It doesn’t take much to serve up a cracker between the Bulls and Leeds Rhinos.
Just putting the two teams on the same pitch generally guarantees drama and fireworks.
However, the ingredients going into Friday’s top-three encounter means everything is set for one of the most captivating meetings yet.
It is the first time the rivals have faced each other since those remarkable events at Millennium Magic and that will undoubtedly underpin much of the pre-match build-up.
Having been at the post-match press conference that night, I have to admit the immediate fall-out was as spectacular as I’ve ever seen as a seething Steve McNamara vented his fury.
But the anger he was expressing was so tangible to everyone there – even the Leeds contingent – because the refereeing decisions that were made were just so wrong and ultimately so costly.
Everyone knows what happened afterwards during a turbulent week in the corridors of power but Friday is the first opportunity for the players to set the record straight in the only realistic arena possible – on the pitch.
When rebuffing the Bulls’ request for those two points to be returned, Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington, never one to miss a marketing trick, replied: “The Bulls will have another chance for two points on June 29 when the two teams meet at Carnegie Headingley.”
It wouldn’t have been surprising if Hetherington had added a ticket hotline number as well.
They don’t need it but if the Bulls wanted any more motivation, McNamara could do well to pin those words up in the changing room this week.
The Rhinos publicity machine is certainly going into hyperdrive and the ‘Sold Out’ signs will no doubt be up by Friday.
Hetherington has even bit his tongue and gone public on his admiration of Lesley Vainikolo to whip up sales.
“He is one of the true greats of the summer era and someone whose contribution to the game of rugby league should be celebrated,” he said, ring 08700…
The game also sees Vainikolo play his final match for the Bulls, which in itself brings a fascinating sideshow to this mother of all derbies.
Expect him to go out with a bang. The Bulls have lost the last two games against their arch-rivals by just one last-ditch score and they suffered the same fate the last time they played at Headingley in July last year.
Both sides will be refreshed and primed for action after a rare week off. We’ll see Great Britain boss Tony Smith pitted against the man – McNamara – who was his deputy at Headingley for last night’s Test match, it is being beamed out live on Sky TV and everything is set for another humdinger.
There will also certainly be some eager eyes switching to the RFL’s website on Tuesday when the officials for next weekend’s games are named and listed.
What price Messrs Klein and Ganson to be involved in some capacity? Now that would be just too spicy for safety.