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Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:45 pm
by josie andrews
The local derby will not be shown by Sky for the first time in 24 years on Friday night

Justin Holbrook has hit out at Sky Sports’ decision not to screen a St Helens-Wigan derby for the first time in 24 years.

The broadcaster will instead show Leeds against Hull Kingston Rovers on Friday night as the battle to avoid relegation hots up.

Holbrook compared to move to ignoring the Manchester derby for Burnley against Cardiff, with every single Saints-Wigan derby of the summer era previously screened live.

He said: “If there was two rounds to go then I’d probably agree with it.

And it is back to the old days where you’ve got to come to the stadium to watch the game, so for the players hopefully it sells out.

“But not being on Sky - I can’t imagine football not showing Man City versus Man United over Burnley and Cardiff with seven games still to go.

It is disappointing for the game but gives people more reason to come.

“That’s what we’ll focus on as a playing group, it being a great atmosphere here.”

Holbrook found support from Wigan counterpart Adrian Lam, who said he couldn’t understand the decision.

Lam said: “When you’re promoting the game you always want to see top of the table stuff.”

Holbrook insists he wants his future sorted quickly amid fresh reports of interest in him from Australia.

Struggling Canterbury Bulldogs are the latest club to be linked with the 43-year-old, who led Saints to last year’s League Leaders Shield and eight points clear this season.

Gold Coast Titans - who are level bottom with the Bulldogs in the NRL - have been reported as another possible destination Down Under.

Holbrook is out of contract at St Helens and asked if he has an update on his future he responded: “No I don’t.

Speculation isn’t good for anybody.

“I’ll leave my management to their job - I keep saying it will be sorted in a few weeks and hopefully it will be.”

Saints will make a late check on captain James Roby as he bids to return from a groin injury, with Wigan hoping that prop Tony Clubb recovers from a hamstring strain to play.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... t-17793061

Re: Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:47 pm
by josie andrews
'Wigan Warriors-St Helens is the biggest derby in the world - why is it not on TV?'

Adrian Lam admits can't understand why Friday's derby has been snubbed by Sky Sports.

It is the first time a Super League game between the two sides hasn't been televised.

They will instead broadcast the game between Leeds and Hull KR, who are both embroiled in the scrap to avoid relegation.

"I think when you're promoting the game, you always want the top of the table," said Lam.

"I don't understand the reason why they've done it - this is the biggest derby in the world so I don't know why this wouldn't be on TV."

Saints coach Justin Holbrook agreed.

"If there was two round to go I'd agree with them," said Holbrook.

"As Lammy said it's great when you have to go to the stadium to see the game and the atmosphere should be a sell-out.

"But I can't imagine football not showing Man City-Man United over Burnley-Cardiff with eight rounds to go.

"It's disappointing for our game but it gives our fans it gives them more reason to come."

Saints and England star Jonny Lomax added: "It may be 1 v 4 but this is the biggest rivalry, so I can't understand the decision myself - it's a massive game."

St Helens say they are on course for an 18,000 sell-out on Friday.

Saints hooker James Roby is still a doubt while Lam will give prop Tony Clubb (calf) until team-run on Thursday to prove his fitness.

Jack Wells and Liam Byrne are on stand-by to come into the squad.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan- ... -1-9866979

Re: Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:42 pm
by medlocke
Sick to death at the amount of air time that Leeds seem to get every season, You would think sky would showcase the champions as much as possible but they don't, unless it's Leeds, We are the kings of RL ffs not pretenders like Leeds :twisted:

Re: Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:40 am
by josie andrews
medlocke wrote: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:42 pm Sick to death at the amount of air time that Leeds seem to get every season, You would think sky would showcase the champions as much as possible but they don't, unless it's Leeds, We are the kings of RL ffs not pretenders like Leeds :twisted:
Castleford have been on the most I think this season 🤨 think somebody quoted 11 times in the first 14 rounds or something like that!

Re: Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:08 am
by Wigan_forever1985
josie andrews wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:40 am
medlocke wrote: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:42 pm Sick to death at the amount of air time that Leeds seem to get every season, You would think sky would showcase the champions as much as possible but they don't, unless it's Leeds, We are the kings of RL ffs not pretenders like Leeds :twisted:
Castleford have been on the most I think this season 🤨 think somebody quoted 11 times in the first 14 rounds or something like that!
The Hull KR vs Leeds game meant more 3 weeks ago than it does now as leeds are looking like they have actually got their act together

I said it in another thread though this for me is the reason the playoffs dont work because coming into the last part of the season when it should be the crescendo of performances it just isnt the top 5 teams just need to keep ticking over and no one is actually interested in coming 1st in the league.

So the interest now is lying with the relegation battle, but you would double the interest if the battle at the top was for 1 single place not 5.

