This Week's Rugby League

By The Man

Leeds v Castleford

When you consider that these two sides met last weekend in the Challenge Cup semi final and battled it out until extra time perhaps you could be lulled in to thinking that Castleford would be good things with the big start. However, there are lots of reasons for opposing them. The heart breaking defeat will have shattered the players. It will be very difficult to get them up for this match. They also go in with injury concerns, Kirk Dixon and Brett Ferres could have season ending injuries whilst Ryan Hudson and Paul Jackson are likely absentees. Add in the fact that their talisman, Rangi Chase has had to fly to Australia this week for a court case with his appearance doubtful then you can see that they are low on troops. Leeds are the better side although they are nowhere near the Leeds of old. They will be buoyed with making Wembley and I expect a comfortable home victory with the only slight concern over the poor weather. However, I'll take my chances.
 
Leeds squad

Webb, Smith, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Bailey, Kirke, Watkins, Hauraki, Clarkson, Pitts, Jones-Bishop.

Castleford squad

Youngquest, Arundel, Owen, Chase, Orr, Jones, Milner, Isa, Aspinwall, Massey, Thompson, McGoldrick, Holmes, Widders, J. Davies, Clark, Eden, Parker, B. Davies.

Pick: Leeds -13.5 3pts @ 1.73 with Bet365
 
St Helens v Huddersfield
 
Huddersfield have key players in Luke O'Donnell, Kevin Brown and David Fa'alogo returning and they will hope that the victory over Hull KR will kick start their season after a mid term blip. At their very best they are capable of beating any team and I feel they meet St.Helens at just the right time. Saints, too, were dumped out of the cup last weekend and that game with Wigan will have taken a lot of juice out of the tank whilst the Giants were enjoying a week off. The Giants pack is a match for any team and the wet weather conditions on the back of Danny Brough's kicking game will suit the visitors. Kyle Eastmond (groin) and Jonny Lomax, Chris Flannery and Tommy Makinson (all dead leg) are out injured and I think this is a game that Huddersfield could sneak. The 10pts on offer is a nice buffer.
 
St.Helens squad

Wellens, Shenton, Soliola, Meli, Pryce, Roby, Graham, Puletua, Wilkin, Moore, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Clough, Wheeler, Ashurst, Dixon, Foster, Armstrong, Gaskell, Ashe.

Huddersfield squad

Grix, Lawrence, Cudjoe, Gilmour, Hodgson, Brown, Brough, Crabtree, Robinson, Griffin, O'Donnell, Fa'alogo, Faiumu, Raleigh, Kirmond, Patrick, Horne, McGillvary, Fairbank.

Pick: Huddersfield +10 v St.Helens 3pts @ 1.91 Coral
 
Crusaders v Harlequins
 
I was impressed with the attitude of the Crusader's players after they learnt of their club's decision to drop out of Super League next season. They could have shown the white flag but put Wakefield to the sword and they obviously have plenty of pride. The players also know that they are in the shop window as they look to impress other clubs for a contract. Harlequins are woeful and this is a game that Crusaders will have targeted for victory. Quins have been on the end of some heavy defeats whilst Crusaders have been reasonably competitive with a number of last gasp defeats. Quite simply, I rate Crusaders the better team and with home advantage I don't believe the start is big enough. I had them by 12pts.
 
Cruaders Squad

Schifcofske, Martin, Mellars, Reardon, Witt, O'Hara, Withers, Bryant, Cahill, Chan, Winternstein, J. James, Kear, White, Dudson, Moore, Lupton, L. Williams, Tansey.

Harlequins Squad

Ambler, Bailey, Bolger, Burnett, Clubb, Calderwood, Dorn, Gale, Golden, Krasniqi, Melling, Mitchell, O'Callaghan, Pryce, Purdham, Randall, Sarginson, Temata, Williams.

Pick: Crusaders -8 v Harlequins 3pts @ 2.0 Bet365
 
The Man