#1 Leigh Centurions (=)
Is anyone going to knock them off the top spot? The Centurions hold the top spot for a third consecutive week after another Qualifiers victory, this time over Batley. With Leeds losing to Huddersfield, they will now finish first in the Qualifiers if they avoid defeat to the Rhinos. It’s a very special time if you’re a Leyther.
#2 Warrington Wolves (=)
The Wolves hang on to second place, despite throwing away the chance to be crowned league leaders. A capitulation in the final quarter of their game with 12-man Wigan means they must avoid defeat at the KCOM against Hull FC to earn the silverware, a very difficult task. However, they still have the advantage, meaning they just hold on to this spot.
#3 Rochdale Hornets (+4)
They defied the odds to stun Toulouse, and they are officially a Championship side once again. A stunning result in France saw Alan Kilshaw oversee the club’s ambition of promotion, doing so with one of the most surprising results of the entire season. Exciting times await the Hornets.
#4 Hull FC (+4)
After dropping four places last week, Lee Radford’s side regain fourth spot after a pretty perfect week. Although they were scrappy in victory over Wakefield, results are all that matter at this stage of the season. Their victory kept alive their hopes of the League Leaders’ Shield, and the treble too, although they were in need of a favour from Wigan. The Warriors delivered, and now the Black and Whites need one victory over Warrington to clinch their second trophy of the year.
#5 St Helens (-1)
Saints are unfortunate to drop down the rankings this week after victory over Widnes, however impressive weeks for Rochdale and Hull FC mean they shuffle down one place. Even still, they still look great value for a spot in the Grand Final after winning their 11th game in 12 outings, and they continue to impress in victory.
#6 Wigan Warriors (=)
Say what you want about this Wigan team, but they have heart and character like no other. Seemingly on the way to defeat against Warrington when Ben Flower was sent off, they rallied and scored 21 points in the final quarter to pick up a sensational victory over the Wolves. They can’t win the League Leaders’ Shield unless a miracle occurs, but this victory could be huge for their momentum going into the play-offs.
#7 Leeds Rhinos (-4)
Defeat to Huddersfield means the Rhinos shoot down the rankings, despite putting in a valiant display. Nevertheless, their Super League status has been secured already, and exciting times are ahead for the club. They could still earn top spot in the Qualifiers with a victory over Leigh, which would see them move back up the rankings.
#8 Bradford Bulls (+2)
It’s not been Bradford’s greatest year, but they seem intent on ending it with a bang. If there was ever a way to respond to a shock defeat, the Bulls did it, as they trounced Sheffield 80-0. Kieren Moss and Dane Chisholm starred in the victory, and alongside Leon Pryce, the Bulls look to have a very strong spine in place for next year.
#9 London Broncos (NEW)
The only new entry this week sees the Broncos shoot into ninth spot after a superb victory over Salford. Few had given London a chance of defeating the Red Devils, but they were deserved winners at the A J Bell Stadium, winning 19-16. Should Andrew Henderson’s side defeat Featherstone, and Salford lose at Batley, London will be in the Million Pound Game and one victory from Super League.
#10 Toulouse Olympique (-5)
What happened? It was almost a complete certainty that Toulouse would defeat Rochdale and confirm what we had all accepted as fact; that they would be a Championship team next season. However, they fluffed their lines and must now go through the League One play-offs to go up, something that could be trickier than people expect.
