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Not seen a thread dedicated to this season.

I'd originally thought that Leeds would be head an shoulders above everyone else this season, but after the first 3 rounds it looks like it's going to be a hell of a scrap between quite a few sides for the top spots

The game at Warrington tonight was fantastic.  Of course, as a Wigan fan the result was briliant - but with 5 minutes to go I was actually thinking that even if Warrington win, it's been a hell of a match to watch.  What a great advert for the game.

yep  great game tonight.

Leeds have been crap to say the least this season. For 70mins vs the welsh team it was evens, lost to cas and wakey beaten by the better team. Beat Salford but only just! no idea why we been so shit, world club championship next week at Elland road, i would back the aussies :)

Leeds have a 2-point start with the bookies for tomorrow's game.  Home advantage counts for a lot for Leeds with the support they have, but the team isn't looking anywhere near top form and there are a few key players out injured.  Will be a tough night for them I think, but hopefully they can pull out a good performance.

As for Wigan, a 58-0 win over Catalan was good to see. Especially chuffed to see Pat Richards score most of the points.  He's been one of the most consistent players in the Superleague over the past few seasons and doesn't get the plaudits as often as he should imo.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/8530794.stm

pat Richards is v v good!

Will be backing the storm 2moro! Wish it had been parramatta tho :(

well if leeds can beat wasps owt can happen!

Go STORM!!!

wanting aussies to win over any uk team = gg

Bradford v Wigan tonight.  Should be an interesting one to see how well Wigan are playing.  'Should' be a comfortable win for Wigan based on the form of both teams so far this season but who knows?

The bookies are only offering Bradford a 6 point head-start, so they think it'll be a close one.

wow 20-0 up and lose it, gg Bradford mental second half.

Wigan will be pissed.

Shocking second half, and disastrous error by Roberts with two minutes to go.  On the first, he goes looking to make a break in his own half, when he should have run at the first Bradford player and then hit the floor.  Up the jumper time, not the time to try and score from 80m.  Bradford battled well, but Wigan threw it away. 

I can imagine Madge will read them the riot act and training will be tough this week.

yeah Wigan just didn't play smart towards the end, incred match though.

Didnt see the match but GTFI BULLS!!!

So with Wigan showing their inability to win a game they're completely dominating and throw away a 20-point lead, it shows just how open this year's competition is.

Obviously no team should be unduly concerned now, as it's more about form at the end of the season than the start.  I still see Leeds getting stronger towards the business end and being the side to beat, along with stains and Warrington, and hopefully Wigan.

CMON BULLS!!!

GTFO Bulls imo

Bulls >>>> Wakey

http://www.racingpost.com/news/sport/wigan-10-3-for-super-league-regular-season-after-moving-clear-at-top/694756/top/

Leeds still favourites with the bookies to top the league at the end of the regular season.  Not sure that's right now though...

Superleague is really tough to predict so early on in the season! You watch the live games at the weekend and fcking Hemmings is already talking about title contenders and grand finals! Thats in October! Were in March FFS!

O RLY

Yes, I know.  But we're talking about who's going to top the table after the regular season.  I wouldn't bet against Leeds to win the grand final at the moment, but current favourites to top the table before the play-offs?

Leeds have a few key injury's atm. What with the salary cap it really can hurt you when more than 2-3 key players are out. Saying that Leeds are playing bad and so I would look for a value bet elsewhere.


i quote"Leeds, already missing seven players, including skipper Kevin Sinfield, have confirmed that he will undergo scans.

Scott Donald (shoulder), Greg Eastwood (wrist) and Carl Ablett (ankle) have suffered long-term injures this season.

And Leeds were also without Sinfield (thigh), Danny Buderus (foot), Tom Bush (knee), and Ryan Hall (knee) for Friday's fourth Super League defeat in seven matches. "

Yea pretty much! Sure theres some head to head stats sumwhere which could prove my point!

lol pretty sure there is a league table somewhere that proves my point

not to mention last year

Pretty sure wakey have never won the superleague or have even finished top of the table! /discussion

sigh that is in the past, well in the past. I could go further back if you would like but it would be a bit pointless

http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/content/History/3581/HONOURS%20BOARD

http://www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/club-records-honours-c10.html

Wigan used to win the league too in the past :(

FFS Bulls just hammered the Leeds Whinos for 60 minutes! I was gonna put £10 on the draw @16/1 at HT and then Bulls let em in for the Draw! FML

Good game, we should be fine when all our injured players come back, shame we didn't nick it with conversion at end.

shame we didn't nick it either with lynchys left peg effort!

