IT was a tremendous victory last week against Leeds in the Play-Offs. It was a very hard game but one that we had control of right from the start and we were deserved winners. A lot has been said about the style of football that we played but we didn't prepare any differently. It was just that everything came off for us and when that happens the confidence just flows. Matt and the rest of the coaching staff were very pleased with the way we executed the game plan and we will be hoping to do a similar job at Wigan Warriors.

We had a bit of a shock last week when Matt announced he was leaving to take up a job in Australia. It has been obvious for a while that he was looking for a job back home and, after all, he has been here five years and he is an Australian. I am sure that he will do a really good job for them, as he has here and everyone wishes him the best of luck. I have already put my application in to be his successor. I would like Brian Noble as my number two. I kept him out of the Millennium Masters Team and I would like to think I have more ability as a number one coach. We'll have to see what happens.

There as obviously been a lot of talk about giving Mattie a big send off by winning the Grand Final. Well let me tell you we will be just as focused on winning it for ourselves. It would be a great way for us all to bow out at the end of the season. Before we can think of that though we have to play Wigan and that will be a tough game. We have played at the JJB Stadium twice already this season and we should have won both of those games but didn't win either and we will have to be on the top of our game. Our confidence is high but so will Wigan's. They will take into the game the fact that they won't play as a badly as they did against Saints. They will have sorted themselves out this week and they will be desperate to win but so will we.

An old mate of mine was back in town this week Harvey Howard. Harvey is over for the World Cup and came to see the game against Leeds. We had a good chat over a few beers after the game and I can tell you that he is not best pleased with Nigel Askham, of the T & A for an article he wrote in the programme. He suggested that Harvey shouldn't be in the GB set up and that Brian McDermott should. Well my opinion is that both should be in. There is no one who thinks that Brian should be in the side more than me but you can't deny Harvey's credentials. He has forced himself into the best side in the world and he has a Grand Final winners ring to show everyone. He is in on merit. Watch out Mr Askham, Big Harvey is after you.

I was at Elland Road last week to see that tremendous 6-0 victory over that Turkish side. I won 't try and pronounce their name and I have no idea how to spell it but they got well and truly walloped. It was a magic performance and it has put them on top of the group and in with a great chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. I couldn't make the game against Tottenham and that 'Traitor' George Graham. I had the small matter of the Rhinos game to play but it was another good win for Leeds United. Mr Graham left because he felt the club could not progress any further but David O'Leary has shown him that they are much further forward than Spurs. Great result.

It's all on again on Saturday at the JJB. It's knockout football with the winner taking all and the loser going out. We will be well up for it and I'll let you know my thoughts next week.