Round 28 Preview - Friday the 13th: You’ll wish it were only a nightmare (Part 2)
We have already posted our preview of the Wakefield vs
London game on Friday 13th, if you haven’t read that check it out here.
We have had relegation battles go down to the final day
before in Super League, that is excluding the manufactured Million Pound Game.
But what we never had is a four-way battle to avoid one relegation place with
just one game remaining.
This situation arising in any sport would be uncommon, but
in a league with only 12 teams, it is especially so. Just let that sink in for
a moment, one third of the teams in this year’s Super League are not safe from
relegation with one game to go and there is only one relegation place. It is
absolutely unprecedented and may never happen again.
It makes you think about the small moments over the course
of a season involving these four teams. For example, Hull KR scoring the only
try in an early-season victory over Wakefield. What about Huddersfield losing
to Wakefield on two occasions by a single point? On Easter Monday, Huddersfield
sneaked a two point win over London, with the Broncos having a last second try
disallowed. And then there is London edging two narrow wins against Hull KR,
the first win including a London try in the most unique of circumstances; a
simultaneous grounding. The latter win, just last week, involved London
grabbing a late try to take the relegation battle to the final day.
Even in the last few weeks of the season, there have been
some unexpected results. Not many would have predicted Huddersfield and Hull KR
picking up away wins at Hull FC and Catalans respectively and then London
beating Hull KR on Friday.
All of these intricacies, and no doubt many more that I have
missed, have led to this. One week to go. Three key fixtures. One relegation
place.
We pick up our final round preview with Huddersfield Giants.
The side that, according to the league table, are in the third most favourable
position to avoid relegation. On paper, their fixture at home against Catalans
is also favourable.
Catalans are on a four-game losing streak and, in the
process, have ruined what was a great opportunity to make the play offs. They
have only won one away game in the last three months. Although that was against
Friday’s opponents Huddersfield!
Slightly ominously for Huddersfield, it is their away form
that has kept them off the bottom of the table, with surprising away wins at
both Hull clubs and Salford in the last two months. Conversely, they have saved
their worst performances for the John Smith’s Stadium. The last two games
against Castleford and Leeds have been particularly turgid, in which they
conceded a total of 68 points and have failed to register a single one.
A lot of sides have been disrupted with significant injuries
this season, with some coaches being more vocal about their problems than
others. As a consequence, Huddersfield’s injuries have slipped under the radar.
For example, in their defeat to St Helens on Friday they were without Cudjoe, Uate,
Turner, Gaskell, Joe Wardle, Murphy, Frawley, Roberts, Walne and English.
Meanwhile, Jermaine McGillvary appeared to be struggling with an injury
throughout the match.
This has led to the Giants having no choice but to blood a
number of young players, probably before they are ready. They have especially
not appeared ready to play such a significant role in Huddersfield’s season.
As with all other sides, Huddersfield’s fate remains in
their own hands. If they win, they survive. It is that simple. Huddersfield’s
position is not as perilous as other teams. Even if they lose, they will only
be relegated if both London and Hull KR win (unless Huddersfield suffer a heavy
defeat). Huddersfield may rely on their slightly superior points difference.
The
Giants opponents, Catalan Dragons, have had their attitude questioned by many
fans for some time, but this was added to by their chairman recently, in a
quite extraordinary broadside.
Catalans no longer have anything to play for, yet
Huddersfield have everything to play for. For that reason alone, you would have
to make the Giants favourites in this encounter. But who knows what impact a
lack a form and nerves may have on Huddersfield as they scrap to survive?
The only side that we have not covered in the four-way
tussle is Hull KR. Unfortunately for the Rovers, they have the hardest fixture.
They are playing a Salford side on a seven game winning streak, who also need
the win to secure a higher place in the table in advance of the play offs.
Hull KR do not have a good record in pressure games. Hull KR
had two shots at securing Super League survival in 2016 against Huddersfield
and then in the Million Pound Game against Salford, both at home. They lost
both. This year, they had a game against London at home where a win would secure
Super League status. Again, they fell short, compounding home defeats to
relegation rivals Huddersfield and Wakefield in the last two months, leaving themselves
with an unenviable away trip to Salford.
For Hull KR, like all teams (sorry to sound like a broken
record), if they win they will stay up. If they lose, their fate is out of
their hands and are relying on London. If London lose, Hull KR survive. If
London win, Hull KR will drop out of the Super League again.
I am very much a believer that on field results should
determine who takes part in the top- flight competition. I also believe that the competition will miss
whoever drops out of Super League, but especially the case if that is Hull KR,
who boast an impressive 8,300 average attendance.
Hull KR have beaten Salford twice already this season at the Magic Weekend and in the Challenge Cup, so the task is not impossible. However, Salford’s form has been very much on an upward trajectory since then. Whilst it is not impossible, a Hull KR win at Salford would be a significant upset.
Perhaps being an underdog suits Hull KR, in contrast to the matches I highlighted earlier where they have faltered when favourites. My suspicion is that the Rovers may be relying on results elsewhere to remain in Super League.
Whatever happens on Friday the 13th, there will
be scenes of joy and despair. Whatever happens, we will lose an unfortunate
record breaker. The relegated side will have a record Super League points total
for a relegated team. This will offer scant consolation to the unfortunate
side.
This being rugby league, perhaps it is fitting to end on a
negative. It will be a shame to lose any side from the Super League this
season, all of whom have contributed to what has been a thrilling season.
Whoever it is that goes down, here’s hoping that they make an immediate return
to Super League for 2021.
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