Wiiiiii, Wigan managed to beat St Helens despite trying to throw away a 16-point lead.  Some great defensive work, and Sam Tomkins just gets better and better.

watched it, have to say awsome game. This past few days watched 3 great league games. It is good for the other teams the saints and rhinos are losing :)

The Hull derby was brutal.  Such a good game to watch as a neutral.

This season is definitely wide open, and there are a group of about 6 teams that will all be battling it out for the top spot come the end of the regular season I reckon. Hope Wigan can keep up this form.

Shock result tonight!

wow amazing bottom vs top and overcame a massive deficit! get in.

MAGIC WEEKEND


Bulls got nilled by the Crusaders 19-0 sigh. Still in 5th position tho!

Another shock as Harlequins beat Hull 25-8

Warrington destroyed Salford 68-16 to go top of the league! For tonight at least.

Coming up is 8th vs 9th as Wakefield take on Leeds.


Tomorows Matches...

Castleford v Catalans Dragons
St Helens v Hull KR
Wigan v Huddersfield

Weird season.  Anyone can beat anyone else on their day it seems!

thats why i didnt understand wakey being such long odds, made really tidy profit from game glad leeds won in last min though :)

Wakey vs bulls tonight!!

CMON BULLS!!

sure is Girgy lol

SIGH its next friday init

Watching the ANZAC test.

LOL @ Benji Marshall and Issac Luke during the Haka! Pretty scary!

YES REALLY!!

Proven yesterday as Salford beat Saints 42-34.

Although somethings dont change, Bulls got pwned by the Rhinos :)

[  ] Pwned
[X] Whinos cant win without cheating!

leeds going up, and 3 points of the bulls in a season for the reigning champions the Rhinos. Good year for you :)

Be an interesting game this weekend in the Challenge Cup between Leeds and Wigan.  Two very strong squads with quite a few players back from injuries...

Wigan Warriors 19 Man Squad
Amos Roberts, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards, Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden, Mark Riddell, Andy Coley, Joel Tomkins, Sean O'Loughlin, Paul Prescott, Michael McIlorum, Phil Bailey, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Karl Pryce, Darrell Goulding, Liam Farrell, Chris Tuson.


Leeds Rhinos 19 Man Squad
Scott Donald, Brett Delaney, Keith Senior, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire, Kylie Leuluai, Danny Buderus, Jamie Peacock, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Ali Lauitiiti, Kevin Sinfield, Matt Diskin, Greg Eastwood,
Ryan Bailey,Ian Kirke, Carl Ablett, Jay Pitts, Chris Clarkson, Lee Smith

very interesting game imo, be good to see Amos Roberts back - he was awesome before his injury sustained against Wakey

Cmon Wigan!!

On a side note my hometown team doing very well in the championship! Big up to the mighty featherstone rovers!

Wigan know who the real champions are :) now we got our main players back.

Bradford did well at weekend :)

Did we? I thought we lost at home to Hudders!

You didn't get Nil'ed 28-0 down HT least you came back, of sorts.

Leeds won again, can we finish top 4? :)

Biggest game of the season this weekend at Wigan.

Unfortunately, arguably the form player of the Superleague this season, Sean O'Loughlin is out for a few weeks and so will miss the game.  Going to be a big loss, but obviously it's more than just one man.  Liam Farrell will be an able replacement.

Going to be a packed house as well - should be a corker.

FYP

You don't half talk some blinkered nonsense.

Never mind what you think about him as a person, he's been immense this season. Sam Tomkins and Pat Richards have been incredible, as has Roberts, but O'Loughlin is a serious man of steel contender based on the season so far.

