Saturday 14 February 2015 16:44, UK
The boys are back and ready to tear into each other once more as they go head-to-head with their Super League predictions.
On the pitch Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor liked nothing better than tearing into the opposition.
They may have hung up their boots but that competitive streak still runs strong and we have found a way to channel their energies...
Last year McDermott pipped O'Connor to the post, and although Terry demanded a recount, he finally conceded that Barrie was the rightful winner.
Each week they will give their predictions for the Super League games; they will score one point for a win and if they both pick the winner, then the pundit with the closest score gets an extra point.
Let battle commence!
Current standings
BARRIE - 5
TERRY - 5
Terry says: I thought Salford were quite impressive last week against Warrington – even though they were beaten, I still think that they looked quite good. To me they look like a side who are a lot more composed than they were last year. They have some strength in depth and one thing that does trike you is that they are one heck of a tough side and I would not want to be in an opponent’s shirt if it ever kicked off! Against Warrington, Salford made plenty of breaks but they did not finish those off and they will need to work on that. They certainly have the skill and having Kevin Locke in the side will be a huge boost for them. They are up against a very good side in St Helens though, when they attack it is like a tidal wave as these big red V’s come at you time and time again.
Prediction: I am going to go for Saints to win by 12 points.
Barrie says: This looks like a cracking game and I think the Salford fans may well have taken some real positives from last week. Even though they went down 22-8 at Warrington they were not disgraced and Iestyn Harris can build on the chances they created. If they can convert those chance into points, then they will really progress this year. Ben Jones-Bishop looks to have fitted right in with two tries last week.
St Helens were steady without being spectacular against Catalan. There was the usual performance from James Roby who never seems to have a bad game while Jordan Turner and Alex Wharmsley were also good but a few of the Saints players are not quite there yet. They will need to be this week because Saints know that they will face a potentially lethal attack in front from Salford.
Prediction: I'm going for Salford to win by eight!
Result: Salford 6-52 St Helens - Terry takes the point.
Terry says: There is a lot of pressure on Wigan in this game and that pressure could get worse if Michael McIlorum misses this game. They are already without Matty Smith who picks up that one-game ban for kicking Widnes player Rhys Hanbury, and that means a lot is expected of young George Williams. Sean O’Loughlin will really need to take control of this game – Wigan did not play last week and should have beaten 12-man Widnes. The Warriors are up against a side who were nilled at home – that has got to hurt. The Giants players will want to put that right this week and I think will come out all guns blazing. Their forwards are really going to have to match the Wigan forwards, especially in the first 30 minutes because Wigan are going to want to send out a message.
Prediction: Wigan to win by 16 points.
Barrie says: Teams always raise their game when they play Wigan and we saw that last week when Widnes stepped up with 12 men. I think Huddersfield will raise the bar even further, especially after their disappointing loss to Hull FC. Both teams will want to get back to winning ways. The half-back conundrum for Wigan is a bit of a funny one. Do they go for a more running style of play and opt for someone like Sam Powell or does he go for a tough half-back – and the sort of role that Sean O’Loughlin has played in recent years? I think that will have a big bearing on this game but still think that Wigan will have a bit more in the tank.
Prediction: Wigan by eight points.
Terry says: Let’s hope that we finally get to see Scott Dureau and Todd Carney in action for Catalans – they certainly do need them. To not have two keys players for the first game certainly put a lot of pressure on the Dragons, especially as they would have done most of their pre-season training with these two.
Catalans showed in their defeat to St Helens that they do get frustrated when things don’t go their way; they cannot afford to do that and have to play with clear heads. They lacked direction and also missed a lot of tackles which they cannot afford to do.
Castleford lost at home and will not relish going to the south of France where Catalans are a different side. Wakefield really did a number on Cas last week – they can play some wonderful football but they just need to ride out the tough times. This could be one of those tough times as Catalans are going to throw everything at them!
Prediction: I am expecting a great contest and think Catalans will win by 18 points.
Barrie says: Castleford will be disappointed in their defence in last week’s loss to Wakefield – it was a great game to watch and both sides threw the ball around! Powell spoke about the attitude of his players and said that they were in the right place to win the game but did not have the right mentality and Wakefield got the spoils.
Catalans were a bit blunt – they obviously did not have their two half-backs and that really showed in their lack of creativity. With Dureau and Carney coming back, that could really spell disaster for Castleford. Catalans are notoriously difficult to break down at home and I think Castleford will be really up against it.
Prediction: Catalans to win by six points.
Hull v Warrington
Terry: Warr by 8
Barrie: Warr by 12
Leeds v Widnes
Terry: Leeds by 10
Barrie: Leeds by 6
Wakefield v Hull KR
Terry: Hull KR by 14
Barrie: Hull KR by 10
