Brilliant Wigan : Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:54 pm  

Just been watching 'A Century of Rugby League' which highlighted Wigan's period of dominance from 1988. It showed Offiah's ten tries against Leeds among other great scores. I hadn't watched it for years. It was exhilarating, exciting and memorable and I feel privileged because I was there. Now, I'm ready for Friday.

: Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:10 pm  

I get that feeling every time GB play. I stick on the old VHS of that match from 1992 where we fielded an entire Wigan pack, plus Edwards, Offiah and Lydon. We went 22-0 up at half time and ran out eventual winners by 33-10. I feel amazing, nostalgic, and certain that we can stir up the same pride and passion to go onto another historic victory.

Then, invariably, we get stuffed.

Welcome to RL.

Re: Brilliant Wigan : Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:19 pm  

Salty wrote:

Just been watching 'A Century of Rugby League' which highlighted Wigan's period of dominance from 1988. It showed Offiah's ten tries against Leeds among other great scores. I hadn't watched it for years. It was exhilarating, exciting and memorable and I feel privileged because I was there. Now, I'm ready for Friday.

I doubt we'll ever see that standard again in our lifetime - not just at Wigan, but anywhere in British RL.

That team in which Offiah scored 10 tries against Leeds was a team of all-stars (many brought up through the ranks), which was superbly coached and which had been playing together as a cohesive unit for several years. Every part of that finely tuned machine knew exactly what all the other parts were doing, all the time.

It's no wonder we beat an awesome Brisbane side in its own back yard, a feat that seems beyond comprehension today.

Mythologists will claim that a fully pro team beat a semi-amateur team that Friday evening against Leeds. But Leeds went fully pro before Wigan did, and by that time - what year was it, 94? - most other top clubs were also fully pro.

A great memory, which now seems very distant.

: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:40 pm  

It is hugely frustrating explaining to younger fans (whose loyalty is fantastic) that I am unhappy with the current rubbish, when I remember the standards that were set then.

League seems quite boring now, and not just because Wigan don't win everytning!

Re: Brilliant Wigan : Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:44 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

I doubt we'll ever see that standard again in our lifetime - not just at Wigan, but anywhere in British RL.

That team in which Offiah scored 10 tries against Leeds was a team of all-stars (many brought up through the ranks), which was superbly coached and which had been playing together as a cohesive unit for several years. Every part of that finely tuned machine knew exactly what all the other parts were doing, all the time.

It's no wonder we beat an awesome Brisbane side in its own back yard, a feat that seems beyond comprehension today.

Mythologists will claim that a fully pro team beat a semi-amateur team that Friday evening against Leeds. But Leeds went fully pro before Wigan did, and by that time - what year was it, 94? - most other top clubs were also fully pro.

A great memory, which now seems very distant.

It's weird you should mention about not seeing that standard again, because walking back to my car from work I was thinking what my all team Rugby League team would be from Games that I have seen/can remember (Probably talking from about 1990) and found myself not putting many of the current players of any side in. What would you think?

Re: Brilliant Wigan : Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:50 pm  

Salty wrote:

Just been watching 'A Century of Rugby League' which highlighted Wigan's period of dominance from 1988. It showed Offiah's ten tries against Leeds among other great scores. I hadn't watched it for years. It was exhilarating, exciting and memorable and I feel privileged because I was there. Now, I'm ready for Friday.

Friday is when our season starts.

COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Brilliant Wigan : Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:16 pm  

jjb10 wrote:

Friday is when our season starts.

COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets hope so, on a postive note trophys are not won in the first couple of games as Stains can testify

Re: Brilliant Wigan : Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:17 pm  

Salty wrote:

Just been watching 'A Century of Rugby League' which highlighted Wigan's period of dominance from 1988. It showed Offiah's ten tries against Leeds among other great scores. I hadn't watched it for years. It was exhilarating, exciting and memorable and I feel privileged because I was there. Now, I'm ready for Friday.

I was ready for Friday an hour after getting home from Hull, bl**dy Wigan, bl**dy rugby, drives ya mad dont it !!!!

Re: Brilliant Wigan : Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:47 pm  

JLM23 wrote:

It's weird you should mention about not seeing that standard again, because walking back to my car from work I was thinking what my all team Rugby League team would be from Games that I have seen/can remember (Probably talking from about 1990) and found myself not putting many of the current players of any side in. What would you think?

You're right, not many would.

In terms of modern British players, Cunningham would make it IMO, maybe Sculthorpe. No-one from any Wigan side of the last 5 or 6 years would get close, apart possibly from Farrell - but all of these guys would only do it at the peak of their power. I don't think any players from the current Leeds or Bradford teams would be in there. If you're talking an all-time RL side (and my memory goes back clearly to the late 60s, so for me it's a near-impossible job to assemble such an outfit), then none of the recent England WC side would even get a sniff.

This is only a personal view, of course. But if you were to put together an all-time Saints side, I'm pretty sure that, this being a golden era for you, you'd have a couple in there who've worn the red V in recent times. Sadly, if I was to put together an all-time Wigan side, no-one currently playing would even be in the train-on squad.

Re: Brilliant Wigan : Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:53 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

You're right, not many would.

In terms of modern British players, Cunningham would make it IMO, maybe Sculthorpe. No-one from any Wigan side of the last 5 or 6 years would get close, apart possibly from Farrell - but all of these guys would only do it at the peak of their power. I don't think any players from the current Leeds or Bradford teams would be in there. If you're talking an all-time RL side (and my memory goes back clearly to the late 60s, so for me it's a near-impossible job to assemble such an outfit), then none of the recent England WC side would even get a sniff.

This is only a personal view, of course. But if you were to put together an all-time Saints side, I'm pretty sure that, this being a golden era for you, you'd have a couple in there who've worn the red V in recent times. Sadly, if I was to put together an all-time Wigan side, no-one currently playing would even be in the train-on squad.

Very true but also very sad indeed IMO