss certainly opens up the Super League again.  You may disagree and point to Leeds as the inevitable successor.  What I mean is this league is tighter than ever.  With the salary cap forcing youngsters into the first grade when injuries arrive a few key ones come the play-offs and Saints, or anyone, could be vulnerable come crunch time.  Harlequins RL are teetering a bit.  Lose many more and a battle for eighth becomes one out of their own control.  Full strength with form this could probably be the pick of the round’s matches.  It isn’t and I’m going to go for a determined home performance being the difference between the two.  Harlequins RL by 2.

Hull KR (4th) v Hull (11th)
Probably the most predictable of this weekends games.  Even before today Rovers have had the upper hand since they came into Super League.  This did look like it could be interesting contest earlier in the season.  Now you’re left to reflect on there being three other more attractive games for the cameras.  Rovers by 12.

Huddersfield (3rd) v Catalans (10th)
Despite the league positions there’s more than a pleasing aroma for this one.  Catalans are still battling week-to-week to stay in the hunt.  Last week was pretty comprehensive with a scintillating Bosc try putting the gloss on a win over a weakened opponent.  They are up against it this week.  Huddersfield have conceded less points than any other team.  Ask any of the history boys and that’s a certain indicator of the decline of the game.  Huddersfield obviously are only in that position because Saints and Leeds have dropped off the pace this year.  No credit to Huddersfield.  A completely disgraceful attitude and surely not one the average rugby league supporter could condone.  Let’s revel in Huddersfield’s rise.  I expect it to continue, possibly putting some pressure on one of the top two.  Huddersfield by 10.

Wakefield (6th) v Castleford (7th)
An inspirational win at Saints for John Kear.  The conversions may have cost the home team.  Did Wakefield deserve to take the two points?  Over the course of the full match I’d say so.  The poor ball retention of Potter’s men contributed to their downfall with both first half tries for Wakefield coming off the back of Saints’ handling errors.  Wakefield’s first rate kicking game (is it the best in the competition?) was successful in the win and when team’s turnover the ball in their own half, as Saints did, therein lies the reward for those kicks.  Here Castleford will have to avoid the same mistakes because I’m not sure how much go forward they have if they’re forced into bringing their ball out from their own red zone.  Three in a row for the Tigers has not only kept them in the play off bustle it’s lifted them above the slumping Harlequins RL and Warrington.  There has to be some confidence there.  Too easily I’ve referred you to Wakefield’s recent superiority in this game and this weekend I discount that.  I’m more looking at Wakefield’s last two games and believing they can continue with their form.  Logic says backing up after two huge efforts like those is where you come unstuck.  Benefit of the doubt on those two wins.  Wakefield by 4.

Warrington (9th) v Salford (13th)
This is the game Warrington need to get their mind back on playing.  Leeds follow and Tony Smith can’t be expecting to get his team ticking to semi-final form as if by magic.  He needs something from this game.  Either vicious attack or hard-faced defence.  Wins against Salford.  Well bigger teams have come unstuck and Warrington have dropped points here before when they should have won.  Here there has to be too much importance for the semi.  The past few weeks have been funny ones for Warrington which is why I’m expecting them to get their concentration back.  Warrington by 6.

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

Wigan (2nd) v Leeds (5th)
It isn’t quite the big one because this is the big one.  It’s still a great Super League rivalry.  When generations in the future look back in the same we do now towards the legends of Greek culture, some small group of people (assuming our species is still surviving) will fantasise about the heroic battles our sport has given us.  The great rugby league head-to-heads are worthy of the same mythologising in the context of sport.  On Friday we could have another one on our hands.  Looking down the home team’s line-up with names like Hock, O’Loughlin and Bailey missing a creditable showing may be praiseworthy.  With big names out the game favours Leeds and threatens to tip the result too easily in their direction.  Here’s the time for Wigan’s Alexander because they need to keep their momentum going with the Saints trip and semi-final on their way next.  Leeds by 6.

