With upcoming games set to be pivotal in the race for the top two, Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity face very different tests over the next few weeks.
The pair sit second and fifth respectively in the league, but just four points separate the two, who both have ambitions of finishing in the spots that guarantee a home semi-final.
Their next set of games will provide further clarity on whether they are good enough to make the top two, or if they will have to settle for a place lower down in the play-off spots.
Both’s next few games are important, but they face very different levels of opposition. In their next six, Warrington take on teams in last year’s play-offs five times, with their sixth game being against Catalans, who beat them earlier this season.
Leeds are first up, before two games against Leigh and ties with Wigan and Hull KR will prove whether they can put a good run of form together against some of the competition’s best.
Wakefield, meanwhile, barring a game against the Robins, have significantly easier fixtures, on paper at least, with them taking on Hull FC, Huddersfield, Bradford and Castleford twice in their next six.
Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin believes that the ties between now and round 20 are pivotal for both teams, with both needing to win the vast majority of their ties to remain in top two contention.
Speaking on Thursday’s coverage of St Helens v Warrington, Wilkin agreed that the Wolves had improved on last season, but their position in the table at present means nothing if they can’t maintain that form against the top sides.
“I think the next two months will define [if they have improved], won’t they? If you look, they’ve only played five of the top six sides, and they’ve got some tough fixtures coming up.
“I think the acid test is how they survive this period. I think June and July have got to be kind to Sam Burgess and Warrington for them to stand a chance of being there at the top of the table.
“…You can say one thing, when you look at these fixtures, Warrington are going to be difficult to break down. The different question is whether they’ve got enough quality to win those games.”
Co-pundit Paul Sculthorpe, who played for both St Helens and Warrington in his career, was asked: if they emerge from that run of games in the top four, does the expectations of Wire change? He replied: “I think so, certainly after them fixtures.
“What I’ve liked about Warrington this year is their steely defence, and I think they made a statement of that in the opening round against Saints.
“I saw a Warrington that I’ve not seen for a long time. Defence has certainly won them games this year.”
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Wakefield Trinity target set as pundits assess top two hopes
Moving on to Wakefield, who were thumped 48-10 by Wigan on Friday night, their easier run of games must be taken with full seriousness, and they cannot afford any slip-ups against teams they are expected to beat.
Presenter Brian Carney said post-match: “If they are serious about a charge for the top two finish, they’ll need to pick up five wins [of their next seven].”
Wilkin responded:Â “If that’s the next seven games, and they’ve got five of them that are winnable, what does the next five games after that look like?
“They have to make hay. They’ve missed an opportunity here, but again Wigan were flawless. The Hull KR game now carries a bit more weight.
“If they can get through, and I’ll revise my target, they need to win five out of the next six.”
