as a neutral i thought it was a cracking tough game of RL, and good luck at Wembley, at least my work colleagues will all be happy this morning


IMO, the ref got the head shots correct. The one being called out from Trout wasnt even him, and disappointing to see players calling for him to be off. He nailed Dufty who bounced into i think it was McNamaras head on head, so absolutely the correct decision for me. Although at full speed it didnt look that good


the big decision i thought the ref got incorrect was in Wires favour, when Ipape was close to the line (brilliant tackle from Thewlis to stop him) but the subsequent play of the ball, IMO should have been penalty to Leigh and poss sin binning as Ratchford came in from the side and dove into the POTB, so and i think the commentator picked up on it by saying you need to make the ref, make a decision, and he saw it in Wire favour. Other than that i thought he reffed the game well, and was sensible by not binning players from either side for the contacts to the head, which were the right and sensible decisions


I thought Vaughan in his 1st spell was outstanding (was MOM for me), and Harrison played a good cameo when he came on making some good yards too. Probably the 1st time i've been impressed with Fitzgibbon if i'm being honest (but i dont see him every week), and he was in some pain when he went off. 


One thing i think you did really well was contain Armstrong when he linked into the line. I think Ratchford nailed him virtually every time and he got very little out of you all game

Abe Froman: karetaker: On Vaughan] "He's been brilliant all year but today he really took the game by the scruff of the neck early and dragged the team forward. We're doing everything to keep him." It's always been down to his wage demands & wanting a 2 more years, like most NRL players at the end of there careers. They're a long time retired and want to earn the most they can, while they can. Can't blame the man for that. The club have always felt they can get better VFM than what Vaughan & Musgrove earn, hence why he hasn't extended. But it's proving hard to recruit the players Warrington are targeting. I think the feeling at the club is they'll find middle ground pretty soon, but yesterdays performance was a very clear indication from Vaughan that he feels he's still got plenty to offer.  In this article Burgess says he wants to keep him, so maybe he has changed his mind and wants to retain Vaughan? https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/25154315.sam-burgess-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-semi-final-win/

Abe Froman: karetaker: On Vaughan] "He's been brilliant all year but today he really took the game by the scruff of the neck early and dragged the team forward. We're doing everything to keep him." It's always been down to his wage demands & wanting a 2 more years, like most NRL players at the end of there careers. They're a long time retired and want to earn the most they can, while they can. Can't blame the man for that. The club have always felt they can get better VFM than what Vaughan & Musgrove earn, hence why he hasn't extended. But it's proving hard to recruit the players Warrington are targeting. I think the feeling at the club is they'll find middle ground pretty soon, but yesterdays performance was a very clear indication from Vaughan that he feels he's still got plenty to offer.  In this article Burgess says he wants to keep him, so maybe he has changed his mind and wants to retain Vaughan? https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/25154315.sam-burgess-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-semi-final-win/

BOSS HOG: Abe Froman: karetaker: On Vaughan] "He's been brilliant all year but today he really took the game by the scruff of the neck early and dragged the team forward. We're doing everything to keep him." It's always been down to his wage demands & wanting a 2 more years, like most NRL players at the end of there careers. They're a long time retired and want to earn the most they can, while they can. Can't blame the man for that. The club have always felt they can get better VFM than what Vaughan & Musgrove earn, hence why he hasn't extended. But it's proving hard to recruit the players Warrington are targeting. I think the feeling at the club is they'll find middle ground pretty soon, but yesterdays performance was a very clear indication from Vaughan that he feels he's still got plenty to offer.  In this article Burgess says he wants to keep him, so maybe he has changed his mind and wants to retain Vaughan? https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/25154315.sam-burgess-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-semi-final-win/ He's definitely changed him mind towards Vaughan. The head bumping was well documented. But what SB thinks is only part of extending any players contract. The financial approach since the losses of Covid has changed the mindset of the board. What we pay our players is now a lot more important. Getting to Wembley for a 2nd year running shouldn't be under estimated when looking at the financial position of the club.

BOSS HOG: Abe Froman: karetaker: On Vaughan] "He's been brilliant all year but today he really took the game by the scruff of the neck early and dragged the team forward. We're doing everything to keep him." It's always been down to his wage demands & wanting a 2 more years, like most NRL players at the end of there careers. They're a long time retired and want to earn the most they can, while they can. Can't blame the man for that. The club have always felt they can get better VFM than what Vaughan & Musgrove earn, hence why he hasn't extended. But it's proving hard to recruit the players Warrington are targeting. I think the feeling at the club is they'll find middle ground pretty soon, but yesterdays performance was a very clear indication from Vaughan that he feels he's still got plenty to offer.  In this article Burgess says he wants to keep him, so maybe he has changed his mind and wants to retain Vaughan? https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/25154315.sam-burgess-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-semi-final-win/ He's definitely changed him mind towards Vaughan. The head bumping was well documented. But what SB thinks is only part of extending any players contract. The financial approach since the losses of Covid has changed the mindset of the board. What we pay our players is now a lot more important. Getting to Wembley for a 2nd year running shouldn't be under estimated when looking at the financial position of the club.

I'd love to get some indication as to just how much financially it could be worth getting to Wembley. 

Currie is playing some of the best rugby of his career & Josh Thewlis seems to be finally getting confidence to be more than a bit part player & i like the look of Jake's efforts too.

Well done Wire, from 1 to 17, what a performance!


Mr Vaughan for 2 more years please, we'll struggle to find better.



Alongside everyone else that got mentioned, I thought Ratchford's tackling was superb....even though he's obviously on the fringes of a fully fit team, he just gets stuck in and does what is asked of him. He may not be the Ratchford of old but he seems like a model professional to me, well done Stef.