I tend to agree. They spent a good portion of last season underperforming , playing folks out of position and dealing with Hardaker sabotaging their own efforts. They've improved across the board.
***Rugby League in 2022***
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I tend to agree. They spent a good portion of last season underperforming , playing folks out of position and dealing with Hardaker sabotaging their own efforts. They've improved across the board.
Associate
I think the coach had a lot to do with last year's debacle.
The test for Wigan is on Saturday. They got their backsides handed to them last year at Catalan. This will be the benchmark to what progress they've made. Not expecting a win, but I am hoping they are competitive
The test for Wigan is on Saturday. They got their backsides handed to them last year at Catalan. This will be the benchmark to what progress they've made. Not expecting a win, but I am hoping they are competitive
Yeeaaahh...not exactly competitive...at least not by the scoreline.
Didn't need the nonsense late on that saw Wigan's Ellis and Les Dracs' Dezaria red carded, mind.
Didn't need the nonsense late on that saw Wigan's Ellis and Les Dracs' Dezaria red carded, mind.
Associate
Well, now we know. Slightly better than last season, but not much.
Catalan didn't need to do a lot to beat Wigan, who offered no real threat all through the game. A steady kicking game, good field position and a bigger, more aggressive pack was enough to see them off. The TV commentators said they looked like the Wigan of last year. I can see their point and that's the worry. Wigan are pretty easy pickings in poor weather conditions at the moment
Catalan looked good. Pierce and Drinkwater moved them about very efficiently. Good to see so many French players put there too. Saints still look like the side to beat and a repeat of last years GF wouldn't surprise me
With regards to the biff at the end, looks like the French forward gave him a smack in the chops on the ground after a really good tackle in the first place and Ellis responded. Don't see much of that these days (the French forward seemed genuinely surprised when Ellis got up swinging) and they'll both probably end up with lengthy bans. I reckon Bateman might get some games as well for running in
Catalan didn't need to do a lot to beat Wigan, who offered no real threat all through the game. A steady kicking game, good field position and a bigger, more aggressive pack was enough to see them off. The TV commentators said they looked like the Wigan of last year. I can see their point and that's the worry. Wigan are pretty easy pickings in poor weather conditions at the moment
Catalan looked good. Pierce and Drinkwater moved them about very efficiently. Good to see so many French players put there too. Saints still look like the side to beat and a repeat of last years GF wouldn't surprise me
With regards to the biff at the end, looks like the French forward gave him a smack in the chops on the ground after a really good tackle in the first place and Ellis responded. Don't see much of that these days (the French forward seemed genuinely surprised when Ellis got up swinging) and they'll both probably end up with lengthy bans. I reckon Bateman might get some games as well for running in
Ellis had tried to have a go at (read: hurt) Garcia earlier on and I suspect Dezaria was going for payback. He clearly overstepped in that effort.
Associate
Just think there's a few younger players (including some of the younger Wigan players - Smithies & Partington I'm looking at you 
) who have just played during an era where you can dish a bit out without expecting immediate retribution. The disciplinary panel will be the ultimate winner here. One less prop in a featherweight pack is just what Wigan don't need right now
) who have just played during an era where you can dish a bit out without expecting immediate retribution. The disciplinary panel will be the ultimate winner here. One less prop in a featherweight pack is just what Wigan don't need right now
Associate
Both players charged at Grade E 4-8 Matches.
Singleton also charged for a late tackle at Grade B 2 Matches which I didn't notice tbh - 2 less props on Thursday!
Dudson got a caution for leading with the elbow. I think he can consider himself quite lucky on that one. I did notice this as it was Hardaker's only involvement in the entire sodding game
https://www.rugby-league.com/governance/rules-and-regulations/disciplinary/disciplinary-cases
Singleton also charged for a late tackle at Grade B 2 Matches which I didn't notice tbh - 2 less props on Thursday!
