24/07/2017 Super League Show

Hello.

There may be no more sunkissed island of love this week,

but fear not, there's plenty of love to go around in the

Super League studio.

Ready to leave you weak at the knees are our very

own heartthrobs Jamie Peacock and Castleford's Zak Hardaker.

Tonight we'll see the final round of matches before

the Super 8s commence.

Here's what's coming up.

"Let Yourself Go" by Green Day.

We start in Perpignan, where home side Catalans

were already resigned to the qualifiers having won

only two of the last 12 Super League matches.

By contrast, opponents Castleford were looking to make it a perfect

dozen having won their last 11 ties.

Mike McMeeken to play the ball.

Here comes Grant Millington.

Always causing problems.

This is where Castleford come into their stride.

Shenton gets one away to Hitchcox.

He puts it down!

Another spectacular finish from Castleford Tigers.

Or is it?

Jy Hitchcox, in for Greg Egan, picking up where he left off.

As he gets the ball up in the air, puts it down, no question.

The board confirms.

Jy Hitchcox gives Cas the lead.

Alex Foster looking to test the Catalans line.

Justin Horo, too long in the tackle.

A penalty for the Tigers.

Will they take the two from here or tap?

There's the answer.

Luke Gale, expert in these situations.

A simple two to take the scoreboard on in front of the Tigers fans.

Luke Gale once again on the spot.

Castleford look for a quick short side play.

Zak Hardaker into space.

He's got space in front of him.

Has he got the pace?

They scramble across but it's in vain.

That is a sensational try from Zak Hardaker!

Bang in form.

Shades of a knock-on from Paul McShane, but they spotted

the space and when you've got Zak Hardaker with that kind of pace

and that kind of power, no one was going to catch him.

Super try.

Catalans look to get some kind of foothold.

Lovely pass away to Lucas Albert, who will split the defence.

He goes in to score.

Catalans have a try.

That was a bit of a missed pass.

It's been tapped forward so that will be back to zero for Catalans.

Inside to Gigot.

Suddenly Catalans Dragons right in the game.

Tony Gigot finishing off a great move.

Catalans just two points behind now and it's they who are having

the swing of possession.

They are loading up this right-hand side.

Back towards the middle.

Good hands out to the left.

There's Yaha and suddenly the game has been turned on its head!

Catalans lead.

Daryl Powell with some pondering to do at the break.

Mike McMeeken takes the ball in and he has won his side a penalty

right on the hooter.

He and Vincent Duport sharing their thoughts.

Luke Gale might be leaving this one to Zak Hardaker.

He takes the restarts and the kick-offs for Castleford

so he has some boot on him.

I think he might well have landed that one as it hangs and dips

and goes through the sticks.

Suddenly the scoreline looks a little more

flattering to Castleford.

Almost 15 minutes gone of this second half and Castleford

still behind on the board.

Interesting tackle technique by Jason Baitieri.

I don't think Nathan Massey was too happy about it.

Big space out on the right-hand side.

Lovely kick through and he will get there first ahead of Justin Horo!

That is a superb piece of skill from Greg Minikin.

No wonder Justin Horo looks downbeat.

Gale's kick measured to the huge expanse on that right

and as the ball fell to Minikin, well, that is measured

to the centimetre.

The touchdown was exceptional.

A real ding-dong battle here in the heat of Perpignan.

Catalans look to clear their lines.

Some tough tackling.

Kevin Larroyer involved.

Vincent Duport has stayed down.

He's holding a rather delicate region.

Kevin Larroyer comes in third man.

Ooh!

That is painful.

You can see by the look on his face.

Vincent Duport in a world of pain.

The punishment for Kevin Larroyer is ten minutes in the sin-bin.

Here comes Greg Bird, they've kept him quiet

for most of this game.

That's a bit of a sloppy play-the-ball.

The penalty goes Catalans' way.

Mike McMeeken will go to the sin-bin as well.

Castleford down to 11, albeit temporarily.

Catalans right in front of the posts.

Greg Bird again with another assault on the Castleford line.

The Tigers need to stand firm here.

A little dink to the corner.

Vincent Duport.

Has he got that down?

It's not confirmed.

