Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 2:15 am  

Travis Burns invariably infuriates opposition fans. I can understand this because he's a fiery competitor who's not afraid to resort to the odd bit of gamesmanship.

He's still settling in at Saints and so hasn't quite yet found his form. But one thing I've been impressed with all season - and this is something he rarely gets credit for is his sheer toughness.

I'm sure there will be the usual crop who think he deserves everything he gets - but that bloke has been belted black and blue this season. I really am struggling to think of anyone in a Saints shirt who has taken as many genuinely bad cheap shots to the face in one campaign.

It would be the easiest thing in the world for Burns to have cried off from any number of them. Against Hull KR he played on for sixty five minutes with serious facial damage and never once took a backward step.

Whether he's the player he was two years ago I don't know. But I'm sure most rational fans will agree that there are few more committed and determined players in SL. Like James Roby you'd practically need to kill him to get him off the pitch.

All teams with championship aspirations need players of his ilk. And no - Rugby League is far from "soft".

Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 7:07 am  

Mugwump wrote:

Travis Burns invariably infuriates opposition fans. I can understand this because he's a fiery competitor who's not afraid to resort to the odd bit of gamesmanship.

He's still settling in at Saints and so hasn't quite yet found his form. But one thing I've been impressed with all season - and this is something he rarely gets credit for is his sheer toughness.

I'm sure there will be the usual crop who think he deserves everything he gets - but that bloke has been belted black and blue this season. I really am struggling to think of anyone in a Saints shirt who has taken as many genuinely bad cheap shots to the face in one campaign.

It would be the easiest thing in the world for Burns to have cried off from any number of them. Against Hull KR he played on for sixty five minutes with serious facial damage and never once took a backward step.

Whether he's the player he was two years ago I don't know. But I'm sure most rational fans will agree that there are few more committed and determined players in SL. Like James Roby you'd practically need to kill him to get him off the pitch.

All teams with championship aspirations need players of his ilk. And no - Rugby League is far from "soft".

He's certainly tough but I doubt he gets any more back than he dishes out. Plus he whines like a 5 year old girl and actually isn't a very good half back

Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 7:53 am  

gary numan wrote:

Why wasn't oloughlin sent off, thought head highs got sent off this seaon

The old Roidhead is afforded more leniency than any other Superleague player, the likes of Silverwood are weak, weak people. Anyway, now the arthritis has kicked in, Mr Roidhead is becoming a liability with his overdeveloped body and shuffling movement.

Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:17 am  

Jake the Peg wrote:

He's certainly tough but I doubt he gets any more back than he dishes out. Plus he whines like a 5 year old girl and actually isn't a very good half back

Well, he's certainly not smashed anyone's eye socket in this season. As for not being a good half - he wasn't too shabby sending his side top of the league last night.

Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:27 am  

Legal tackle but with intent to hurt the player. Wasn't much need in it trying to take him out of the game but it didn't work.

I was more concerned for Wilkin who got penalised for not moving away with a potential head injury.

But it's a tough sport and they all know what it's about!

Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:37 am  

P-J wrote:

What's that, good, hard defence?

Nothing wrong with it.

There was nothing good about it. The ball carriers was halted, the ball was wrapped up so not off load could have occurred, there were already 2 defenders in attendance, there was simply no need for The third man to attack the ribs of a prone player. It's a deliberate attempt to injure a player.

I'd say there is everything wrong with it.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:44 am  

Magic Superbeetle wrote:

Sarginsons tackle in the air on Percival was a pretty bad one too, and just as dangerous ... 4 separate incidents in a single game doesnt reflect well on Wigan - and their fans wonder why they have a rep for it!

Didn't think too much of the burns tackle. Yes, it was a pretty grub move, and probably just the natural wigan progression now canonballs are clamped down on, but perfectly legal as far as Im aware

The tackle in the air was a real bad one, that deserved a sin bin at the very least,that was cynical and really could have caused a major injury had he fell awkwardly, this is different from grabbing or tackling someone in the air.

Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:45 am  

Jake the Peg wrote:

He's certainly tough but I doubt he gets any more back than he dishes out. Plus he whines like a 5 year old girl and actually isn't a very good half back

I would say he receives more head tackles than any other half back in super league, it appears his reputation is being accounted for and hence does not get protection from officials when those debatable tackles go in.

Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:56 am  

Magic Superbeetle wrote:

Sarginsons tackle in the air on Percival was a pretty bad one too, and just as dangerous ... 4 separate incidents in a single game doesnt reflect well on Wigan - and their fans wonder why they have a rep for it!

There were more than 4. Joel Tomkins sticking the knee in to a Saints player's head (can't remember who it was now) was also pretty grubby.

Re: Is Rugby league becoming soft? : Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:03 am  

Upshot is that it would be a disaster for RL in this country if ever Wane got anywhere near the international coach's job.

A tackle is where you get hold off an opponent with the ball to stop his movement. Burns was already halted and ref should have called held. Responsibility lies with Sarginson to realise progress had been halted. His action should have been deemed 'dangerous play' and penalised.