Last week’s predictions;

Hull by 12 (won by 16)
Leeds by 10 (won by 10)
Castleford by 8 (won by 6)
Saints by 8 (lost by 2)
Wigan by 6 (won by 6)
Huddersfield by 4 (won by 18)
Catalans by 2 (won by 18 )

Probably my best round ever with Wakefield’s freak won spoiling a perfect week of 6-1 including two perfect predictions.  I could be the Chancellor.  77-59 overall.

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.

Wigan és l’equip en forma del moment i ho va demostrar ahir al JJB Stadium contra els Catalans. Malgrat que alguns moments l’equip de Kevin Walters va pressionar fort, al final es va anar desinflant i va acabar cedint el partit als últims instants (24-22). Va ser a l’abast sumar la tercera victòria consecutiva a Anglaterra, però al final es va escapar. I, vist com queda la classificació, amb els Catalans desens, sembla que també es comença a escapar la possibilitat d’entrar al grup de semifinalistes d’aquesta temporada. Les matemàtiques encara ho permeten, però la distància és cada dia més àmplia… i els rivals contra qui poder esgarrapar punts, cada vegada són de més pes.

Per cert, ahir el capità català Greg Bird va jugar alguns minuts malgrat que acabava de tornar d’un vol de vint-i-quatre hores des d’Austràlia. Bird, pendent de l’execució de la sentència per agressió (el 5 d’agost), podrà jugar els partits contra Harlequins, Huddersfield i Celtic Crusaders.

Writing endlessly about sport must be a thrill to some.  Waxing lyrical about the physical combat and enhancing the importance by making reference to some bygone historical warrior race or conflict.  In rugby league such writing is mainly the preserve of the Australian press.  In the UK RL journalists are usually dealt column space akin to 10cc with the occasional big item every couple of weeks (broadsheets, Daily Mirror, The Sun) or once per year (Daily Express, Daily Star).  It must be thankless task being forced to just report with little opportunity to comment about the game, which is why I like to use this blog to bring into our RL world as much as possible.

For those of you who like great game reports there is League Express, coverage unparalled here in the UK.  There are the RLfans sites for more lively and biased reporting with occasionally commentary and then of course we have the RL forums if you feel like inducing an aneurysm.  Here it’s your chance to immerse yourself in rugby league culture of the highest order.  Far too often rugby league is pushed to the wayside whilst other sports celebrate their place amongst popular culture.  Only last week I caught the lead singer from those god awful corporate whores, Bush, having it away in the Centre Court box at Wimbledon.  It’s not the first time we’ve had to put up with his showbiz sunglasses on his head look and it probably won’t be the last (is he chummy with Federer or something?).  Rugby league is unlikely to attract no-marks like that, we only bring to our game the great believers in life’s philosophies.  People like Russell Crowe, Ant’s mate from The Royle Family and Johnny Vegas.  Man I love this sport and I love our fans!

Wakefield (6th) v Leeds (2nd)
I think I’m correct in saying Wakefield haven’t won a home Super League game against Leeds.  Shame really because Wakefield have started to get some momentum going and we know it’s not beyond them to keep ticking over.  Who is going to counter the killer statistic of Leeds’ dominance in this fixture?  It’s going to come to and end eventually. I’m just not prepared to suggest it’s this Friday even if this one might be a scare for the big boys.  If I’m not correct what I’ve just said still stands, sort of.  Leeds by 6.

