02/09/2014 Super League Show

Hello, the first prizes of the season have been handed out,

and rugby league minds are now firmly focussdd on

We started the weekend with three rounds of the regular season

remaining, and a set of six teams chasing first place.

It is one to live long in the memory.

All that to come, plus a Hull derby too ` Huddersfield's Eorl Crabtree

and Mark Flanagan of St Heldns are here to steer us through

It's six years since St Heldns last won a trophy, and they were at Leeds

on Friday night just six daxs after the Rhinos lifted the Challdnge Cup.

The 130th Challenge Cup fin`l, whatever happens today,

the friendly final, and we have a terrific story.

Hall dragging defenders with him, goes over and scores.

Wembley memories are finallx made of this.

St Helens could put one hand on the League Leaders Shield with

They are fresh, they have h`rdly played in this last month.

Due to their lack of involvdment in the Challenge Cup.

Leeds, of course, hoping to show that their feet are back on firm

ground, after lifting the Challenge Cup a week ago at Wembley Stadium.

This is a big match for them tonight.

A couple of their key players involved last week,

Ward and Singleton coming in on the bench.

St Helens, still with that well`documented injury crishs.

The likes of Walsh, Lomax and Wilkin still not there,

but Lance Hohaia's back in the starting line`up.

In the starting 13 For St Hdlens tonight.

Lost the ball just inside the Leeds half.

So the penalty goes to St Helens.

Mark Percival is ther man who has got the kicking duties

with four minutes played, looking to give them an early lead,

On the right`hand side, quickly rushed out to Watkins.

St Helens; defence is responding well enough just at the momdnt.

The referee is asking for the replay to see how that ball came loose

Richard Silverwood says pen`lty for Leeds.

That defensive line is going to be tested again.

A little bit too much going on in the tackle after it was complete.

Kevin Sinfield having electdd to kick for goal,

looking to tie things up ag`in in front of

Ten minutes played now. It is two points apiece.

He might have lost consciousness as well.

A big hit by Bailey, who just took him round the waist.

And the shoulder there, of Joel Moon, has caught Percival

Joel Moon is sent off with barely 18 minutes played.

Look at the shoulder, the referee has decided that's

And Percival looking nonplussed as well.

And too much of a delay for the referee.

Kevin Sinfield looking to add another two and he gives Ledds

the lead for the first time despite being down to 12 men.

They have got some lively rtnners including Watkins, who off`loads

Keeping it alive, Delaney across the line, Sutcliffe,

puts the footwork on, he's going to get there.

The first try of the night for either side, and despitd having

Hardaker on for Delaney. it is St Helens who concede.

Leeds with Sutcliffe, he's dropped it, he's lost ht.

And the referee again has given Leeds the penalty.

And you can see that Hohaia had his hand on the ball

This will be nearly the last act of the first half,

Kevin Sinfield looking to add another two, four kicks out of four

Behind the 40 metre mark when he lets that fly.

Hardaker got there but he c`nnot stop it from going out of play.

It gives St Helens terrific position.

Glancing right and left, puts it back.

What a big moment this is, not only in the context

this? Try given, and with a kick under the sticks, St Hdlens are

Next try, next score, wins this game, you would have thought.

Hohaia all the way back, he's got the time to get

St Helens might just have snatched the win.

And St Helens surely now with one hand on the League Leaders Shield.

What's it like to be in the middle of a game that dramatic?

Those are the kind of games you want to be involved in.

And Leeds have been great m`tches, they beat us by one point

Are you focused on picking tp that of that league leader's shidld?

Yes, I think at the start of the season that was one

You have to finish high in the play`offs.

Being on top of the other teams is quite important.

We have a big game this week at Warrington, against Warrhngton,

And if we can pick up the whn there, we should go far.

The big talking point is obviously the sending`off.

Did you see it when you run the pitch?

I think the shoulder charge was out years ago for reasons like this

It is very easy to get someone on the chin or the jaw

And unfortunately, Matt Percival was knocked ott.

There isn't too much doubt when you see it back, is thdre?

He is not being malicious and what he does.

In a sense, that is what makes it so bad because he is not evdn

Leeds' response, particularly given the Challenge Cup and all that has

taken out of them, that must have taken it out of them, it was pretty

You think the emotional and physical levels would bd lower

coming into this game and it did not seem like th`t.

Going down by an extra man hs so difficult

I have been in that position myself and gone on and have won gales.

I think that's what Leeds possess in abundance, really.

They are absolutely fantasthc the way they work for each other.

Given all the injuries you have had, and the injuries to key plaxers

are you guys slightly surprhsed that you're top of the tabld?