True dat

Wigan Warriors 19 Man Squad
Amos Roberts, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards, Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden, Mark Riddell, Andy Coley, Joel Tomkins, Paul Prescott, Michael McIlorum, Phil Bailey, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Karl Pryce, Darrell Goulding, Liam Farrell, Ben Davies, Chis Tuson.

St Helens 19 Man Squad
Paul Wellens, Matt Gidley, Francis Meli, Leon Pryce, Nick Fozzard,  Keiron Cunningham, James Graham,  Tony Puletua, Chris Flannery,  James Roby, Bryn Hargreaves, Scott Moore,  Paul Clough, Matty Ashurst,  Andrew Dixon, Tom Armstrong, Shaun Magennis, Jamie Foster, Paul Johnson

Referee - Phil Bentham

I agree O'Loughlin is a good player. Hes just a dirty cheating druggie!

LOL - I think you mean Terry Newton!

:D

And him!

He wants back in when his bans up....... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8747117.stm

I have mates that play pro Rugby and drugs are rife within the sport!!

I have mates from Bradford who can read and write.  It doesn't mean everyone from Bradford can though.

;)

not Superleague but did anyone watch State of Origin on Wednesday - utterly brutal and we have next to no chance of beating the Aussies at the end of the season imo.

oh and O'Loughlin isn't particularly likeable to opposition fans because of some of his tactics but is definitely a MOS contender and is>>>>>>>>Sinfield for England selection.

Aussies crush rugby league! It's a different gravy!!

Could my weekend get any worse?

i especially enjoyed it when richards dropped that ball. Wellens is the man

Meh.

Wellens isn't even the best English full-back.

cracking game wigan vs saints...

I went to watch the rhinos get beat by some welsh team :(

I agree hes just been one of my fave players for years

I've never liked you.

cheers

:D

wellens>>>>>>> radlinski

another one for you boshi sculthorpe>>>>>>>>farrell

LOL.

LOL how was that for you?

it was bad, glad we won away at the 2nd best team in the league today though :) 8 out injured and warrington still couldnt take down the champions

another fun weekend, bradford lost 9 on trott ohh dear..

warr stunned wigan and leeds won in the last seconds :) have it

Thank fk Mcnamara has gone! Roll on next season!!

bet of the weekend salford +12 points lol..didnt think they would win :)

Wigan didn't have enough in the forwards, and didn't score the points when they should have with the possession they had in the first 20 minutes.

Won't win the Grand Final (or get there) if they don't improve.

Watched it in 3D though, which was interesting.

it was a crazy first 20mins, Warrington not completing there first set of 8 carrys i believe. Knock-ons, fumbles. Wigan really should have been 20-0 up like you said. Warrington were a very decent price also :)

We'll probably fall short this season, but Maguire is recruiting a few Aussie forwards to strengthen the pack.  We have a group of very good youngsters coming through, but it's maybe a year a two too early for some of them.  So getting the Aussies in makes perfect sense whilst the local youngsters develop. 

The weather didn't help, but Warrington were dire in their completion rate early on.  Then in the second half Wigan's was less than 45%.  That's where the game was lost in the forwards.  No platform from which Tommy or Sam could do much at all.  However, even despite that we were still in the game - so it wasn't all bad. 

Funnily enough, the only side Wigan haven't managed to beat yet this season is Bradford!

Much better this week. Forwards dominated, the backs opened them up, especially the incredible Sam Tomkins and sublime Pat Richards.  Give him the Man of Steel trophy now.

Best bit was the NIL.  Top effort from all the players.

wow really hard game tonight gg wigan, deserved it and should win the league. see you in the playoffs.

Was cheering Leeds on against Stains - and now I'll be cheering them on in the final against Warrington, who had a semi-final that was far too easy.

On another note, aren't rugby league players wimps:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/st_helens/8900775.stm

How long out with a dislocated tibia - yeah, just a few weeks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/8963411.stm

;tightend;

interesting weekend of playoffs..


lets see what warrington and wigan are made of.

hahahahahaha 14-0 up vs leeds who have so many injured and we still came back to win

[ ] Leeds will win anything this season.

It's only Leeds who have players injured? 

losing to a team that wont win anything then is even worse..14-0 up at home vs shitty Rhino's,good job he bottled the kicking.