Dudson got a caution for leading with the elbow. I think he can consider himself quite lucky on that one. I did notice this as it was Hardaker's only involvement in the entire sodding game
https://www.rugby-league.com/governance/rules-and-regulations/disciplinary/disciplinary-cases
Hardaker reverted to type. Quite why he thought he should be the first choice full-back in the national side escapes me - he's not even Wigan's best full-back tribute band, much less the best full-back that England could call upon.
Associate
5 for Ellis and 3 for Dezaria. I just don't get that at all. They were both guilty of punching, but Dezaria smacked him in the chops when he was prone on the floor. If Ellis had stayed down, would Dezaria still have only got 3 matches? It does sort of encourage players to stay down if that's the case. <shrug>
I've now seen the Singleton late tackle. They got that one right under the current rules. Stupid, needless penalty (and subsequent ban) to give away. He had loads of time to pull out of the challenge, it wasn't like the McGilvray one where he couldn't do anything else.
It will all settle down in a couple of rounds. The new interpretations are usually binned by then
I've now seen the Singleton late tackle. They got that one right under the current rules. Stupid, needless penalty (and subsequent ban) to give away. He had loads of time to pull out of the challenge, it wasn't like the McGilvray one where he couldn't do anything else.
It will all settle down in a couple of rounds. The new interpretations are usually binned by then
As I understand it, Ellis' charge remained a Grade E offence at the tribunal ("sustained and, repeated or violent" punching) whereas Dezaria saw his charge downgraded to a Grade C. Hence the shorter ban.
Yep. Only got himself to blame for that ban.
It will all settle down in a couple of rounds. The new interpretations are usually binned by then
One can only hope
Associate
Feels like Ellis got the extra two games for landing some punches rather than just throwing some. They should both have got the same ban imho. Anyhow, that's the benchmark now. 5 games for landing a punch, 3 games for throwing one. As long as they stick to it, I can live with it.
Cas tonight. A bogey team for Wigan.
Cas tonight. A bogey team for Wigan.
Associate
Wigan fans got a bucket load of stick from Sts fans for struggling against TOXIII. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time
Jai Field papering over a lot of cracks in the Wigan team. Him and French on the pitch at the same time will pose some real problems for teams. Don't know what's happened to the Wigan defence at the moment though.
Bit of a rumour around Ryan Sutton. Signed for Canterbury for 23 and out of favour at Canberra. Handy signing at prop for a short term loan. Fingers crossed
Jai Field papering over a lot of cracks in the Wigan team. Him and French on the pitch at the same time will pose some real problems for teams. Don't know what's happened to the Wigan defence at the moment though.
Bit of a rumour around Ryan Sutton. Signed for Canterbury for 23 and out of favour at Canberra. Handy signing at prop for a short term loan. Fingers crossed
Associate
We need to have a think about how the best way to sell CC games
Attendances from the weekend
Barrow 3,135
Catalans 3,624
Hull kr 3,088
Leeds 5,112
Sheffield 1,039
Warrington 2,627
Whitehaven 4,689
Wigan 6,005
That's not good - hardly the magic of the cup. Didn't help that 4 of them were televised mind. Looks like a decent payday for the non-SL teams at home. Seen suggestions to have a round where non-SL teams are guaranteed a home game against a SL team. Might be a bit of mileage in this.
Attendances from the weekend
Barrow 3,135
Catalans 3,624
Hull kr 3,088
Leeds 5,112
Sheffield 1,039
Warrington 2,627
Whitehaven 4,689
Wigan 6,005
That's not good - hardly the magic of the cup. Didn't help that 4 of them were televised mind. Looks like a decent payday for the non-SL teams at home. Seen suggestions to have a round where non-SL teams are guaranteed a home game against a SL team. Might be a bit of mileage in this.
Soldato
Can’t wait for this season to be over haha
Soldato
Great attendance at Hull KR on Friday, 10069, and for once when we have sold out our ground we actually played really well! Every time we sell out our ground we usually get hammered and the supporters don't come back! That sort of performance has been coming though and I'm hoping its a kick start to something good happening again this season.
Watched the Saints game after and they were very, very good.
Watched the Saints game after and they were very, very good.
