Strange season this. Last week saints looked on their knees and hull won 60 nil. Saints were very good today with real intensity from the start. Hull looked limited ball in hand.
Saw a few weird things today. After the wakey game I went out to my car and on way back the hull players were walking past me under the stand . A cas fan got within a couple of feet of the hull players and was screaming who are you at them and continued to do so whilst walking along side them. The players showed great restraint and ignored him. He repeated the trick to the saints team who also ignored him. At the back was LMS. A hull fan walked up to him and was winding him up and then started feeing his backside and laughing. No reaction. I wondered what would have happened had some joker tried this routine in the old days. I find LMS pretty irritating but he deserves great credit for not knocking him out.

Later on I witnessed a long friendly conversation between sinfield and Brian mac. Weird days indeed

Cas obviously play the best style of rugby thus season, and what looks like what most fans would want to watch. It is really hard to judge though due to the turgid performances of what the other teams are putting up. But you can only beat what is in front of you.

I still say there is not a single team in Super League this year who would have made top six just a few years back. The regression in our league is painful to watch, the teams are really poor. For that reason, yes anyone could win this year, but that is not just good competition. Teams have dumbed down and the other dumb playing clubs catch them. That Hull performance yesterday, championship sides would have beat. Yet a poorly playing down on their luck Saints side hammer, and suddenly they have turned a corner. Widnes before them, were simply shocking.

At least in Cas case Powell plays a brand, and sticks to his beliefs that are far better than other British coaches. The rush to appoint British coaches has certainly played a part in the regression of the league, but Powell can hold his head high. British coaches for me years ago actually believed in open play and in that regard were better than their Aussie counterparts. But as the players are brought up on more defensive wrestling, these ex players have abandoned that open play to get defensive. Usually the ex forward ones. This for me is where Powell has his edge in term of British comparison. But only way of getting the league quality back is with an Aussie overall, and I think that will happen again over next couple of years.

I don't think Cas are in anyway untouchable, but the reason people are clutching at their away record is because of the way they play, not because of just away. Their style is all or nothing, they push the pass, they run the support, they play at speed. If the pass doesn't happen, then they are battling. This happens in all sports where at home things tend to stick for you, and away things can go against.

I think Cas can be beat, but you either need better defence than has been produced so far, or you match them in the attacking play. They don't have individuals to match some other teams, but the sum of those parts is what makes it works. This is where Powell is showing himself the kingpin. Sinfield got it right last week on the challenge cup match about Saints, you can not play to that style and hope to beat them.

thing is its great when everything clicks, you hammer teams. we did it many times.
but it big games if it doesn't quite click and you drop ball and invite pressure you run the risk of losing. ask warrington

@Gotcha , yes i agree with pretty much all of that.

Certainly agree with the last bit about countering the Cas style. I think the way we played at Wembley against them in 2014 is the exact way in which to get the better of them. Not so pleasing on the eye but tactically spot on. Will be interesting to see what McDermott and the team have learnt from the last few pastings we have taken from them.. as they say, you can't keep doing the same things over and over again and expect different results. We all know what Cas will do, do we have an answer this time?

Haven't read the whole thread so apologies if its already been said but......stop Gale/end

Its an over simplistic idea and easier said than done I know, Cas are tight right through the squad, but that one thing is a leveler.

Not seen much of Leeds this season besides that battering, but they must be on their game now to be where they are.

Somethings never change - Leeds will not be looking to sign Ben Barba

If he goes to Saints then with an attack minded Aussie coach then they will be a force to be reckoned with. If he goes to Warrington then another waste or real overseas talent

Agree with plenty of above about style of play etc. Still 5 months to go and cas may get injuries etc. Wigan at strength are the ones to beat for mine but this year feels like anything could happen. 13 games gone, in 2 weeks time that will be 17. Key phase this where teams can make a move or slide away. If Leeds could win it will put them in good stead for rest of year

Might buck the trend and say I think it's the most interesting season for years. Cas and Salford look quite good and defences are much better so it's hard to compare the standard but to have some different teams challenging is brilliant and if you look at the current Leeds side I think they'd probably beat the 2004 side. We've got Toronto marching up the competition, Hull KR with a good fan base looking to get back in SL and a strong Toulouse side. It might be worth considering increasing the number of SL sides in 2019 as with 2 French sides and a Canadian side the TV rights money must surely take a big jump and let us compete better with the NRL and RU for better players. I'm actually feeling quite possitive about the sport.

leeds wouldn't get within 20 points of the 2004 side.
that side would destroy this one with it's pace and movement

handley on the bench?? very left field.
another 3 interchange bench then I guess

Very odd

Mcdermott out smarting no one but himself again.

What goes through his head? What is the point in Handley there.

unless he plans to move Sutcliffe at some point. but then again another forward on the bench and its less moving about and unsettling.
still, that's macdermott

But even moving Sutcliffe, Handley is not good enough for centre. You would be better with a forward there if that was a plan. We will play with three subs if no injury to backs.