Exiled Wiganer

I was a little concerned after the Leigh match thread that we would struggle, but I think we needed that to get us match fit. At this stage, we could bring back Flower and O’Loughlin for the final and still have a good go at defending the indefensible.

Funny you should say that, given that the interchange rule that we were caught on was one that had not been applied in regular season attaches, that Wire accepted the result and were happy to play us, but Saints raised the issue and refused to accept that outcome. You can rest assured that Saints are all over potential Wigan breaches.

I am a fan of the disciplinary process as a process. I think it applies the rules consistently, within clear guidelines. As far as I can tell the point here is not that the process is wrong but rather that this rule is wrong. It didn’t just appear, the clubs accepted it and a number of them have “benefited” from it in the past. So, the controversy has actually nothing to do with Wigan, however much that is the spin some posters would like to put on it. if people don’t like the rule they should get annoyed with their clubs, including Wire, HKR and Leigh. I would also note that in this instance, as opposed to the usual way this exception works, Wigan benefit because we have invested enough into our reserves to have qualified for the this final.

So, in short, a rule has been correctly applied, in a way consistent with precedent.

Could you perhaps remind us of the number of posts and their content at the time? It would be strange indeed for you to have been unconcerned then but apoplectic now.

Oh, and Hill could well have played in that final.

So, a rule was applied correctly. Which is WIgan’s fault how exactly? It is testimony to our club’s talent that we were able to benefit (as opposed to clubs usually benefiting through being knocked out of the cup). If other clubs had invested enough in their reserves to stop us making the final, or if we hadn’t finished top, thus earning a week off, then we couldn’t have benefited.

Of course he did. Perhaps the fairest thing would be to ban King for having his head attached to his body by his neck?

I see. You were certain to kick the goal. Of course you were. Are they printing papers in Leigh with the correct score? You could even stage your own Grand final victory parade, after beating Hull KR, Catalans and Saints along the way. Who scored the tries that clinched it for you?

I know you are really deeply disturbed by this, and so will tread carefully. I did nothing of the sort. I asked whether anyone watched the last 20 minutes, as in that time Leigh failed to get out of their own half. If I had your sliding windows machine I would simply put a link up to what happened next and leave it at that.

And Saints would have finished second, and Wigan’s new owner would have realised he had been sold a pup, and closed the gates… Did anyone actually watch the last 20 minutes? If so, if the scores had been tied, who was in a position to get a drop goal? Or, indeed, had there been more at stake, who was going to score the deciding try.

I had no idea that you had perfected your predict the future machine. Congratulations. Is there any way we can crowd fund some counselling for you?

I have no idea who those people are, being in the 99.999999% of the world with zero interest in Aussie rules. We have the greatest game and have crushed it. Across the region we are now utterly pre eminent with daylight second.

Let me know when women’s football overtakes the NRL.

Err, you do realise that the referee was not going to give the try, don’t you? I agree, as it happens but I am not sure how that sits with the Leigh fans boo hoo woe is me hysteria.

The NRL is letting the game do its own talking. They have the greatest game, and have learnt how best to make it more accessible than ever. The game speaks for itself. It is no surprise to see them crushing all the sporting “competition”. Sitting back and watching the Warriors and the Broncos thrill us with speed and finesse having spent the previous morning cowering behind the sofa as the Panthers put on a truly terrifying display of strength. What we are seeing is the natural consequence of putting the game front and centre.

and our local cheese rolling side qualified for the regional final the day England played in the Euros final… yep, it was quite mad to see these sporting equivalents side by side!

I am feeling sprightly, thanks. Sadly, work took me away from the Ancient and Loyal Borough. You seem to have taken this very hard indeed, but it is no disgrace to lose to this Wigan side.

I am not laughing at what might or might not have happened or will happen. I am laughing at your “oo horrid Wigginers, with their horrid pies and their horrid ways” rantathon. Feel free to continue to your heart’s content: let TRL be your primal scream therapy.

It made me laugh, and still does. What next “Look at their horrible kit, and the way they comb their hair, and they all smell of cabbage…”? Knock yourself out.

We didn’t need to, we just kept you where we wanted you. Why didn’t you? It’s no disgrace to lose to this Wigan team. You can hold your head high.

If French has done as Lam had done it would have been even clearer. The defender should never be punished for trying to evade an obstructing runner. In any case, we would clearly have won from there had it been given. Leigh didn’t have a play the ball in our half after then. Leigh were brave and gave us a terrific match. They should be very proud of themselves. I hope they don’t wallow in self pity, and drown in bitterness, as they still have a lot to play for next week end.

May I be the first to congratulate the Wigan team on finishing top of the league this year. It remains a wonderful achievement, and is particularly well deserved for Matty Peet, a young British coach developing a fine side and a great culture, who is always available to speak to the press. For anyone that missed it, I would recommend you dig out the video for Mago’s re-signing. It is all that is good about our game.

I do wonder about Leigh’s thinking going into tonight. Next week is going to far more important for them, so I would have thought they would rest any borderline injury doubts, and look to get through unscathed. I know it’s a derby and there is a home semi on offer, but lose next week and it’s over for them.