Why name of Hull FC or Catalans Dragons on Super League’s Grand Final trophy would be refreshing change – Peter Smith

There has never been a season like this one, but the Super League regular season and Coral Challenge Cup were both played to a conclusion, though in truncated form and the play-offs are so far going according to plan, after two compelling fixtures last weekend.

The most consistent sides this year, Wigan Warriors and St Helens, are favourites to contest the decider at Hull’s KCOM Stadium on Friday, November 27, but this year has been a tale of the unexpected and in a way it would be fitting if Hull and Catalans Dragons could upset the odds and go all the way.

There has not been a new name on the Super League trophy since Leeds Rhinos won it for the first time, 16 years ago, so fresh winners are long overdue. A couple of weeks ago it seemed neither Hull nor Catalans would feature in the play-offs.

Under the top-four system, adopted when Super League returned from the coronavirus shutdown, Hull were out of contention in sixth place. Though Catalans were fourth, they were in danger of not playing the 15 regular season games needed to qualify. The switch to top-six was perceived as giving Rhinos a lifeline, but they would probably have taken the final spot after completing 17 league fixtures, so Catalans and Hull were the teams to benefit.

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Super League seemed to be on safe ground when KCOM Stadium was announced as the Grand Final venue and even after Hull were included in the expanded series, it seemed unlikely they could get past third-placed Warrington Wolves. But, yet again, Warrington’s expensively-assembled squad came unstuck when it mattered most and the Black and Whites were deserved winners.

They will have their hands full at Wigan tomorrow, but if they get their game together on the night, as they did last Thursday, they are capable of springing a surprise. If Super League knew last month what they know now, they would probably have selected Emerald Headingley for the trophy decider. So will it damage the integrity of the competition if Hull get to play in a Grand Final on their own turf? Not really.

Rhinos prospect Muizz Mustapha signs new deal - but joins Hull KR on season-long loan – read more HERE

It’s not ideal, but without a crowd there isn’t much home advantage. As the lowest-ranked team, they should be in the away changing rooms and if neither team is allowed to train on the pitch ahead of the game – or both are – it won’t be much of an issue. That said, competition bosses will breathe at least a small sigh of relief if Wigan win the semi-final.

Catalans victories on Friday and seven days later would be good for the game, to an extent. They are 80 minutes away from becoming the eighth club to contest a Super League decider and it will be a boost for rugby league in France if they lift the trophy. But they played only 13 games in the regular season, four fewer than the other play-offs teams and didn’t cover themselves in glory with the manner of their win over Rhinos last week.

They deserved to win, but two players being charged with serious diswciplinary offences – in separate incidents left a sour taste.

It also reflected badly on referee Chris Kendall and his video assistant, Robert Hicks, who didn’t think either incident was worthy of punishment at the time. Hicks is not in action this week as either a referee or video official, but Kendall will take charge of the Wigan versus Hull semi-final.

There have been other long bans this year for incidents which escaped notice at the time, with Castleford Tigers being the opposing team on more than one occasion.

Nobody wants to see games ruined by a sending-off, but action after the event has no benefit to the team on the receiving end of foul play. Leeds were 18-10 behind at the time of both incidents and against 12 men for 28 minutes and 11 for 25, which they should have been, they might have won.

Including the next return fixture in any ban – so, for example, Michael McIlorum and Joel Tomkins would not be allowed to play the next time their team faces Rhinos – would redress the balance somewhat.

But clearly, the best solution is for referees to get it right on the day.

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