Wigan (8th) v Catalans Dragons (10th)
You can’t knock Wigan or more specifically Brian Noble.  Just when you think they’re down and out, up comes Brian to deliver a win against the odds.  What usually happens next is his teams go on a run up the table.  Can that happen this time or will his side’s losses through injuries and hardcore drug abuse hamper this run?  You know I was thinking this morning about Wigan.  When I was at school, in Ashton-in-Makerfield (one of the satellite shanty towns that surround Wigan) I can remember a lad who I used to sit next to in maths who was a Wigan Athletic supporter.  I believe, although I am not 100% sure, he was one of maybe two in my year (i.e. out of about 200).  Those school years ran from 1983-88 so you don’t need me to tell you how many Wigan RL fans there were.  Now I work on the outskirts of Liverpool.  The outskirts of Liverpool.  Football country, except there’s a Widnes fan, a few Wire folk and a couple of Saints fans here.  There are four Wigan fans though.  Four?  I know, obscene isn’t it?  Except that three of them are Wigan Athletic fans.  Three Wigan Athletic fans?  How on earth did that happen?  Are people so easily led that they’ll happily follow a football team which has done nothing ever over a rugby league team rich in not only its own heritage but the town’s?  Three Wigan Athletic fans?  Funked if I know.  Wigan by 6.

Celtic (14th) v Salford (13th)
Close contender for game of the round after about two or three other games.  Simply brilliant last week from Salford, giving them an incredible two wins against the top two.  Nobody expected what happened as Salford came out strong and took advantage of a sleeping Saints side, waiting for their more sophisticated visitors to have their moment.  It never came.  With Bradford in their sights and Celtic in turmoil this should be easier than last week.  Salford by 4.

Harlequins RL (5th) v Huddersfield (3rd)
These two have featured prominently this year in my games of the round with varying degrees of success.  Neither side has been able to establish the consistency required of a team with serious Grand Final aspirations and we’ve seen both hit a ceiling at different parts of the season.  Of the two, it’s the home side which has hit the rougher form yet I’m not writing them off now.  By the end of this month we will be in the final strait.  From around now is when the real contenders come through.  Not all teams are able to kick for home this far out.  Some prefer to wait until we are off the bend whilst others are already at the front of the race and don’t need or maybe even can’t find that burst.  As the other new kids on the block are falling off the tracks Huddersfield are budging forward seemingly an inch at a time.  This may not be your traditional four-pointer but with such close proximity a Giants win will give them six points on Harlequins RL.  Belting game in prospect and I’m going to go for the home side shaking off a disappointing effort at Wigan.  Harlequins RL by 2.

Castleford (9th) v Hull (11th)
Sorry folks but I’m not sure anyone is really that bothered about this game.  Hull fans can look forward to seeing Mark ‘Pommie Slayer’ O’Meley bouncing up the pitch next year.  We all know what happened to the last Australian tough guy who talked up how he was going to leave British players scattered across the battlefield.  Yes, he was banjoed by Penis Betts.  If O’Meley gets back the first three rounds without being laid out by some average Joe he’ll have done well.  Both sides are still very much in the hunt for the last play-off spot, it’s just that neither of them thrill me enough to be confident the rest of their season won’t be spent in a fruitless chase to catch Wigan.  Castleford by 6.

Hull KR (4th) v Bradford (12th)
That crazy interception killed off the Bradford Bulls for 2009.  I cannot see any way back for Steve McNamara.  The pressure is now off.  You can go about your normal game, develop your talent and build for next year.  If Justinho isn’t careful his dream is going to be just a fading daytime memory and fifth becomes a save.  How long can Rovers afford to keep losing before their good fixture list becomes less relevant in determining where they’ll finish?  Time to get back on track.  Rovers by 6.