We have to get rid of the play offs IMO

Re: Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:48 am
by nathan_rugby
Wigan_forever1985 wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:08 am
josie andrews wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:40 am
medlocke wrote: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:42 pm Sick to death at the amount of air time that Leeds seem to get every season, You would think sky would showcase the champions as much as possible but they don't, unless it's Leeds, We are the kings of RL ffs not pretenders like Leeds :twisted:
Castleford have been on the most I think this season 🤨 think somebody quoted 11 times in the first 14 rounds or something like that!
The Hull KR vs Leeds game meant more 3 weeks ago than it does now as leeds are looking like they have actually got their act together

I said it in another thread though this for me is the reason the playoffs dont work because coming into the last part of the season when it should be the crescendo of performances it just isnt the top 5 teams just need to keep ticking over and no one is actually interested in coming 1st in the league.

So the interest now is lying with the relegation battle, but you would double the interest if the battle at the top was for 1 single place not 5.

We have to get rid of the play offs IMO
I think the problem with the play-offs is that it does generate a lot more hype than the regular season and I suspect the clubs make a lot of money from it and Sky get a lot of viewers.

It needs to be cut down though IMO. First should be rewarded by going straight to the final. The winner of 3rd vs 4th should play 2nd place for the last place in the final. One of the issues I had over the years, althoguh that may now have gone since we operate a top 5 rather than top 8 is that teams can qualify with negative points difference and lose more than they have won.

Re: Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:55 am
by fozzieskem
nathan_rugby wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:48 am
Wigan_forever1985 wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:08 am
josie andrews wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:40 am

Castleford have been on the most I think this season 🤨 think somebody quoted 11 times in the first 14 rounds or something like that!
The Hull KR vs Leeds game meant more 3 weeks ago than it does now as leeds are looking like they have actually got their act together

I said it in another thread though this for me is the reason the playoffs dont work because coming into the last part of the season when it should be the crescendo of performances it just isnt the top 5 teams just need to keep ticking over and no one is actually interested in coming 1st in the league.

So the interest now is lying with the relegation battle, but you would double the interest if the battle at the top was for 1 single place not 5.

We have to get rid of the play offs IMO
I think the problem with the play-offs is that it does generate a lot more hype than the regular season and I suspect the clubs make a lot of money from it and Sky get a lot of viewers.

It needs to be cut down though IMO. First should be rewarded by going straight to the final. The winner of 3rd vs 4th should play 2nd place for the last place in the final. One of the issues I had over the years, althoguh that may now have gone since we operate a top 5 rather than top 8 is that teams can qualify with negative points difference and lose more than they have won.
I’m not so sure there’s any hype over the play offs to be honest

Regarding the format yes you’re right though I’d go even harsher and it be the top two going to the GF,any playoff system can reward mediocrity when you think about it

Re: Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:57 am
by Wigan_forever1985
nathan_rugby wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:48 am
Wigan_forever1985 wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:08 am
josie andrews wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:40 am

Castleford have been on the most I think this season 🤨 think somebody quoted 11 times in the first 14 rounds or something like that!
The Hull KR vs Leeds game meant more 3 weeks ago than it does now as leeds are looking like they have actually got their act together

I said it in another thread though this for me is the reason the playoffs dont work because coming into the last part of the season when it should be the crescendo of performances it just isnt the top 5 teams just need to keep ticking over and no one is actually interested in coming 1st in the league.

So the interest now is lying with the relegation battle, but you would double the interest if the battle at the top was for 1 single place not 5.

We have to get rid of the play offs IMO
I think the problem with the play-offs is that it does generate a lot more hype than the regular season and I suspect the clubs make a lot of money from it and Sky get a lot of viewers.

It needs to be cut down though IMO. First should be rewarded by going straight to the final. The winner of 3rd vs 4th should play 2nd place for the last place in the final. One of the issues I had over the years, althoguh that may now have gone since we operate a top 5 rather than top 8 is that teams can qualify with negative points difference and lose more than they have won.
yeah but it only generates more figures because it exists, so the concentration is on 2-3 games at the end of the season and no one really cares what happens during the season. For saints and wire fans now they may aswell turn off till the playoffs all their matches are complete dead rubbers have been for a while

The idea of getting rid of the play offs should in theory make every one of the normal games count more - teams would be less likely to field weakened teams etc. Season tickets mean more too what incentive is there for a casual to watch the league games.

Leeds still have a chance of making the play offs - that just shows the system doesnt work - i dont see the point in trimming it down either just simplify it make every game count

Re: Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 9:02 am
by medlocke
Should have a top three
Finish top of the league and you get the hubcap and go straight through to the GF
Second and third then play for the other place

Re: Justin Holbrook and Adrian Lam hit out at decision not to screen St Helens vs Wigan

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 9:33 am
by Wintergreen
medlocke wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 9:02 am Should have a top three
Finish top of the league and you get the hubcap and go straight through to the GF
Second and third then play for the other place
££££