The YP's rugby league writer James O'Brien looks ahead to the final weekend of Super League regular season action and what Hull Kr and Leeds Rhinos need to happen
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00:00We're joined by James O'Brien, the Yorkshire Post's Rugby League writer, as we delve into
00:11the final week and final round of games in Super League. Lots of permutations, lots that
00:18involve two Yorkshire clubs in particular, Paul K.R. and Leeds Rhinos. We'll get onto
00:24Leeds Rhinos in a bit. Their situation is a bit more complicated, not helped by the
00:28fact that games in this final round are, in a strange way, being spread over three nights,
00:34over three days, whereas I think, James, you've stated in one of your pieces earlier this week
00:39that it used to be all the games were on the same night in previous years, or they have been
00:44from time to time. But anyway, that's by the by. We'll start with Paul K.R. Two points behind
00:49Wigan going into the last game. They face Leeds on Friday, obviously, Paul K.R. Wigan play Salford
00:58on Thursday, which is what is the main kind of one of the main talking points that sprung from
01:04this week in the sense that Salford have, some would say, have picked a below strength side,
01:11knowing they're already sort of in the playoffs. And it hasn't gone down well in some quarters,
01:16most notably, most likely, obviously, with the Hawkeye fans. Willie Peters has played it with
01:21a straight back, as it were, to coin a phrase from another sport and not got involved in it,
01:25said it's up to other people to do what they want to do. But I think in one of your pieces
01:31earlier this week, you kind of said it's almost single handedly, effectively handed the league
01:36leadership to Wigan in theory. Yeah, well, it has. I mean, I can't see a reserve side going
01:42to the champions and winning. The only hope they had was maybe Wigan resting a few as well, but
01:48it doesn't look like they will. They might pull a few star players off once they get well in front,
01:54give them a rest, but they've got a week off anyway. So it's disappointing that the season's
01:59not going to have the finale that a lot of people would like. It's been a really good battle all
02:04the way through. It was three teams, including Warrington, but then it came down to Hawkeye,
02:09Wigan. And basically the match that's decided it is the one at Wigan the other week where Hawkeye
02:14just came out on the wrong side. So that's the one. That's why they lost it. Not this week.
02:19Salford can do what they like. They secured the player place last week.
02:24They're guaranteed to play next week. It's just where they play and who they play.
02:28But Paul Rowley evidently isn't bothered. He's backing his players as long as they're
02:32fit and healthy, which they should be after having a rest this week.
02:37Obviously, the business end of the season is to come after this week. Essentially,
02:40this is where the main target is for everyone up at the top of the table.
02:44But regardless of what happens after this week,
02:48it still has to be viewed as a very good season for Hawkeye, doesn't it?
02:51Oh, absolutely. There will be some disappointment that they've not
02:55ended the long wait for Silverware. Hull FC fans love to remind them they haven't won anything
03:00of note since 1985. So that wait goes on. But hopefully for them, only a few more weeks.
03:07They've got a lot to look forward to. If they win this week, they get the home
03:10semi-final. Then they'll be 80 minutes away from the first Old Trafford appearance
03:16for a grand final anyway. And they've got home advantage, which is massive for them.
03:21And they'll have the week off as well because they've had a really demanding
03:23run and they've played all the top sides. So if any side needs a week off, it's Hull
03:28KR. So fingers crossed for them that they can get the result on Friday. They can have that
03:32week off and then we can gear up for the biggest game at Craven Park, the new Craven Park that
03:38there's ever been, I think.
03:40Talking of Friday, obviously they're playing against Leeds. Leeds have plenty to play for,
03:44but as we sort of alluded to earlier, there are lots of permutations. Obviously,
03:50Lee and St Helens play on Friday as well. Leeds need a St Helens win. But then you've got the
03:57complication of Catalan's playing on Saturday, knowing if Leeds manage to get the win, Catalan's
04:05will know how many points they need in order to get that last playoff place, won't they?
04:11Only in Rugby League, as Rugby League fans would say. You won't have it in any other sport,
04:17well, particularly football. Look at those, they all kick off at the same time, don't they?
04:23I know the Football League, it's like half 12 and we've got the stopwatches ready and they don't go
04:30a minute or a second too early or too late. But in Rugby League, they do what they want.
04:35So, there is a scenario where Catalan go to Hull on Saturday and they'll know exactly how many
04:40points if they say they need 50, 60 points, which is not beyond the realms against this Hull side.
04:46No disrespect, that's what the numbers say. So, they could put the ball up the jumper for the
04:51last 20 minutes and not attack as they probably would if they knew they needed more points. So,
04:56yeah, it's not great integrity-wise, but we'll see how it plays out. It might be a dead rubber.
05:02We'll see how it goes.
05:05you