Super League 
/ Stuart Jones / 10 March 2011 / Leave a Comment Can Warrington pick up a big win this weekend?
"Warrington are still perennial underachievers but there are signs that they are much closer to the finished article this season."
Warrington are on a roll, so does Stuart Jones believe they can cover the handicap against struggling Wakefield? Meanwhile, who will win the battle between the Cats and the Tigers?
Harlequins look like finally justifying their franchise in Super League, putting up another spirited performance against Huddersfield last Friday, but the same can't really be said of Wakefield.
John Kear's men were brushed aside by a fairly average Bradford side last week and for the most part it was like watching men against boys, literally in a couple of instances. The Wildcats side that took to the field at Odsal was a National League One side masquerading as a Super League team. Even acknowledging the fact that they were missing Ben Jefferies and Paul King, the signs for Wakefield are not at all good on the playing side, whilst their off-field position must mean their place in Super League is seriously under threat.
Winning the Challenge Cup last season hasn't detracted from the fact that Warrington are still perennial underachievers, certainly in my eyes anyway, but there are signs that they are much closer to the finished article this season.
Tony Smith's men absolutely battered Leeds last week and that was in spite of the fact that talisman Adrian Morley limped off early in the first half. Granted, Leeds were not anywhere near their best, but these are the types of games that Wire were conspiring to lose in previous seasons, and they never looked in any danger once they had scored three tries inside eight first-half minutes.
One man's misfortune is another man's gain, and young centre Rhys Evans, who was called up as a late replacement for Ryan Atkins, made the most of an unexpected opportunity with an accomplished performance on his full Warrington debut. There's been plenty of hype surrounding the young "Welshman", and it wasn't difficult to see why, some strong tackling and intelligent running earning him a deserved Man of the Match award.
I can't see how Wakefield can compete with Warrington, and I don't expect even a 20.5 point start to be enough, with Wires' tendency to start strongly and the way they conceded some late scores to Leeds suggests that the half-time handicap of -10.5 is another way to keep Wire on side.
Saturday's live game is an interesting mix of styles as Castleford host French side the Catalan Dragons. Castleford have the only 100% record in Super League, winning three from three and holding top spot, while the Catalans have recovered somewhat from an appalling start to the season but still find themselves near the bottom.
The Tigers will be worried about the Cats' forward power and with Scott Dureau settling in as playmaker they are a massive danger through the middle of the park. Castleford will be looking to spread the play and wear down the big French pack, utilising their quicker backline and the creative talents of maestro Rangi Chase.
Catalans are a side I would much rather back as underdogs, as they have the ability to compete with anyone at their best, so whilst an eight point start on the handicap makes appeal, their tendency to throw in the odd howler makes their outright price of [4.5] more appealing.
Recommended bets:
Back Warrington conceding -10.5 on the ht handicap and -20.5 on the ft handicap, both @ [1.91].
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