Round 15 of Super League gets underway with a blockbuster clash at the top of the table as Warrington Wolves host Leeds Rhinos, and the predictions on that game are split.
Before diving into who is picking which side in that game and the other six, we need to look back at the round 14 picks where Sam Cook went seven for seven as he took over on the season-long leaderboard.
Onto round 15 and there is that major standout game between second-place Warrington Wolves and first-place Leeds Rhinos, who both sit level on 22 points at this stage in the season.
That’s a Thursday night game but Friday sees two tough games to call as well as Hull KR host the in-form Leigh Leopards, whilst Wakefield Trinity travel to take on Hull FC as well.
There’s a triple-header on Saturday as York Knights host the imperious Wigan Warriors, before Catalans welcome Bradford Bulls to the Stade Gilbert Brutus in the early evening slot. The 8:00 pm slot then sees Castleford Tigers take on Toulouse Olympique at Wheldon Road.
The final game of the round sees St Helens take on bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Giants with Paul Rowley’s side desperate to get back into the win column. Our picks for that game and the other six, as well as an updated leaderboard, can all be seen below.
Sir Kevin Sinfield, play-off race heats up and who can stop Wigan Warriors? – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show.
Super League Round 15 predictions
Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos – Thursday, 18th June @ 8:00 pm
Peter Smith: Warrington 20-26 Leeds
Home advantage probably makes Warrington slight favourites for what could be one of the games of the season, but Lachie Miller’s return from suspension is a boost for Leeds and there should be a defensive improvement from the leaky performance at Toulouse last week.
Sam Cook: Warrington 16-14 Leeds
There’s a reason why this is being billed as the game of the weekend, and it’s because it’s a genuine 50/50. I think Leeds generally have better individuals across the park, but Warrington’s defence is so strong and home advantage could be the deciding factor.
Sam Brocksom: Warrington 22-28 Leeds
As I said on the Serious About Rugby League Predictions Show, this game could be won by one man. Lachie Miller. The full-back returns from suspension and could be the gamebreaker on Thursday, though Leeds’ right edge defence does make me nervous about backing them.
Hull FC v Wakefield Trinity – Friday, 19th June @ 8:00 pm
PS: Hull FC 10-24 Wakefield
Hull got back to winning ways against Huddersfield last week, but Trinity are hurting from their heavy loss to Wigan and should be good enough to bounce back.
SC: Hull FC 14-22 Wakefield
Wakefield have been dealt some big injury blows of late but Hull FC are still without so many players and despite putting 36 past Huddersfield, their attack is not great at all. I don’t expect Wakefield to blitz the Black and Whites but I think they have enough.
SB: Hull FC 18-14 Wakefield
I’ve jumped on the Hull FC bandwagon and tipped a shock Black and Whites win on Friday. With Wakefield’s back-line problems, and a poor showing against Wigan last week, I think this could be a game, like against Wigan last year, that Hull FC just show up and win unexpectedly.
Hull KR v Leigh Leopards – Friday, 19th June @ 8:00 pm
PS: Hull KR 30-16 Leigh
Leigh are finding their form and breathing down the necks of the top-six, but the Robins don’t lose many at home and might have too much fire-power.
SC: Hull KR 18-20 Leigh
Whilst I thought home advantage was enough to see Warrington home against Leeds, I don’t think it will quite be enough for Hull KR as Leigh are a side on red-hot form. Adam Cook is clicking and more importantly he is kicking well as goals could matter in this tight game.
SB: Hull KR 14-22 Leigh
If Leigh are to win this week, it won’t be by many, and you’d expect it to be a low-scoring affair. KR are so dominant at home, but the Leopards have form on their side, plus they will want to make amends after that narrow defeat in the reverse fixture a few weeks ago.
York Knights v Wigan Warriors – Saturday, 20th June @ 3:00 pm
PS: York Knights 10-50 Wigan
York don’t roll over – especially on their own turf – and they gave Wigan a fright in the away fixture, but the Challenge Cup holders are playing so well there’s no chance of an upset this week.
SC: York 6-40 Wigan
York came incredibly close to beating Wigan at their own place but that was back in round five and York are no longer the surprise package, plus they’re without a host of key players. Even if Wigan rotate some of their stars, I still think they’re comfortable in this.
SB: York 6-42 Wigan
All due respect to York, but this is perhaps the most straightforward result of the weekend. Wigan by a considerable margin, despite the result of the reverse fixture back in March.
Catalans Dragons v Bradford Bulls – Saturday, 20th June @ 6:00 pm
PS: Catalans 26-18 Bradford
Bulls haven’t won away from home yet in Super League; Catalans aren’t playing particularly well, but the sweltering conditions should swing it in their favour.
SC: Catalans 24-30 Bradford
Bradford are yet to win away from home this season and the heat in France will be a factor yet I’m still taking the Bulls because they created so many chances against Leigh but simply failed to execute. Even if they’re slightly more clinical then they should and could be scoring 30 points here.
SB: Catalans 28-18 Bradford
An interesting tie in Perpignan, Catalans didn’t deal well with the heat last week against Castleford, which is something they’ll need to fix up. I’m backing them to do that against the Bulls, whose quest for an away win lives on.
Castleford Tigers v Toulouse Olympique – Saturday, 20th June @ 8:00 pm
PS: Castleford 28-18 Toulouse
Toulouse are capable of good rugby and have put in some strong performances away from home, but often a poor start leaves them with too much to do. Tigers are improving under Ryan Carr and the Krystian Mapapalangi/Jason Qareqare partnership on their left-edge might be the winning difference.
SC: Castleford 26-22 Toulouse
Castleford will want revenge from their game against Toulouse in round two, and this is a perfect opportunity for it – at home in front of a strong crowd. If the Olympians can string together an 80-minute performance, then they’ll win, but I think Cas should have enough.
SB: Castleford 18-22 Toulouse
This game has gone under the radar this week, and I expect it to be quite close until the end. If Toulouse can pull an 80-minute performance together, they should be able to secure home and away wins over Castleford this year.
St Helens v Huddersfield Giants – Sunday, 21st June @ 3:00 pm
PS: St Helens 24-10 Huddersfield
Saints are struggling for form and points, but not as much as woeful Giants.
SC: St Helens 30-18 Huddersfield
If Saints were still in the form from earlier this year then this could be a cricket score, but their attack is faltering badly at the moment, scoring less than 12 points per game in their last five matches though they did put 26 past Huddersfield, who are in dire straits.
SB: St Helens 24-10 Huddersfield
Saints can’t lose this one, can they?
1st: Sam Cook – 83
2nd: Peter Smith – 82
3rd: Sam Brocksom – 79