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

Warrington (7th) v St Helens (1st)
Here it is, the big one.  What I enjoy most about writing about the big one is it presents a great chance for me to test my double-entendre vocabulary to its very boundary.  The Halliwell Jones is the venue for this week’s meaty feast for SKY viewers to gorge on.  Even if you are watching as a neutral you will be salivating over a game that will have you choking on this fine specimen of manliness.  The revival of Warrington under Tony Smith’s keen nose, their blistering transformation and the outside chance of this being a cup final preview have boosted this already incredibly exciting fixture into the realms of what Leeds-Wigan is.  I do not need to emphasise the win-loss ratio in this one for you to be thinking this could be the one.  This could be that funky spunky big fat thrust into the big time for Warrington.  My oh my!  This really is the big time boys.  Here we go.  Tony Smith against Saints.  Nemesis has returned.  No Sean Long.  No Keiron Cunningham.  No Matt Gidley.  Cunningham’s absence is more than cancelled out by Mickey Higham’s loss to the home side.  How much of an impact the loss of the other two players for Saints will be is going to be dependent upon who gets on top in the forwards.  Will Rauhihi be missed too much by Wire?  To me it’s a fascinating tussle and with form in Warrington’s favour I’m hoping for a bald man in a boat.  Warrington by 2.

Last week’s preditions;

Saints by 12 (lost by 10)
Wigan by 10 (won by 28)
Rovers by 6 (lost by 11)
Warrington by 18 (won by 16)
Leeds by 12 (won by 13)
Bulls by 10 (lost by 2)
Huddersfield by 2 (won by 16)

Yet another 4-3 making it 73-56.

Aquest cap de setmana hi havia dues proves de foc per als equips més nostrats de XIII.

La selecció catalana va jugar dissabte contra el Marroc en l’estrena oficial en un campionat de la Federació Europea de Rugby Lliga (Euro Med Challenge). Després de la victòria de fa dues setmanes contra Txèquia, calia confirmar que el XIII al Principat, en un any, ha progressat molt. I per això era important veure quin paper feia Catalunya contra el Marroc, un equip format per jugadors de primera divisió francesa i que l’any passat ens va deixar a 12-62 al Gilbert Brutus.

L’escenari era el camp de Torroella de Montgrí i sembla que va anar d’allò més bé. Amb vuit-centes persones a les graderies i certa cobertura mediàtica (mireu més avall), la selecció (els divuit convocats) no va poder guanyar però sí que va escurçar distàncies (de joc i de punts) amb el Marroc. Al final, 6 a 29 i bones sensacions com a equip i, sobretot, com a defensa. El partit següent de l’Euro Med Challenge serà el 25 de juliol, entre Bèlgica i Catalunya. Del partit, n’hi ha fantàstiques fotos i un vídeo de TV3 (les imatges finals, per cert, m’han fet venir pell de gallina…). També se n’han fet ressò els mitjans següents: El 9 Esportiu (primera i segona), 3cat24.cat, ElsEsports.cat, Racó Català, EsportCatalà.cat, La Clau i VilaWeb.

L’altra prova de foc era per als Catalans Dragons, que havien de demostrar també dissabte a casa que la victòria de la setmana passada a Anglaterra no era un miratge i sí una reacció de l’equip per buscar plaça a les semifinals del setembre. I va ser això últim. Tot i que el rival era el Hull KR, tercer a la classificació, els perpinyanesos van dominar a plaer el partit i van sumar una victòria (23-12) que els situa, ara mateix, en la novena plaça, a una del tall per passar a semifinals. Us recomano l’enfervorida crònica de la web del club.

One of the hottest weeks in years and I’m condemned to spending my first annual leave days of 2009 with an extreme bout of man-flu.   A week that started with me viewing the highlights from Glastonbury is ending with a planned trip for a day on the sauce in Manchester curtailed by my killer virus.  It’s just as well the denizens of Salford won’t be running the risk of contracting this evil disease when they have enough social problems of their own to deal with.

I’ve gotten this far in the previews without retiring to my bed for a break.  This is some achievement.  Granted I soldiered to watching Michael Franti & Spearhead at the Manchester Academy on Wednesday night, however it was  a pilgrimage I knew would bring pain and misery for the remainder of the week, possibly through the weekend.  Now I’m trying to keep my sapped energy levels up enough for me to complete this and hang on to watch Jarvis Cocker on last night’s Question Time.  The timing is immaculate isn’t it?  Last week I saw that they had him lined up and then when Michael Jackson died the producers must have been rubbing their hands.  I hope there was some suitable commentary on the real legacy of Jackson i.e. his love-making with corporate America.

