2019 Superleague and rugby league thread

[walkerwek1958]

Can’t see any other outcome than a win for the Wires on Friday, we picked up a couple of injuries against Wigan but I don't think that’ll make much difference. Hopefully we won’t loose by a big score, we need to preserve our precious points difference advantage over our fellow-strugglers.

Still think we’re home and hosed if Hull KR beat London.

[cinnabull]

Well, what a game that was. Deffo a contender for the ‘game of 2 halves’. We dominated first half and Wakey came out second half all guns blazing. Good send off for Super Benny Westwood at the end as well, very emotional speech and a good farewell from the crowd. The Kiwi/Tongan etc contingent did the Haka in respect of a true warrior of the sport which went down extremely well. What about Lardarn doing HKR as well, it aint over till the fat lady sings it seems.

Stuart


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[walkerwek1958]

I didn’t watch the Hull KR- London match, I was drinking beer at Stalybridge station with a couple of TZ good buddies. Had a look at the half- time scores on the train to to Huddersfield, had a drink between trains, then checked the scores at around 9:30. Hull KR were hanging on to a 2 point lead, all the other games had finished so I knew it must be almost full time. Got off the train in Normanton to walk home, checked the score, totally gutted to see that London had snatched it at the death.

A disappointing end to a good evening, the anguish continues for another week. I’m past the stage of predicting anything this season, it’s turned into a bad dream. My gut feeling says we’ll beat London next Friday in a close contest, and Salford will beat Hull KR......not sure whether that’s hope or well- founded optimism.

Trinity are playing better than a few weeks ago, but it’s all coming too late. Lets hope we’ve got too much next Friday for the Broncos.

I’d prefer to see Hull KR stay up too, they always bring a decent following to Wakefield, they’re generally well- behaved and we’re happy to take their money, a couple of thousand codheads at an average £20 a piece is good business.

A super League with London, Toronto and Catalans will mean a drop in attendances, that can’t be a good thing.

[cinnabull]

Well doesn't time fly. Last game of the regular season tonight, and we're off to Leeds. I'll be leaving in just over an hour. They have noting to play for I don't think, apart from pride. I'm hoping for a win obviously for the Wire.

I haven't attempted to look at all the possibilities of who can/will finish where depending on the results, but I do see a big BIG game on at Wakey tonight. Lardarn have a habit of winning 'must win' games, lets see how this one plays out. Out of the other fixtures I personally would go with Saints, Salford and Hudds to all win tonight. There you go, that's jiggered their chances...

Stuart

[walkerwek1958]

Wakey, wakey, wakey wakey, wakey.....lets go party!

Super League survival, match has been watched, beer has been drunk, we live to fight another day!

[RJM25R]

Wakey, wakey, wakey wakey, wakey.....lets go party!

Super League survival, match has been watched, beer has been drunk, we live to fight another day!

Shame London went down instead of Hudds in my opinion. They’ve been treading water for far too long and a kick up the backside might force them to reinvest and try to grow the support.

[cinnabull]

Well, we were absolutely shocking last night. Leeds has nowt to play for but we could have cemented third place. Possibly the worst performance of the season from us. Shame to lose London but I’m personally not fussed as its one less big journey next season. They should have invested a bit more imo to try to keep up, I get being loyal to the guys that got them up but in reality that squad wasnt good enough. If we play like last night and last week v Wakey Cass will tear us a new one I fear.

Stuart


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[walkerwek1958]

Now the dust has settled, and I’ve sobered up after a couple of days of ‘serious socialising’, I can’t help thinking that expanding SL to 14 teams makes sense. The loop fixture situation is crap, we ended up playing Warrington away TWICE, no disrespect to the Wires but we ended up with two tough away matches at a point in the season where we were struggling.

London have been v. good this season, a good chance to consolidate SL presence in the capital is being lost by sending them back to the championship, somehow I feel an opportunity is being thrown away by not giving them another chance. Changing the rules at short notice isn’t ideal, but I think it’s justified.

Whilst I’m on my high horse I’ll have a moan about Sky TV and rearrangement of games at short notice. This plays havoc with folks’s plans and has a negative effect on attendances. Thursday night games often mean short turnaround times too, which doesn’t help when players are carrying knocks.........and on the topic of player welfare it’s time we scrapped the Good Friday /Easter Monday farce, playing two games over Easter does no-one any good.

Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to the play-off matches. Saints-Wigan Grand Final looks to be on the cards unless Warrington hit some form, can’t see Cas or Salford making any impact.

[cinnabull]

Its do or die tonight for us and Cass. I'd imagine Cass will be well up for this given our recent form in the league, although the loss of Sene Lefao for them is a big one. Just hoping for a good game with no injuries.

Not sure if Saints having a week off will do them good or work against them. I know players want to play each week and I hope they don't lose momentum cos of this. I'm also not convinced of the play off formula at present, IMO the team that finishes top should be in the GF whatever, and perhaps the two below play for the right to meet them. To potentially finish up GF Winners from fifth doesn't sit right with me personally, and there should be some better reward for finishing top in the regular season. Much as I don't like saying it, this year Saints are the champions in my book, and whoever has finished top in previous years similarly so.

