Super League Playoffs - Weekend Preview
A preview of this weekends games on the road to Old Trafford
Sep 19, 2008
'St Helens v Leeds Rhinos - Grand Final Qualifier'
The two best sides in the regular season go head-to-head tonight at Knowsley Road, with a place in the Super League Grand Final the prize. These two met at this stage last year, and a hard fought 10-8 victory for the Saints sent them to the Grand Final at the first opportunity. Leeds managed to pick themselves up from defeat however to record a thrilling 33-6 win in the final.
Despite that fightback the Rhinos are looking to head to Old Trafford as early as possible according to half back Rob Burrow:
"You do get a second bite of the cherry but it's not something that any team will be thinking about," he said.
"We want to get there at the first time of asking, as I'm sure St Helens do. That's what it's all about. We just want to go there and perform well and get to Old Trafford."
After finishing top of the pile for a fourth succesive season, St Helens will be looking to send coach Daniel Anderson home in style. Forward James Graham insisting the sooner they get to Old Trafford - the better:
"The sooner we're in there the better," he said.
"I've experienced both sides of it and I'd definitely rather get in there and have another week off. You get two weeks to prepare."
St Helens are set to welcome back forward Jason Cayless and match winner Leon Pryce, whilst Hull KR bound Nick Fozzard (who could be playing his final game at Knowsley Road) is also in the squad.
Leeds welcome back hooker Matt Diskin and forward Kylie Leuluai after they were rested two weeks ago, and winger Ryan Hall is included despite breaking his foot earlier in the season.
'Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors - Semi Final Eliminator'
After equally impressive wins last weekend, Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors will do battle at Le Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan on Saturday night. It will be the fourth time the sides have met this season, and the second time in two years they've faced off in a semi-final.
Catalans will be without forward Gregory Mounis after he was suspended for a late challenge on winger Chris Riley in last weeks win over Warrington, whilst Wigan centre Cameron Phelps is included in the sqaud despite suffering concussion in their win over Bradford.
Dragons fullback Clint Greenshields beleives that home advantage will be key:
"It's a massive advantage. The fans and the supporters are so fanatical and passionate, they're very vocal."
"Not travelling is a big thing too, you don't have the plane trip and staying in a hotel"
Wigan Warriors coach Brian Noble thinks Wigan must be ignore the journey:
"“It’s how you approach the challenge that’s important, if you go there thinking this is a hard trip, this is a long flight or this is hot weather you come unstuck....It’s a different environment but it’s a piece of grass at the end of the day where we have to play tough rugby. We will be judged what we do on the field. We are making the right noises and are preparing well."
The winners of this tie will face the loser of the St Helens v Leeds match in the Final Eliminator, whilst the loser will bow out.
Sources - Wigan Warriors BBC Sport