We'll go to the big screen.

Phil Bentham has gone for no try.

It's a lovely kick from Myler.

As it comes in, to put the ball down is he in touch?

That foot from Zak Hardaker and then the follow-through.

It's a try and immediately Phil Bentham sets off

to the centre of the sticks and that is a penalty try.

Zak Hardaker's boot has brought it about.

Gale checks across the line, tries to get it to Ben Roberts,

who has slippery feet.

A two-point ball game.

Inside the final six minutes.

Gale will go to the left-hand side.

Shenton puts one to the corner.

Oh, Jy Hitchcox!

Better than the first.

They will go to the screen once again.

But Jy Hitchcox, absolutely sensational.

Nathan Ross scored a try up at Newcastle in the NRL,

Interesting tackle technique by Jason Baitieri.

Better than the first.

Nathan Ross scored a try up at Newcastle in the NRL,

but that was better.

Even better.

Gravity defying stuff from Jy Hitchcox.

Castleford Tigers, with five minutes to play, are in front here.

The fans have much to cheer.

Again that Catalans right edge the target.

McShane poised as ever.

Gale looking to thread one through, on the last.

Still the fifth tackle.

McShane jinks, dives, scores!

Castleford Tigers on course for a 12th straight win

and they edge ever closer to ending a 91-year wait for a first

league championship.

Zak, how tough a win was that to get?

Really tough.

It's always tough to go over to France.

It's in heat we aren't used to.

It was a great two points to get in the end.

We're all already giving you the League Leaders' Shield.

You're ten points clear.

Are you guys looking at that, are you being told

not to look at that?

How hard is it not to look at the table?

We're fully aware of where we're sitting at the moment,

but we can't be too complacent.

We've got to keep grinding the games out, getting the two points

and trying to hit some form for the end of the season.

That's where the business end is.

We've got a couple more games to win, hopefully get

the League Leaders' Shield and then all the focus will turn

to the semifinals.

There was a moment of contention in the game and in the end it didn't

matter, but the penalty try, which you were very much part of,

when you see it back, what do you think of the penalty try?

It was a tough one because I thought it had been knocked on and I got my

boot to the ball as well.

It was one of those where I thought it wasn't a try and obviously

the video ref disagreed with that and overturned it.

I'm not quite sure what to make of it, to be honest.

What do you think?

I think you tried to stop the try, I've got to be

honest with you, mate!

I don't think you're allowed to kick the ball, are you,

as it's going over and he's seen it as black and white, the referee.

No contention about Jy Hitchcox's try.

You've probably watched your guys practice this in training.

It's just spectacular, isn't it?

I just called him a freak after he did it.

Wingers nowadays can finish like that.

The corner flag doesn't come into contention any more.

That enables people to finish spectacular tries like that and he's

come up with an absolute beauty.

Have you seen many better than that one?

Not really, no.

It's the context of the try as well, the importance of the try,

to get Castleford back in front.

And a young man who's not been playing all season.

It's true.

It's a wonderful position to play, on the left wing, for Castleford.

I think I might have got a few tries there!

Not like that.

It was an amazing finish and to put Castleford out in front adds even

more weight to the quality of the try.

What about your own form?

You've talked about the fact you feel you're playing better

than when you won Man of Steel.

Are you faster?

You look to me to be faster.

Maybe it's the naked eye.

Another length of the field try from you.

I've got a few now!

I think I have got a little bit quicker.

That's enabled me, from having a full pre-season.

I've not had one for the last four or five years.

That's enabled me to get extra weights and extra training sessions

that I've not had before.

What else do you think you've added to your game at Cas?

Every player has got aspects of their game they need to work

on and mine is ball-handling.

I've been working really hard at that throughout the season.

I've still got a long way to go.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not the finished article yet,

but probably that's the only thing that's missing from my game

and I really want to add another string to my bow.

Looking at Catalans for the last couple of weeks, they've been

in contention in a game and fallen away at the end.

Will that worry Steve McNamara as he goes into the qualifiers?

I think he'll be pleased at the direction they're heading.

The performances they've strung together recently have been

better than the ones eight and 12 weeks ago.

The key for them is their fixtures at home.