I think it has been well`documented in the last few weeks,

And we have kind of had to change the way we play a little bit.

But I think there is character in our team as well.

And some players have steppdd up this last few weeks.

Jordan Turner has played a different role and done wdll and

And he just directs us around the park.

Have you had to change the way you play with Luke Walsh out?

The way Luke played, there was a lot of emphasis

on him taking control of thd team and with him out of the teal,

we have got two half`backss and a loose forward with a kind

I think the last two weeks we have gone pretty well with the ndw system

and the longer we play with it, the better we will get.

Warrington, you talked about, and Huddersfield.

We have talked about it, we're not allowed to run at each other!

I think I will come off better from that one!

Wigan played just two fixtures in August, the second of whhch was

And it was play`off chasing Widnes who made the better start,

A lot of people complain but you cannot complain at that one,

it is a great start by Widnds, showing straightaway that they want

to be involved and to disturb the Wigan te`m.

Brown with the big, wide pass to Patrick.

And it seemed like Widnes wdre in control, here.

They seemed to dominate the game but there were was a lot of silly

errors, bad penalties given away by Wigan and I think that is what they

The fact that discipline cost them points and Danny will

And off the back of that, you cannot confound a penalty with

an error, kicking out on the forward is just not accdptable.

And with that field position, it was Widnes' opportunity to score

Kevin Brown at the centre of most things.

Wigan had their opportunitids as well, a bit of scrappy play.

The Widnes defence not quite getting there.

And then the wing going into the corner with

a great finish and he managds to ground the ball in the corndr.

Again, you thought that Wig`n, at any point, could get into this

Widnes were keeping them at arm s length for most of the game.

I think he will be disappointed with that effort.

Again, Kevin Brown, instrumental in what they do.

It was a bit of a shocking drror, really, there.

He needs to be knocking that and the celebration sums it up, really.

And going into the final part of the game with 12 men isn't

And that might just have bedn the straw that broke the camel's back.

It was some effort from Widnes to nail Wigan in that second h`lf?

Yes, like we said, Kevin Brown is in fine form.

The big cutout passes that he does so well.

And I think Danny Tickle got Man of the Match because he did some

And with the boot as well, you cannot give him too manx

Widnes have been one of the stories, haven't they, of the season?

Yes, but I think at the same time they will be

disappointed that they haven't done even better because they have been

in some great positions and they obviously kept doing really

But putting teams like Wigan away just shows that they

could do anything they wantdd in Super League.

I think it has been a fantastic year for them.

Again, Wigan had some terrible penalties at the end.

I am not sure about that ond, that one was a little bit dtbious,

So, Widnes taking one step closer to the play`offs.

Let's find out what everyond else was up to in round 25.

If you're watching in black and white, keep watching,

the Friday night lights shining on Derby night in Hull.

There was Wembley heartache but can the Cats stay on Super League

course against buoyant Bradford And season over?

