Friday will see Leeds Rhinos and St Helens meet for the second time in a week. It's a classic quirk that comes from cup competition and it poses an odd challenge for coaches and players.
After a fascinating battle last Friday, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens meet up again for a rematch that promises to deliver so much after last week's contest. It was Saints who ran out winners at Headingley last week, winning 18-8, but that only tells half the tale.
It was a game in which both teams actually showed the rest of competition how to hurt the other. Leeds were regularly winning rucks in the first half as they played a style of rugby in which they played direct but moved the ball well. Their passing execution was excellent, with short, flat passes allowing their strong ball runners to carry hard. Saints defenders were being forced to make late movements to complete tackles and they were unable to slow the ruck down.
Why? Because St Helens changed their approach to defending in transition, and did so to wonderful effect. Paul Wellens' side, renowned for their high-octane, aggressive line speed, slowed down. It started with their kick chase. After the break, Saints prioritised defending in a line rather than having regular suspects chase hard and put pressure on.
By containing Miller's carry, it then made it easier for Saints to control the tempo of the following plays. As a result of that, it made it harder for Leeds to play the style of rugby that worked so well in the first half as there was less time and space to play into. They got pulled into a battle down the middle, and that doesn't normally end well for anyone against St Helens.
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