Its been a crap season for Leeds hampered by many injurys from the start hence the reason why we was laying outside the playoffs early on. Even now with Jamie Peacock, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Lee smith and Luke Burgess out, no one gave them a chance to win at Wigan but it just shows you Leeds at 80% can win anygame have more match winners than anyone else.

Add McGuire to your list of injuries.  Comical to see McClennan complaining that a Wigan player caused his injury when it was quite plainly a professional foul by McGuire pulling Carmont back that lead to the injury. 

Look forward to a return fixture at Headingly hopefully.

The penalty at the end was farcical as well. 

I think it was Bentham (video ref)  who told Albert where to site the penalty kick. Albert had no clue what was going on and you could see he was in discussion with Bentham over what to do.

It was clearly a penalty awarded for the foul on Richards by Donald, otherwise it would have been even further back had it been awarded for McGuire taking Carmont out.  As such being it was for a foul on Richards it should have been further down the pitch where the ball was kicked to, not where the foul took place.  Also, if the kick makes touch, the penalty takes place from there and 10m from the sideline - making the kick eminently more kickable.

See i love rugby because i and the commentators didn't think Donald's tackle was a foul. In normal speed it was a split second late. The original foul should have been McGuire's blatant holding back :) ref was shit for both sides though.


Comedy value though to the Leeds players rocking the posts before he took the kick :)

Going to the Wigan v Hull KR match tonight.  Surely Wigan have enough to beat Rovers?  Dobson is the key for them, so Wigan need to be on him, and the Wigan forwards have to make sure he doesn't have a platform from which to attack from.

Roberts might be back in the Wigan side tonight - and without Deacon in the side, Sam might go back to No.6 and Roberts or Richards at full-back with the other on the wing.  I'm hoping O'Loughlin isn't moved to play at No.6 as that's not where he's best.

I think Wigan 'should' win comfortably...but...

Yeah I would say wigan +16 around there. Depends a bit on how much last week took out of both teams too.

24-14 at half time. We're the better side, but stupid mistakes and penalties could be costly. Good job we've got Richards, Tomkins and O'Loughlin.

Not many Wigan fans here. Less than 10K I reckon.

Much better second half. Far fewer mistakes.

Leeds next week most probably, looking forward to it.

Not surprisingly, stains have gone for Huddersfield and so it'll be Leeds v Wigan next Friday.

Gonna be a cracking match and I'm sure Wigan will be well up for it, as will the Rhinos.

i will be there :) ticket purchased but i do expect this to be one too many games for us and the key players out. Wigan cant play bad against us twice.

Can sumbody plz explain the playoff system to me! Ta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_League_play-offs

When do you think tickets will sell out by Acidmouse?, i might make my seasonal debut.

We didn't play too well against you in the first game, and we only lost by 1 point and a missed penalty.  Without McGuire I think you'll need Burrow, Sinfield and the others who can create to be on the top of their game to give you a chance. 

Be interesting to see if Wigan use Roberts at all over the next two games (being optimistic and assuming we have two games to play!!).  He was our most dangerous player offensively early in the season until he got injured.  Not sure if Madge risks bringing him back into the side and dropping a forward from the squad or not. 

Lots of bad blood between the two teams is seems. A few articles popping up critising the Wigan players for berating Maguire on the floor when he had snapped his ACL and rolling about in agony. I don't think holding a player back who might score is cheating? its a pen and sinbinning offence and part of the game imo, so for the Wigan players and some others to call him a cheat and he somehow deserved the injury and slagging off he got on the pitch has unsettled Peakcock and a few others.

Although tbf a Wigan player later apologised to McGuire when he knew the injury was a bad one.

I think Phil Clark should watch what he says in future, coz he's fuked off alot of people. Article about this all here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/georgeriley/2010/09/an_action-packed_weekend_of_ru.html

I expect a right ding dong match and the odd punch up.

Also heard that thousands of Wigan fans have Phil Clarke face masks to wear tomorrow evening.

Funny thing is that there is loads of mutual respect between Wigan and Leeds.  This animosity is a recent thing really. 

