We can dress it up all we like with talk of anniversaries and public image, but for me this kind of decision undermines the competition, and, to an extent, the SL as well. There should be very clear criteria for qualification in place before the start of the SL season. The sensible thing, as far as I'm concerned, is for the highest remaining finisher to take the third spot, since that's the fairest way of deciding. If everyone knows that from the start, then there's an extra dimension to those late super-8 games; beating Warrington at home at the end of the 8s would have been essential in order for us to secure a place in the world club series. If the RFL wants every minute to matter then why not have that as an extra, tangible thing to play for?

Huddersfield would no doubt have drawn a smaller crowd than us, but these are precisely the kind of games they need to both raise their profile and get more experience of high-intensity games. I look forward to seeing Saints take on the Roosters, but it should have gone automatically to Huddersfield as far as I'm concerned.

Not sure what the fuss is. You are the best performing team after Wigan and Leeds- 2 semi finals, both very competitive. Huddersfield one semi final and choked.

I'm with some of you, I'd rather us not be in it. A nothing game that will probably prove to be a bigger distraction than it's worth.

so basically, it'd look like quite a lot of games in them big empty stadiums, in Sydney?

Precisely. Apart from the Grand Final in Sydney, their big stadiums look very sply populated but it doesn`t seem to bother the Aussies. The Aussies would stick to the protocol set out to start with and not move the goalposts at the seasons end to make things look better on TV.

Precisely. Apart from the Grand Final in Sydney, their big stadiums look very sply populated but it doesn`t seem to bother the Aussies. The Aussies would stick to the protocol set out to start with and not move the goalposts at the seasons end to make things look better on TV.

Quote ="The Reaper"I'm with some of you, I'd rather us not be in it. A nothing game that will probably prove to be a bigger distraction than it's worth.'" Maybe Saints need the money. www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwes ... tion=10968

Quote ="The Reaper"I'm with some of you, I'd rather us not be in it. A nothing game that will probably prove to be a bigger distraction than it's worth.'" Maybe Saints need the money. www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwes ... tion=10968

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"Maybe Saints need the money. www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwes ... tion=10968'" Of course we do. It would be ridiculous to pass up the opportunity to make money, it's a business at the end of the day. Wigan's landlords no doubt also said the same about your game in the same comp. The financial losses reported there don't seem to tie in with what people on here have said and what McManus has said. Disappointing that the club is still losing money if true.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"Maybe Saints need the money. www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwes ... tion=10968'" Of course we do. It would be ridiculous to pass up the opportunity to make money, it's a business at the end of the day. Wigan's landlords no doubt also said the same about your game in the same comp. The financial losses reported there don't seem to tie in with what people on here have said and what McManus has said. Disappointing that the club is still losing money if true.

The fuss is that Huddersfield never got off the bus against Wigan (uncharacteristic). St.Helens had the easier semi-final as Leeds were very fortunate the week before against Huddersfield, and Huddersfield would have rather played Leeds again instead of Wigan.
You said that Saints got to the Challenge cup S/F but they only played York and Widnes. Hardly very taxing games, whereas the league table shows consistency throughout the season and Huddersfield were 3rd.
Having said all that and justified that Huddersfield should play the Roosters. I wish Saints all the best against them, but having watched the Roosters all season I don`t think a combined Saints / Giants side would get anywhere near them.

You're right mate. An away game against the league leaders shield and challenge cup winners in their backyard was well easier than playing Wigan, a team we've turned over 2 out of 3 games this season.

The 'easier' semi final was the one involving Huddersfield, as was evident in the final scoreline this year and previous years. Hudds are undoubtably a tough, well organised, respected team but are play off bottlers.

There aren't many Saints fans that would have argued with Huddersfield getting the game and quite a few have questioned the validity of us getting it. It's not us that makes the decision though unfortunately.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"Maybe Saints need the money. www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwes ... tion=10968'" Probably a good job your lot are in it, too. www.insidermedia.com/insider/nor ... ws_tracker

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"Maybe Saints need the money. www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwes ... tion=10968'" Probably a good job your lot are in it, too. www.insidermedia.com/insider/nor ... ws_tracker