Get set for Super Saturday

Hull and Leeds face crucial showdown at KC Stadium

Last updated: 3rd September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Get set for Super Saturday

Hull's Richard Horne: wants fourth place

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Saturday September 4
Hull v Leeds, 4pm
St.Helens v Castleford, 6.30pm

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Saturday is decision day as play-off places go up for grabs in the final round of engage Super League matches.

Of the 14 teams, only Wigan and Hull KR know their final positions going into the 27th round of the regular season.

The tie of the round is at the KC Stadium, where the winners of the Hull-Leeds clash will secure fourth place - and a trip to minor premiers Wigan for a qualifying play-off on Sunday week - with the losers left facing sudden-death rugby throughout the play-offs.

If in-form Huddersfield make it five wins in a row at the expense of Catalans Dragons, they will secure fifth place and a home tie against Castleford or Crusaders, while at the same time consigning the French club to the wooden spoon.

Castleford will be ousted from eighth place if they fail to win at St Helens and Crusaders win at home to Hull KR, who are guaranteed to finish seventh.

A calculator may be needed to determine second place if Saints finish level with Warrington, with points difference and then points percentage coming into the equation.

Meanwhile, a Giants victory in Perpignan would relegate the losers at the KC Stadium to sixth place, raising the intriguing possibility of a first-ever Hull play-off derby next Friday, with their thrilling clash of two months ago still fresh in the minds.

"It would be a very good spectacle," admitted Hull stand-off Richard Horne. "I'm sure they'd be buzzing about it and we definitely would be. It becomes knockout football and big bragging rights in the city. It's not one you'd want to get turned over in.

Second chance

"But we want that fourth spot. It's always good to know you've got a second chance.

"We'd be going up to Wigan, who've played consistently well all year and they've done us twice, but we'd be going there with a lot of confidence if we do get a result against Leeds and with nothing to lose."

Much will depend on how Leeds, the reigning champions, respond to their crushing Challenge Cup final defeat by Warrington at Wembley last Saturday.

"They'll want to respond to not playing well at the weekend and they'll want that fourth spot just as much as we do," said Horne. "If we do our jobs, then we can be confident we can get a result."

Castleford will be aiming to emulate the Catalans, who pulled off a shock 24-12 win at Knowsley Road a year ago in the last match of the regular season to clinch the last play-off spot and went on to reach the semi-finals.

But, unlike last time, Saints have something to play for and coach Mick Potter, who is hoping to bow out of the hot seat with his first trophy, believes that will guard against complacency.

"It's different circumstances for us," he said. "We've a little more to do and I think it will make a difference for us.

"Castleford are a tricky team and they will be desperate to win to give themselves the best chance of finishing eighth.

Dangerous

"They play off the cuff and can change direction in their attack. They are very dangerous."

The Tigers have the chance to put a dampener on the celebrations surrounding St Helens' last-ever league game at Knowsley Road and coach Terry Matterson insists they will go there with confidence.

"It's obviously a big night for Saints but we aren't fearful and we'll be giving it our very best," said coach Terry Matterson.

"It's in our own hands and, whilst we probably couldn't have asked for a tougher game, we have got to believe that we can go to Knowsley Road and win."

If Castleford fail to pull off a shock, Crusaders will be ready to take their place and complete a remarkable turn-around under Brian Noble after they finished their first season in Super League with the wooden spoon.

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