Wirral Warrior

You are still not getting the basic point.... I am not complaining or banging on about no International Football this year whether it be Australia or even Wales. Not bothered. Does not make sense this year. Understood? I just found it interesting and annoying that a leading ' expert' on the game could provide such a narrowly focussed argument on the impacts of Covid ,without providing the listeners without a fully rounded argument on all the impacts. Gould is either inept as a pundit, or patronising to the extent that his argument of end of season Origin only impacting on his desire to watch Origin in mid winter in front of a warm fire and that players would be tired. Inept or patronising.......probably both.

I mention Mascord as he has an Aussie accent and knows that the Bulldogs come from both Cantebury, Sydney as well as Batley , West Yorkshire. Whether you are lost or not , at least the guy has some international perspective to draw on.....more so than the great Gus and his sychophantic presenter. Still dont think you are getting the basic point. Its a no brainer they, as we, have to make the most financially lucrative decisions to suit the sport their respective hemisphere's. No issue with that. These self-styled rugby experts should at least recognise, point out , reference all implications of the decision....which in this case happens to be the cancellation of the first Ashes Test Series in 17 years involving the national team. From my experience of watching RL in Australia it may not just be the experts who do not have any recognition of the international game. Maybe thats for another topic...

I would agree that there is a fair degree of insularity in the UK...the M62 brigade etc. However the point I am really trying to make is that the leading commentators on the game should have a broader perspective to keep people informed. If that same debate was happening on the excellent 5 Live Podcast and a change /extention to the Super League season meant we were to delay the Challenge Cup Final and/or Magic to post season, do we think Dave Woods would have referenced the slight issue of a planned 3 Test Ashes Series. Of course he would , as would Phil Caplan, Bill Arthur , Brian Carney , Chris Irvine etc . Non-one is saying that moving SOO to post season is not the most financially logistical move to make, but at least cancelling an International Series should have been referenced as a consequential issue. Thats my point - the insularity and narrow perspective. The only enightened Aussie commentators I hear on the sport appear to be Andrew Voss and Steve Mascord.

Just finished listening to an Aussie Podcast ' Six Tackles with Gus' and enjoyed the general discussion on the prospects of NRL return at the end of May and the threat that player discipline could jeopodise the re-start etc. The discussion , sorry monologue, moved onto the impact of the late scheduling of the Grand Final and then a concentrated Origin series. Not once was the impact on International Rugby even mentioned either by the host or the great Gus himself. In fact when the host suggested they move Origin as an end of season tournament, the great Gus said NO, absolutely not! No way would they move it , nor should they he exclaimed! .....and the reason...not because that would clash with International Rugby ( Ashes, Anzac , Island Tests etc). Oh no. The great Gus likes mid-season Origin in the depths of 'winter' because they can gather round the fire and watch the 'footy' and get big TV ratings, and of course the players would be too tired at the end of the season to play 'rep footy'. Not one refrence to the International game...apart from he mentioned the Warriors once...and it wasn't Wigan. Is this guy typical of Aussie attitudes ? He is an ex Origin coach , club coach etc so he knows the sport.... or does he? I thought dinosaurs were extinct? Thoughts?

Lack experience in some of the Wigan pack evident. Too often they were concentrating on hitting hard rather than smart. Too many gaps in midfield. Watson did have a plan for Hastings...step forward Kris Welham. Wigan too complacent; Salford the exact opposite.

Early in Ian Lenaghan's reign, Wigan used to be very pro-active in promoting games - they once advertised a Wire Match on TV and used to run 'The Big One' concept to target a particular game to get a big crowd . I think Leeds was the first v Leeds in 2009. They also used to use the London Broncos/Harlequins match as an opportunity for special promotions such as Sponsors days such Heinz Family days etc. Given the recent financial losses , marquee signings now and Central Park/Robin Park initiatives, perhaps there is not the budget to fund these special promotions. That said , it is interesting why everyone seems concerned about Wigan's attendances, which for the size of the town arguably still performs fairly well compared with clubs from bigger towns/cities?

Do others agree she is a really good interviewer? She kept pressing Lam for a full explanation on the 'attidue' issue from last week - what caused it, had it changed etc. She was also robust in her interview with Brian Mac. He isnt the easiest to be interviewed but she pushed for an answer as to why O'Brien had not been previously selected. Even O'Brien himself got the same treatment. Fans want selection decision questions and not just ' how disappointing was it lose ' etc etc

Wayne Rooney at 9

Desperate news for him and his family. Tremendous competitor and well respected. Good luck Rob!

Good article. The argument about 'less is more' with NRL reducing to play 22 rounds plus SOO and Internaitional Football has got to be the way forward for SL. 29 plus CC and Play Off's is ridiculous in such a high intensity collision sport. The season should start in March giving ample time in the off season for recovery and skills preparation. How can SL clubs and administators sanction starting in late January?? Get rid of loop fixtures and create the space for a full pre-season and international football. If marketed correctly 'less is more' is a valuable tactic because in SL ' More is definitely Less'!

All our politicians have said much dafter things this week. its a good suggestion. We have no creativity in form of cut out passes, kicking etc from loose forward since SOL finished. Williams can kick, pass and tackle....he just can't organise....that's what Widdop is there for.

Typical Aussies....Fox coverage all about transfer rumours in NRL. They are supposed to be previewing an International??????....they will be talking Origin next.....Cmon Tonga!!!!

Missing SOL's creativity in terms of attacking support

It's Test Match football....if we played more international football including club matches on tour, the better cohesion in terms of attacking partnerships

Keep the pressure on......play smart