 Kevin Sinfield celebrates Leeds' third straight Grand Final win a year ago |
The 2010 Super League play-offs started on Friday night with St Helens' 28-12 win over Challenge Cup winners Warrington as they set their sights on another Grand Final appearance at Old Trafford on 2 October. Saturday's elimination play-offs saw Huddersfield edge past surprise packet Crusaders while Hull KR defeated city rivals Hull FC at the KC Stadium. Wigan then play Leeds on Sunday as they look to join Saints in the qualifying semi-finals in a fortnight's time, while the qualifying play-off losers will play the winners of the elimination play-offs next weekend. BBC 5 live sports extra have commentary on Sunday's Wigan-Leeds game (from 1840 BST) when Wakefield coach John Kear will join commentators Stuart Pyke and Dave Woods BST at the DW Stadium. Here, Kear gives his verdict on the game and who he thinks will emulate Saints, Huddersfield and Hull KR as winners in the first week of the play-offs. WIGAN v LEEDS (SUNDAY, 1845 BST) Wigan have been the most consistent team by far this season and that showed by fact that they were four points clear of second-placed St Helens at the end of the Super League regular season.  Pat Richards has been Wigan's top points scorer this season |
I think they will get to the Grand Final based on their defensive consistency and their offensive execution. That makes them favourites to win here. Wigan have been relatively injury-free all season and, with the emergence of some talented youngsters, it is all coming together at a good time. Leeds showed plenty of spirit last week to beat Hull and secure fourth place but they are missing the grunt up front from the likes of Jamie Peacock, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Luke Burgess, who are all out injured. But, with the team who loses having another chance next week, a loss is not as critical. John Kear was speaking to BBC Sport's Elizabeth Hudson.
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