Super League XXVII play-offs preview

Six clubs brace themselves for up to three weeks of hope, effort and determination as an appearance at Old Trafford looms for two of them.

St. Helens and Wigan Warriors finished first and second so they will have the first weekend off whilst the four clubs battling it out to make it to the semi-finals are Huddersfield Giants, Catalan Dragons, Leeds Rhinos and Salford Red Devils.

These sides finished third to sixth in the league respectively and will play in this weekend’s eliminators where the losers of the two matches: Huddersfield vs Salford and Catalan vs Leeds, will be out of the competition, whilst the victors move on to the semi-finals where the Saints and the Warriors will pose an even bigger challenge.

The play-offs usually provide lots of entertainment for the casual viewer, but if you’re a supporter of any of these six sides then it’s a few weeks of nerves. The top two sides are the odds-on favourites as they have to play one game fewer, and their semi-finals are also home ties.

The sides finishing third and fourth are rewarded with a home tie in the eliminators this weekend, but there are never any guarantees. The brilliance of the play-offs is that a team that finished as low as sixth in the league can still win the competition.

Only four teams have ever got their hands on the title in the Super League era, St. Helens, Wigan, Leeds and Bradford, therefore there is a 50 percent chance we could see a new winner this year.

Now let’s take a closer look at the sides that made this year’s play-offs.

St. Helens

The Saints are looking to break the Super League record this year for the most consecutive title wins. They have won the previous three, meaning it would be an incredible achievement to claim four in a row. They reclaimed the league leaders shield this season, though they were pushed right to the line by rivals Wigan.

Coach Kristian Woolf is leaving the club at the end of campaign and will be aiming to bow out on a high by winning the Saints their tenth title. Their current nine titles is already the most in the competition.

The Saints have won three of their last five games, coming into the play-offs in mixed form. However, they have been missing many of their key players due to injury, a couple of these could return just in time.

Wigan Warriors

The Warriors are the most successful club in the history of British rugby league. In the Super League era they have won five titles but haven’t been able to stop their biggest rivals in the past few years. Coach Matty Peet will be eager to end a short baron spell, by getting the Warriors first title since Shaun Wayne’s departure in 2018.

Wigan have also won three of their last five matches with their form being inconsistent throughout the season. Granted there have been many more highs than lows, and usually when they do win, they put on a show. Fans will be hoping key figures such as Jai Field and Bevan French will be firing on all cylinders in the play-offs.

Huddersfield Giants

The Giants have been ever present in the Super League since 2002 but have never really dented the play-offs. They have never made it to a Grand Final but have got to the semi-finals.

They won their only ever league leaders shield in 2013, however, coach Ian Watson will fancy his chances to go further this year after a great campaign. If they win their tie against Salford then they will travel to Wigan, a side they did beat once in the league back in May.

Like the previous two teams, the Giants have won three of their last five league games. Nevertheless, they have looked in fantastic nick this season and will hope they can post similar performances to make their first ever Grand Final appearance.

Catalan Dragons

The Dragons are another side that has never won a Super League title, after a narrow defeat in last year’s showpiece event. Since their addition to the Super League in 2006, they have been ever present.

It hasn’t been until recent times that the French outfit posed a real threat to the other top clubs. Last season they won the league leaders shield for the first time whilst also making an appearance in the Grand Final for the first time.

The Dragons have been off the pace this year compared to last, but they have done what was necessary to make it into the top six. They don’t come into the play-offs in great form winning just two of their last five matches. However, coach Steve McNamara will be hoping his players can step up to the challenge when they need to the most.

Leeds Rhinos

Leeds are another one of the biggest clubs in British rugby league history. In the Super League era alone, they have won eight titles, most recently in 2017. After that last Grand Final appearance, for a couple of years they endured a difficult transitional period that saw them miles off achieving a ninth.

More recently they have been working hard to get back to their previous heights, losing in last years semi-finals. A stunning end to their campaign saw them finish fifth for a third straight year in the league.

Coach Rohan Smith and his side have delivered four wins in their last five games, meaning they come into the play-offs in the joint best form of the six, and have a real chance of getting to the Grand Final.

Salford Red Devils

The final side in the top six is another that has never won a Super League title. However, Salford also came mightily close in 2019, losing the Grand Final at the end of their best ever season in the Super League era.

The Red Devils are not one of the biggest names in British rugby league, but what they do possess is a fantastic side that has the underdog status on its side. Having flirted with relegation in the recent past, the Salford fans will be hoping for something to cheer about. Coach Paul Rowley will be confident of a run replicating their 2019 season.

Salford have also won four of their last five matches. Resting players last weekend in their defeat to Warrington hindered their chances of being five from five coming into the play-offs. They are arguably the most in form side of the six, so therefore can’t be ignored in the conversation on who will be crowned Super League Champions in 2022.

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