Just interested to see who everybody thinks will be crowned champions this year.
Will Hulls resolute defence carry them to victory ?
Has Huddersfields bubble burst ?
Can leeds do it again after a wire thrashing ?
St Helens ? Surely not ? Never write them off I guess
Warrington the favourites ?
Wigan written off two weeks ago now in the semis can they do it without their captain ?

A whipping boy SL rabble team will win it.

Hull or Hudds it is then.

Warrington

I think it's Warringtons this year. 2 very good performances against Catalans and Leeds, and they look as determined as Leeds did under Tony Smith in 2007.

Depends on the weather, if it stays dry I think Warrington, if its bad/wet weather I think Leeds or Wigan!

I blame the summer rugby season for ensuring that all meaningful games end up being played during the colder wet months. It's about time those teams who play better on warm dry tracks engaged in some extra cold/wet weather training rather than the other way around.

Warrington are rightful favourites but you just can't discount Leeds in sudden death rugby.

Huddersfield aren't good enough when everyone is playing at full throttle and we will come up short minus O'Loughlin. I don't think Saints have the halfbacks to get through 2 knock out games and a final unscathed and Hull simply aren't good enough in comparison to the other teams.

Agree with that, I wouldn't rule out Wigan either though. I think Wigan's young lads, who were superb earlier in the season, are suffering now.

Wigan v Wire final. Wire will win it.

I reckon it'll be a Wire v Saints final with Wire winning.



Just looking at the poll results currently, is there a Hull fan high as a kite out there somewhere? Or did someone just pick them for the giggles?

The sport has been trying to get a wigan and wire final in either competition for the past 4 years ! It's like it's just not meant to be

Quite open really.
Good point about the rain, if Wire play in the rain like they did v Widnes they'll lose against anyone.
Wigan won the C Cup in the rain and battered Hudds when it was pouring down.
Wane's playing 6 props thumped Hudds who have a formidable pack themselves.
Leeds and Wire are vulnerable due to having ageing forwards. Not sure either can go 80 mins now in a fast paced game.
Don't rate Saints, Hudds or Hull's chances one bit.

Hull, bel13ve..

What are you all smoking in Hull? Must be good stuff.

Hull it is then.

And Sky's latest golden boy obsession Whiting to win the Harry Sunderland.

It looks closer than usual this year. Warrington looked good at the weekend but I think Wigan will sneak it at the end of the day.

Its always their year

Leeds, said it at the start of year, they know when to do it at the right time of the year but has a Bradford fan I hope I'm wrong, I would like to see Warrington finally do it this year.

I can't see past Leeds, they are full of players who know how to win play off games.

Apologies to Hull and Hudds but i don't think Hull are good enough and i'm not sure Hudds have the belief in themselves.

Wigan and Wire i think both have a decent chance, Wire have been building also many have said you need to loose one to win one. I think Wigan will fancy their chances but i'm not sure we have enough x factor to pinch it.

St Helens are coming in with no pressure and little expectation and could surprise a few but i don't think they will go all the way.

I'll go Hudds to beat Hull and Leeds to beat St Helens. It all depends on who wire choose. If Smith keeps his word he'll pick the lowest ranked team so Wire v Leeds & Wigan v Hudds. There was also a suggestion he may just toss a coin which makes predictions rather tricky.

If I had to rank in order of who I think has the best chance, I'd say...

Leeds
Wire
Wigan
Saints

< big gap >

Huddersfield
Hull

Head says Wire but my betting slip says Saints (12/1- I couldn't refuse!)

Wire for me

and me.

Hull FC all the way

Wolfs !

Surprised no one has said it before now!