Referee for Thursday

[josie andrews]

05 Feb KO: 20:00 Super League Rd: 1

Widnes Vikings v Wigan Warriors
Select Security Stadium Halton

Ref: J Child

Touch J: R Hicks
Touch J: J Cobb
Reserve: Adam Gill

Video Ref: S Ganson Video Ref 2: R Silverwood

M Com: D Campbell Time K: A Mills

[BriH]

Groan.

[Dorsey]

Hope I'm wrong about this but I've got an uneasy feeling that we'll get pinged for everything this year regardless of who the ref is. Could be a very frustrating season regarding rules and officials where Wigan are concerned. Be delighted if they prove me wrong

[ian.birchall]

Could be a lot worse, it could be Hicks refereeing.

[Panchitta Marra]

Could be a lot worse, it could be Hicks refereeing.

+1.

[Southern Softy]

Clutching at straws - Child tends to get more indecisive as the season goes on so he might be OK for the first match. Not really convincing myself as I write this.

[mackie1981]

Hicks is the one that worries me. Every match he was involved in as an official either touch judge or ref last year we lost. Oh and the friendly he reffed this year.

[Panchitta Marra]

Sorry to be sounding like a record stuck, but Hicks is St Helens at heart and I think it shows.

[Wiganer Ted]

Child is a home ref and we'll have to look at maintaining discipline no matter the provocation.
The game at Catalans is an example of that. Child allowed the Catalans to use our lads as punch bags. Two sin binnings was no protection in view of what they were doing.
There'll be plenty provocation this season that's for sure and we can't hope for any protection from referees.

[markill]

There is no refereeing appointment we wouldn't moan at let's be honest.

Child was not afraid to use his cards during preseason so that's something to watch out for for both teams. With the new rules emphasis on taking more on field action I think we would be wise to behave ourselves and not give the officials any excuse.