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Great battle that because the styles are so contrasting. Nui played Wigan off the park last week and over the 3 Wigan v Leigh games this year, I'd say he's been the best player on either side but Robertson will challenge him with that footwork. I love watching Robertson play, even as a Wigan fan. Some young players come through and they just move differently and you see that class straight away and he's one of those. Robertson and Nui will throw exactly what the other player doesn't want at each other. Nui with his power and Robertson with his footwork.

They will want to be. Two new teams need talent to fill them up. Perth would be ripe to recruit and nurture talented British 18 year olds aspiring to make the most of their talents.

He does leave himself open to comments like 'he's been poor this season' Smith because he has spells where he just totally loses concentration. His passing becomes wayward, his kicking much the same and his discipline can go and then games like that stick in the mind. His good games are all about control and game management, so you're not going to have those X factor moments jumping out. I've yet to see him drop anything but a really good performance in a Semi Final, Play off Semi, Cup Final, Grand Final or England test though. I cannot think of a comparable player in my time watching Wigan tbh in regards to being exemplary in big games and sometimes shambolic in games you'd consider the easiest to play in.

Which ones you thinking? Various sounds like there must be a good few to go at but that's certainly not been my thoughts, not until the last 4 or 5 weeks (looking at the fixture list it's probably 6 weeks because it went a bit arry from Catalans away, even though we won 48-0). I'm somebody who got extremely frustrated with Smiths concentration levels in the weekly rounds as well,over the past few seasons, outside of the biggest games. His habit of switching off week to week but always playing out of his skin in the biggest games, can have you pulling your hair out. I was hopeful he'd fixed that because from the start of the season until that Catalans game I mention above, he had been easily the most consistent I've seen him in the week to week grind and he threw in some outstanding games as well. Interesting listening to Luke Robinson in his press conference last night picking out Smith as the man whose killed them in their games this season against Wigan (he must mean the two at our place because he was poor at Dewsbury).

It’s a good position to be in for us to be even able to discuss what permutations are available for the coach, unlike previous seasons when we could hardly cobble together a fully fit 17. I trust Mash will pick the right team for the day, as he has up to now,

He always stands up for England. Was the best player on the team for the Tonga series and also had a great series against Samoa. Would be silly to change what’s already working, he controls the side well and his kicking game is immensely important. I think Lewis should be the one partnering him though. Mikey is arguably the in form half in the whole world, and the in form player in SL. He has to be starting at 6 for me, he can create anything out of nothing.

Still the nailed on 7 for me just a choice of who plays alongside him Williams or Lewis.

Your centres are playing will and as I said in another thread I don’t think we will get near you this week. I am interested with how Robertson deals with Niu this week though. Robertsons footwork against Leeds was stunning at times but defensively he’s going to have to deal with a much bigger man. A big test coming up for him.

I was fortunate enough to see some RL played there. I saw Latvia play Ukraine in Riga in 2009 I think. Also Estonia v Ukraine in Tallin in 2008 I think. Both cities were wonderful for that Soviet Bloc style architecture you are searching for @The Hallucinating Goose . I visited Tallinn in the bitter cold and Riga in a lovely summer. I also find that commie style era of architecture fascinating. Especially on a sunny day where the buildings shine through as if to tell stories or years upon years of suppression and escaping communism. I haven’t been to Lithuania unfortunately. I find similar styles in Poland and Czech Republic, outside of Prague. Who needs a Mrs Goose when you have so many wonderful Eastern and Central European geese to gander at.

He hasn't just been poor the last 4 or 5 weeks. There have been various other games too.

I watched highlights of Gold Coast beating the table topping Collingwood (who only played their first game outside Melbourne for 9 weeks and second in 12) at home in front of 22,831. The place looked pretty full and prompted me to check some attendance figures for the year. The Suns have played 5 home games there for an average of 16,378. That is pretty impressive for the GC and definitely proof the game is growing roots there. So I looked at previous 10 seasons. Of non-COVID affected: 2024 - 16,919 (season avg) 2023 - 14,552 2022 - 12,360 2019 - 11,834 2018 - 13,593 2017 - 14,017 2016 - 11,561 So last year they emphatically broke the 15k season avg marker at Carrara for the first time and are well placed to break 17, or even 18k mark this year with bigger crowds in their last four matches as the business end of the season draws near and they compete with seven other clubs all within one win of each other, fighting for a top 3 and 4 spot.