They are four winnable games and then they need to win one away.

Then they aren't in the million pound game, and safe.

I thought the Castleford win was fantastic.

They've had two standout performances for me.

The one where they butchered the Rhinos and then when they beat

St Helens when they had all their England

players out as well.

I think that one is up there as well, to come from behind,

two players in the sin-bin, in France, fantastic.

Our mission at the BBC is to inform, educate and entertain.

So with that in mind, here's a look at the current form

of eighth placed Wigan, who faced second placed

Leeds on Friday night.

"Theme From PSB" by Public Service Broadcasting.

Williams moves into position here.

Sutton.

Taking on the Leeds defence down the middle.

They're advancing efficiently here, Wigan.

McIlorum with the dummy and slides over.

Using the wet conditions to his advantage.

First try, 11 minutes.

A little step by Leuluai, but put down by Jordan Baldwinson.

A left foot step, but not finding any give at the moment.

He off-loads back to Tomkins.

Tomkins having a look for the arcing run, and a little chip.

Here comes the chase.

Tomkins is the man to grab and score!

That's a wonderful, wonderful try from Sam Tomkins.

Having to pound it out from their own area and they've lost

it, the ball has been spun to the ground.

Wigan have it back again with Tony Clubb.

All that pressure remains on Leeds.

And Wigan have got a penalty.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan with a little extra effort.

Williams with a dummy.

Williams!

He's over the line.

The referee is having a good look here.

He's asking a question.

What does he think?

He thinks try.

That's a crucial decision on the field.

The angles are not entirely clear as to whether he got it down or not

so it's going to count in Wigan's favour and George Williams' favour.

The try is given.

Gildart.

Picking it up and having a dabble.

Wigan advancing again.

It's a wet night, a miserable night if you're a Leeds fan

because the side that has been without 15 of their regular

first-team stars has been under the pump all night.

Gildart is in for Wigan's fourth try, the first of this second-half.

Ten minutes played in the second period.

Wigan search for the middle.

Trying to create something here.

Williams has got the gap now, running into it.

Has support if he needs it and he passes away.

Gildart with his second try of the night.

Spaced by four minutes only.

It's a double.

Gildart out at dummy half, back towards the middle again now.

Leeds hanging on.

Shaun Wane looks on as Wigan search for another try in the last few

minutes of this game.

That's a good flick.

Here comes Gelling trying to create, and has created.

A very good finish from Tom Davies.

A bit of sparkle on the night with that try from Wigan.

Good stuff all around.

Bateman changing the angle, giving the off-load away,

quick hands, quick thinking from Tomkins and Gelling

with a bit of magic as well to draw in the winger

for his own winger to score.

Sutton just inside the Leeds half.

Wigan are going to get their win here tonight to keep them

in touching distance of the top four.

They might get more points as well!

Gildart with the pass away and Williams is over to score!

It's been very one sided.

Wigan have got the points and improved their points difference.

It could be a big night ahead of the Super 8s.

Shaun Wane said afterwards, Wigan were in a lose-lose situation,

everybody expected them to win, but what did you make

of the Wigan performance?

I thought they did as well as they could.

You're right, it was a zero-sum game for Wigan.

Looking at their attack, it's a lot better than it's been

recently, a lot more potent, a lot more numbers in position.

They've been working on it all week and it looked like they had

and it's good for them going into the semifinal on the back

of that performance.

They also nilled Leeds, which is always difficult

They also nilled Leeds, which is always difficult to nil a side.

Leeds had a big deal of commitment and they'll be pleased

about that side of it.

Wigan have been a little bit up and down in terms of their form.

Will that give them a bit of rhythm going into the semifinal?

How important do you think that is, going in with a win?

They have, yeah.

In recent weeks they've had their star players back

and that's showing now.

They've probably had most of the senior boys out

during the season so they've not been training together,

they've lost the flow of what they're doing.

They're getting those players back, they're training together.

You could see them putting things together and they look really sharp.

That's really good going into the back end of the season,

going into the semifinal.

What did you make of Leeds' youngsters?

I thought probably technically some of them were poor in terms of how

they carry the ball, catching the ball,

fundamental errors.

