Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:43 pm  

MattyB wrote:

Definitely will be battered and bruised but it's a squad competition so should be okay.

Thompson should be back, hopefully Byrne, Cooper and Leeming only knocks. A week's rest would probably do them good.

I think Leeming and Cooper will be out for a good few weeks. Byrne, assuming he failed his HIA, will miss the Giants game, and Ellis will be a big doubt. On the plus side Thompson is back, Chan should get his first run out of the season, Hill will get more minutes and hopefully Forber will make the 17. Who said we had signed too many forwards? Somebody at the Club knew what they were doing.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:45 pm  

apollosghost wrote:

One criticism you can put on Peet is him picking injured players, Leeming was nowhere near ready for that match, you could see he was limping in the warm up, dead last in the final sprint, same as Havard at OT.
He looked like he'd done some real damage to his ankle last night.

I disagree, I am sure that Leeming would have told him he was good to go. Coaches are relying on players being honest.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:50 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Wonderful win - really brilliant. So much bravery and courage on display. Up against it all game territory wise and kept hanging in there. Was clear from the start we wouldn't have many chances but thankfully we took them when they came.

Thought Liam Byrne was strong from the start, Kaide Ellis and Liam Marshall prominent throughout. Harvie Hill had a real dig. Bevan French drifts in and out of games sometimes but when he pops up its all quality. The tackle from Field towards the end was one of the best ever seen at the stadium. There was a crucial second or two when he put his foot right down on the accelerator (which he doesn't often do as he doesn't need to) - looked like an Olympic sprinter.

The Wardle try shouldn't have been given but I think we all knew we'd need that bit of luck somewhere to have a chance. Thought the French try was fine looking at the replays - it was only after the different rules were explained regarding both feet that it made sense. Thought they got away with a clear high tackle on Jai Field late on. The decision at the end was perfectly correct.

But here's the thing - think about the huge disparity in resource between the competitions - salary cap, depth of player pool, intensity of games etc. Think of how Australians clearly look down on the English sides, understandably to some extent. Given all this, why is it that they are so dependent on one refereeing decision to get a result? Why are English sides so competitive against Australian sides, be it last night or Saints last year or England against Australia in the 2017 WC final? Is it England or Australia that are underperforming more given the relative resources available? Penrith had plenty of chances to win the game and ultimately couldn't covert - in no small part due to Wigan's resilience. Credit to Cleary for acknowledging that post match.

Should also be noted that Wigan's pack was riddled with injury by the end with Havard, Walters and Thompson already out and Cooper, Leeming and Byrne all needing to be replaced during the game. To hang in there the way we did was outstanding. We'll likely be down to the bare bones over the next couple of months - I don't think it really matters though. We'll hopefully still be able to stay in contention for the top 2, if not and we end up in the top 4 or even top 6 I'm sure most would happily take that in exchange for a win last night.

Nsembe needs adding to that injury list and Ellis played the second half with an injury. Regarding SL, I think it will be a two horse race, us and Saints.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:53 pm  

A fantastic game and a fantastic win. To stay calm and disciplined with the ball and to show such concentration in defence all while Penrith tried to strangle the life out of us was an effort you don’t associate with English sides too often. I think having to play against a Saints side trying to do the same this past few years has really helped in that regard and we’ve got better and better at coping with that.

I thought there were great efforts all over the place but no huge stand out, which shows what a great team effort it was. We looked pretty busted with issues for Leeming, Ellis, Cooper and Byrne but those are worries for another day.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:54 pm  

Teessidewire wrote:

Many congratulations to Wigan on a superb performance. Do we have any news on Mike Cooper yet? He didn’t look to be running at all well when he came back on.

Cheers for that, not seen any injury updates yet but I'd imagine there'll be a few missing next weeks game, Byrne Cooper an Leeming didn't look good

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:14 pm  

To make the win even better there's a very funny thread 'Wigan buying the WCC' on Redvee.

A couple of sensible posts by the usual sensible posters but the rest are going down a 'deep state conspiracy' rabbit hole

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:26 pm  

Penrith for my money were the better side in nearly every aspect of the game but for discipline with the ball. Caught in possession 6 times (I think?) on the last, bombed 3 easy tries and dominated us in attack and defence.

We took our chances when they came and remained exceptionally disciplined in attack and defence and an overall completion rate of 86% is superb.

I have to be honest and say I’m still not sure about the Wardle try but alas it matters not.

F I V E T I M E S

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:35 pm  

Big Steve wrote:

To make the win even better there's a very funny thread 'Wigan buying the WCC' on Redvee.

A couple of sensible posts by the usual sensible posters but the rest are going down a 'deep state conspiracy' rabbit hole

I was reaqding that yesterday

Didnt expect many posts wanting a Wigan win over the aussies but the usual suspects where wishing season ending injuries on players. All class that forum (and yes, I know its not all of them)

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:35 pm  

Big Steve wrote:

To make the win even better there's a very funny thread 'Wigan buying the WCC' on Redvee.

A couple of sensible posts by the usual sensible posters but the rest are going down a 'deep state conspiracy' rabbit hole

LLS, Grand final trophy and now the WCC all sat in the cabinet and a billionaire owner paying people off.

It’s the stuff of dreams

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:39 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

LLS, Grand final trophy and now the WCC all sat in the cabinet and a billionaire owner paying people off.

It’s the stuff of dreams

Its almost like we are back in the late 80's/early 90's