When watching Glastonbury last week I was pleased that it didn’t descend into some revision of him.  I won’t knock his contribution to getting black artists played on  MTV, however as MTV is and has always been shit it’s an overrated legacy.  Black artists, quite rightly can sit comfortably with him as a performer, the white glove tributes during the festival were nice touches for a person who appeared to be a loving man.  Neil Young didn’t trot out ‘This Note’s For You’ in his storming Friday night slot which is a shame because we shouldn’t’ forget the  press coverage Jackson’s tour dates got twenty years ago when fans were asked to fork out 2009 concert prices for bottles of Pepsi.  His death has done nothing for me other than highlight just how much rubbish he thrust down our throats over the years.  Give me Stevie Wonder, Smokey or Marvin any day of the week.

Salford (13th)  v St Helens (1st)
Richie Myler’s continued absence from the home side’s line-up pretty much condemns them to another loss here.  Not that Myler’s presence would result in two points either.  Let’s be honest, a kid who is already halfway out of the door, looking to pick up a mega bucks contract offer from somewhere, might not be throwing himself around the park anyway.  Is Offiah right to be touting Myler’s services around?  Robbie Paul has been professional enough to recognise the predicament both Myler and Salford face, giving a very honest appraisal of Myler’s situation.  If Salford were improving year-on-year there would be a case to be made for Myler to sticking at it for another year, possibly even two.  At the moment, he can’t run the risk of his market value being impacted upon by a poor season so as disappointing as it is to see him on the verge of leaving it is sensible.  Saints were rumoured to be one of the teams that’s interested in Myler and like any good club, at the right price he might be worth a look.  Tonight it won’t be the half backs which determine the result, it will be the machine that is the Saints pack, marching over the Reds to another two points.  Saints by 12.

Wigan (8th)  v Harlequins RL (5th)
A contender for the pick of the round, undone by contrasting performances from last week.  As Harlequins RL found a ceiling when they went to Wakefield, Sam Tomkins inspired Wigan to a brilliant and deserved win at Hull KR.  Rovers might have rattled up some points but don’t let that take anything away from a strong defensive showing from Noble’s men.  Tomkins was the man of the match, however what about O’Loughlin?  He turned in the kind of ball carrying effort last seen by a Paul Sculthorpe or Andy Farrell.  O’Loughlin has flattered to deceive too often.  At times, he’s fronted up and put the biggest of hits in, only to collapse a week later amidst his own ball-handling errors or high tackles.  I said similar of Jon Wilkin earlier this year about how a couple of performances can lift a player from good to great and O’Loughlin I believe is on the verge of getting the kind of consistency that cements those aspirations.  Unfortunately for him there’s still plenty of dross around to drag him and his boss down but without Purdham and Dorn there isn’t enough to give the visitors hope.  We’ve been waiting for Wigan to wake up and now they’re in a play-off spot it looks like that time is now.  With Catalans at home and a trip to Bradford to follow what chance Wigan catching McDermott’s men?  Wigan by 10.

Catalans Dragons (11th)  v Hull KR (3rd)
I never envisioned Walters’ warriors battling for a win last week and what a win.  It was thrilling game and keeps the Dragons in touch with that eighth spot.  For how long though?  Usually I would see the visit of Rovers as a signal for things to come to an end.  I’m not sure this time.  I have to go with the visitors on the strength of their showings this year even if they’ve still not replaced this slow puncture they picked up.  In the latter stages of last week’s loss to Wigan Rovers didn’t look like they could raise their game and put in a final charge.  They looked beaten and are in danger of letting Saints and Leeds claim the top two spots which would be a shame given they have a schedule that could have them pushing higher up than third.  Rovers by 6.

Celtic Crusaders (14th) v Warrington (7th)
Sorry Celtic but you’ve no chance here.  Warrington are setting themselves up nicely for the visit of Saints next week.  No need for anyone to guess what next week’s game of the round will be.  Warrington by 18.