But I think the work ethic, the commitment and desire

from the team, and the willingness to have a go, was really there.

Those characteristics.

It was a great test for some of those players.

Brian McDermott spoke afterwards.

He can't replicate that in training and that's true.

Going to Wigan, Wigan is a really difficult place to go and play,

one of the toughest away places to play.

I thought in terms of those characteristics they did well,

but technically they weren't where they needed to be.

A quick one on Jack Walker, who's not signed the contract Leeds

have put in front of him yet because he wants

to play at fullback.

Obviously Ashton Golding has just signed a four-year deal.

Do you have sympathy with him as a fullback because there's

only one in the team?

I do.

He's only 17 years of age.

He's trying to be a rugby player at the end of the day.

He wants to play rugby league, he wants to be on that team.

He's set his sights on being a fullback so I think good on him,

he's backing himself and his ability and I want him to do well.

The Rhinos will be losing Danny McGuire to Hull KR

and Rob Burrow to retirement at the end of the season.

They've both been fantastic servants to the club.

A huge coup for you guys to get Danny McGuire.

How much are Leeds going to miss these two?

Incredibly so.

They've been two absolutely wonderful players for Leeds

over the last 15 years.

The biggest thing you can say about them is they play outstanding

during the regular rounds, but I think they leave a legacy

of big-game players.

They've both won Man of the Match in Grand Finals and featured heavily

in Challenge Cup wins as well.

They've been a pleasure to play alongside and I would say two

absolute champions off the field as well.

I loved my time with them in and around the dressing room

and rightly they should go down in Leeds history as a couple

of the greatest half-backs the club has ever seen.

And in the same way that you and Kevin Kiley were leaving

the club, how much do you think this can motivate Leeds

to win silverware?

Massively so.

They'll want to go out on a high and I'm sure the players,

being friends as well, will want to send

them out on a high.

That will be an extra motive for Leeds to do well this year.

Leeds' chance of lifting the League Leaders' Shield may look

unlikely, but they are in pole position to take this

year's Set of Six title, where our Super League sparks

try to complete six sets with their brains rather than brawn.

Leeds's Ryan Hall is top of the pile, which only leaves

Matty Dawson stood in the way of being crowned champion.

Korma...

Madras...

Vindaloo...

bhuna...

Rogan Josh...

Balti?

That'll do.

Dog, cat, rabbit, hamster, rat...

Bird, like a budgie, that'll do.

Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, David Moyes, who else is there?

Jurgen Klopp.

Brendan Rodgers.

And...

Harry Redknapp.

Car, bike, bus...

Loads of things, isn't there?

Can't think of anything.

Trolley.

Pushchair.

How many more do I need?

One.

Aeroplane.

Pen, pencil, ruler, protractor, ...

Paper.

Rubber.

LAUGHTER.

Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Captain America, Antman...

Who else?

Why is it so hard?

And congratulations to Matty Dawson, our Set of Six champion.

On the field, Leigh's set has not been quite so consistent.

The Centurions losing 14 of their last 16 Super League games

and in danger of finishing bottom of the table.

For Derby opponents, Salford, a win would secure them their place

going into the Super Eights and their highest league

finish in 40 years.

Commentary on this one comes from BBC Radio Manchester.

Leigh centurions heading to the Salford try line.

They are in here.

It is their opening score, for Leigh Centurions,

who have carved their way through.

He cannot get the final ball away.

This is the last tackle for the Centurions.

Two metres away.

Salford are going to be exposed again.

Massive gap, a second try for the Centurions.

Burr, across the line, in towards the right-hand side,

real problem here for Salford, are they going on?

They think they have scored, the referee will confirm the score,

Salford are now in big bother.

Ben Murdoch-Masila, went for the line, he got the ball away,

nobody there to take it and with that, arguably,

goes the game for Salford.

Five and a half minutes remaining, 18-0, there is a dropped goal.

For Leigh Centurions.

Here comes Josh Jones, and Johnson, he is nailed.

All play well, the Centurions will try and go the length of the field,

he will finish in style.

What a score, what a night, what a try.

Salford knocked out of sight by Leigh.

Zak, how important for Leigh going into the qualifiers do

you think that victory could be?

