I don't know how the pick will operate and there's time for the RFL to change their mind to manufacture the final they want anyway but St Helens have a recent history of winning the qualifyer but not the Grand Final in similar circumstances.

What would you do if you were them. Take Leeds out in the semi at home or risk meeting them in the Grand Final for a third year running?

Right, according to the breakdown I've just read, If Saints and Leeds both win in the first round of playoffs, assuming Saints finish top and we finish 2nd, then no matter what they will be kept apart in the final round of play offs prior to the Grand Final. The only advantage Saints have is that they would get to pick their opponents from the other 2 teams remaining (is this really an advantage though? It's going to make for an easy team talk for the coach of the team they pick - i.e. "they think we're the easy option lads"icon_wink.gif.

So, to follow up my point earlier, all Leeds have to do is amble their way through the season as they are currently doing,win their games in the first and third round of play offs (bearing in mind that their first play off match will not be against Saints,as it has been in previous years, it will be against the 3rd placed team) and they will be in the Grand Final - against Saints more than likely. The only difference between this and other seasons is that if they lose their first playoff match (as they have done for the past couple of years) they could face being knocked out by Saints in the eliminator - IF Saints choose to play them.

Taking the current table as it stands (yeah, irrelevant I know, but....)

Saints
Leeds
Hull K R
Huddersfield
Harlequins
Wakefield
Warrington
Hull

We'd have Hull K R at home first up. Beat them and we get week 2 off. If the two losers in week 1 go on to win their elimination matches in week 2, Saints have a choice of Hull K R or Huddersfield (assuming Saints win their first match). We play the other - win and we're in the Grand Final. Wouldn't be too much of a stretch for the mentality of "2 big games in the play offs against the likes of Huddersfield and Hull K R, and another big game against Saints and we win the Grand Final" would it??

Damn good question - to be honest, I'd be inclined to have a crack at Leeds on the basis that they'd be harder to beat at a neutral venue in the final than at home in the semi. Would be a hell of a risk though, because Leeds would not have the safety net of a further match at home if they lost, so would have to play the game like it was a final. One gets the feeling that the powers that be would strongly attempt to dissuade Saints from going down such a route though.......

What and see us win it for the third time?
The powers that be would if they could hope Leeds do not win it again.

I could have looked for myself but reading all that I'm glad you looked instead.

Can I just say I agree that the selecting opposition part of the new system is a poisoned chalice for the league leaders (if they win in week one) for the reason you gave.

Top two finish is still the best place to be then. It will be interesting if Leeds were to finish three or four.

I always though the pick a team thing was a poisoned chalice! There is a good guide to the play offs on Wigan rlfans home page. It tells you what would happen re current league positions.(if anyone is a little confused)

I think you have to pick the highest ranked team left! To pick a perseved lesser team would be like poking an angry bear with a pointy stick!! It's basically gonna try and rip ya head off!!

Odd system then given that the top side through would ordinarily be paired with the lowest qualifier.

I would have thought that the SL clubs chief executives may have the final say in who chooses their semi-final opponents

Hypothetically speaking, if Saints finish top and are into the final 4 in the GF play-offs, would they choose to play the Rhinos at home in the semi-final?

I can see the advantages of playing a side that has convincingly beat your club side for the past 2 seasons at Old Trafford in the GF at your place in the semi, but from a chief executives perspective, what would that club lose out on in monetary terms if they subsequently got knocked out at home in the semi's?

GF day brings in a vast ammount of money to the competing teams, not only from the RFL but from the merchandise sold to spectators in the run up to the game

The choice of the highest qualifying side in the semi-final will be very interesting thats for sure

2 of our replacements hardly covered themselves in glory on that 4 pointer then.

Would the powers that be have any say in exactly HOW the decision is made? Would the team that gets to pick be able to, say, get the cameras in and do a draw live on tv? Get either Eddie or Stevo to pick out the team they get to play maybe? Granted, it'd make abit of a mockery of the new system, and it'd be taking a risk that they'd get the one team they didn't really want to face, but it would neatly sidestep the chosen team being able to use the "they reckon we're an easier bet than the rest" motivation. How much power would the powers that be have to stop this?

sky flashed his up as coming on in the 74 minute iirc. don't remember seeing him before then either.

Chad Randall scored for the Quins on 67 minutes and as pointed out earlier Simon Worrall did not control the previous tackle well enough to prevent a quick play the ball by Tony Clubb.

Officials......

Ref: Phil Bentham
TJ: Dave Griffiths, James Child
IG: Greg Dolan, Paul Stockman
RR: Matthew Kidd
MC: Gerry Kershaw.

Not looking for early excuses, dont think it will make a difference. But thats another penalty count lost then. That you can guarantee before kick off.

Im more interested in his interpretations of lying on and offsides.


Hopefully we can take the ref out of the equation by performing well.

The full list of appointments, including the officials for the reserve team game, can be found [url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/page.php?id=183&areaid=54here[/url

No need to ground the ball over the line this week then.

Bit of a mixed bag for Leeds with this referee in this fixture:

7-Jul-06 ..... 11 - 20 ..... Home ..... Won 26 - 24
29-Jun-07 ..... 12 - 18 ..... Home ..... Lost 14 - 38
2-Sep-07 ..... 12 - 25 ..... Away ..... Drew 16 - 16
23-May-08 ..... 13 - 15 ..... Away ..... Won 14 - 30

Anyone want some free tickets? i may have upto 6 available inc long bar passes

Aye, would love a couple if ya dont mind.

Rhinos squad...

The squad in full is:
1 Brent Webb
2 Scott Donald
3 Lee Smith
4 Keith Senior
5 Ryan Hall
6 Danny McGuire
7 Rob Burrow
8 Kylie Leuluai
9 Danny Buderus
10 Jamie Peacock
11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12 Ali Lauitiiti
13 Kevin Sinfield
14 Matt Diskin
16 Ryan Bailey
18 Carl Ablett
19 Luke Burgess
21 Simon Worrall
23 Kallum Watkins

Jeez, a few are turning up this year

More of less full strength depending on Diskin and Bailey. Id go with the same back line as last week. With JP and Kylie starting props and JJB and Ablett in the back row.

Kylie was looking back to form last week, he needs be in the starting 13 this week imo to get a good start and knock the wind out of the Bulls.

sorted, see Pm for details

All others gone now, but next home game, if anyone wants any, ask your uncle Hutchie

Me. Owt for nowt an all that.

Just read on the Rhinos site that tickets are selling very fast. Whats pretty impressive is that over 1000 hospitality dining tickets have been sold! Thats good going!