And then there were four. Three you would expect, and one you probably wouldn’t, as the Betfred Super League hits semi-final time. So who is going to prevent a Wigan-St Helens final?
Saints coach Paul Wellens called it “a toss of a coin” on whether his side or Catalans Dragons progress from their semi-final in the south of France but he will know full well it will come down to way more than that. A couple of months ago you would see the Dragons as tough to beat, but in honesty right now the force feels with the defending champions.
Saints, led peerlessly by Man of Steel favourite Jack Welsby, have their own steely gaze fixed firmly on a magic five Super League titles in a row, and the Catalans will have to produce something pretty special to deny them that shot.
The Dragons may have finished above Saints in the table, but their form through the final third of the season has been a wobbly opposite to that of the momentum-building champions.
It is a fantastically appetising contest, not least with the footnote of departing greats Sam Tomkins and James Roby, two of the finest players that British rugby league has ever produced. One will be playing his final game on Saturday and will retire at the final hooter, the other will have one game left on the biggest stage of all at the big dance.
It would be a fitting final and will feel like one on the night. Saints have the edge, Catalans have the crowd, and it may well come down to Tomkins or Roby finding that big match-winning moment.
Hull KR’s preparation for an unlikely tilt at toppling Wigan in the other semi has received an unwelcome distraction with their Grand Final-winning assistant coach Danny McGuire being linked to the vacant job at Castleford.
Boss Willie Peters refused to comment on the story during his midweek press briefing, but tellingly stressed his squad is “as united as it’s ever been”.
“This is rugby league and there’s stuff in the media all the time,” said Peters. “There are distractions week in, week out that the media and fans don’t find out about.
“We’re three days out from the biggest game of the year and our focus is purely around that.”
As tipped in this column, Rovers continued their effervescent form to dispatch Betfred Challenge Cup winners Leigh last weekend but Wigan are a different beast entirely.
Matty Peet’s League Leaders have the bit between their teeth and will fully expect to ensure no repeat of last season’s shock home playoff defeat by a low qualifying side - in that case in-form Leeds. This is a stronger Warriors team than 12 months ago and no matter what the Robins throw at them I fully expect Wigan to be back at the Grand Final under the Old Trafford lights next weekend.
Speaking of Grand Finals, Sunday’s NRL showpiece as Penrith Panthers beat Brisbane was probably the greatest final of all time.
Pure theatre, with extraordinary performances from its protagonists, not least Nathan Cleary, as Penrith prevailed again to become the first team in 40 years to win three in a row.
And their legendary halfback Cleary did it almost single-handedly with a stunning highlight reel. Stung by being sat on his backside by a side-step that gave Brisbane an unlikely 16-point lead, the Kangaroos great took the game by the scruff of the neck in the final quarter. A clean break to set up one try back, a 40-20 kick to set up the Panthers to pounce, and an individual try himself with the clock winding down for the glorious comeback moment. Masterful.
Super League may not have many stars capable of what Cleary produced, but the best of British has been narrowed down to a choice of three for the 2023 Steve Prescott Man of Steel.
Jack Welsby, Wigan’s Bevan French and Catalans try-machine Tom Johnstone are this year’s final three. Despite his prolific campaign, few would have expected Johnstone to make the list ahead of Leigh’s Betfred Challenge Cup man-of-the-match Lachlan Lam. French is an obvious choice, and the frightening Welsby looks the outstanding choice to win it. He is the closest the British game has to a Nathan Cleary in terms of an out-and-out game-breaking match-winner. The 22 year-old is a future England captain.
England face Tonga this autumn and the tourists this week confirmed their squad for the three-match series. It is one lacking star names Jason Taumalolo and Sio Siua Taukeiaho but brimming in quality throughout. If they arrive in good time and take it seriously, they can give England a scare in this series.
As well as the Super League semis this weekend, York play Leeds in the Women’s Super League Final. And the race for promotion from the Betfred Championship comes to a head. Leaders Featherstone are huge favourites to reach a home Grand Final when they host surprise package London, while Toulouse should be too hot for a dangerous Bradford Bulls side in the south of France.
