Widnes v Wigan

[RJ]

I have neveer been a fan of this aussie inspired competition format. As far as I am concerned the team that finishes top at the end of the season is the one that deserves the accolades. Wane obviously believes it doesn't matter as long as we finish in the top 8 and go on to the 'grand final'. How this league has been devalued by this format.

[mickh]

Ahh lets feel sorry for the First team players eh weststand? Thats what they are paid to do, play rugby to the best of their ability and to entertain us, it was £22 to get on at Widnes, 4,500 Wigan spectators turned up to watch the match, they feel ripped off in more ways than one.
What does "Loyal 18" stand for, it works both ways. I was playing League when you were still in nappies probably but still went to work Monday morning. I don't want to go down the "handbags route"

PS. What is the TF?
Mick

[exile in Tiger country]

As much as I think it was tough on the young players to expect them to compete without O'Loughlin I think there could well be some benefit in the team playing without it's best players.

If it was because of injuries, Fans wouldn't mind as much, but this was done to sheer arrogance.

You never know what will happen during the season and at times star players can pick up injuries. Even NRL coaches complain that they play too many games and they play considerably less than in Super League.

It is true that what will hapen in a season cannot be predicted, however thre chances of having Lockers, Tommy Sam, Pat and George all out together have to be remote. The chance of having any five first choice players out at the same time is limited, so you are preparing for a situation that, in all likelihood, will never happen.

When it comes to the Easter period and possibly the weekend where players might have to back up after the Exiles game it could be an unnecessary risk to make our star players play game after game in the way that Maguire made them.

Easter happens every year, and every year it is planned for by the team and the coaching staff. The exiles games are a stupid idea and IMO the club should refuse to let players play in them, but if they do play, then in all likelihood we will at best draw the next game, just as the three main teams involved did last year, We drew with Cas, Saints drew with Bradford and Wire were beaten by Salford. Maguire didn't make anyone play, they volunteereed and were assessed by the medical staff to ensure they were fit enough to play.

Anthony Griffin took a big risk in resting his senior players during the Australian representative season while most teams kept their strongest teams and Brisbane lost to Melbourne and Manly, but the team got stronger as the season went on and they looked more comfortable without their star players.
You'll never know which players will step up unless they are put in a situation where they have to do so.

I think we can be fairly sure that an accurate assessment of which players will step up cannot be made by playing all of them in the same game. Others have said, and I agrre that two, may have worked, allowed us to win, and given those involved both experience and confidence. All they have now is the experience of shiping 37 points and being beaten by a side that had only scored 54 points in their previous five games. Great experience that.

[weststand-rich]

Ahh lets feel sorry for the First team players eh weststand? Thats what they are paid to do, play rugby to the best of their ability and to entertain us, it was £22 to get on at Widnes, 4,500 Wigan spectators turned up to watch the match, they feel ripped off in more ways than one.
What does "Loyal 18" stand for, it works both ways. I was playing League when you were still in nappies probably but still went to work Monday morning. I don't want to go down the "handbags route"

PS. What is the TF?
Mick

:LOL: - Give over Mick. You'll be telling me about your 10 mile walk to school in bare feet and 2 paper rounds before school next.

TF is Total Fitness Wigan.

I'm saying what I've seen. If I had bruises like I've seen, I'd not be firing on all cylinders the next match regardless of being fulltime professional and having good physio care. BTW I'm not defending Waney and his team selection. I think he dropped a boll*ck and disrespected the fans as much as Widnes. What I am saying is that some of the knocks are brutal and I say see the sense in resting some players strategically. Just not 5 or 6 in one go.

[josie andrews]

Ahh lets feel sorry for the First team players eh weststand? Thats what they are paid to do, play rugby to the best of their ability and to entertain us, it was £22 to get on at Widnes, 4,500 Wigan spectators turned up to watch the match, they feel ripped off in more ways than one.
What does "Loyal 18" stand for, it works both ways. I was playing League when you were still in nappies probably but still went to work Monday morning. I don't want to go down the "handbags route"

PS. What is the TF?
Mick

Total Fitness @ Marus Bridge

[cpwigan]

Anybody think the Widnes result was 'contrived' :conf: :sly:

[mickh]

As Iv'e said before, Widnes's equalising score was dropped a foot before the line, moved to push the ball over the line, the young line judge was smack in front of it, referee consulted him, try given. That is the most disturbing thing that happened at the match, It is at the officials discression, rugby union here we come, and, a few Wigan spectators were witness to the wrong decision.
Mick

[highland convert]

Was not there so cannot comment. However on an upper note, Wigan could gain more than it lost. Widnes now have a confidence in their step that would have been lacking if they had lost yet another one. They may now kick on and click as Wane would pout it. They have already played us. Here is hoping they can claim some other big scalps.Jim

[cpwigan]

Why do you ask that?

I was chatting to somebody who thinks the NRL spot betting scandal involving Ryan Tandy is the tip of the iceberg. I wonder how much was to be gained from Wigan losing to Widnes, despite scoring X points, losing by 1 point? etc etc.

[jobo]

Why do you ask that?

I was chatting to somebody who thinks the NRL spot betting scandal involving Ryan Tandy is the tip of the iceberg. I wonder how much was to be gained from Wigan losing to Widnes, despite scoring X points, losing by 1 point? etc etc.

I mentioned earlier in the thread about dodgy bets. At the beginning of the week, Wigan were as short a price as they could be to win outright, 150/1 on. Think though, this result was so against the odds any bookie would refuse to pay out until after an enquiry.

Spot betting should be banned completely, it encourages corruption.