I keep going at this point but the last 4 or 5 weeks aren't the whole year. The league started in February and Smith had his most consistent start to a season in his Wigan career IMO and was absolutely superb in Vegas, at HKR and against Saints (the big games). After a few iffy games, he was thankfully back to his best last night. These last few weeks haven't half wiped out everything that happened from February to the end of May. They've hit hard!

Yes but they also have far more power over superleague then over the prem league.

Not sure of the rules but there was also a lot of talent not part of the England series who played in the NSW vs QLD under 18s game in June 2018 (all kids born in the year 2000 or younger): Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fafita, Tom Gilbert, Xavier Coates, Ethan Bullemour, Corey Paix, Tannah Boyd for QLD and Spencer Leinu, Stefano Utoikamanu, Shawn Blore, Egan Butcher, Bronson Cherry for NSW.

I can't say that there was a "lack of effort" from the players, more like half of them are kids, some decent players and the rest aren't up to the level we're playing at. There was plenty of mistakes made, etc. but none of that was due to a lack of effort.

Jeez, that long? Not sure of the ins and outs of it all but I'm staggered Armstrong was played in those last couple of games, when clearly not fit. It looks even crazier when you realise Leigh have the best back up fullback in the comp.

I remember watching the house of league podcast a couple of months ago and for a couple of consecutive weeks they spoke about how much fitter HKR are then the rest of the teams in the league. That pricked my interest a bit as a Wigan fan, as I think that is generally a strength of the Wigan squad (Mago aside maybe). I thought back to those comments before kick off today and couldn't help but feel if it were true, the conditions were absolutely perfect for HKR and they'd pull away second half, without a bead of sweat on them. As it turned out, Leigh looked stronger as the game went on.

Very much so, but our centres are both playing very well and if I was to move one it would be Armstrong to a wing position, give him some clear real estate and he will scorch the grass, but these are decisions for Mr Lam to make, as I understand it Armstrong will not be making any appearances before near April next year.

I love how fearless he looks when coming to claim kicks and when taking on the line. I can only see him getting better and better. One thing that intrigues me a little is having him and Armstrong in the same squad and how long that can last. They're both starting quality fullbacks, for a side in the top 3 in the league. It's obviously not an issue at the minute but if Hodgson smashes it between now and the end of the season, it'll be interesting to see what is to come.

There's an old saying in Rugby League and that has happened the last 2 weeks with HKR:- "You can only play as well as the opposition allows you to" Both Leeds last week and Leigh this, the longer both games went on bossed KR, and were stronger, faster and fitter. No good saying such a player is missing or who got injured, this is Rugby League Football and these things happen it is a consequence of the sport, all teams suffer.

Win tomorrow and we go top. If the difference of us losing and Oldham winning overturns a 49 points deficit, we will find ourselves 4th tomorrow instead. Tomorrow makes or breaks our season IMO

Given today's slack effort in defeat I can't see the Hounds accepted into a higher league, anywhere. Who else watched us today and thought the same - and good for you. I'd just love to know what's going on behind the scenes??!!

Early days yet for Bailey Hodgson, but when he's played he has never let himself or his team down and he is getting better the more field time he gets, I have been watching Leigh for a very long time, and the impression he gives me and let's be honest for a relative rookie, he could blossom into one of the best fullbacks I have seen in the 'Cherry and White' he is already showing the maturity of a seasoned No1 fielding the ball, driving out of defence, linking up in the attacking line and off loading to colleagues, keep it up kid you are doing great.

The only people who think badly of IMG are those who have no idea how important they are in the wider sports broadcasting world, and how they know better anyway.

I agree but I would make the change. Freshens us up and Bradford wont have planned for it.. My only question would be in the heat can Dagger do 80 minutes? If Mash thinks he can then 100% Dagger fullback and Toa at centre. Dagger adds another level of pace and Toa has actually played the majority of his games at centre and it's his natural position. Jesse back in for Oli Field who goes on the bench to cover the forwards and also if Dagger wilts and Toa has to go full back he can go centre. With Cook interchange as well then it's 4 props out of 7 in the squad. For me it's Martin, Hudson, Santi and Fitzy. Dont mind which 2 start, they can all do long minutes and are tackling machines which I think we'll need. Tire them out then go for the kill second half. Job done then top of the league