With the top-six now decided and the Betfred Super League play-offs about to start, Jamie Peacock discusses who he thinks will be the club who comes out on top at Old Trafford on October 14
I can’t wait for what should be an amazing play-offs game between Hull KR and Leigh – but I still think Wigan will win Betfred Super League and end St Helens’ long reign as champions.
Friday’s eliminator at Craven Park should be cracking. In Rovers and the Leopards, there’s two teams going up against each other who we suspected would be dark horses at the beginning of the year. But Leigh, winning the Challenge Cup and making the play-offs for the first time, have been outstanding and exceeded their own expectations. What I like about both sides, though, is that they both firmly believe they can win the Grand Final which is great.
Normally, we get teams coming to the play-offs in the lower spots and they’re just happy to be there and then they get blitzed in the first round. But it’s not the case with these two. Home advantage is key for me and maybe dishing up some Challenge Cup final revenge after what happened at Wembley so I’m going for KR. Leigh have been terrific this season but I think this is where it ends.
Saturday then sees the other eliminator as St Helens and Warrington clash. Some people think Wolves, after just keeping hold of sixth spot on Friday, might go on and do something given the star quality in their side. But I don’t buy into that. There’s a fundamental part of the game which you absolutely need to win play-offs games: Cohesive, gritty, team defence.