Can the pack chase down Leeds ?
A third way of through the Grand National and the runaway leader Leeds Rhinos is approaching Becher's Brook, followed a long way behind by Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors and St Helens, and Castleford Tigers is an early faller ...
Is this a one-horse parade, or was Saturday night's 14-10 loss at home to Wigan that cut their lead down to two points a genuine sign that they can be caught? First, let me take you back to the 2005 season. Leeds were defending champions that year, too. They beat Canterbury Bulldogs in the World Club Challenge, had their equivalent of last month's Castleford upset in losing at home to Wakefield in round eight, but otherwise looked pretty much invincible.
St Helens beat them in May and they suffered a shock loss in July to London Broncos, but it was generally going swimmingly until Bradford crushed them 42-10 at Headingley in August. That cost them the league leadership they'd held since February. They lost the Challenge Cup final a week later to Hull, then lost away at Wigan and Warrington in the league. They were back on track against St Helens in the qualifying semi-final, but Bradford again had the better of them in the Grand Final.
St Helens and Bradford have also blown up in the final straight before. Anyone handing Leeds the title in early April should consult recent history, no matter how well the Rhinos are playing at this time - and, yes, they are playing very well under Brian McClennan. The medals, though, get handed out in August, September and October and, correct me if I'm wrong, but we're just into spring. Rarely has the old cliche about it's not how you start but how you finish resonated more than when Leeds lost two finals, six weeks apart, in Cardiff and at Old Trafford in 2005.
It took a mighty defensive effort by Wigan to emerge victorious at Headingley on Saturday evening. Their so-called talisman Trent Barrett was out, although he was hardly missed. Of course, Wigan won twice in a month last season at Headingley, following a similarly defiant 20-18 league victory with a knockout blow in the Challenge Cup fifth round. You've got to hand it to Brian Noble, he knows out to win at Leeds.
Catalans Dragons came from 12-4 down to beat Huddersfield Giants 20-16 on Friday night, thanks to massive contributions by Thomas Bosc, Jason Croker and Alex Chan at the Galpharm. That's a record five-match unbeaten run for the Dragons, who got into the top half of the table for the first time. Bradford recorded their third successive victory, a 24-8 win at the KC Stadium worsening Hull's plight a place off the bottom. In the Saturday afternoon match, Harlequins beat Hull KR 35-16.
I remember the 2005 victory against Leeds well, it was a great evening.
Feleti Mateo put his mark all over the game and it was clear he would become a very special player indeed.
Posted by: Matthew | 5 Apr 2008 23:26:41
Like I said... Rhinos bogey team! and now Wigan are second we had better pull our socks up sharpish!
Posted by: mike hunt | 5 Apr 2008 21:34:03
Great Wigan victory tonight, Tommy Leuluai was tremendous.
Posted by: Sam Sung | 5 Apr 2008 21:19:14
Bradford are coming to the fore now and are improving week in, week out. McNamara apparantly is eager for the Bulls to peak at the back end of the season. Is this a repeat of 05 where the Bulls take the super league crown once again?
Posted by: Paul | 5 Apr 2008 13:14:23
Yish i ope that they winn and get bak into the champiunship leege gawy mawcalister is doin agwate joyb
Posted by: Mawlculm | 5 Apr 2008 10:55:21
Leeds will romp the league and Saints will have their revenge at Old Trafford - a dish served cold with new potatoes and lashings of ginger beer.
Posted by: Tablet of Bone | 4 Apr 2008 18:43:48
Leeds will romp the league and Saints will have their revenge at Old Trafford - a dish served cold with new potatoes and lashings of ginger beer.
Posted by: Tablet of Bone | 4 Apr 2008 18:38:38
There is only one game that matters (apart from the real SL derby) and thats the grand final. Catch em on a cold day and they'll have won sod all
Posted by: Broxy | 4 Apr 2008 18:28:49
I've just the man to catch Leeds - introducing Mr Dwain Chambers. Unless, that is, Leeds are more than 100 metres clear.
Posted by: League rogue | 4 Apr 2008 17:26:10
You make some good points Chris and ones that have crossed my mind as a leeds fan.
You must remember though that no one is more aware of what happened in 2005 than the leeds players.
The lessons learned from that season plus the added motivation of not letting it happen again could be an advantage for leeds, but, at the end of the day it's irrelevant. It's all about performances on the big day.
In 2005 leeds let squad players leave, such as Mcdonald and botham, while not rotating the squad they had left, especially the pack. This eventually took it's tole and by the business end the pack was burnt out, the injury to senior didn't help our backline either and further weakened our pack because Mckenna had to be shifted to the centres.
Leeds are rotating the team better this season and theres more depth than in 2005, but, as you say, it's early days.
Posted by: James | 4 Apr 2008 16:56:22
I think the Rhinos are unstopable this season they will though have the odd loss, I suspect Wigan might be one of those. They have been one of our bogey teams in the past, any way it will be a great confrontation looking forward to it, One thing I will say though bring back the old programme format don't like the pokey little thing!
Posted by: mike hunt | 4 Apr 2008 16:38:41
As a Leeds fan I'm always pessimistic for some strange reason and at the moment I'm thinking "Have we peaked too early?" But I wouldn't swap our situation with anybody else so let's just see how it goes closer to the end of the season.
Posted by: Loiner | 4 Apr 2008 15:03:32
ER, NO.
Posted by: Smitty | 4 Apr 2008 14:50:13
YES
Posted by: alcabiades | 4 Apr 2008 14:45:40
Leeds to crash and burn, Bradford to romp home at 10-1!!!! YES!!!
Posted by: Numptyboy | 4 Apr 2008 14:24:11