Hull KR have the toughest run in of the top three sides in Super League as the race for the League Leaders Shield enters the final 10 games of the season. A victory for Leeds Rhinos at Craven Park on Sunday denied the Robins a chance to open up a six point lead at the summit, with a far greater points difference for Rovers only underlining their position as favourites to claim the league shield.
A rare defeat, only the club’s second of the season, came after Wigan Warriors saw their chance to cut the gap on the leaders ended by Leigh Leopards, who for the second time this campaign claimed a victory in the Battle of the Borough contest. It means Rovers sit four points clear of last season’s treble winners and six ahead of Leeds.
The events of the weekend in round 17 have acted as a timely reminder there is still a long way to go in the race for the top two to secure a home berth in the play-offs, as well as the fight for the League Leaders Shield. Looking at the 10 remaining games, it is Wigan who on paper have the easiest run in.
Matt Peet’s team have seven of their final 10 games to play at home, compared to just four for Rovers and only three for the Rhinos. Of those home games Wigan will take on Rovers and Leeds, with St Helens the only away game for Wigan against a team in the top seven.
Meanwhile, Rovers have away games to play against every team in the top six, with the exception of St Helens, who they face at home and have on average, the toughest run-in of all three sides. That Saints game comes in a four game run that starts with Wigan away, then Leeds away, followed by Saints at home and finishes with a Hull derby game at home.
By the fact Willie Peters’ team have only been beaten by Wigan and Leeds inside the last 12 months, the club are in a strong position and with a four-point advantage, will remain favourites to reach a second successive Grand Final, but the path ahead shows it won’t be straight forward.
1st: Hull KR
Leigh Leopards (4) away
Catalans Dragons (9) away
Salford Red Devils (12) away
Castleford Tigers (10) home
Wigan Warriors (2) away
Leeds Rhinos (3) away
St Helens (5) home
Hull FC (7) home
Wakefield Trinity (6) away
Warrington Wolves (8) home
Opposition average league place: 6.6
4 home games, 6 away games
2nd: Wigan Warriors
Huddersfield Giants (11) home
Hull FC (7) home
Catalans Dragons (9) home
Warrington Wolves (8) away
Hull KR (1) home
Wakefield Trinity (6) home
Catalans Dragons (9) away
St Helens (5) away
Castleford Tigers (10) home
Leeds Rhinos (3) home
Opposition average league place: 6.9
7 home games, 3 away games
3rd Leeds Rhinos
St Helens (5) away
Salford Red Devils (12) home
Wakefield Trinity (6) away
Leigh Leopards (4) away
Castleford Tigers (10) away
Hull KR (1) home
Hull FC (7) away
Huddersfield Giants (11) away
Catalans Dragons (9) home
Wigan Warriors (3) away
Opposition average league place: 6.8
3 home games, 7 away games