Think it's a fight between Leeds, Wigan, Saints and Wire for the title this year.

I think Leeds' biggest ask will be winning away in playoffs. Home advantage seems to be a massive influence on which team goes on to Old Trafford. Have the Rhinos had to win away in the past 3 years in playoffs?

No you get me wrong! I totally agree with this post! Leeds have a proven track record of stepping it up as do saints. Do Wigan have the extra gears? This is unknown. we just have to wait and see. that's all I'm saying really.

This being one of my main points.

The track record of the top two teams getting to the GF and away games in the play-offs does not change just because last years finalists are not on top.

Firstly, you point about the GF never being won outside of the top 2 is correct BUT we have only had one year of the new 8 team, club call play-off system! The 8 team system does and will make it easier for any of the top 4 teams to get to the GF as it favours the top 2 slightly less than the old 6 team system. All you get in the top two is to play at home in the first week, if you actual lose that game from 1st or 2nd you get to stay at home in week 2 BUT will be away for the third week (if you win) having lost!

As you have to play and win at least two games to get to the GF now, if Wigan stay in 1st and play Leeds (who are in 4th) and you lose at home, the club call is lost, you get to stay at home in week 2 but are then faced with coming to Leeds and having to beat us again, this time away!!!

How confident are you about it now? If you screw up week 1 against the 3 times Champions you have to beat them away to even get to the GF!

The first quote does indirectly. Michael Maguire indicates that Wigan have set a high standard. Now Wigan are more a less the same team as last year bar a few signings and a new coach.

No way would this lot be at the top of the table if Brian Nobel was in charge. The last few season have proven that. But Brian Nobel did bring the best out of Wigan when it was needed. Unfortunately you wasn’t good enough to reach the Grand Final.

The only difference this year is Michael Maguire is bringing the best out of the Wigan players on a weekly basis. We haven’t seen the best what this Wigan side have had to offer as yet.

However the last few years will show that your not good enough when it comes to the business end and likewise this year with Leeds beating you in the Challenge Cup.

The same will happen in the play offs as it did in the challenge cup.

Your nailed on for the league leaders but not for the super league championship.

Hell No.



I’m placing my opinion based on my viewing experience of top flight rugby league in this country over these last few years. A majority of Leeds fans accept that we have had a poor start to the season. But our form now, place in the table and the beating you in the challenge cup proves to us that Leeds are going to end this season like the last few.

If Wigan win the Super League Championship then well done. However so far this season you just look like a poor version of that St Helens side who finished at the top of the league above us in 2007 and 2008.

Three Words: Flat Track Bullies

well they have done it. Both Leeds and Saints have been very good. They have also played rugby a notch above anything i have seen this season, in each of the last three play offs. They have also played their best rugby in the playoffs.

they dont, leeds have won the last three grand finals and only won the LLS once in that time. In fact since the 04 the League League leaders have only won the GF half the time.

And dont forget the league isnt finished quite yet.

they have plenty.

you havent done it. You havent done it for years. What makes you think you have even more improvement in you?

I am just looking forward to the play-offs to be honest. If you were to beat us in that first game though I would definantly fancy our chances at your place really.

Only time will tell, so much can change.

I'm pretty confident that if we finish top we will be good enough to make the final.

There are enough "aren't Wigan brilliant" threads on the VT and on your own board, dont think we need one here too

You really shouldn’t be. In fact start shaking in fear that its all going to go wrong

I think you are right, only time will tell. I think you will finish top but only because you are way out in front, but it will be interesting to see whether you can keep up the form? Leeds have had a very poor start to the season, Saints a little poor and Wire average, Wigan have played very well, but I would argue that the reason they are so far in front is more to do with the form of the teams below them and not Wigan being a far superior team than the chasing pack!

Given the new 8 team format form, from here towards the play-offs, will count more and league position less given last years Grand Finalists acknowledged poor starts to the season. You could lose your last three games of the season and still finish top!

Lets see how you feel come September!

The Bulls won it from 3rd.

You can't discount the importance being in the top 2. Only two teams have ever secured a Grand final place from outside top two. Wigan from a great Carney try after Leeds had some chances to win if i recall and Bradford when lets be honest, St Helens just had an awful injury crisis and were never going to get to Old Trafford.

If anyone can make it a third team it's this Leeds side though. Best team on paper in SL.

Rhinos' and Saints' biggest threats are... Themselves ...

At the end of the day it is their perfomances on the field that will decide who gets what at the end of the season . If they ain't good enough they will win fook all .

4 in a row is a real big ask , so if it don't happen then it don't happen . It will be a
while before anyone equals the 3 in a row so I won't be losing any sleep over it .

I only go for the beer and the craic anyway . Wins are a bonus

Do you know as soon as posted that I did doubt myself, I did remember Wigan getting to the final from 3rd but forgot totally about Bradford... selective memory I suspect!

However, I think you and a few others are still placing far too much importance on still finishing in the top two under the new system. Important, of course, as important as under the old 6 team system, most certainly not. If you finish 3rd or 4th the only thing you give away is home advantage week 1 (ok, that is still quite big I know), if you win week 1 from 3rd or 4th then suddenly you have a week off and a home draw for the Semi, so you suddenly you take the advantage in terms of reaching the GF!

If you finished in the top 2 under the old system if you were 1st you were at home all the way to final guaranteed, if 2nd you were going to be at home for the semi and again have that benefit!

Lets see what happens over the next few years, I predict more teams making the GF from outside the top 2!

Whilst I can understand the view that Wigan could/should have beaten us in the cup, given Leeds' distinctly wobbly form until a week or so before and the injuries to key players - Burrow and Ali in particular - Wigan will need to step up a gear more to beat Leeds or Sts come the playoffs. Whether Wigan have that extra gear is and will remain the question until the season plays out.

The question for Leeds is whether the team has the real hunger to win the title again, particularly with a potentially more arduous route to the GF. I really think the CC will impact us a lot this year - win or lose.