I'm still in shock, but recovering slightly after a good breakfast and a stroll by the lake...
First off, injuries. Injuries are in the nature of our collision sport. All teams have them, and, as noted above, with out 1,6,7,13 spine on the pitch, we really can't complain about any other losses. I'm sure Saints and every team can point to a few as well. So that is really no excuse.
I fetched my son up to Wigan from London for the weekend. He's not massive sport or rugby fan (despite my best efforts!
), but even he could clearly see that despite having plenty of the ball and field position, we never really looked like scoring. We pass along the line until it gets to someone (it's usually Gildart) who decides that another pass isn't on or we'll run out of pitch, so he has to stop and try to turn inside. He is tackled and the move peters out with little forward progress. How often did that happen last night? I'm not blaming Gildart, who looks a talented and capable lad (wish he was a bit bigger, though).
A few weeks back I mentioned watching videos of the Cowboys, and someone said, you don't expect us to match the best side in the world? No, I don't, but I watched them produce a complete and utter master-class the other night. Everything they do, forwards and backs, has a purpose.They have a range of plays, and they execute them brilliantly. They re an object lesson how to play the game. Wigan seem to have completely lost their way. If we play like that against Hull we will get slaughtered. I'm going to Donny, but am not optimistic.
BTW, just on the NRL. I also watched the Warriors' narrow golden point defeat. Tommy L, playing at 7, looked pretty good. He had a good game, and came within inches of scoring a neat individual try. He certainly looked twice the player Smith does.