I think Huddersfield is the worst match up we could have had,I would have taken saints or cas above them,we've been comfortably beat by them twice in the league this season,really hope we can continue our form but I'm not confident.

They struggled to beat a 12 man Stains side. We'll be alright.

With brough, Crabtree (maybe Grix?) back and us possibly missing MM it will be a whole lot tougher than Saints faced on Friday.

It is what it is and last Thursday I was of the opinion that we go out to win and whoever we end up with so be it! but the OP has a point that potentially either of the other 2 may not be as "Fresh" and have less gas in he tank than Huddersfield who may have learned their lesson from last year as the other 2 were probably the only 2 teams that truly went out on limb and gave nearly everything to finish top.

On another point I wouldn't rule out 5th & 6th this year, a decent warm up game next week and then go away to the loser of the top 4 gAmes may be no bad thing?

Certainly the best side other then ourselves in the top 4 and at times we seem to struggle with their style of play.

In saying that it's a game we should be winning at home. It's also more important to win in this round then usual as it'll be Wire or Leeds waiting for the losers rather then the usual games against the likes of Catalans or HKR.

It will be interesting to see what they have learned from last year. History has proven that experience counts for a lot in the play offs. Last year I was very confident against Hudds, this year I can't call it. I think we'll be bookies favourites but we'll be in for a close hard game.

Brough is too emotionally charged and Crabtree is a wet lettuce. Wigan by 12.

Did I say I didn't fancy us?
I said the OP had a point that potentially Hudds could prove the tougher of the 3 other top 4 teams.

we had 3 of our better players missing, had our only recognised half back taken out of the game after half an hour and had a 19 yr old running the show partnering a back rower in the halves, i thought we did fine on friday.

it will be tough but as we've shown in the past we have no fear coming to your place

they did the double over us, so in my mind we have to beat them at some point to be able to call ourselves genuine champions.
bring it on.
this time there will be no issues regarding mental attitude !

I don't fancy huddersfield at all. Think they will provide flimsy opposition for wigan. Wigan will really step it up a few notches and I don't think huddersfield will be able to reach that level, they'll once again fall flat on their faces when it really counts.

As soon as the first penalty goes against them, brough will gain that hard done by scowl and sulk he seems to wear permanently on his face. Then he will start doing crazy things, trying to be too clever like kicking to the corner on the 2/3rd tackle, but it will only serve to gift wigan field position which they will punish hudds for.

Wigan will win by 16+.

You should 100% walk it. No match for the mighty second placed Wigan

I too am uneasy about this game. Huddersfield are a huge, powerful team - we haven't actually beaten them in the regular season for 2 years.

Their defeat to us in the playoffs last year will give them extra motivation.

Wigan will have to step it up again to match them in the forwards.

There's really nothing to worry about. Wigan will win comfortably. Huddersfield are making up the numbers.

Will Brough definitely be returning after rupturing one of his b0ll0cks?

If he doesn't play I'd be more confident, whereas if he plays I'd be less confident.

His kicking game can be lethal.

If Broughy is injured as said then he will need or will have had surgery for that problem surely?
Then he will miss the game. Thought Hudds looked very poor v Saints and if Walmsley hadn't been sent off they'd have put 30+ past the Giants.

If Wigan can reproduce that last 40 mins v Warrington for 60 mins or more then I will feel confident against any team.
They played well v Leeds and improved in the first 40 v Wire but it was nowhere near enough.
The second half Wigan were outstanding. Reproduce that and we'll be a match for anyone!

like leeds usually do against us?

really? on the basis that game was scoreless for 20 minutes and saints scored on their first attack on the back of the first penalty of the game?
like i said we had 3 of our main men missing, we lost our only recognised half back after 30 minutes and played 60 minutes with a 19 yr old rookie and a back rower making up the halves, i thought it was an outstanding effort from BOTH teams on friday, there was nothing in the game from minute 1-80.

I would back us if Brough was out but if he plays its very tough to call, a 50/50 game and I'd be going in more hopeful than confident.

Ukama Ta'ai looked awesome on Friday btw - happy with Tautai but would have loved the brief rumour about him coming to Wigan to have turned into something.

the two league defeats to them this year count for nothing and neither do they mean they have the upper hand; this is a clean slate game now and I don't see us losing whether brough plays or not.

if Wigan are the best side in the top 4, why didnt they finish top?

Kind Regards

King james

knock out rugby at this stage. When did Huddersfield win a knock out anything? Wigan by a lot .

Now that is a silly question, obviously Saints are the best, because they finished top. Ask anyone.

Why didn't Huddersfield win the Grand Final (or even a game against other top 4 opposition) last year?

To answer your question- because ultimately the players didn't care enough. Go back to a first past the post system or put more emphasis on finishing in the top places and Wigan, Leeds and Wire would finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in some order.

Elimination play-off , 23 September 2011 , Giants 28 - Rhinos 34 . HTH

Pretty sad you have to go back three years to get a win. Ignoring the knock out cup game too...
I'm just thankful the fans I meet at games show less arrogance than a massive majority on here.