Rugby League: Super League - Round 27

[rugbylad]

Hello folks, below are the handicaps for Round 27 of Super League! Handicaps provided by totesport (my handicaps in red) Bradford Bulls v <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Wakefield Wildcats +14pts (+16pts) <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Salford City Reds v Castleford Tigers +14pts (+10pts)

St Helens v Leeds Rhinos +10pts (+8pts)

Catalans Dragons v Huddersfield Giants +8pts (+6pts)

Harlequins RL v Wigan Warriors -8pts (-6pts)

Warrington Wolves v Hull FC -4pts (-4pts) Super League table:

	Games				Points			Pts
	Played	Won	Draw	Loss	For	Against	Difference
St Helens	26	22	0	4	847	382	465	44
Hull	26	20	0	6	690	514	176	40
Leeds	26	18	0	8	791	477	314	36
Bradford	26	15	2	9	748	518	230	30
Salford	26	12	0	14	556	483	73	24
Warrington	26	12	0	14	687	669	18	24
Wigan	26	11	0	15	576	668	-92	20
Huddersfield	26	10	0	16	559	699	-140	20
Harlequins	26	9	1	16	485	775	-290	19
Castleford	26	9	1	16	542	913	-371	19
Wakefield	26	8	0	18	542	688	-146	16
Catalan	26	8	0	18	577	814	-237	16

As always, all thoughts welcome! More to follow! :ok

[rugbylad]

Re: Rugby League: Super League - Round 27

Milward's thoughts on this weeks action: RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS

Millward - Harlequins to bounce back. FIGHT LEFT IN WILDCATS By Ian Millward Bradford v Wakefield This is a huge game for the Wildcats as defeat would condemn them to relegation. John Kear has already been confirmed as their coach for next season but there would be an exodus of players should they drop out of the top flight. I think they still have a chance of staying up but obviously that means winning this one. It isn't out of the question. The Bulls have been very inconsistent over the last month or so and one of the reasons behind that is they lack a little firepower in the forwards. They used to dominate opposition down the middle but the departure of Stuart Feilden has weakened them in this department. Bradford aren't the feared and ferocious team of recent seasons so if Wakefield can match them in the forwards, then they have a chance of grabbing a lifeline. Because of what is as stake, the visitors have to be the choice with the start in this one. If they capitulate and get beaten by more than 14 or 16 points then they deserve to go back to National One but I don't expect that to happen. Let's stick with the Wildcats with their backs against the wall. They have it all to play for, Bradford don't. Salford v Castleford Castleford could struggle here after the emotion of last week's victory over Harlequins. They will feel they are safe and their job is done. The game is also on at the same time as Wakefield's visit to Bradford so they won't know if the pressure is back on or not. Salford have been very hard to beat at home all season and I expect them to win and cover all areas. Last week at Huddersfield they squandered plenty of opportunities. Had they taken them then they would have been good winners. If they are more clinical they can do a job on Castleford and bring the Tigers back down to earth. Catalans v Huddersfield The important thing for the Dragons is that Jerome Guisset is back from suspension. He is a player who adds some authority to their forwards and I expect the hosts to win this and cover the start. The Giants have had two huge emotional weeks, the Challenge Cup final and then last week's win over Salford which they hope has preserved their Super League status. This is a quick turnaround for them and the French side will have a shock in store on their final home game of the season. St Helens v Leeds Never back against Saints at home. They are in fantastic form and can welcome back the likes of Jon Wilkin and Willie Talaua. I don't think Leeds are anywhere near the team they were last year. They have struggled to replace some of the players who left. Their form over the last month or two has been poor and without Danny McGuire they can lack attacking flair. Stick with Saints to win and cover. They are the in-form team. Harlequins v Wigan I am pretty keen on the home side here. They were very, very poor against Castleford last week and they will realise they need to get back on track. They are back at home and with a start they make plenty of appeal. The fear is the Wigan pack which has destroyed Leeds and Bradford in recent weeks. They are big, strong and aggressive but if Harlequins can cope in this department, they can push Wigan close. The visitors now know they can't be relegated and it wouldn't be a surprise to see a little dip in their performance. Warrington v Hull Warrington have been talked up as being a top four side for some time now but have lost nine of their last 12. Leeds last week put 50 on them, this week they face Hull and then St Helens. Now is the time for the players to stand up and be counted. If they are to make any impact on the play-offs then the Wolves need to start building momentum. They have been a huge disappointment this term while Hull keep saying they are not playing well but still find a way to win games. I am going for Warrington here. They are under pressure and desperately need a win. Hull are pretty much guaranteed second spot so I'll go for the Wolves, although not with much confidence. The NRL season has now reached the play-off stage. Here are my thoughts on the TV games: Brisbane v St George Over the last few weeks Brisbane have been the form team of the NRL and went two weeks in a row without conceding a try, including against these opponents. The Broncos have hit form at just the right time and while most people say Melbourne or Canberra will win the Grand Final, I can see Brisbane going all the way. I therefore expect them to win this one in front of 40,000 of their passionate fans. Their forwards are going really well while St George have been very inconsistent. The Dragons have a good record in Brisbane but even so the home side to cover all areas is the only way I can see this going. Melbourne v Parramatta Parramatta get ten points here because they have no front-rowers left. Every prop in their club is unavailable. In the last game they were steamrolled in that area by North Queensland and that is the worry here. Melbourne have lost only four games all season and are very methodical and keep chipping away. They can win and confirm their status as favourites for the NRL. Forwards win big games and in that department Melbourne and Brisbane look the strongest sides. Expect both to progress at the weekend.