As for what Clarke said, he's paid to comment and of course he's going to be biased towards Wigan.  Leeds should look at their coach and the crap he spouts, such as defending Ablett's assault on Tomkins.  He tried to say that it wasn't a foul challenge and Tomkins deserved/milked it.  Maybe those in glass houses, etc.

All that aside.  Tomorrow is going to be a cracking game, and I hope whoever wins it will go on to win the Grand Final.

bit off topic but has anyone watched the NRL playoffs this year - Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters was the most incred finish to a game i have ever seen in my life and Gareth Ellis seems to be playing well. I'd recommend You-Tube-ing it

missed alot of the superleague playoff games this time round as i have been away and my sky+ went a bit funny whilst i was away, interested to see how Hudds get on

Stains are nothing without Cunningham. If Wigan get to the final, it'll make it all the more sweet if we go on to win it.

Lots of ifs there :D

Great second half from Wigan, especially in defence.

Carmont was my man of the match, and Gleeson on the other side did well to sniff out anything going forward via Senior.

Looking forward to next weekend. Should be a corker.

After watching tonight, i am convinced wigan will win next week, had a decent bet at 4/5 with betfred about an hour ago and can only see that price conracting.

too many out for Leeds and never looked like winning. Wigan better team and be close on next week.

Terry Newtons body has been found in a suspected suicide, so so sad.

Was just about to post this! It's on BBC sport!

Talking about it for the last 10 minutes on SS3. He was on sky 2 weeks past on thursday as well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11414736

That is really sad.  Despite his cheating, he was such a likeable player.  Always a fans' favourite whichever club he was at.  Really is sad news.  Only 31, and he must have been in a very low place. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/9034753.stm

RIP

Thoughts are with his family.  Such a sad story.

Awards night for the Superleague tonight.

Pat Richards - Man of Steel
Sam Tomkins - Young Player of the Year
Madge - Coach of the Year
Wigan Warriors - Club of the Year

Just hope we can add a Grand Final win to that on Saturday!

Was  never in any doubt that these would be the awards winners.

I wasn't confident.  Seen the MOS award in previous years go to undeserving recipients.  Half-expected Morley to get it this year, and he wasn't even the best Warrington player this season.

Back to the Grand Final.  Richard Silverwood is the ref, and I'm happy about that (well I am now, ask me at 8pm tomorrow night :D) - at least it's not that joker Bentham.

The 19-man squads have been announced, and Eastmond is out of the Saints squad, which is no surprise.  I'd have rather had him in there to be honest, as he's well below his best form and obviously not 100% fit.  The Wigan squad is unchanged, and I think it'll be Roberts and Tuson who'll miss out on getting into the final 17-man squad on the day.  Roberts was our most dangerous (and improved) player at the start of the season, and although he's over his injury I just don't think he's had enough matches under his belt recently to go into this game.  We need the replacements in the forwards to compete with the St Helens pack.  Our halves and backs are more than a match for theirs, so as long as we can match them in the forwards we SHOULD win. 

;mexicanwave;

What was I worried about? Our forwards beat up their pack, and our three-quarters and backs were a different class.

Tommy was quite rightly the man of the match, although Sam tried to nick it. So chuffed as the team have put in so much over the season under Madge. 

We've got three world-class signings from Australia coming over next season, and they're going to have to earn their places to get in the side.

I was at the game yesterday. Don't give a fk about RL at all, but it was a pretty good day out and good atmosphere..........

Watched the Australian Grand Final this morning and looking forward to seeing Wigan play St George Illawara in the World Club Challenge.  Shame Pat Richards will probably miss out on the match.


Pains me to say it, but it's a cracking ground and 71,000 at a rugby league game always provides a great atmosphere.  Shame it wasn't the best game (for the neutral - I enjoyed it immensely :D) in terms of being a close-fought game to the final whistle.  Also, unlike at other rugby league matches, you can't take your beer to your seat with you at the Grand Final - which is always a shame.

Hey kin, I haven't read whole thread, but why do you support Wigan?

I'm a huge Wigan fan and a pie eater by birth!

I was pretty much a neutral and enjoyed it immensely. Whenever I go to football matches (which isn't that often) it always makes me realise how shit the atmosphere is compared to Rugby (I watch a lot of club rugby) and yesterday was a great example of that..........