Yeah, massive.

I reckon they will be disappointed with themselves,

with the season so far, but to get a good win

against a good team there, will give them a lot of confidence,

going into the eights.

Do you think they will go further in the qualifiers, they know

what it is about, obviously?

I think their experience now will be good for them,

I think they would have liked to have finished outside

it, to be honest.

Yes.

I think they will have known their season was geared around

surviving this year.

They got into Super League last year, they should

be commended for that, but now it is about the survival.

They understand the dynamics and the pressure of this competition

and I think that experience will be good for them.

For Salford, what do you make of Salford?

They were so solid at the beginning of the season, but they have had

a really rocky run of late.

Yes, I am not sure, I don't know if the Challenge Cup has been a bit

of a distraction or they are getting a bit too complacent, I am not sure.

I am sure they are going to be looking ahead to the Challenge Cup,

I am sure they are really excited about the challenge and trying

to get to the Challenge Cup Final.

I'm not quite sure what has gone on in the last few weeks.

Ian Watson was scathing, saying that players will lose their shirts

because of that performance.

Do you think there has been maybe complacency?

That maybe they weren't expecting to do as well,

they secured their top eight finish, found themselves in the semi-finals?

I don't think it is complacency.

It is a new experience for them to be in the competition on two

fronts, to be up here at the top four, and also be in the semifinal

of the cup as well.

It is as if their expectations, at the beginning of the year,

not to be involved in the middle eights, and they have achieved that,

then where do you go from there?

You have achieved your goal for the year and I think

it is important that that group of players and that group

of coaching staff, assess whether they are going to go

for the back third of the year and if they can set themselves some

lofty goals, they will give themselves a chance.

Of improving over the back half of the year.

McCarthy is in contention for that final spot,

how much can he bring to the side?

Especially the Finn on the wing, what they call him in Australia.

He is a real handful and he will bring a lot

of experience with him.

McCarthy is a really good player.

He has been there and done that with Warrington,

and also been in Australia with St George, he will bring some

vital rugby experience, especially if he gets chucked

into the deep end with the semifinal.

We will see if they are.

As the Challenge Cup semi-finals approach,

here are the details of how you can see and hear the best

of the action on the BBC.

POP MUSIC.

and after a hat-trick of losses, it wasn't exactly

an emphatic display.

But better from Hull, Jamie?

Yes, I think they were slightly better, but they are a difficult

side to play at the KC Stadium.

I think for them, they had some experience back on the side,

they had their talisman, Gareth Ellis back playing

and I think he is a player who installs confidence

in all those around him.

There was a great try from one of their most experienced

players in Minichello, but going back to Gareth Ellis,

he is one of those players that you look around the dressing room

and think, we have a good chance of winning with him on the field.

And they talked about stripping back after the loss to Leeds.

Do you see a different Hull here?

In the work that they have done in the last few weeks?

I think they are making less errors.

If you do not make errors, it goes a long way towards winning the game.

Completion rates as well.

Like you say, stripped back to the basics there and get

the basics right and hopefully get the job done and that is

what they have done here.

And a measure of the improvement in Huddersfield, they were really

disappointed to lose this.

They have been coming along nicely, they have been developing under

Rick Stone, I think this game is more about where Hull

are heading, into the semifinal, can they get some form

going into it?

I think they have, following the win, they have some

of the fundamentals right.

You can have all the best players in the world,

but unless you make the tackles complete assists, you have no

chance, particularly in semi-finals.

You need to be up around the 80 or 85% mark to do it and I think

that is what they will be aiming to do, Hull.

I mean, Huddersfield, if they lose the first couple

of games, there is a danger that they will put their feet up

and go, season over, isn't it?

Yes.

It could be easily done like that.

On the other hand, when you're going to play at Huddersfield,

they have got nothing to lose and everything to gain and that is

when the game becomes tricky.

On one hand, yes, they could put the cue on the rack but on the flip

side of that, they could play some exciting Rugby League

and cause some upsets.

And for Hull, how do you sum up the season so far,

because they were very good against Castleford

in the quarterfinals, but then not so good.

I don't think they reached the levels that they did last year,

I thought last year they were exceptional

at times last year.

