Grand Final outcome predicted with contrasting views on Hull KR and Wigan prospects
James Smailes - Head of Sport
Do you remember when it was said Hull KR had a trouble winning away from the passionate support of Craven Park? They then rolled off a run of away wins that includes Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Catalans Dragons and St Helens, only ending against Wigan Warriors in a game Rovers could and maybe should have won.
Do you remember when it was said Rovers would drop down the table as the campaign went on? They then went on to get even stronger, building into the campaign like championship-winning teams do.
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Do you remember when despite being at home and in form Willie Peters’ men were written off by many against Warrington?
My point, which I could continue on with, is that people keep looking for ways to write off this Rovers team and time and again, they’re made to eat their words. KR will start as underdogs again when they square off with the holders at Old Trafford, that’s to be expected when facing the reigning champions, the team which topped the table and a team which hold every trophy going as we head into the game. There’s no disrespect to KR there being underdogs.
But if one thing this season has shown is it is this. Don’t be surprised if it’s the red and whites and not the cheery and whites who are celebrating come fulltime.
It’s crucial Rovers settle early into the game and control what they do with the ball, playing at their tempo and in the areas they want to be in. Not letting Wigan’s defence dictate proceedings will help settling the nerves and working the Robins into the match.
Rovers have shown they can score quick points and post large totals this season, but that’s unlikely at Old Trafford. Peters’ team need to keep it tight and show the desire we’ve seen before in their kick-chase and scramble.
Play smart, be hungry, be aggressive and leave it all out there. Do that and KR have just as good a chance as Wigan. Will they win? It’s hard to call against the champions, but every great side loses at some stage and I’ve had a feeling all season this Rovers team were going to win something so I’ll stick with my gut on this one.
Prediction: Rovers by 2 points in a nerve-jangler.
Matthew Shaw - Rugby League Live Editor
So here we are. The first time I met Willie Peters, I had a feeling this day would come. I just didn't think it would arrive so quickly. Rovers are one win away from smashing through the glass ceiling, from immortality, from showing that all the hype truly is real. In reality, Rovers have already proven that those who backed them were right to do so, this is more about silencing those who didn't. That said, Rovers must win a big one to prove they're a big team. This is the moment they can't let slip.
Wigan are an exceptional side. They are on the verge of doing what only five other teams have done in 129 years and that's win all four trophies in one season. They've won the last five trophies on offer, a sixth would make them one of only two to achieve that feat. This is a daunting prospect.
The game, to me, is won and lost for Rovers in the first 20 minutes. They will fight to the end but I think they have to be ahead after 20 minutes. They've been going after teams early recently and I can't see that changing here. They need to have posted points early for me. Then they have the small matter of absorbing what Wigan throw at them. With French, Field, Wardle, Marshall and Nsemba, that's some tough task.
Rovers can win this game though, without question. They'll absolutely have to be at their best to do so. However, I just think Wigan's experience gets them home here. They're a marvellous team, and I give them a slight edge.
Prediction: Wigan by 8.
Arindam Rej - Hull Live's Hull KR reporter
Predicting Hull KR to win over and over again might be seen as repetitive - but there's a reason why; they win over and over again. I tipped them to lose narrowly at Warrington Wolves on their last visit there in Super League - I was wrong. The other time I was wrong in the past three months of this run-in was when I tipped them to win by four points against Wigan Warriors, and they ended up losing by four points - but, had Rovers kept 13 men on the field rather than having two yellow cards, that could have been a different story.
That game at Warrington was when it became clearer than ever that this Hull KR team could be Grand Final material and here we are with Rovers heading for Old Trafford after a run of 11 wins in 12 games which included that night at the Halliwell Jones Stadium which silenced questions about them being able to beat top sides away - something that they carried on afterwards. And this long run of form, including triumphing in high-pressure contests, gives them momentum over a long period at the business end and is why they deserve to be in the biggest match of the domestic rugby league calendar against Wigan.
These two teams being first and second in the Super League regular-season table reflects the quality we will be seeing and it should make this a Grand Final to remember. Both also have special motivations. For reigning champions Wigan, the opportunity to seal a quadruple should be great motivation. For Rovers, of course, in their first Super League Grand Final, this could end nearly four decades without winning a top-level trophy, so their men should be relishing the chance to become immortals in this sporting city.
When predicting outcomes, it's useful to consider key battles but where do you start with this one? All over the team sheets, in the backs and forwards, there are high-class performers. Just picking out a battle of Mikey Lewis versus Bevan French or Elliot Minchella versus Kaide Ellis would be doing a disservice to all the others out there on Saturday evening. And even away from the pitch, we are seeing two of the top coaches here, serial trophy winner Matt Peet and Coach of the Year Willie Peters, pitting their wits against each other. You could sense Peters' belief in his team after that narrow loss at Wigan. I also believe that, even though Wigan are favourites, Rovers - with their impressive defensive system - can get the job done here with such glory at stake.
Prediction: Rovers by 4.
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