Tonight v Hull KR

[Mike]

And I agree with WP in general about players staying down (not if he's aiming only at Wigan, but the issue in general). It's a VR problem and can be fixed easily with mandatory HIAs and green cards.

If a player received a high tackle that is deemed to have mitigation, are you seriously saying that one team plays minus a player for 3-5 minutes whilst off for a HIA and the offending teams player is off for only 5-7 minutes longer?

How is that going to reduce high or head tackles? How does that "punish" the indiscipline of an offending player's team?

If you removing an injured player for a HIA then we need to bring in 15 minute sin bins for the guilty player (or non-counting substitutions for the HIA)

You can replace a player who's on HIA. So it's not a numerical disadvantage. But I still say if a player stays down and need treatment for a few minutes, surely that's an indication that a proper HIA check should be performed if only for player welfare?

[Wintergreen]

The issue with players staying down, and it is an issue, is that from that players perspective it is a win-win situation, or at least a "no lose-win".

There is absolutely zero incentive for a player NOT to stay down. The worst that happens, from his perspective, is nothing. The best is a sending off.

I don't have the answer but unless one is found then this will happen match after match.

[ian.birchall]

[quote=Mike post_id=552157 time=1725665956 user_id=2

You can replace a player who's on HIA. So it's not a numerical disadvantage. But I still say if a player stays down and need treatment for a few minutes, surely that's an indication that a proper HIA check should be performed if only for player welfare?

Mike, I thought the rule was that you could only bring on the 18th player when you had 2 players off the field with head assessments ?

[moto748]

Aren't they two separate things? My understanding was that you got a free interchange for a HIA if it was the result of foul play.. The provision of the 18th man being separate from that.

[Mouse13]

Not sure who said Thompson is no good, but pure rubbish if they did.

My point was that his workload has been too high, though the fact that he's still been outstanding is absolutely to his credit.

I'm hopeful, confident even, that we will be playing at Old Trafford next month. I think it would be wise to give Tommo a game off in the next 2 weeks, to help him stay fresh and at 100% for the semi and the final (and yes, I know the whole team get a week off when the play-offs start).

i actually think that if Matt Peet suggested resting Thompson, he would rip his office door off

[w.thomas]

Regardless of the sending offs we did enough to win that game. The forwards were class. Thompson is an absolute machine! Mago was also impressive and Nsemba gets better week by week. I know I've mentioned it multiple times but Dupree isn't anywhere near as good as he was after first signing for us. Genuine question, is he injured? Seems to be carrying a lot of extra weight as well. I'm a big fan of his and not the biggest fan of Bryne but can't understand leaving Liam on the bench when Dupree is on making 0 yards. That's the only negative for me, a good win and onto the next one!

[M6 Warrior]

Far from me being critical of Matty, the situation with Byrne is puzzling. I’m assuming he picked him on the bench on Friday as injury cover but it makes it extra tough for the other forwards if we’re playing with 16. I know he’s not exactly been pulling up trees, but Walters would offer more cover options, playing either as a middle or on the edge. Will be interesting to see who he selects against Leeds and, after being at Headingley and suffering the gloating Rhinos after that defeat last month, that’s a game I hope we turn on the style and win comfortably.

Anyone have any informed insights or theories on the Byrne situation?

[Charriots Offiah]

Regardless of the sending offs we did enough to win that game. The forwards were class. Thompson is an absolute machine! Mago was also impressive and Nsemba gets better week by week. I know I've mentioned it multiple times but Dupree isn't anywhere near as good as he was after first signing for us. Genuine question, is he injured? Seems to be carrying a lot of extra weight as well. I'm a big fan of his and not the biggest fan of Bryne but can't understand leaving Liam on the bench when Dupree is on making 0 yards. That's the only negative for me, a good win and onto the next one!

Dupree rarely misses a tackle hence the reason he was introduced on Friday, he shores up our defence which we needed to do after conceding two soft tries and getting pinned in our own half through errors and penalties.

[Charriots Offiah]

Far from me being critical of Matty, the situation with Byrne is puzzling. I’m assuming he picked him on the bench on Friday as injury cover but it makes it extra tough for the other forwards if we’re playing with 16. I know he’s not exactly been pulling up trees, but Walters would offer more cover options, playing either as a middle or on the edge. Will be interesting to see who he selects against Leeds and, after being at Headingley and suffering the gloating Rhinos after that defeat last month, that’s a game I hope we turn on the style and win comfortably.

Anyone have any informed insights or theories on the Byrne situation?

I think if we had been 12 points up then Byrne would have entered the fray. The introduction of Mago turned the game and when we took the lead Peet decided to bring his most reliable props on, Thompson and Havard, to see out the match. It is no coincidence that the coaching team seem to make such decisions in tight games.

[Wintergreen]

Not sure who said Thompson is no good, but pure rubbish if they did.

My point was that his workload has been too high, though the fact that he's still been outstanding is absolutely to his credit.

I'm hopeful, confident even, that we will be playing at Old Trafford next month. I think it would be wise to give Tommo a game off in the next 2 weeks, to help him stay fresh and at 100% for the semi and the final (and yes, I know the whole team get a week off when the play-offs start).

i actually think that if Matt Peet suggested resting Thompson, he would rip his office door off

I think that would depend on the state of his body and how he feels.

He is such a good professional, I would trust him to coach himself in this respect.

His workrate is incredible. Reminds me of how Brian Case might have played had he been in the modern era.