Stuart

[RJM25R]

Its do or die tonight for us and Cass. I'd imagine Cass will be well up for this given our recent form in the league, although the loss of Sene Lefao for them is a big one. Just hoping for a good game with no injuries.

Not sure if Saints having a week off will do them good or work against them. I know players want to play each week and I hope they don't lose momentum cos of this. I'm also not convinced of the play off formula at present, IMO the team that finishes top should be in the GF whatever, and perhaps the two below play for the right to meet them. To potentially finish up GF Winners from fifth doesn't sit right with me personally, and there should be some better reward for finishing top in the regular season. Much as I don't like saying it, this year Saints are the champions in my book, and whoever has finished top in previous years similarly so.

Stuart

You’re first prediction was borne out. Wire dominated for 15 but never scored and then were pretty poor. They did well to be within 2 points I thought.

Lots of fans on RLFANS now saying they want Price gone.

Crazy

[cinnabull]

You’re first prediction was borne out. Wire dominated for 15 but never scored and then were pretty poor. They did well to be within 2 points I thought.

Lots of fans on RLFANS now saying they want Price gone.

Crazy

I deffo think the best team won last night, no doubt. We have been playing what I consider is boring rugby for some time now, 5 drives and a kick. Our only attacking option is a kick to the corner and hope. We have no halves creating anything at the moment, and when Austin went off the writing was on the cards, but I also think most teams are getting the measure of him now.

Still, we have won 50% of the cups on offer, and the most lucrative (financially) one. There will be 10 other teams that dont get a cup so thats got to be seen as a success of sorts. Would I say the season has been a success, well yes I suppose so. So SO disappointed with our league finish, but if someone had said at the beginning you have 1 cup, I’d have taken that.

There are a few fans now moaning about Price, I get that with the style of rugby we are currently playing. Should he go, nah I dont think so. Lets see what happens next year when Widdop comes, and a few others. You know, its ALWAYS OUR YEAR !!!

Stuart


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[walkerwek1958]

Surprised to see Warrington lose, I thought they would’ve pulled out a big performance last night in the same way they did at Wembley.

Credit to Cas, they deserved the win, can’t see them progressing further but you never know!

[RJM25R]

All roads lead to Old Trafford and regardless of the opponents I feel that the only team that can beat Saints is Saints themselves.


Sublime performance tonight.

COYS

[walkerwek1958]

Yes, Saints were good tonight, Wigan were second-best by a good margin.......but can Saints do it again in 2 weeks time?

[cinnabull]

WOW. Salford did the pies totally there tonight. Who'd have thought that one at the start of the season, Salford in the GF. I don't think they will have enough to beat Saints if they (saints) are on form and don't choke, but it may be worth putting a cheeky tenner on em just in case.

Stuart

[walkerwek1958]

Yes, who would’ve predicted Salford to make the Grand Final. Good value for the win tonight, Wigan were well beaten.

Can Salford beat Saints next week?.........unlikely in my opinion, but worth a bet.

Looking forward to Fev vs Toronto and hoping for another upset, the gym I use is in Featherstone and it’s fair to say the locals are well up for it!

[RJM25R]

Salford took it to Wigan.....

Next week looks a great game with two teams who entertain.


COYS!

[cinnabull]

Last thing I want personally is Toronto coming up, I'll be a flat capper for the day for sure. Fev all the way hopefully.

Stuart

[RJM25R]

I would have loved to have gone to the Mcr GTG today but I was out from 10am yesterday, drinking in Manchester then Old Trafford and celebrates all night, got in at 2:30am and proceeded to try and watch the match on Sky through beer goggles so I was a bit worse for wear today. I don’t think I should drive still......

I’ve watched the match properly on Sky and imho it looked far more one sided on Sky than it seemed at OT.

I never doubted We’d get the result but thought it felt closer, maybe just nerves at the game.....

It was a great tactic to run the ball at the end of the sets instead of trying to kick into the short in goal, and I think it’s fair to say we had the rub of the green from the ref.


I called Thommo for Harry Sunderland after he was still on the pitch at 60 mins.....


I’m off to watch it again now, promised Mrs RJM this will be the last time..... probably won’t be though!

[RJM25R]

[cinnabull]

OK, I know technically the season is over, but whats everyones thoughts on Toronto reputedly offering Sonny Bill $9m for a 2 year contract. To me its absolutely ridiculous. Obviously its their choice how they spend their money, but haven't we been here before with Koukash?. They would be much better off buying a few decent players to take them forward, if this deal goes ahead what if he gets a season out injury first game, or even pre season. If they have that much money to splash about what about putting it into developing the game over there, investing in youth, setting up a competitive amateur scene etc IMO.

I still cringe when I watch the Million pound game back and listen to McDermotts comments about how he thinks fans would rather have finals between 'Big Cities' like Barcelona, Toronto et all, not some small towns in northern England. Where does he think the games roots and heritage are, where are most of his players from, and will be from next year most likely. Strange how a bit of money can instantly change your outlook on life eh?

Stuart