Hull (9th)  v Leeds (2nd)
Here’s another one of our premier fixtures given the gift of being prime time Saturday tea time entertainment.  Sadly, the prestige of this one  now matters less to us than it does to Hull fans.  Hull’s dislike of Leeds has always proven pretty funny to me.  It used to fuel the terraces into a frenzy of cannibalistic turmoil.  Now it’s still there, just hidden beneath a swathe of knowing such energy can’t translate itself onto the field any more.  Agar continues to keep things ticking over, knocking off an expected victory here and there without giving the fans anything to be hopeful about.  You don’t need another lecture about coaching credentials, wrong appointments, not setting new high standards or anything similar.  We know where we are with Hull and that’s on the end of a flogging at the hands of Leeds usually.  Leeds by 12.

Bradford (12th)  v Castleford (10th)
Good effort from the Bulls last week.  Nay, great effort in what sounded like a terrific game.  Similarly the Tigers came up short in another five star thriller.  Whatever connection the Bulls have to the play-offs this year it is a loose one.  Realistically there are too many teams in contention with better records although I expect the Bulls to haul themselves closer to Castleford by the end of the weekend.  Bulls by 10.

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

Huddersfield (4th)  v Wakefield (6th)
Wakefield just won’t fall off the pace will they?  Despite not really hitting the kind of form that has others taking notice, John Kear’s men have dragged Harlequins RL back and with a win here would bring Nathan Brown’s men level too.  Great stuff if you ask me.  Nathan Brown identified the tactical aspect of Wakefield’s play as a strength with the kicking games of Drew and more notably Brough, able to dictate the pace and position of the game.  Wakefield have had an easier June than Huddersfield thanks to a week off which has seen them re-group with a fully fit squad, crucial at this time of year.  The Giants have had a mixed month, losing at Leeds and at home to Castleford so I can’t see a clear winner in this one.  I fancy the freshness of Kear’s men might be enough to spring a surprise, making this the one to watch this weekend.  Huddersfield by 2.

Last week’s predictions;

Leeds by 24 (won by 13)
Salford by 1 (lost by 24)
Saints by 24 (won by 30)
Castleford by 4 (lost by 2)
Rovers by 8 (lost by 8 )
Warrington by 12 (won by 12)
Wakefield by 2 (won by 2)

Couple of exact calls make it 69-53.

Si accediu a la web dels Catalans Dragons, la portada ofereix tres idiomes: francès, català i anglès. Sols el primer funciona, mentre que les versions catalana i anglesa esperen des de fa quatre anys a activar-se.

La cosa pot canviar si prospera una iniciativa digital que he descobert per casualitat avui. Es tracta d’una petició en línia perquè la web oficial de l’equip tingui versió catalana. En concret, diu:

Som un grup de seguidors dels Catalans Dragons de Catalunya del Sud. Estaríem encantats si poguéssim llegir les informacions de la vostra pàgina web en català. El rugby a XIII comença a gaudir d’un veritable apassionament a la nostra regió i el fet de tenir la vostra pàgina web en català ajudaria a reforçar els lligams entre Catalunya del Sud i Catalunya del Nord.

La setmana passada, a Barcelona, els Catalans Dragons tenien una magnífica oportunitat per acostar-se a la part mitjana de la classificació i, per tant, per accedir a la zona de semifinals de la lliga. Però la derrota clara i sense pal·liatius contra Warrington a Montjuïc va deixar l’equip perpinyanès força tocat. Per això el seu president, Bernard Guasch, va decidir donar un cop de puny a la taula i exigir més a l’equip. Començant pel seu desplaçament a Anglaterra d’ahir dissabte a l’estadi dels tigres de Castleford, un altre rival directe per una plaça a les semifinals. Queden onze deu partits per a la fi de la fase regular i ja no hi ha més marge per perdre punts.

