Before the Super League begins the Super Eights, we have two juicy semi-finals to look forward to this weekend with Leeds Rhinos to meet St Helens, and Warrington to play Hull KR for a spot in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
Leeds Rhinos versus St Helens
The top two placed Super League clubs go head-to-head in the first semi-final, and it seems appropriate the current Challenge Cup holders will go up against the reigning Super League premiers at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Saints and Rhinos have a lot of recent history of finals against one another, with four Super League grand finals since 2007.
These sides played in two finals throughout the 70s with a win apiece, however their more recent Challenge Cup meeting was last year in the round of 16. Leeds won this match 32-12 on their way to their first Cup title in 15 years.
St Helens’ last Challenge Cup came in 2008, having won the previous two titles in 2006 and 2007.
The Rhinos have had the wood over the Saints in both home and away fixtures this year, defeating St Helens 41-16 at Langtree Park and 46-18 at Headingley.
Leeds like to play more expansive football, with plenty of offloads and very skilful outside backs able to finish the job out-wide. Adam Cuthbertson has slotted very well into the Rhinos system; he has a great offload and his short passing game resembles that of a halfback.
Kallum Watkins is arguably one of the best centres in the English game, his footwork and speed has caused nightmares for opposing teams.
Then you have the spine, which resembles the Storm’s big three. Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield and more recently Zac Hardaker have been playing together for many years, and have tasted success in the Challenge Cup, Super League and the World Club Challenge.
However you can’t discount the reigning premiers, who have a solid, hard-working pack led around by veteran James Roby.
Roby is arguably the best hooker in Super League, his work rate is phenomenal and he has found numerous ways to win games for the Saints this season.
Luke Walsh has shone in his two years with St Helens; he was a big part of why the Saints lifted the premiership trophy last year.
This match will be tight but if Leeds look to promote the football they should run the Saints ragged. St Helens don’t have a lot of experience in their backline but if their forwards can roll up their sleeves and dominate the Rhinos pack then they are a chance.
Prediction: Leeds by 10
Warrington Wolves versus Hull KR
Leeds host the second semi-final, with Hull KR coming in as massive underdogs – it has been 30 years since they have made the Challenge Cup Final and 35 years since they lifted the trophy.
Warrington have been Cup kings in recent times, winning three of the past six, including 2009, 2010 and 2012. The Wolves are currently in sixth place on the Super League table, and have had a mixed season by their standards with 12 wins and 11 losses.
Hull KR now have to fight for survival in the Middle 8s, and their run of form in the last month has been shocking. They have lost their last four matches, including a 52-12 annihilation at the hands of St Helens.
Since their unconvincing quarter-final win over Leigh Centurions, the Wolves have won three of their last four matches which culminated in a morale boosting 44-6 win at Castleford.
Last week’s win over the Tigers came at a cost for Tony Smith’s men; Ben Westwood has been handed a two match suspension and fullback Matty Russell suffered a season ending ankle injury.
For the Rovers French second-rower Kevin Larroyer returns from suspension and live-wire half Albert Kelly is likely to feature in the Hull KR line-up.
With the loss of Terry Campese, Kelly’s form will be vital towards a Rovers victory.
Kelly’s speed and agility has been well heralded in East Hull this season, the former Titans halfback and nimble fullback Kieran Dixon will be the key to an unlikely Challenge Cup final berth for Hull KR.
The Rovers forward pack are very light and have numerous times this year been torn apart up the middle, this is where Warrington rake Daryl Clark comes in.
The English international has been a great pick up by the Wolves this season he has great vision and is hard to tackle.
If Hull KR’s forward pack show any sign of weakness in defense, Clark will exploit this and use Warrington’s great finishers in Atkins, Monaghan, Bridge and Ormsby to put the Rovers to bed.
If this match was played right after the Challenge Cup quarter finals then Hull KR would probably be more of a chance to steal an upset, they won their recent encounter with the Wolves at home in June.
Warrington’s stocks have risen since then, while Hull KR’s have plummeted.
The Wolves have proven they have what it takes to win Challenge Cup fixtures in the past and they should make their fourth final in seven years.
Prediction: Warrington by 16
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