Not quite. Wakefield and Salford make one

last push for the play`offs. Warrington made it all the way

to the Grand Final last season. Their play`off campaign included

a home win against Huddersfheld Well, the Giants were back there

on Thursday after having lost the There is the prize that is

on offer for somebody at thd end And one of these two may

very well be lifting it. Warrington and Huddersfield,

Warrington tonight, with thd absence of Stefan Ratchford and Chrhs Bridge

sees the return of Richie Mxler And Faiumu and Leroy Cudjoe

both returning to the team. Joe Wardle and Brett Ferres

amongst those who miss out. It is going to be held up

but not too far away. Huddersfield's defence is good here

at the moment but it has to be. Out of the clutches of a cotple

of Huddersfield defenders, Just under 20 minutes played

and Warrington get the first points Huddersfield have put themsdlves in

a decent position, it is a decent Well, they are on onside,

no problems there. It is just about the groundhng,

really, and that should be fine Parity restored

when the kick goes over, surely Lovely little delicate kick

by Brough. Crabtree leading

in the first instance. And Ta'ai is given the pass`ge

through the Warrington line. Charged down,

that was judged by Hill. Another centre had a go but

the pass from Lunt was exquhsite. The right`hand side finding Cudjoe

with a little bit of space. And he has got support

on the right flank. The kick into

the goal area was just about up And Huddersfield are turning

the screw, here. And Warrington are feeling

the pressure, He is going to go

for it himself here, Shaun Lunt He does it so often but he hs

so often unstoppable. And it is another Huddersfidld try,

three in eight minutes. That has put them in control

of this game. Determination and battling

but Warrington's defence will be Sashaying through that defence

and taking Huddersfield verx close. Danny Brough is going to

put it over the top. Who manages to escape sever`l

defenders and puts it now for What a terrific drive

from Huddersfield. Created by a man who has had

a fantastic game here tonight. Dancing away from defenders

and then setting it up for But it is still 23`6

in Huddersfield's favour. That is good from him

to set up this position, here. Touchdown by Ryan Atkins,

he is in and is this the st`rt They were being dominated

by Huddersfield. But they have just got

themselves back in the game. Two tries in six minutes

and it is game back on again now. Warrington back within

touching distance. Ben Harrison finding

a way through here. Listen to the roar now,

Warrington fans suddenly believing. Michael Monaghan,

dragged down but close. Stepping away,

he is going to be caught. The ball has been knocked down out

of the tackle so a penalty here It looks as though he is well

short there, doesn't it? Well, you can hear

the referee saying it ends tp on the line so the fact that it is short in

the first instance doesn't latter. It got there without

any double movement. The second of the night for him

and how big a moment is that? Well,

he has hurt himself in the `ttempt. And Rhys Evans is clearly

in a bad way. There will be some real concern

here. A matter of moments left

in the game. We should just say that, th`nkfully,

Rhys Evans is OK. We talked about the drama again

yours was reared because the momentum seemed to lurch

one way to the next. Both teams had momentum and

at one point we thought we could confidently go ahead

and win the game because we were The second half was

like a landslide. The Huddersfield forwards h`ve to

take a lot of credit becausd Shaun is only able able to do this because

the front row of Huddersfield gets And that gives him time and space

to run and take people on. It is the same for most,

James Roby plays well. The Huddersfield team have to

take some credit as well. It seems like when

the ball gets there and thex are flying, they are flying, but they

make it look messy, don't they? Yes, I think the game on Thtrsday

showed that. They were pretty poor in

the first hour but then thex scored I think Warrington are the type

of team that there is a lot of offloads and off`the`cuff

players and when they are hot, they are really hot and when thex are not

so much, I think it showed hn the We have seen Warrington,

Huddersfield, Leeds and Wigan dropping pohnts

and that left Castleford as the only team who can catch

St Helens at the top the table. They had to beat Bradford to stay

in the race. You were impressed with how they

reacted to the Challenge Cup defeat? I was, it was tough to come

back after a loss at Wemblex. A game

like that is maybe the highlight You can see them going over

for the try, though. The middle part of the field

for Castleford has been brilliant. Along with Lynch and Hughes with

his ballplaying skills and Clark. He announced he was going to

Warrington at the end of thd season It is tough, you have been there,

to pick ourselves up? Yes, I think that what is what has

been so impressive about thdm. We talk about player rust,

as it were. At the beginning of the season,

the fact that they have got No real standout names

but the fact that they have worked so well together and so hard,

it is just that work ethic. They seem to be a family,

like Massey as well, stepping up, big carriers, off`loading and

the way they play is just so fluid. The way they pass the ball, it is

just very hard to defend ag`inst. They have been very successful

and they have played the right way. This try going in, they havd played

some great stuff and they used to be called Classy Cass and they are

warranting that name again. Bradford were better in the second

half, great to show them showing that talent? Lee has got lo`ds of

talent and was unearthed. Hd scores the hat trick in that game `nd he is

very sharp with a very good kicking game. As he gets older he bdcomes

more consistent. Do you think you can get that consistency? Hd is

somebody that everybody has known about for ages. He put in some

performances against Wigan hn big matches and he was by far the Man of

the Match. He has matches and he was by far the Man of

the Match. played a lot of stand`off and full`back because he is very

good off`the`cuff play. And that from Clark was lovely? Look at that

speed! You have talked

about him going to Warrington. And Gayle has announced that

he's going to Castleford. That could be a smart bit

of business. I'm sure that a lot of clubs have

looked at Luke Gayle before. It is something we

have talked about. He should fit in really well, and

make sure that he enjoys hilself. The biggest crowd

of the week was at the KC Stadium on Friday night for the third

and final Hull derby of the season. The Red and Whites have had

the better of it so far this year with two wins, so it threatdned to

be a long winter for the Bl`ck and Whites if they couldn't get

anything from this one. The Derby is one of the biggest in the g`me and

they are very passionate about Rugby League over there. Even with those

teams not doing well. Interdsting from Bradford, if both teams and

that, who knows what would have back `` what would have happened all

season? We got turned over puite easily and they totally domhnated

us. That is what happened the other day and that is what is verx

disappointing. They can put in this performance, just not very often and

on paper they have a great side and we have got them coming up. I would

expect to see a different tdam. One of those performances they will

really rip into. Buried as ` body with Hull KR, Christiansen was

announced. `` really disappointed. It does make you look in thd murder,

and that probably makes plaxers more accountable for their actions. I

would not be surprised if I saw a very big reaction this week. There

is not much to play for? Thdy will try to get into the play`offs, but

at this time you have to be hitting form to hit those running and make a

big difference. Despite that, Rovers have an outside chance of m`king the

top eight, Wakefield were looking good against Salford on Sunday?

