Dallaglio's Boys giving 110%? Not Sure.....

Action from Sept...
By apb on 14/04/2004
April 14 2004

On the face of it, its a foregone conclusion. Leeds are languishing in tenth place in the ZP, and are playing only for the glimmer of hope that a potential wildcard spot offers for Heineken Cup qualification next year.

Wasps are the reigning champions, and are one win away from securing a guaranteed top three finish, and a crack at a game or two to be named Champions again. And after the pasting of Gloucester in the Heineken Cup last week, confidence will be high not just for ZP honours, but perhaps to go all the way and be crowned champions of Europe.

So, no chance for Leeds, and a five point haul for Wasps is the prediction then?

Ermmm, not necessarily. Take this assessment, double it, and add the number you first thought of, and thats the same kind of prediction that was raised for Wasps v Pertemp Bees in the Powergen Cup quarter final, and we all know what happened there, don't we?!

True, Wasps "rested" many of their top-line players, but the fact of the matter was that they expected simply to turn up in order to take the honours, and while it is undoubtedly true that there is a difference between National 1 Rugby and the Zippee, perhaps Pertemps taught us that this isn't quite as big a gulf as was first thought.

That being said, Wasps will offer a stern test for the boys in blue on Sunday. Although they (Wasps) have doubts over a couple of players - notably waiting on a brain scan for Lawrence Dallaglio (he might not be able to give 110% this week!) - they will be fielding a strong side, and will want to box off their challenge in the Zippee this weekend, giving them a chance to contemplate playing Munster for a Heineken Cup final place.

That contemplation, however, could possibly be their downfall. They would be the last to admit it, but against the Bees they were clearly looking past the match at the subsequent semi-final game, and as a result, failed spectacularly to get there. If they are in this frame of mind against Leeds, then they will also have a fairly torrid time of it.

And as far as the Leeds team is concerned, there is good news. Phil Christophers has recovered from his twisted ankle and will be available for selection, and Mike Shelley - although not fit for Sunday - looks likely to be available for the subsequent games this season, so the lads on the pitch will have something to fight for.

Given that these next three games will be the only chance that Leeds have of making the main European competition next season, they will be fired up, raring to go, and gunning for the faux-London boys.


So, the long and the short of it is, that for Sunday's game, I honestly think Leeds have a decent chance of pulling it off. They will have to be fired up, and concentrate on their game plan throughout the eighty-plus minutes, and there's no doubt that Wasps will have to have a bad day, but with the wind behind us, and a bit of good fortune, Leeds can do it.

My Prediction: A high scoring game, with the winner - whoever it is - edging clear by three points.