Rugby League: Who will prevail in the Super League play-off race?

Planet Sport writer
21 August 2023

With the Catalan Dragons already having secured their place, there are only three spots left in the Super League play-off race.

Catalans Dragons became the first club to secure their place in the Betfred Super League play-offs on Saturday after their win over Leigh.

With Wigan, St Helens and Leigh more or less secure in the top four, and Castleford and Wakefield embroiled in their own exclusive battle to beat the drop, the PA news agency takes a look at the increasingly-frantic battle for the final two play-off slots.

Warrington

Pld 22; Pts 22; GD +21

Remaining fixtures: Aug 26, Hull FC (A); Sep 2, Castleford (H); Sep 8, Salford (A); Sep 15, St Helens (H); Sep 22, Huddersfield (A).

Wire were unlucky to slip to a seventh-straight league loss on Sunday and the momentum is against them heading into the final weeks.

Key man: Matt Dufty

Prediction: 7th

Salford

22/22/-3

Remaining fixtures: Aug 25, Wakefield (H); Sep 1, Wigan (A); Sep 8, Warrington (H); Sep 15, Hull KR (A); Sep 22, Catalans (H).

Friday's big win at Huddersfield raised hopes for Paul Rowley's side but they face arguably the toughest run-in of the lot and are likely to come up short.

Key man: Marc Sneyd

Prediction: 8th

Hull KR

22/22/-23

Remaining fixtures: Aug 25, Leigh (H); Sep 1, Catalans (H); Sep 8, Huddersfield (A); Sep 15, Salford (H); Sep 22, Wakefield (A).

Willie Peters' men are tough enough to rouse themselves from their Challenge Cup pain and take advantage of a favourable run-in to secure their top-six slot.

Key man: Elliot Minchella

Prediction: 5th

Leeds

22/20/+59

Remaining fixtures: Aug 27, Huddersfield (A); Sep 2, Hull FC (A); Sep 8, Wigan (H); Sep 16, Catalans (A); Sep 22, Castleford (H).

Despite a chaotic campaign, few would dare bet against the Rhinos summoning a customary late-season surge and their favourable points advantage could make all the difference.

Key man: Cameron Smith

Prediction: 6th

Hull FC

22/20/-81

Remaining fixtures: Aug 26, Warrington (H); Sep 2, Leeds (H); Sep 8, Castleford (A); Sep 16, Huddersfield (H); Sep 22, St Helens (A).

Tony Smith's side are another to show signs of emerging from a forgettable campaign but even the best run-in of the lot is likely to leave them agonisingly short.

Key man: Jake Clifford

Prediction: 9th

Huddersfield

22/18/-80

Remaining fixtures: Aug 27, Leeds (H); Sep 1, Leigh (A); Sep 8, Hull KR (H); Sep 16, Hull FC (A); Sep 22, Warrington (H).

Ian Watson's men are another to show signs of improvement but Friday's loss at Salford effectively ended their hopes of muscling in on the post-season party.

Key man: Chris McQueen

Prediction: 10th