Quote: NickyKiss "I never go in to a final particulars confident, I think it’s just a defence mechanism of trying to ensure I don’t get too disappointed if we lose. In this case I think we’re much improved and they’re not quite at that level of 2018 and 2019 but I still have them in front of us and as long as Walmsley is fit, I think they’ll win the game.
I’m treating this as a bit of a bonus final. When you’ve lost Sam Tomkins, John Bateman, George Williams, Ryan Sutton etc over the period of the last couple of off seasons and on top of that you’re coach and when you’ve had that uncertainty around the Edwards/Lam fiasco (which feels like it’s finally settled down), you’re in a bit of a transitional stage. We’ve brought loads of kids through, some who’ll be playing in their first final and all things considered I think a title win would probably come a year or two earlier than I’d have envisaged this time last year.'"
I am very similar in that I’m always cautious in any final to try and get my disappointment ready before the actual outcome so that a win is a bonus. That is pessimistic but it seems to have served me well over the years.
I’m still worried that there is another HKR performance in us even with some recent great displays.That is hopefully OTT but we will know in the first 5 minutes if we are ready for the battle
The main worry that I have for Friday is our bench which will probably consist of 3 backrowers and a weak prop. If Havard and Flower were playing I’d be a lot more upbeat.
If we are to win I think we need Hastings to have the game of his life which in his current form isn’t beyond him
Really looking forward to what hopefully will be a great game.