Human Punk

Not sure Daryl Clark deserved a spot, I assume Litten won't be expected to pay 80 mins and I'd have thought someone more aggressive might be a better bet - no idea who though! Pleased to see Burgess in there though - with Lomax and Coates out he could have a big impact.

It's a bit odd - it's been a disappointing season again for Saints and you'd say on the face of it that Wellens hasn't managed to get the best out of his squad. But looking at the quality of players at his disposal, a narrow semi-final defeat is pretty much the best that anyone could have achieved with that lot (especially the complete absence of a quality half back). I don't suppose we'll ever find out if he's capable of being a great coach, but we've seen plenty evidence that he's a thoroughly good bloke, and I hope things work out for him in future.

** Negativity spoiler alert ** I don't think I've ever been as pessimistic regarding England's chances as I am this time. Herbie aside, I don't think we have anyone who would worry the Aussies. French is the best player in the league by some distance - we'd need a good 7 or 8 players of similar calibre to be in with a shout, and they just aren't there. Solid, decent clubmen aren't going to cut it. Is it only me who thinks we're in for a terrible drubbing?

I'd have said that Smith's appalling performance all evening was sufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision. The chances of him having got that call right were exceedingly slim.

Talagi is no Luai for sure. Still not sure how the Panthers managed to fall away so badly in the 2nd half though - I think they got a bit complacent. And if they'd been sensible and watched Leeds v Saints earlier they'd have known to take the 2 points on offer at 14-6! Pleased for Reynolds, a real quality player who should have been doing the place kicking from the off.

Jeez, that's just brought back horrible memories of Sinfield in the world cup semi against NZ. He's still got a bit of work to do before I forgive him for that.

Fantastic game for sure. Walsh should have been off, but then we wouldn't have had the game we got. I'm not convinced that pass in ET from Shibasaki was forward though, so the Broncos probably just about deserved their win. Fogarty will regret that easy conversion miss.

Fixed that for you!

Worzel said it better than I could earlier today. But I would say that this latest contribution from Nigel is one of the most dispiriting things I have ever read regarding this great sport. It's almost as if the game is being run by a total ###### (rhymes with farce).

Meeeooooowww!

That is a rectum of an appointment.

Not as baffling as Lam thinking that Darnell McIntosh is a better choice than Josh Charnley, but not far off it.

You do really have it in for those two! Mbye has been consistently decent since he's had a regular spot in the halves, and that's been reflected in the run of results. Wellens seems to have finally got his team selection right, and working well. Only 14 points conceded in 5 games surely merits consideration that he might not be such a bad coach. Not everyone gets it right immediately. I only saw the game on TV but Leeds looked like they could have played another 80 minutes without looking like even threatening to score.

Well that's very kind of you, but what makes you think I'm a "neutral sat at home"?

A real shame for Grace, desperately unlucky with injuries. If he can stay fit for a year or so it's not too late for him to recover some of that early magic. Worth a gamble I'd have thought.