***The Officially Official 'Rugby League in 2023' Thread***

[JRS]

Things weren't looking too clever for Whitehaven a week ago.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1678372465037258752

But they've secured some investment. Hopefully this means they're paying the players their missed wages ASA*******P.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1680215645202391042

 

[JRS]

Well now. What a Challenge Cup weekend that was.

Huge congrats to Leigh and to KR. A hearty chortle at Saints finding it tough going when not being given a leg up by officialdom. And commiserations to Wigan, I know they really wanted to make the final and do the outgoing chairman proud. Just not to be.

 

[JRS]

I can't believe this sport, even with cameras and a video assistant and they still get basic calls wrong, Makinson made that kick and then a forward pass from Dirty Leeds is allowed to bring them back into the game... Still the first half as well!

At least partly made up for with the hilariously forward pass for Saints' second going unchallenged by officialdom

 

[JRS]

Catalans 42-0 Salford.

Ouch.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1685386199135911936

 

[JRS]

From what I can make out Paul Rowley held the half time team talk on the pitch? Never a good sign...and I'm a Hull City fan so can remember those infamous Phil Brown days and that Man City away game!

He did. As you say, not a good omen.

***edit***

Gotta hand it to the Salford fans. They came, they engaged, they sang all the way through the match. They didn't deserve to see their team get nil'd.

Truth be told, I'm not sure the team deserved it either. A bit more luck, a bit better execution of some decent ideas, they'd have been in the fight.

 

[JRS]

Thanks to Wakey tonking Wolves today we go 5th! Always nice to rise a place without playing! Makes it very interesting down the bottom too.

Warrington's season has fallen apart in spectacular fashion. from riding high and winning well to getting thrashed by Tail End Trinity.

 

[JRS]

I looked it up. 5 game form, only Salford are worse. 10 game, only Cas are worse.

 

[JRS]

Warrington 10-30 Catalans. That'll work.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield thump Cas 28-nil and Wigan annihilate KR 64 to 6.

 

[JRS]

Andy Last out at Castleford. Predictable.

 

[JRS]

Welp...Wigan crushed us

 

[JRS]

Oh Leeds Leeds Leeds....what is going on?!

Really thought they might have done us a solid...ah well. Can't rely on them for owt!

 

[JRS]

Wakefield relegated in Golden Point by Leigh.

My late father would be muttering dark things right about now.

 

[JRS]

Done our point difference no harm at all.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1703104648058429738

So, yeah. Leeds done for 111 points in two matches and scoring nothing. Not good.

 

[JRS]

I LOVED IT!

 

[JRS]

I can't imagine how I'd feel as a Leeds fan if I'd saved up for a trip to Catalan and had that served up for me.

It got a bit worse for them as well, with the flight trouble.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1703453090819514495

But, as Steve said - worse places to be stuck than Perpignan.

 

[JRS]

There's a parallel universe where that try in Leigh's match with Wigan didn't get refused, and everything following was different. Hey ho.

Shame for that team, they've played out of their skins all year only to stutter right at the end. But a good showing by KR. Now to see what they can do against Wigan.

 

[JRS]

On the whole 'the calls even themselves out' deal...we've drawn Chris bloody Kendall as ref for the Saints match.

We have won one match with Kendall in charge.

One.

I will be astounded (happy, but astounded) if we add to that tally on Friday night...

 

[JRS]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1710397639903105406

Les Dracs actually did it.

Kendall tried (may God bless him, 'cause no other bugger would ) but the boys did it. And it was written in the stars for Sam to be the one to score the winning try.

I'm gonna be riding this high all weekend.

 

[JRS]

Meanwhile in the Championship the two teams contesting for promotion will be Toulouse and...*checks score today*...London?!?!

Didn't have Broncos beating Fev on my bingo card!

 

[JRS]

Bevan French is 2023 Man of Steel.