Soldato
The new Hull City football club owner, Acun ilicali was speaking tonight and was surprisingly lukewarm at the prospect of sharing the MKM stadium. He said they would be looking to replace the pitch over the summer and see how it goes over the next year. Probably a load of tabloid spin, but should Hull FC be worried? Probably not, to be honest, but its a good bit of fun for Rovers fans!
Went a bit overboard on club merch recently, bought 4 new Rovers tshirts and the new "Boilermakers" 140 year anniversary shirt, as a nod to our heritage and the original formation of the club. I wasn't really a fan of our home and away shirts this year, but this new one is a cracker, albeit a bit Australian!
Went a bit overboard on club merch recently, bought 4 new Rovers tshirts and the new "Boilermakers" 140 year anniversary shirt, as a nod to our heritage and the original formation of the club. I wasn't really a fan of our home and away shirts this year, but this new one is a cracker, albeit a bit Australian!
Soldato
Sore head this morning and a coarse throat too, great win for Rovers to get to the semi-final - really feel we are starting to click now. A few thoughts:
1. Our attack has definitely improved but it’s the defence that is winning the games; that’s the third consecutive game were we have almost completely dominated territory and denied attacking opportunities for about 60 of the 80 minutes. In the second half, I think Cas only got within 20 metres of our line on perhaps three occasions.
2. Bradford Bulls were grateful to receive our £120k for 5 players a few years ago, but 3 of them - Minchella, Storton and Milnes are still here and looking every inch Super League quality. What a coup that was for us and Minchella was exceptional tonight.
3. We need to get Parcell and Minchella signed up to deals ASAP as they are out of contract after this year.
4. Disappointing injury for Mikey Lewis, ankle injury of some kind. It was laughable watching him try to stay on the pitch and you could sense the collective wincing amongst the crowd every second he tried to hobble about. David Hodgson came on at one point and started shouting at him, god knows what was said, but he stayed on perhaps another 30 seconds then rightfully came off. Almost certain to miss the derby on Good Friday but Milnes looked really comfortable stepping into his shoes.
5. A now fit Coote is beginning to show us some of that star quality he had at Saints with some fabulous try assists. His movement is incredible, I watched one play where he chimed into attack on the left wing and then 30 seconds later was doing exactly the same thing on the right. It was a joy to watch.
1. Our attack has definitely improved but it’s the defence that is winning the games; that’s the third consecutive game were we have almost completely dominated territory and denied attacking opportunities for about 60 of the 80 minutes. In the second half, I think Cas only got within 20 metres of our line on perhaps three occasions.
2. Bradford Bulls were grateful to receive our £120k for 5 players a few years ago, but 3 of them - Minchella, Storton and Milnes are still here and looking every inch Super League quality. What a coup that was for us and Minchella was exceptional tonight.
3. We need to get Parcell and Minchella signed up to deals ASAP as they are out of contract after this year.
4. Disappointing injury for Mikey Lewis, ankle injury of some kind. It was laughable watching him try to stay on the pitch and you could sense the collective wincing amongst the crowd every second he tried to hobble about. David Hodgson came on at one point and started shouting at him, god knows what was said, but he stayed on perhaps another 30 seconds then rightfully came off. Almost certain to miss the derby on Good Friday but Milnes looked really comfortable stepping into his shoes.
5. A now fit Coote is beginning to show us some of that star quality he had at Saints with some fabulous try assists. His movement is incredible, I watched one play where he chimed into attack on the left wing and then 30 seconds later was doing exactly the same thing on the right. It was a joy to watch.
BBC pre-match commentary on Dracs-Saints has already got me quite cross. But, no matter. Still looking forward to it
***edit***
And it didn't take long for the refereeing to remove any joy.
I don't mind Catalans losing a fair fight. But when they're playing against 14 you have to wonder what the God damned point is
***edit***
And it didn't take long for the refereeing to remove any joy.
I don't mind Catalans losing a fair fight. But when they're playing against 14 you have to wonder what the God damned point is
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