They have had some great games, I think the game against Castleford

was a standout performance this year and they will have to reach

that kind of level, if they want to beat the Rhinos,

on Saturday, but going for them, they are still in the Challenge Cup

and still pushing to get into that top four as well.

The key is at the back-end of the year, they are going to have

to try and find consistency if they want to try

and stay in that top four.

Well with Salford slipping, the door was left wide open

for Wakefield to swoop in and steal a top four spot.

Anything more than a defeat by more than 14 points would be enough

to secure their highest ever Super League finish.

Saints on the attack.

Richardson to Fages.

Peyroux.

He is back there and Roby jostles them.

Richardson is available.

Looks to his left, though, he is in!

Here's Finn, that will quieten the expectant crowd.

Richardson was the first score of the afternoon.

Grix.

To Finn.

Right to left, Wakefield go, here is Kirmond.

250 up for Craig Kirmond.

Playing the ball, a couple of metres out towards Finn,

chance for Ashurst, who is in.

Wakefield hit back.

Roby.

Fages.

Taia.

Tries to break through.

Fages.

Roby is going to get this.

Just like shelling peas for James Roby.

Easy as you like.

Fages to Wilkin.

Richardson to Knowles.

Out to Makinson.

Makinson chips, can he get there?

Wonderful kick and collect from Tommy Makinson.

Roby.

Here is Walmsley, to Fages.

All Saints this.

Here comes Percival, going to set Grace in.

Grace touches the ball down, Saints in command.

What can Wakefield do at the start of the second half?

Pinned down.

Five metres from the line.

Tries to break through.

Back to Grix.

He is a slippery one.

He is through, Wakefield have a lifeline.

Towards Arona.

Finn to his left.

Cut out pass and Caton-Brown touches down, Wakefield are back within ten.

Roby.

Richardson's kick.

It is not dealt with there by Wakefield.

Chance here, Lomax, he is going to send McCarthy-Scarsbrook away.

And that could be the try that seals it for Saints.

Percival with it.

Thought he was going to kick for a moment there,

instead set Douglas away.

That was a funny looking thing, funny effort, but Taia will touch

the ball down and that stretches beyond Wakefield.

They could find themselves out of the four here.

Disappointing end then for Wakefield.

Grix will just kick the ball away.

Saints have not switched off, though.

What will he do?

He will drop a goal and he will rub salt into the Wakefield wounds.

Saints sit in sixth place and finish just a point behind

fifth place Wakefield.

Jamie, I don't want to be all doom and gloom, because Wakefield have

had a fantastic season up to this point and have definitely defied

the critics, but how disappointed will they be with that performance

and that result?

I think they had two options, you beat a side who are lower

than you in the league, you finish third, or you lose

by less than five points and you finish fourth,

and they didn't come up with either.

I think Wakefield now really need to look at what they're going to do

in these next seven games.

They need to try and consolidate a place or do they want to try

and go after the Rhinos in second place?

If they have a bad next seven games, that is what people will remember,

the back end of the year.

The squad and the coaching staff are capable of more than that,

but they need to start delivering on that.

As for St Helens, they were on a bit of a roll at the moment.

They will definitely be looking like top four.

Yes.

Like I mentioned earlier, they could be a team that will get

into the top four quite easily.

It is up to the third and fourth team to do

something about their spot.

Saints are on a really good run at the moment.

Will Saints be concerned about their away form,

because they have got four away fixtures?

I think they will look at that, because earlier in the season had

not gone well, but there are seven new games, they have got

a new coach, who has been in charge for six or seven games now

and I think, they have got a history of performing at the back-end

of this year and the players running into the grand final.

They will be trying to hunt down on third and fourth place.

Now to the Helliwell Jones where Warrington and Widnes

were already consigned to the qualifiers.

But with them Vikings going into the match on the back

of three straight defeats, a loss threatened to leave them

holding the wooden spoon.

It wasn't the most gripping derby, was it, Zach?

No, I think it was one for the spectators to watch,

but it is a good two points for Warrington and trying to hit

some form for the eights that they are going into,

and bragging rights as well being at a derby game.

Are Warrington looking a little bit more themselves?

