Wigan squad for Castleford (R1)

[Wintergreen]

Points on the board, but an expensive knight potentially losing Thompson,Leeming,Smith for next week and Field looked a bit iffy at the end.

Kicking is better than this time last year. It would have been criminal to let him leave.

Not a chance in hell they will ban Smith.

If it was a regular round, maybe but even the RFL aren't that stupid as to ruin their Golden Match.

[w.thomas]

I said Thompson would get knocked out in his 1st proper game for Wigan. I’m a physic. He’s not big enough anyway so I wouldn’t worry about him being out. He’s the least effective prop. He’s going to be another flop, mark my words.

[DaveO]

I said Thompson would get knocked out in his 1st proper game for Wigan. I’m a physic. He’s not big enough anyway so I wouldn’t worry about him being out. He’s the least effective prop. He’s going to be another flop, mark my words.

Well that seems a little premature.

[DaveO]

Points on the board, but an expensive knight potentially losing Thompson,Leeming,Smith for next week and Field looked a bit iffy at the end.

Kicking is better than this time last year. It would have been criminal to let him leave.

Not a chance in hell they will ban Smith.

If it was a regular round, maybe but even the RFL aren't that stupid as to ruin their Golden Match.

It’s the RFL. They like to play the big “I am” and will ban him to show how fair minded they are and will revel in the short term publicity.

I have never forgiven them for banning Joe Lydon and Des Drummond for having a scrap at Central Park which robbed GB of two players going on tour down under.

[moto748]

Not a chance in hell they will ban Smith.

If it was a regular round, maybe but even the RFL aren't that stupid as to ruin their Golden Match.

I wish I had your confidence.

[Charriots Offiah]

Points on the board, but an expensive knight potentially losing Thompson,Leeming,Smith for next week and Field looked a bit iffy at the end.

Kicking is better than this time last year. It would have been criminal to let him leave.

Not a chance in hell they will ban Smith.

He deserves to be suspended, he was fortunate not to be sent off.

If it was a regular round, maybe but even the RFL aren't that stupid as to ruin their Golden Match.

[Mike]

Points on the board, but an expensive knight potentially losing Thompson,Leeming,Smith for next week and Field looked a bit iffy at the end.

Kicking is better than this time last year. It would have been criminal to let him leave.

Not a chance in hell they will ban Smith.

If it was a regular round, maybe but even the RFL aren't that stupid as to ruin their Golden Match.

It’s the RFL. They like to play the big “I am” and will ban him to show how fair minded they are and will revel in the short term publicity.

I have never forgiven them for banning Joe Lydon and Des Drummond for having a scrap at Central Park which robbed GB of two players going on tour down under.

I'd say Dave's right on this one. I reckon its *more* likely he'll get a ban because of the WCC. The Aussies of course would never ban one of their players before a big match. They like to win, we like to appear "fair"

[Wintergreen]

I guess we’ll soon find out. Left to their own devices I wouldn’t trust the RFL to tie their own shoelaces. However, the game has been marketed heavily on Sky. It’s not a “regular “ game.

Wouldn’t be surprised if someone from Sky has had a word.

Sadly the game we have grown up with is no more. We had better get used to all this. Then decide if it’s worth watching anymore

[endoman]

If current rules applied in the Manly game I wonder how many would have been left on the field, and how many weeks bans would be dished out. Thought the Watts one was harsh, don't think anything worthy of a ban in the game. If the same things happen 3 months into the season it's different, but game 1, when no one really knows how it will be policed, despite the pre season meetings etc, some leniancy should be called for.

[Fan4Fifty]

Not a chance in hell they will ban Smith.

If it was a regular round, maybe but even the RFL aren't that stupid as to ruin their Golden Match.

I wish I had your confidence.

I genuinely think this could go either way in Smith's case. From what I can recall Smith has no history of disciplinary issues so has a good record to take into account. The incident itself was unfortunate, in difficult conditions and Smith didn't drive his opponent into the ground, so maybe some mitigation. I doubt a high-profile game will make any difference or that, as some have suggested, the RFL can choose which game(s) he would banned for if a ban is imposed. All pure speculation of course but his past record may just go for him. Fingers crossed!!