Doncs, casualitat o no, ahir hi va haver reacció dels Catalans. Tot i la forta sortida dels anglesos a la primera part, una millora notable en la defensa catalana i quatre assajos (Pelo, Baile, Greenshield i Carlaw) van decantar la balança del costat dels perpinyanesos (20-22), que pugen un graó en la classificació (onzens) i amb un partit menys. Ara mateix, la prova de foc per demostrar si el resultat d’ahir és una casualitat o una reacció veritable serà el cap de setmana vinent, amb la recepció al Gilbert Brutus del Hull KR… tercer ara mateix rere St. Helens i Leeds.

Dilluns passat, el capità dels Catalans Dragons, l’australià Greg Bird, va coparèixer a un tribunal de Sydney per respondre a l’acusació d’agressió contra la seva nòvia nord-americana, Katie Milligan, l’agost passat. Els jutges el van considerar culpable i el van condemnar a vuit mesos de presó ferma i a una multa de 2.860 euros, però el jugador va presentar-hi recurs.

Gràcies a això, i fins que no es vegi el recurs al tribunal de Sydney, el 6 d’agost vinent, Bird es troba en llibertat provisional i pot sortir i tot d’Austràlia. De fet, ja ha tornat cap a Europa, on el tècnic perpinyanès no l’ha convocat per al partit d’avui a Anglaterra contra Castleford.

Gareth, Gareth, Gareth.  It is with dismay that I write about your cocaine blues, less from concern for Wigan and more from England’s point of view.  Hock remains one of the few British back row forwards that looks likely to make a break against a side.  His loss to our sport is something to, well maybe not mourn but you can be sad about it.  To cheer yourself you can always consider the plight of Wigan who still remain an enemy of the people despite their decade and a half hiatus from the pinnacle of our sport.  If the task of securing a contract extension was difficult before, Noble certainly has his work cut out and I can forsee only a Challenge Cup trophy win keeping him in his spot.

Leeds (2nd) v Bradford (11th)
Am I the only British RL fan that doesn’t side with either Queensland or New South Wales?  Choosing between rednecks and rapists is no choice at all.  What does this have to with Leeds-Bradford?  Well it’s one of those games isn’t it where you’re more interested in seeing the underdog win than a particular team.  You’d have to go back to the murky days of the first couple of Super Leagues to find a league table ladder with so many spaces between these two teams.  It’s depressing isn’t it?  First Gareth Hock now Bradford.  Where will all this calamity end?  It’s not even on TV anymore!  Get Brian Noble back in town so we don’t have to feel guilty about his coaching struggle.  He deserves some sympathy as does Steve Mc for all the injuries that his side is running into.  No coincidence that two of the worst have been of the over thirties mob.  Good signings there cocker.  Leeds by 24.

Salford (13th) v Huddersfield (4th)
Does it really matter where this calamity will all end?  Along with Hull KR and Harlequins RL, Huddersfield are the Super League New Wave and bemoaning the collapse of former powerhouses like Bradford and Wigan gives no credit to how these three smaller clubs have managed their resources well enough to have them competing for a top four spot.  Critics of competition haven’t cited any of these three teams progress as examples of lack of quality because all three of these teams have improved no end from even just a couple of years ago.  Consistency remains a problem for them as it does for Salford although the home side are still putting the effort in.  It’s all about effort when your down in the bottom section of the table.  Without effort you will get no reward.  When your skills fall short of your opponents in rugby league you are up against it.  Hustle, bustle and commitment can make a impact now like it never used to.  The best example this year has to be Wigan’s demolition of Saints at Murrayfield.  A fighting performance overcame a superior side which hasn’t always been the case in league.  Prior to the salary cap you could put in 110% effort and still be blown away by a team which turns up for five minutes in the game.  Needless to say that can still happen but the frequency by which teams are beating superior opposition through a professional attitude appears to grow increasingly greater.  This is a long commentary and maybe if Salford stuck this on the wall they would realise the Giants are hot and cold, ready for being laid flat out by a haymaker.  Backing the Giants on a regular basis this season, I’ve had mixed fortunes.  In the biggest games they’ve come up short only to resurrect their top four hopes a week later by pulling off a shock win somewhere else.  At their best Huddersfield walk this one.  The loss at home last week should have their mind focussed enough to not let this one slip away, however I’m going to plump for The Pogues.  Salford by 1.

