I'm not sure how you class Atkins and Ratchford as flat track bullies. Surely you'd pick Sims and Westwood.

I hope it's as good a game as some are expecting, unfortunately these big games often flatter to deceive.

Flat track bully means someone who dominates inferior opponents but go hiding against the good ones

Atkins either rips you to bits when he runs at you if you let him on the other hand if he's hit hard and often early,he then starts passing to his winger in row F of the stand
Ratchford is one of the most talented footballers in SL but when he's rattled he's like a rabbit in the headlights
Hey either player could as easily win the Lance Todd trophy award if they're allowed the freedom of Wembley

I guess this is why both players have not made that many test caps against either Australia or NZ as they would get punished big time both offensively and especially defensively

Will either player be in Wayne Bennett's England 17?

A lot of the recent finals have been poor from a neutral perspective imo. Leeds v Wigan in 2011 was the last quality close game but before that i reckon you have to go back to the Hull last gasp win over Leeds in 2005 to find a game worthy of a cup final. Contrast that with a lot of the GFs of the last decade which in the most have been tight tense affairs.

I was thinking about the heat thing. We have our Polynesian boys who will be key to a success performance and they are used to playing week in week out in temperatures like we are having in the NRL. We at least have a few lads that will be perhaps a little more comfortable with the weather.

Don't the NRL play in the winter? I'm pretty sure some parts of Australia have fairly wet and cold winters, it's not blazing hot and sunny all year round, don't think the weather would have that much of a say in things.

Given the (alleged)hot weather on Saturday Hull will feel like its a blessing compared to their last visit.

I think the game will come down to Eddie Hemming's pet...Marc Sneyd. He was possibly the worst in a Cas shirt two years ago. If he doesn't freeze & plays like he has done most of the season behind that big pack I think Hull can put their Wembley hoodoo to bed by 8 pts.

I will guess the attendance will be around 82k.

Raining Saturday now apparently.

Warrington slight favourites, giving Hull 2 points start on the handicap but, even the bookies are finding it difficult to separate the two teams.
Nerves and preparation will decide the game rather than the heat (assuming that it is hot.

Hope it keeps dry and that we can see a quality game.

Not according to BBC weather

I feel like warrington have more game breakers. I know hull have lot's of quality with sneyd houghton, some of the backline and the pack et al. But warringtons guns, when they're on it can reach a higher level than the hull ones, IMO of course. Who would you rather have, both playing at their best, sandow or sneyd? Sandow can produce wow plays that sneyd can't. As a unit the teams are evenly matched, not much seperates them in the table so it's going to come down to the key players and those good ol' major final game breaking moments.

Warrington for me, but not by much and only if they play at full potential.

it was when I looked, it's changing all the time.
I expect light showers before the game making it slippery conditions, but no rain during.

I think Hull will edge it. Won both games between them this year and last year's regular season games were one win apiece both decided by 1 point so they clearly have found a way that Warrington struggle against.

With it likely to be close I never fancy a Tony Smith side in a big cup/playoff game as they usually lose (with the 2004 GF with Leeds the exception to the rule) and his successes coming from getting a number of scores ahead.

Poor media buildup again for what is meant to be a showpiece event, one Rugby Legaue story all week on the BBCSport website and its a dull article about how Chris Hill runs a plumbing business in his spare time. Wheres the articles from legendary ex Hull and Warrington players, the 'top 10 challenge cup finals' list, the video clips etc the sport is getting sold short again.