Regarding 2005, whilst we were favourites because of how we were playing, the Hull FC at the time was competing up at the top end of the table at the period. 3rd in 2004, 5th in 2005 and GF runners up 2006. So it was a bit of a different level to the one HKR are at ATM.

Cas were also playing at a much higher level throughout the season, as evidenced by their eventual league placing, and weren't missing their first choice playmaker.

No disrespect intended to Hull KR, but Leeds should be winning this at a canter.

Zero frills, I reckon, which is why I'm predicting a close-ish scoreline. Even so, I think Leeds will control it fairly comfortably.

I thought it was noticeable at Wembley last year that Leeds played a very much more structured, controlled game than they had at other points in the season.

High completion, kick well, chase well and try to control field position. Very much a wet Manchester in October approach to London in August.

Wonder if the same will happen this year, or whether the urge to move the ball around will take over.

I'm. Nervous ,but I think Leeds will win by 16 points taking charge in the last 20 minutes

The lack of structure would be foolish until we have the game won.
Poor kicks down the throat of Dixon could be dangerous - provided he catches them - he's a very elusive broken field runner with terrific pace as we saw last time we played them.
I still expect us to win but we must not take them lightly.
I also expect Kelly to play even if he's not fully fit. That could backfire on them.

For me to a certain degree you can expect what Leeds will do on Saturday. form is good, settled side, experience of the big games.

The game will hinge in what Hull KR bring to the table. Depends if they are happy with the big day out or plan to win. If they get in our faces for the first 20 and get to half time still in the game could be a tight, entertaining, game. A big cup final is new to them, hope they make a fist of it. Not too good though!

Even when we hammered London it was a tight game for a lot of it. It will probably come down to the last 20 minutes.

I have just put £15 on a Briscoe hatrick though, so here's hoping.

I've said to myself many times over the past 3 weeks that Its only Hull KR, any given SL round you'd put money on Leeds to win no problem. Are things almost going too well for Leeds to win like they should? With Sinfield leading the team out back up by JP then you should think there will be absolutely zero complacency.
I think something else is the drop in quality that Hull KR have faced over the past 3 weeks. The tackles they expect to make in the qualifiers won't quite be as easy. The collisions they would have been winning will be harder to earn. And biggest of all the tempo will no where near be as slow, given Leeds are the fastest most fluent team in the comp with 20+ offloads coming there way. A fresh rested up Cuthbertson will be looking to give half of those by himself.

Leeds fans really should have nothing to worry about but it won't stop my nerves on game day.

Can't see us reigning it in to play completely like we did last year. Our attack in 2015 compared to 2014 is like chalk and cheese and to play how we did in 2014 final wasn't exactly a massive leap from what we produced most weeks in 2014.

Think we've played in such a way this year that'd be hard for some guys to stray too far from that style, I can't see Cuthbertson not wanting to offload for example. Even the other week vs Wigan in the very wet conditions we still had guys trying to play some stuff they probably shouldn't have particularly late on.

As BloodBath said, a lot depends on how HKR start. If they start well I think (hope) we respect that. But if they're like rabbits in the headlights and making nervous errors in defence I don't think we'll hesitate to put our foot down. If they start slowly then their a real chance HKR's chances could be gone after 20 mins by being 3 scores down.

I'd love nothing more. Have a Rhinos party in the stands and truly enjoy the rest of the game. We've seen Wigan and Warrington win the game against us inside the first 20 mins, it would be nice for us to be on the other end of that.

Has to be a low scoring game IMO for Hull KR to stand a chance. If they ship more than 20 points I can't see how they're going to score more than that.

If fit, Delaney will be in the side. He hasn't been dropped through lack of form has he, he's had an injury which he could've probably played with earlier in the season but rather than risk the last 3 games he and they have probably targeted the final to return.

I just hope we don't end up with another Keith Senior situation.

you write Hull KR off at your peril.

Although we've beaten them twice this year both games have been quite 'difficult' for us.

At their place they twice led by 16 points and even at HQ had it not been for a very poor (unusual) goal kicking performance from Mantellato they would have been in front at HT and definitely in with a shout of taking us right down to the wire.

If they don't freeze on the day, I expect this to be tricky for long periods of time and we will need to be close to our best to keep hold of the cup

Id be pretty confident in saying Thaler is nailed on for CC and GF this year.

Silverwood - Poor
Bentham - Injured
Child - Poor
Hicks et al - Few years to go yet

I watched the rovers game against Leigh, rovers showed a great deal of grit and determination to beat Leigh. This after giving Leigh a generous points start in the first half.
Also they had a good win yesterday at widnes , albeit with several first choice players rested. So they won't be a pushover, as shown against Wigan they can also defend well.
We really don't want to concede any early points, then start playing catch up football with ambitious offloads.
They have a superb goalkicker, so any tries scored are usually converted. Unlike smith of Wigan.
There is no doubt we should win, but we should not be complacent. I think we can all remember the Sheffield -Wigan encounter.

Leeds will hopefully win but some of the arrogance on here is akin to the Wigan board , do people think Hull K R are just going to lay down and let us walk all over them . I doubt it and they have already given us 2 tough games this year . First 20 mins rather than last 20 will be key for me , because if K.R still in contention last 20 then nerves on the Leeds side may come into play

No. I think we'll walk all over them regardless.

Don't mistake warranted confidence with arrogance.


No disrespect to Hull KR but Leeds should walk all over them. Are the bookies arrogant for the odds they have given HKR for the win? No, like us fans they are just been realistic. Now that doesn't mean there won't be an upset. It can happen but highly unlikely when you weight the two sides up.

Like i said some posters getting like Wigan fans

What, because we recognise that if Leeds play at the top of their game they should win comfortably?

Aye, whatever.

erm, I'd suggest that if Leeds fail to win it will be one of the biggest upsets in a British rugby league final for some considerable time.

These things do happen though, so...

I predict a Leeds win. I hope we keep it respectable and will enjoy my day out at Wembley. Good luck and here's hoping for a cracker!!

It doesn't have to be arrogance to say you think Leeds will win. The league table doesnt lie and whilst HKR have done very good indeed to beat both Wigan and Wire in the cup, we've not been to shabby either by dispatching Hudds and Saints (both with storming opening 20 mins)

I am not certain if it's been commented on any of the forums. The cup presentation will be performed by the minister for sports.
I thought we we're starting a tradition of the presentation being done by a former RL distinguished player.
As per Mal Reily last season. We could have had Billy Boston or our own Lewis Jones.
Tom Van Vollenhoven is another who springs to mind. I am certain lots of fans would have plenty of suggestions. I have just though of another, David Watkins.