Features

Super League set for climax

Author: John Harris
Date: 03/09/2009
Rugby League betting

Super League is the most unpredictable to date but there is still a five-point bridge between Leeds and St Helens at the summit to the chasing pack.

The race for the league leaders shield takes centre-stage on Friday, as Saints travel to Headingley trailing the Rhinos on points difference.

With just two rounds of action to go, the match will surely determine who ends the season on top of the pile and will be sportsbook favourites to get to Old Trafford to contest the Grand Final.

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Though it has received criticism, the extension of the play-offs to eight teams has lengthened the amount of possible outcomes.

As the final two rounds of regular season games approaches, there is a small minority who will have nothing but pride to play for this year.

The race for the top eight extends to Hull who are stuck in 12th place, but the Black & Whites have all but given hope of breaching the party as it would take a minor mathematical miracle - and a huge upturn in form - to give them play-off football.

Catalans and Castleford are the two sides inside the eight in danger of dropping out, with Challenge Cup winners Warrington Wolves the favourites to steal a place in the finals series.

Bradford have had a poor year on all accounts but could find themselves inside the eight if results go their way.

The Bulls have made a recent revival and their form will as much frustrate their fans as much as the wins are delighting them.

After this week's round of fixtures, the play-off dreams for some sides are sure to be over.

But with Hull and Bradford clashing next weekend there could be plenty to play for.

Castleford will be buoyed by their fixture list ending with a home clash against Celtic Crusaders and Warrington's will need to win against play-off rivals Harlequins to have hope of securing an unlikely trophy double this term.

The disregard of promotion and relegation has received plenty of criticism, particularly from fans in the traditional heartlands of the sport.

But with the extension of the play-offs, the Rugby Football League has ensured that the competition has remained exciting and an attractive product from start to finish by extending the play-offs by two further teams.

Whether the new system is right or wrong, Super League has become a more attractive entity than it has been for some time.

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