Beware of the Beasts...

There has been a lot of talk about Leeds' and Salford's form and performances in recent weeks as they have surged toward the play off semi finals. We looked at their prospects in a blogpost earlier this week. Yet, they face an enormous challenge in Wigan / St Helens who stand in their way of a return to Old Trafford.

The expression goes that you never see a poor bookie. St Helens are presently the favourites to win Super League, Wigan are second favourites, Leeds and Salford sit at 8/1 and 9/1 respectively. There's a reason for that. Despite their form, for either away side to win the title, they must beat Wigan and St Helens in back to back weeks. That is an almighty task.

In this blogpost, we look at why underestimating St Helens and Wigan is something that you should do at your peril.

St Helens

St Helens have been imperious at home this season. They have lost just one match, to Wakefield on home turf. And that was when they fielded a reserve side, having played rivals Wigan just three days earlier.

Not only have St Helens impressed at home, only on one occasion has a side finished within one score of St Helens at Totally Wicked Stadium. That was Salford in April, in a match where Salford would have won but for an incredible Morgan Knowles cover tackle on Chris Atkin. This is the only home match in 2022 where St Helens have looked in real danger of losing.

Earlier this week, it was believed that St Helens are set to welcome back Will Hopoate, Mark Percival and Sione Mata'utai. It was also thought that Dream Team prop forward Alex Walmsley may return. These rumours have now been tempered and it is expected that at least some of these players won't make it. The Saints look a far more flowing attacking force with Hopoate at full back and Lomax and Welsby combining at half back. 

With the greatest of respect to the likes of Ben Davies and Jon Bennison, when they have played in pivot positions, St Helens have looked a bit more scratchy. That's not a criticism, simply a reflection on their lack of first team experience. The team that St Helens field on Saturday and crucially, in what positions, will be key.

St Helens have been building for this one match since securing a top 2 finish in July. Meanwhile, opponents Salford have had to scrap and fight week after week, simply to make the top six.

Saints haven't been their usual blistering selves in the last few weeks. On Saturday, we will probably find out whether that is due to a drop in form or because both eyes have been transfixed on this date in the calendar for the last two months. St Helens have won three titles in a row and it will take a special effort by Salford on Saturday to bring a championship reign of over 1,000 days to a close.

Wigan

Wigan's home record is even more impressive than St Helens. They are 100% after 13 wins from 13 attempts. The DW Stadium last year was a graveyard, with unhappy home fans bored by a tedious style of play and embarrassing results.

What a difference a year makes. They are now one of the best sides to watch in the competition, and have swept all who have come to their home stadium this year aside.

Like St Helens, they have had time to hone their preparations for this semi final. They have taken the chance to give players a rest, who needed one. A laser like focus on this date since late August.

Their opponents Leeds have had to play at full strength week after week, including playing two games over one weekend. They have had four trips to France in nine weeks. This is a physically and mentally draining effort. 

Even the best defences in the competition have struggled to contain Bevan French and Jai Field this season. Wigan have transformed from having the worst attack in the competition to the best. It's stunning to watch as a neutral but can be terrifying when it's your team tasked with stopping it. 

Wigan have also shown an ability in 2022 to win when the pressure is on. In their Challenge Cup semi final against St Helens, they fell behind in the second half when Saints hit a blistering purple patch but took the one chance that fell their way to win. In the subsequent final against Huddersfield, once more, they showed a clinical and ruthless edge to take that game winning moment when it presented. If this game is tight going into the last 10 or even five minutes, Wigan will not be flustered.

St Helens and Wigan have been the benchmark throughout 2022. Salford and Leeds have caught the eye in the final couple of months of the season. This makes for a couple of mouth-watering semi finals, with a prize of making the domestic sport's biggest night on the line. I can't wait.