Barrie and Terry give their predictions for the play-offs
Thursday 1 October 2015 13:53, UK
On the pitch, Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor liked nothing better than tearing into the opposition.
They may have hung up their boots but that competitive streak still runs strong and we have found a way to channel their energies.
Each week, they will give their predictions for the Super League games; they will score one point for a win and if they both pick the winner, then the pundit with the closest score gets an extra point.
Terry has pipped Barrie to the post with his predictions for the regular season of Super League but the overall crown is still up for grabs as we head into the semi-finals.
Let battle commence!
Results after 23 round of regular Super League season
BARRIE - 112
TERRY - 115
Super 8s, Qualifiers, semi-finals and Final
BARRIE - 52
TERRY - 48
Wigan v Huddersfield: Thursday, 8pm, Sky Sports 1
Terry says: Shaun Wane and Paul Anderson will both feel like they had their pockets picked last week. Wigan's celebrations fizzled out when the news of Ryan Hall's last second try came over the Pennines and Paul Anderson thought he'd go into this week's game full of confidence with a win over lots of pundits favourites to get to the Grand Final.
I've always said that the front rowers are the ones with brains and this year's big prize will be picked up by either a former prop or hooker, and they are English which bodes well for the future. Huddersfield have impressed me all year and with just four losses in the last 20 games and the way they performed last week for 79 minutes and 59 seconds, they'll be up for revenge against a team they've struggled with all year.
Live Super 8s Semi-Final
Wigan have won five of their seven Super 8 games, losing only away at Leeds and St Helens. If you look at the Cherry and Whites' home form, you'll see that they've won the last 20 games to be played at the DW. Huddersfield lost the opener at Wigan in the Super 8s, then won five in a row but saw the run halted in dramatic fashion by Ryan Hall's touchdown last Friday.
Prediction: Who's not got over the heartbreak of last week? Who has the most energy left after those two heroic tussles? There are no second chances here and I think home advantage will give Wigan an eight-point win.
Barrie says: It was heartbreak for both sides last week as both of them had their pockets picked. Wigan dispatched Castleford and thought they had won the League Leaders' Shield only to be told that Leeds had pipped Huddersfield on the final play. The Giants have every right to think themselves the better team last week and I think we are in for a classic semi-final. My head says Wigan but my gut says don't underestimate Danny Brough!
Prediction: I'm sticking with my head and going for Wigan and their big game experience. Warriors by six points.
Leeds v St Helens: Friday, 8pm, Sky Sports 1
Terry says: Leeds are on track to do the treble after last week's remarkable finish. I have asked the fish who will win, the dog and my wife, who knows as much about rugby as Barrie does. The fish thinks Leeds, the dog Saints and the wife picked Warrington when I asked her who'd win the Grand Final.
The last time St Helens visited Headingley they came away with the points against the odds. It was an inspired performance from Jon Wilkin and having Man of Steel nominee Alex Walmsley back will surely give the Saints a big lift from the big fellow.
Live Super 8s Semi-Final
Last time Saints played Leeds they took them on up front and I thought at times during the Giants game they struggled in centre field. It's difficult to split these sides because on paper they are very similar and they have a fabulous winning mentality. With the talent on show I'm sure we will see tries scored, we'll also see tremendous defence but that's what we've grown to expect over the years from both of these sides.
Prediction: I'm going for Saints because the fat lad will be picking Leeds. St Helens by six.
Barrie says: The best news out of Langtree Park is the fitness and availability of Alex Walmsley. Saints really struggled for go forward last week when they lost to Wolves but he resolved that issue on his own! Leeds didn't play anywhere near their best but still found a way to beat Huddersfield and lift the second piece of silverware. Stevie Ward misses this one and they'll miss his graft but other than one or two absentees, both sides are as good as can be expected at this time of year.
Prediction: Using the same formula my head says Leeds my gut says never write the Saints off, but home advantage is huge and Leeds to win by seven.
Wakefield v Bradford: Saturday, 2:50pm, Sky Sports 1
Terry says: All eyes will be on this game to see who plays in the top flight and takes the 12th spot in Super League. I suppose everyone was expecting to see Leigh in this game (I certainly was). But I must say I'm impressed with the Bulls. James Lowes has worked wonders this year and they have certainly earned the right to play in the Million Pound Game. The bonus for James Lowes is that Lee Gaskell managed to have a run out in last week's defeat by Halifax.
It wasn't ideal preparation and let me tell you my old mate Jimmy wasn't happy at all. Wakefield strengthened on the eve of these middle 8 games and it looks to have paid dividends that along with bringing in the astute Brian Smith who has done a fabulous job. All the players will be doing anything and everything to get into the top flight. Some lads futures will change for the better and others will be affected by the dreaded drop into the Championship.
These clubs deserve success in this fixture. Wakefield's chairman is a gem and he risked everything for his beloved club and he surely deserves his day in the sun. Then we have Bradford; the pacesetters in Super League who brought glitz, glamour and razzamatazz to the competition in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Wakefield have already beaten the Bulls 48-12 in Round 2 of these Super 8s Qualifiers. They bullied the Bulls and Bradford had no answer. I know the Bulls lost a few players which hindered the way they used the subs but they didn't perform at all. Surely that's the motivation they need. Good luck and may the best side win, we'll see one of you in the top flight next season.
Prediction: I'd love a draw in this game but somebody must win and I'm going for an upset as Baz will go for the favourite.
Live Super 8s Qualifiers
Barrie says: The Million Pound Game has so much tension surrounding it. The risk to reward factor is just massive and these two teams have more to win or lose than the teams playing for a place in the Grand Final. Bradford were awful last weekend and James Lowes accused them of giving up. His former coach Brian Smith knows the livelihood of the players, staff and everybody involved rides on this game of roulette.
Prediction: I'm going for home wins in all three this weekend. Wakey to win by 10.