St Helens (1st) v Celtic (14th)
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.  There I’ve done a longer sentence than is probably necessary for this one.  Saints by 24.

Castleford (9th) v Catalans (12th)
Terrific win in Huddersfield for Cas last week.  Given the way the Giants controlled the second half of the cup-tie I was very surprised at their victory.  The defence that kept them in that game was on display again and if they can repeat those kind of efforts there no reason they can’t hang on in here and push for seventh, maybe eighth.  Putting four points between themselves and Wigan would go some way to isolating Hull as the main threat even though I expect Wigan to move upwards.  Catalans will probably be dead and buried for this year if they lose here.  Walters’ coaching has done nothing to move his side forward.  He’s taken them backwards.  He should be given a run next year to see how he goes.  Could be a good game if the Tigers defence keeps its feet and the Dragons beef up the pack battle.  Have to go for the home win for all the reasons that you’re thinking of too.  Castleford by 4.

Hull KR (3rd) v Wigan (10th)
When I looked at this game last week I had game-of-the-round rattling inside my head.  Okay, Rovers have battered Wigan over the past couple of years.  What Rovers haven’t done is faced a caged Brian Noble side revelling amidst a siege mentality.  You know how Noble goes.  Trundling along until the chips are on the table and it’s a full house.  Not this time.  The Wigan squad could develop that siege mentality if there were circumstances to generate it.  Where are you going to get your above and beyond inspiration from for this one?  Hock’s actions are of his own doing so persuading the world and his friend is against you might be difficult for the heroes of Murrayfield to accept.  Up until Tuesday I was quietly confident that Noble would bring his troops into town and have them marching to the two points on the back of a misfiring Rovers outfit.  We should find out what impact this will have on Wigan and with a week off there’s every chance of Nobby’s Nuts giving Rovers poor form another test.  Rovers by 8.

Warrington (7th) v Hull (8th)
Close in league positions without being close in form.  Warrington came away from Spain with two points and even though Hull triumphed I just can’t see how they are going to do so here.  Typing for some games can often be a chore.  What do you write about Warrington versus Hull?  You’d have to be a fan of one of the teams involved to go into any depth about the importance of the game.    Level on points, we all fancy Warrington to move further up the table ready for a final run at the top four.  They’re clawing back some of the early front runners and could well be just two points away from fourth by the end of this weekend.  If they do it that’s some achievement already.  What price a cup final win?  Warrington by 12.

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

Wakefield (6th) v Harlequins RL (5th)
With Huddersfield at Salford there’s a real chance of a loss here acting as a stiff arm to the nose, putting four points between fifth and sixth.  Harlequins RL found out how hard it is busting open those top teams.  After an impressive opening Leeds quality shone through with wave after wave of attack blasting Harlequins RL back to basics.  How much will their confidence have taken a knock from that?  Certainly there are similar season defining possibilities for Harlequins RL as well.  Losing for them may well put third out of reach, however as pointed out last week, there is scope for a decent run to the playoffs.  This away trips represents the highest placed opposition team.  I fancy this could be a kitchen sink face-off where the home side just want it too much for a visiting team to take it.  Wakefield by 2.

Last week’s predictions;

Huddersfield by 12 (lost by 7)
Hull by 8 (won by 2)
Warrington by 2 (won by 12)
Rovers by 12 (won by 14)
Saints by 14 (won by 26)
Leeds by 6 (won by 30)

More predictable week last making it 65-50 overall.