Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Aug 07, 2023 9:50 am  

Just watched Salfords first try back and there's a clear obstruction with a decoy runner. I didn't notice it at the game yesterday but if that game is on TV, that try gets disallowed in my opinion.

Rowley can moan all he wants but refs decisions go both ways. He needs to look at his full strength team being 15-2 up at HT against a team missing 9 players and they didn't score a point in the second half. He's deflecting attention from him and his players.

In relation to Sironen, he only played 20 mins then went off. He seemed to be walking okay at the end and there was no ice on his hamstring so hopefully he will be ok. Matautuia will be back on Sunday and there is a chance Batchelor and LMS will be too. There is also a slight chance of Wingfield being back for the play offs which adds some depth

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Tue Aug 08, 2023 10:17 am  

Zig wrote:

We need far more than two young props for England to be successful, Australia are producing them by the bucket load. We have got to encourage more juniors into the game and cut back on the non-federation numbers.

The juniors are there. Its the pathways that are lacking. Saints and Wigan both have the blueprint in how to introduce youngsters into super league.

Other teams find a gem and then just put them straight into SL, playing as many games as possible leading to burnout, injuries, lack of confidence and disillusionment

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Wed Aug 09, 2023 5:39 pm  

TheWarringtonWolve69 wrote:

The juniors are there. Its the pathways that are lacking. Saints and Wigan both have the blueprint in how to introduce youngsters into super league.

Other teams find a gem and then just put them straight into SL, playing as many games as possible leading to burnout, injuries, lack of confidence and disillusionment

Nowhere near enough juniors coming through. Less and less schools are playing RL. Yes, Wigan and Saints do contribute more than their fair share but we need more clubs doing so and more RL played at school - both primary and secondary.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Thu Aug 10, 2023 9:31 pm  

Good to see young Delaney extending his contract with Saints. Let’s hope they don’t overplay him and that he starts to pick up injuries.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Aug 13, 2023 8:36 pm  

I have to say I think St Helens have shown why they're champions in recent weeks. To respond to two big defeats and two big injuries by grinding out three wins against tricky opponents is impressive. Was hoping/expecting they'd drop some points from the last two which would maybe open the door for us for 2nd place. As it is they'd have to be decent favourites for it now when you compare the two fixture lists.

Every chance it could come down to a Wigan/Saints semi final and home advantage would definitely be crucial in that one.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Aug 13, 2023 9:13 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

I have to say I think St Helens have shown why they're champions in recent weeks. To respond to two big defeats and two big injuries by grinding out three wins against tricky opponents is impressive. Was hoping/expecting they'd drop some points from the last two which would maybe open the door for us for 2nd place. As it is they'd have to be decent favourites for it now when you compare the two fixture lists.

Every chance it could come down to a Wigan/Saints semi final and home advantage would definitely be crucial in that one.

Whilst I don’t disagree that they have been able to grind out a couple of wins I think it is fair to say the rugby gods have looked on them favourably. They are obviously a champion team and I would expect them to be in the shake up come the seasons end but they did look vulnerable today in the second half against 12 men. I think we are looking at a Wigan/Saints semifinal but it is in our hands to get a home draw. We have only ourselves to blame if we don’t meet the top two, the Wakefield loss could be costly.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Aug 13, 2023 10:13 pm  

Zig wrote:

Whilst I don’t disagree that they have been able to grind out a couple of wins I think it is fair to say the rugby gods have looked on them favourably.

Swings and roundabouts - I think we were lucky to play both cup finalists between the semis and final. Agreed that the Wakefield defeat could be very costly. Leeds at home is another one that springs to mind, being 14-0 up against 12 men.

Saints do play both relegation candidates away from home in the run in which might not be easy.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Aug 14, 2023 7:11 am  

I'd definitely have taken 3 wins from the last 3 particularly given for the Leeds and Salford games we had 8/9 missing, not just squad players but players that would be in the 17.

Yesterday was a strange one, we were 12-0 up inside 10 minutes playing as well as we have done all season and then when Greenwood is sent off, they are galvanised and we suddenly think its easy (a point made by Wellens after the game) We tried to force too many points and as a result made a lot of errors, gave stupid penalties away and a few six agains.

Batchelor and LMS returned yesterday and also Matautia after his ban. Batchelor only played 20 mins though as per the plan.

Hurrell and Sironen should return after the next 2/3 weeks and then its all about form at the business end of the season. We definitely miss the "punch" that Paasi and Walmsley give us as Lees and Delaney don't get us on the front foot as much.

Having said all this we are still only a Welsby injury away from our season being over. He got some stick on social media last night from Wigan fans for the Naiqama try yet sets up 2 for Makinson and scores one himself yesterday. He is the focal point of our ability to score and his defensive weaknesses at times are negated by his outstanding attacking ability.

Leigh v Catalan next week then Wigan go to Catalan so there are points to be dropped for the top teams for sure.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:50 am  

Watson not at all happy with the send off, could be popcorn time with today's disciplinary meeting, nice knowing we've got nothing to worry about this week

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Aug 14, 2023 10:19 am  

I've watched the incident a few times but it's difficult to make out for sure if Lees makes contact with the head of Greenwood first. I think he probably does and if that is the case, he is lucky the game was not on TV. It was certainly more out of control than what Shorrocks saw red for in the cup semi and unlike a ducking Micky Lewis, we've got a 6ft 5 Joe Greenwood here, running upright in to contact. I said I had no issue with the Shorrocks incident in the semi because they're reasonably consistent and players get sent off for them now but maybe that's just if the game is on TV and the VR looks a numerous slow motion replays.

Greenwoods red is extremely soft but I suppose you can't move your elbow towards somebody, even if you think you've been attacked to the head and should instead fall to the floor and play dead because that is what the rules are encouraging nowadays. As for Knowles, well he does Knowles things on the floor but they won't ban him for that.