I think the statement 'they wanted it more' doesnt quite stand as we all know how much the CC means to the club and fans. However, my concern is what happened to playing to the whistle. Why did Sam see fit to try to remonstrate with the ref over a forward pass when Leeds carried on playing? This is not a one off. A game recently at the DW the same thing happened. An incident occured which Sam did not agree with, he went after the ref and the opposition broke to go full length of the field. It was only Jack Hughes chasing back stopped the try. Yes Thaler had an exceptionally bad game but its up to us to be on our game. We missed Tommy, not only his attack and defence but also his passion. Leeds have been eyeing this game for a while as I think they realise the chance of them repeating last years performance is slim. Never mind onward and upwards lets get to Old Trafford.
Thornley did not look fit.
Leeds tackled like Wigan with three men in nearly every tackle.
Wigan tackled like London (sorry London). The Leeds pack won hands down.
Are the Wigan players begining to believe all the hype that they appear invincible. If that is the case, then they are down to earth with a bump now. Play like this again and there will be no trophies in the cabinet this year,
Have to agree with cpwigan - it was a game very low on quality. Only Hock's break and Hall's finish were above the mediocre or damn right awful. Same as the Warrington game earlier this season. Both were 'classics' apparently.
From Mission Impossible (1991) to The Great Escape (2006)
Leeds totally dominated the ruck, compressed our resulting slow play into the central sections and that allowed them to umbrella their defence cutting out any wide play.
Our pack wasn't fit and couldn't impose themselves for love nor money.
We can whinge about it, but rugby league players are not subueteo figurines ready to be plucked off the shelf and placed on the field. Form waxes and wanes depending on game time and fitness. Our pack has consistenly taken opposition to the cleaners all season and just weren't up to usual standard yesterday.
The fact is that the game was over in the first ten minutes.Sam made two shocking errors,as did others, but those kind of things happen to every player. Wigan never recovered after that.
I had a strange feeling it wasn't to be our day even in that short time, and it's always dangerous to believe that any team is the underdog.
The refs decisions didn't help,but the brutal truth is we could have played for four hours and I feel the result would still be Leed's.
We are all bitterley upset and angry,but we can't change
anything,it's still a loss.
I was fuming but we'll get over it.The team now need to pick themselves up asap COME ON WIGAN
If anything they could have been motivated to the point of paralysis. Players were doing things they don't normally do and taking decisions that they hadn't taken for the whole previous part of the season. Looking lethargic and disorganised and making bad decisions can all be results of feeling pressure and nerves. Did we choke in the big match? The CC last year was a pretty easy game for us which we won playing badly, apart from that, did we win any big matches recently - have we got it in us?
I'm not worried about the 'big match' mentality Mike but, ignoring the refereeing, several things went against us.
I put the 50-8 game out of my head. Leeds have too many good, experienced players to think that all you have to do is turn up to win.
Sam's drop was a difficult one and the 40-20 was a case of not playing safe. There was no shout from Thaler to indicate that it was a 40-20 attempt though.
Injuries - Charnley can't have been fit. He never looked like he had it in him to break from deep yesterday. If Matty Smith had been available, enabling SO'L to play at 13 might've helped. Tommy is proving to be a huge loss.
Same with Richards. Gelling was stranded more than once and didn't get off the ground when beaten to a punt.
They did panic and try and force the play. Reminded me of the 98 final. Even Finch was sending out shockers.
From Mission Impossible (1991) to The Great Escape (2006)
Said it before and will say it again, we were awful, Leeds played to the best of their ability, officiating did not help, in my opinion 3 tries for Leeds shouldn't have stood, they beat us by 11 points, yes I am gutted but am I worried about the bigger picture? Not at all, we are better than them and will prove it before this season is out!
'If you start listening to the fans it won't be long before you're sitting with them.' - Wayne Bennett
