I'd agree though I think they need to play like that again to stand a chance of doing us in the final. If it's scrappy, or a dour battle then it's a Leeds win for me. Equally, we're not a million miles off putting in a top notch attacking performance. If/when we do, we can match Warrington's flair.

As you say, a terrific effort by Saints. My underlying feeling was that it was a game that you could have lost by quite a big margin under the circumstances.

Warrington are flat-track bullies.

They're ok when they are up against inferior opposition and can throw the ball around, but they've already lost twice to a below-strength Leeds this season, once to Wigan and once to Saints.

How many times had we beaten Hull before the 2005 final? was it 10?

IMO Wire have a better chance of beating us than Hull did in 2005.

I don't remember saying they don't have a chance, just making the point that their results against the better sides this season have hardly backed up the hype that gets built off the back of putting 50 on poor opposition.

They could very easily have won the game at Wigan and at the HJ against Saints. Arguably, they were the better team in both those games. They were good in their win against Wigan too. I wouldn't call that flat track bully territory.

Saints have hammered Leeds once and nearly beaten them twice with no halves. Had we played Wire without Pryce last week I think we might have been mullered. I know it's all ifs, buts and maybes, but that's my opinion.

It's not just this season though, is it? How many times have Wire been in winning positions against Saints in recent years and not been able to either physically or mentally close out the game?

They're impressive if they're allowed to throw the ball around and if everything they throw sticks. We too can do that; the difference is, we can also win the scrappy games and the arm wrestles. I'm not convinced Warrington can.

Coach Smith always proclaims his team as the underdogs in big games. He was just the same when he was at Leeds.

I expect coach McClennan will do the same, I mean just look at the table.

What gives you that idea?


rlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/aug/26/warrington-wolves-injuries-carnegie-challenge-cuprl

We've beaten Hull home and away.

He was quite often right too

I'm hoping TS plays Chris Bridge (with one working shoulder) in the final, and also goes with 2 props, leaving one to do nearly the full 80. It's a proven tactic.

Once bitten....

I think we can assume that yes .
Ypu've just got to hope that Joe Vagana doesn't belly flop on Matt King the week before the final, and that Carvell doesn't throw 5 dubious offloads the same week in order for him to get dropped.