MZH

Commiserations to Wakefield. It's always sad to see any side relegated, and even more so when it's one who has been a mainstay of the top flight for such a long time. It's the right outcome, they were definitely the worst team over the course of the season, but at least they put up a fight in the second half of the year and made it interesting for a while. From the outside I think they have been poorly run for a while now. Applegarth's appointment always looked like a poor one, and too many players in the squad just aren't good enough. I know they have a smaller budget than most, but signing the likes of Proctor shows that what budget they did have wasn't used very effectively. All the best Wakefield, I'm sure you will be back soon enough.

The Rovers design is pretty good, but there's a sort of shininess to the red in those pictures that makes it look cheap imo. Not sure if it's the material or the lighting or the shade they've chosen. I'd need to see it in the flesh.

Struggling to think of a game I've cared about less tbh. I thought Smith might give a bunch of youngsters a run out but there isn't even that to create some interest really. Maybe a debut for Martin.

Wakefield are going to win this and survive on the last day aren't they. Wigan look like they are going to put paid to Castlefords PD advantage.

Good game this. I've seen better quality games but it's high intensity.

Exactly. Don't get me wrong, it was a mediocre defensive set and a decent try, but they should have been attacking the Melbourne line. I'm surprised there wasn't a challenge. Even on the long shot at full speed it didn't look like there was any way he caught it clean.

I'd feel pretty sick about that if I was a Roosters fan. That was obviously a knock on from Grant, you didn't need a replay to know that. How Klein thought he caught it I have no idea.

Smith appears to be a done deal certainly, and I think it's a good addition. Don't think he will start at either 7 or 9 when everyone is fit but he provides good cover and gives us options off the bench. That's the first I've heard Massey mentioned. I'd be a little bit surprised if it's true because it seems to go against Tony Smith's general recruitment strategy of younger guys who he feels he can mould and develop. I do think he still has something to offer for a year or two though.

After spending the last 15 minutes completely imploding, the Raiders hit back. I feel its only brief respite though. The Knights aren't losing from here.

I think even if we don't improve at all from what we are right now, we will be reasonably competitive. If you look at the table for the last 15 games, we are 5th. It was only that early season run whilst Smith was trying to turn the team around that took us out of contention. So another year of Smith working with them, we should be around the playoffs even if the squad doesn't improve. We will need to see how we look once recruitment is complete though. We have added a lot of size and athleticism to the pack, which is good. We probably have at least 4 or 5 more signings to come. Plus Dwyer is leaving so that alone probably counts for a couple of places on the table.

It's alright, if he ever signs for Saints he will be a world beater.

It's not really "rumours" is it. I think it's pretty obvious it happened. But he didn't do anything illegal. I'm a believer in second chances. As long as he's put all that behind him and wants to gove his best on and off the field then I'm fine with it.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hull-fc-sign-nrl-forward-8701821.amp I'd be lying if I said I knew a lot about him, although he seems to have got regular gametime over the last few years. Any NRL experts out there have any thoughts on him?

Difficult one to call. Hull KR probably have more to play for (I know Leigh can potentially still grab 2nd, but they are safely in the playoffs). There's also the question of how they deal with a cup final hangover. I've heard players say that the week after the final isn't too bad, it's the following game where it often hits you. Hopefully Leigh do us a big favour and get another win, but if I had to put money on the game it would probably be going on Rovers tbh. HKR by 4

For a couple of months now we've looked like a team capable of making the playoffs but have never quite been able to make a decisive move. The loss against Wigan was a real disappointment. Winning that would have put us in the box seat for 5th place imo. We are now into do or die territory. Win this and we have as good a chance as anyone. Lose it and it becomes a real long shot. I'm backing us to get the win here, and to go on and qualify. Hull by 8

The LLS is, imo at least, pretty much sewn up, and Cas took a big advantage in the relegation battle the other night, although it is still all to play for. The one part of the table that looks impossible to predict, is the battle for 5th and 6th place. This weekend, depending on results, we could potentially have a scenario where 5 teams are sitting on 22 points each. Warrington can't buy a win, but neither could Salford until the other day. Hull KR have got to try to shake off a cup hangover, Hull are playing reasonably well but just can't quite put a string of results together, Leeds are horribly inconsistent but can beat anyone on their day. And I've not totally written off Huddersfield just yet either. Who does everyone think will be the two to make it?

Massive game for Hull. It isn't a must win just yet, but if we do win I reckon we are more likely than not to make the playoffs. Especially if Rovers get a real drubbing at Saints, which is entirely possible after what Rovers have gone through this week. Wigan look a bit light in the pack and if we can play with good (controlled) aggression and intensity then I think we can make it a tough night for them and there's no reason why we can't get a result. Hull by 6

Wakefield have played well at home recently, so you probably have to go with them. But its anyone's game really.

Played for Wigan and Hull for a while, not a bad player but probably never lived up to his potential. He commentated for Radio Humberside for a while and he was actually really good at it. I feel like he might have given that up because it was conflicting with him being a player agent, but that might not have been the reason.

That's justice.

That's a shocker from O'Brien. No harm done though.

I don't like particularly like the tackle technique, but Kendall is right. It's not currently illegal.

All he's saying, in a round about way, is that both teams are pretty well matched when at full strength. And I'd agree.

I hadn't heard that one until now but I did see us being linked with another PNG player, Jacob Alick, the other day. We have plenty of cap space, quota spots, and players that we need to replace. We seem to be getting linked with everyone at the minute.

They've played some good rugby, but it doesn't really count when the opposition is so poor. League 1 teams can look great when they aren't been met with any resistance.