I dont think it is a case of putting less effort in and i think it is wrong to say it is.

Physically leeds seem to train to hit a higher peak at certain points of the season rather than a more consistant level throughout the year. When Leeds peak, few teams come close, thats why they have been so successful over the past 8/9 years. However hitting those highs seems to result in their also being some lows where Leeds dont perform to the level a team of that talent should. JP is a perfect example of this, he can look every second of his years, he has looked, at times, completely spent. He has also rolled back the years and looked a world class prop again. I dont think anyone could seriously accuse an absolute warrior like JP from not giving everything everytime.

Other teams, notably Wigan, dont seem to train in that way. Or the difference isn’t so pronounced. But I think that works both ways. Wigan haven’t hit the highs leeds have, they also haven’t seen the ‘lows’ in terms of performance. But there have been drops in performance from them, they were a step below their rivals in the last month or so of the year

I have no doubt that Leeds give 100% to top the table every season, I have no doubt they give 100% every single match, However depending on their training plan that 100% effort and commitment can add up to a different result.

We've only had the top eight system for four years. Only once has the team finishing 5th failed to at least make the semi final.

That should tell you how flawed it is.

Wigan haven't hit the highs Leeds have? Eh? Leaving aside the fact we were much better than Leeds in 2010 and assuming you're talking about last season, the point is that Wigan did hit higher heights than Leeds, but we did so mid-season and then our form dipped, allowing Leeds to beat a below par Wigan in the playoff semi final by the narrowest of margins.

So, thats Wigans fault then. If Wigan drop out of form towards the end of the season, you cant blame Leeds or the RFL for that!

I wouldn't have said you were that much better than us in 2010. Didn't we win a regular round each and a play off game each whilst we knocked you out of the CC? Better? Probably. Much better? No.

As for last season, the contrast between regular season and playoffs was so marked for both teams that the only way you could answer the question of who hit the higher heights is by defining whether you mean in play off rugby or regular season rugby. And for either context the answer is perfectly obvious.

TBF I didnt even think we were that bad Sunday. Cas only really broke us down once when Rangi did a bit of magic. We scored 2 good tries but lost 2 forwards in the first 20 mins which in those conditions had a bit of an impact with our rotation. Yes, we made too many errors in the 2nd half but you honestly dont know how bad the conditions got. I have never been as wet watching a game of Rugby League.

Cas played hard though and I reckon they would have run everyone close playing like that Sunday. When it got to 12 all I thought that was a fair result but we had a couple more errors in us. No biggie though, we have Salford this Friday

(Im praying we arent bad enough to lose to a team who has conceded 82 points in 2 games)

And add to that teams 3 and 4 can only get one home game, just the same as teams 5 and 6.

Get back to the top 5 system, fair and rewarding.

And add to that teams 3 and 4 can only get one home game, just the same as teams 5 and 6.

Get back to the top 5 system, fair and rewarding.

I dont believe they did, Sure they run in plenty of points against the lesser teams and undercooked sides, but when the big sides got their game on, Wigan lost to them.

But is it fair and rewarding Rouges?

Why are we ignoring that they get that one home game against 5th or 6th, after losing, whereas 5th and 6th have an away game, after winning.

joke not, its not a bad plan - easier games into playoffs!!!!

because thats not correct! you can get the home game by winning week 1 against 1st or 2nd (st's the last two seasons!) and in that situation they won away from home!

One home game after havng a bruising encounter potentially away from home against one of the 2 best teams in the league as opposed to a home game against a bottom half of the table team.

Not arguing about this just pointing out the selective nature of your posts - You are Nigel Wood and I claim my £0! (Just to match last years marketting deal he was involved in)

OK, Ill bite



2011:

Hull FC @ home
Huddersfield Away
Warrington Away
St Helens @ OT

2012:

Wakefield @ Home
Catalan Away
Wigan Away
Warrington @ OT

OK, so we get one "easy" game but if we lose, we're out. Top 4 get a 2nd chance. Then its all on the road. Are you saying 6 out of the 8 games in the fixtures I have listed above are easier than finishing in the top 4? Because Even in 4th i'd fancy our chances against 1st meaning we would get a bye making it even easier.

I actually almost made a joke about our 1st grand final win when I wrote that



But in all fairness, it was bad.

only 2 of the top 4 get a 2nd chance........if they win week 1 then it's sudden death.... old system of top 5 playoff format 1st, 2nd or 3rd had to lose 2 games in order not to make the final and 1 of them were guaranteed to make the final

That was what I liked about the McIntyre system and feel that that is the way we should go IF we have to have a top 8.

Did I say it wasn't Wigan's fault?

Win all your games and you're champions. If you can't you're not. Making it "easier" or "harder" doesn't make that any different, save for the second chances; anyone who tries to find an "easy" way through the play offs is IMO unlikely to win them.

Not to say there aren't better and worse systems (top five clearly the best because beyond that the quality isn't there) but complaining about other teams winning from different positions continues to miss the point that each team's destiny is in its own hands and the blame for any one team's failure to become champions lies with that team.

Effort was probably the wrong word to use yes. I'll go with emphasis.

I'll bit back





I HATE the current play off system; I know it won't change but neither will my opinion. IMO it should be top 4 and anyone finishing fifth (be it Leeds, Wigan or whoever) should not have the chance to even play the games to be judged champions (that on paper should be easier as per placings in the league)

Yes I'm bitter as Wigan performed best over the complete season last year and got pittance, but it was also wrong when it happened to Saints for years.


GRRRRRRR



Winge over

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I always say Saints finished top 4 years in a row which I think is incredible but they didn't get the recognition they deserved because of the proxy playoffs.

Basically a cup competition decides the champions and even people with half a brain realises cup games even the playing field.
Competing over 80 mins is one thing, competing over 8 months is altogether different.