Play-Off Review #3 - When a gap becomes a chasm

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The aggregate score in this weekend's Super League semi-finals was 77- 4. The total gap points gap between the winners and losers was a staggering 73 points. Earlier this week, our blogpost looked at why Super League needs a new winner. Whilst we knew there was a gap between the best and the rest, the semi final results exposed that as a chasm.

Only four sides have ever won the Super League trophy. Only three of those sides remain in the competition. It would require an entire new blogpost (which will come in the off-season) to examine the reasons why. One obvious reason is the punishing, ruthless nature that Wigan and St Helens, two sides who have held the crown of Super League champions, demonstrated this weekend.

One mistake can turn the whole match. Hull FC and Catalans learned that the hard way. For Hull FC, they started well against Wigan and took an early 2-point lead. Their forwards matched Wigan in the opening quarter and started to get on top. Scott Taylor put a huge shot on Oliver Partington and forced a knock on, presenting a great opportunity. Josh Griffin then ran 40 yards across the field to goad Oliver Partington, patting on him on the head, giving away a needless penalty. In the blink of an eye, Hull FC were two scores down and clinging on in the match.

To overturn a two-score lead in a play-off game is tough. To do it away from home against a side like Wigan is even more tough. The nerves creep in. You know that you are in the territory where if you concede but once more, its game over. It shows how making just one needless error can place untold pressure on your side. It shows how the underdog needs to play with incredible discipline and to a near perfect standard to succeed.

The second semi-final followed an eerily similar pattern to the first. Catalans took an early lead courtesy of a penalty kick. Then Catalans over-stepped the line, with a swinging arm from James Maloney to the head of Regan Grace. Where Catalans were fortunate to escape on-field censure last week, they were under increased scrutiny this week and a yellow card inevitably followed.

A man short, Catalans did well to hold St Helens to just the 8 points, finding themselves only one score down. However, 10 minutes of defending with a man down is something that an underdog can scarcely afford. Salford fans reading this will point out that Tyrone McCarthy was sin-binned in their Challenge Cup semi final against Warrington and they went on to win. This highlights what a fine achievement that was. It does not happen often.

Back to last night, St Helens' forward pack started to dominate. That allowed room for the likes of James Roby and Lachlan Coote to lead St Helens attack. It hasn't happened as often in 2020 as it did in 2019, but when St Helens get on a roll, they are hard to stop. Catalans frustration and indiscipline grew, as did the gap on the scoreboard.

So the most likely outcome before the weekend has become reality. First placed Wigan will play second placed St Helens next Friday at the KCOM Stadium for the right to become Super League champions for the sixth or eighth time respectively.

The last meeting between the two sides was a battle, with Wigan getting the better of St Helens. The Saints pack will be boosted this time by the return of Alex Walmsley, who is the cornerstone of their forwards. It promises to be an evenly balanced titanic tussle, but without the live crowd that it deserves.

Both sides are already strong, but their retention and recruitment next season means that you wouldn't back against the same final next October.

The other 10 Super League clubs have been set a benchmark. Next week's final will be visible proof of that. In 2021, the challenge for the remaining 10 is to match that standard. Easier said than done.

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Remember to check back here on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, where we will publish three new blogposts previewing the Grand Final, including:

- The story of an unlikely 2017 transfer swap deal, which will conclude its tale on Friday.
- A clash of two rugby league giants, whose glory-filled careers will end on Friday.
- Full match preview!

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