Yes, they are.

We speak about this every week in sport and I think they are back

in the habit of being able to win games.

I don't think they were anywhere at the levels they were

when they beat Brisbane.

Right at the beginning of the season, but you will want

to go into this middle eight competition with

the habit of winning.

The Rhinos did that earlier in the year and did that seven

from seven and I would imagine Warrington will be

looking to do that.

Will they have wanted to put a marker down,

because obviously these two will meet now in the qualifiers?

Yes, without a doubt.

Being a bit of a derby game, they have got

bragging rights as well.

They have got quality players, there was a World Cup

at the end of the year, you want to perform

at the best of your ability, whether you are English,

Irish or Scottish, New Zealand, you want to get a spot

for the World Cup, it is a big competition.

They have got something other than to win some games, to go out.

And for Widnes, they were missing quite a few players who should be

back for those qualifiers.

Would you, if you were a fan of Widnes, would you be concerned

going into the qualifiers?

They have been up and down this year and at their best they are a good

side but we have not seen that often enough this year and I think,

you can tell by the voices coming from the camp that this

is a separate competition.

Forget what has been going on in the past 23 rounds,

focus on these next seven, be the best that we can be

as a Widnes club and if they have that kind of mindset,

they will give themselves a chance of staying

in Super League next year.

So after 23 rounds, here is how everyone stands

in the betFred Super League table.

Confirmation that Castleford with that stunning win in Perpignan,

sit seven points clear at the top of the table with Leeds closest

in the chasing pack.

Hull move up to third with Salford snatching fourth place

by the skin of their teeth.

Wakefield, St Helens, Wigan, Huddersfield will therefore

play for away fixtures in the super eights.

Warrington, Catalan, Lee and Widnes are joined

by Hull KR, London Broncos, Halifax and Featherstone

in the qualifiers.

The Super League show returns in a fortnight's time

with highlights from both the super eights and the qualifiers

plus the show is available all week on the BBC iPlayer.

But for now, here is a guide to the teams looking to win a place

in Rugby League's premier competition with Dave Edwards.

Hull KR have the chance to regain their place

in the Super League after last year 's crushing drop goal drama

in the million pound game.

It is absolutely, utterly unbelievable!

Hull Kingston Rovers cannot believe what has just befallen them.

But 12 months on, will those tears turn to cheers?

Rovers go into the qualifying as comfortable winners of the league

leaders shield in the Championship.

The London Broncos come into the eights having impressed

in last year 's competition.

They beat Salford and came close to unseating Leeds.

Andrew Henderson's team will be looking to upset

the favourites again.

Beware the bucking Broncos.

Halifax are the form team from the Championship,

they cemented their place with this victory over Hull KR on Sunday.

Don't underestimate Richard Marshall's team

who were only two points off second place in the million

pound game in 2015.

Challenge cup quarterfinalists and a place in the super eights

looks like a good season on paper for Featherstone but it was not

enough to keep head coach Jon Sharp in a job.

He parted company with Rovers last week with John Duffy moving

from Swindon to guide them through the next eight

weeks and beyond.

So Jamie, how are you and Hull KR approaching the qualifiers?

We have been looking forward to this part of the year

for a couple of months now and we want to get our players

back into Super League.

Just speaking at the club, I think every stakeholder involved

in the club has been tremendous this year.

The support we have had from the fans, through the sponsorship,

right up to the chairman has been fantastic for the club

and we are in a position to go out and attack the middle eights,

that is how we are going to do, we're going to go for it and try

and get a place back in Super League.

And the three other Championship sides involved, you will be looking

out for Featherstone with your Featherstone hat on,

can you see any of them making it into Super League,

to think it is a realistic chance for them?

It is going to be a tough ask, but I think Hull KR have a good

chance, apart from them, maybe London, the other teams

we mentioned, they are part-time, some of them are painters

and decorators, so they are out of the house 14 hours a day

and I think it will be a tough ask.

I would fancy a few upsets, one or two games maybe,

but I cannot really see past Hull KR.

We have run out of time, the RFL will be releasing the full

fixture list for the super eights on Wednesday, but from all

of us here, goodbye.

Welcome to The Mash Report!

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