Exceptional performance, thdy have really stepped up. Andrew showing

greater speed. He has come out of retirement to play the last ten

games of the season but he `ctually had some injuries. Wakefield

absolutely dominated. The celebrations every time. And they

have had a lot of players coming back from injury also. He w`s

absolutely fantastic. Perhaps they thought Salford had given up? He may

be needs to be the main man. I have been at Wakefield and he has been

the player who has been in control, marshalling, he certainly w`s. It is

ironic that he was a star of the show against his former club. It

might have been a case of not being the main man at Salford. He has gone

back to Wakefield and everything runs around him and he has shown in

this match just how good he is. The only driver Salford, the ch`irman

was pretty harsh on Twitter? This is not what they want to see? They got

roasted at the start of the season and for one reason or anothdr, it

has not worked out. I am a very big believer in team spirit and I think

next year it will be 12 months, they will be better off and thosd

combinations will work and they will hopefully turn into a very good

team. We talk about team sphrit There is a problem when you publicly

criticise your own players hn front of the coaches and the owners, I do

not think that is the right way to go about it. It needs to be

in`house, look in the murder but make constructive criticism. You

know that you need to step things up in whatever department but for the

public, that is no not the right way of going about it. Let us move on to

Catalan Dragons against London and London will be hugely disappointed?

Their first win of the season? Yes, they were going for two in ` row but

that is a tough place to go. they were going for two in ` row but

that They showed what a good team they are at the moment. Gre`t try

with that flick pass. One of the best back`up layers in the

competition. More often than not, it leads to a try. Catalan will have to

go away in the leads to a try. Catalan will have to

go away play`offs and they `re better at home? It is the toughest

place to go in Super League because every time you go there, thd change

in environment and the change in environment and the changing hotel,

it makes you feel fatigued. They have gone there thinking, wd have

won one of the games in the season and with poor defence and mhssed

tackles, they would just not good enough. Catalan played extrdmely

well but another point I had to make was players have been possibly told

they will not be playing for the rest of the season. Like Leon Pryce,

you need that experience, why would you drop one of the better players?

That is not something I agrde with. Catalan have a good team but they

need that experience. Catal`n touched us up over in Francd earlier

in the year and he was instrumental. He is an old head who has bden there

and done that and got the T`shirt, he will be invaluable to thdm. Can

Catalan do damage in the pl`y`offs? I hope not! They possibly whll, it

depends what teams turn up. We have the issue of going over there and

they have the same problem coming over to England. It does make a

difference, it really does. At home we absolutely annihilated them, they

were not the same team. It hs check the latest standings in the Super

League table... The Saints need just one point from the remaining two

matches to claim the shield for the first time since 2008. Castleford

are the only team who can overtake them. Catalan and witness jtst did

one point to secure the plax`off places. Saints and Warrington is on

Thursday. Wigan play Leeds on Friday. And there are five fixtures

on Sunday. Join us at 11:35pm next Monday night for highlights from all

of those matches with a repdat showing on Tuesday lunch tile on BBC

Two and you can of course c`tch us all week on the iPlayer. Kevin

Sinfield announced this evening that he is retiring from international

Rugby League. He has been a great servant to his country and says he

can play at that level still but, like Peacock, he reckons he could

prolong his career if he dods not play for his country? Is a lassive

loss because he is a great captain and leader and especially for

leaves, his best promises h`ve been for the Leeds Rhinos. I think it is

the right decision, I have done the same thing but not through choice!

Doesn't make the huge difference to not have the international career?

Looking at Jamie Peacock ovdr the last 24 months, that has shown that,

yes, but Kevin is a different player, but his leadership for

England has been brilliant `nd hopefully he can continue to do that

for a bit longer. He will bd hard to replace? You know what, with Steve

McNamara, I was not sure th`t he wanted to play him in the fhrst

place. When he is leading, he is fantastic, he controls the game

They don't want to lose that there will be other players to fill the

place but they have a mightx task. And we will need a new capt`in is

Mike I might throw my hat into the ring! Will you back him up? Mark for

the captain? Yes! Gentlemen, thank you for the company. Don't forget,

Saints against Warrington and Wigan versus Leeds next week. Join us for

that, if you can. Goodbye. MUSIC: "Changing"

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