Jughead

Attendance was given as 51,268. It felt like there were probably more than 11,500 empty seats from being there, with big empty sections (the tier one or two prices from memory) across the ground though.

Cannot see a 50k attendance. High 40’s and very good followings by the two teams involved but the neutrals is where it will drag it down.

What’s legitimate about tackling with your head?

Paasi’s done for the year, he won’t be seen till early next year if we’re lucky. Walmsley is less likely to be a season ender as he played on but you never know with these scans.

Yes it is. A variation of a classic but still a cannonball nonetheless.

Tackling leading with the head and attacking the joints, moving them into an unnatural position is foul play, whether the disciplinary (who aren’t exactly known for their consistency) see that or not. A dangerous precedent set now, leading with the head is a-okay and attacking blokes joints is okay, let’s not worry season ending injuries.

No charges for John Asiata’s cannonball tackles. Either of them. Incredibly poor and dangerous precedence set by the sport.

The Challenge Cup has been alive and well for years, if anything we’re in a halcyon period for finals and it’s great.

I would disagree. What is “stronger” defined as? Will millions of pounds flood into the game if either Leigh or Hull KR win? Will I have to actually try to get a ticket for my 24th final in 2024? Will broadcasters and sponsors flood the sport with money in the wake of a Leigh or KR cup final win? Speaking from a purely RL matter, we are in a halcyon period for Challenge Cup Finals and the variation in finalists and winners should be championed. The 2023 Final could be the fifth consecutive iteration with different teams competing each year.

Myth. Leigh are the 11th different finalist in 9 years and we’re on a sequence of six consecutive different winners, where Saints, Wigan and Leeds have won as many Cup Finals as Hull, Catalans and Warrington. Bet you’ll moan no one is at the final, too.

Have you heard of the disciplinary, H?

What are you on about? Yes, I hope players are penalised for foul play. Don’t you?

Not attack the joints that don’t naturally in that way. I mean, that’s the very basics of it. I think it was malicious and nasty and not the first tackle of that nature that Asiata and his moon head attempted.

Horrible to lose and not make the final (which is why I hate semi’s more than finals) but I absolutely love knockout rugby and the intensity and atmosphere that comes with it. Losing that for group stages would be the real killer to the cup, IMO. Even so, it’ll be cup final 23 for me and I will be supporting Leigh (if Wigan win).

I think it obviously didn’t help that it was from the side, bending Paasi’s joint into an unnatural position. I can only see a long ban for it and no cup final appearance for one of their key men, which will do their chances of a win no help.

The Asiata “challenge” on Paasi was malicious and nasty and had that been Knowles on a Leigh player, everyone would want him banned for life. There’s no way he should be anywhere but the stands come the date of the final (and for about 3 weeks after). Wellens has also confirmed that Paasi’s knee has been obliterated by Asiata, so that’s him done till about April next year, if we’re lucky. Hopefully Walmsley isn’t the same.

Yeah, all of that is an exaggeration. Defensively Saints are sound and have one of the best defences in the comp. It’s the attack that is blunt, which is led by Laurent Fraysinnous. That needs reviewing. No club is going to release two of their three centres in the final third of the season, either.

Oh I know, there’s other that still bang that drum, mind.

Leigh or Hull KR will be the seventh consecutive different winners. Same old clubs though.

It’s not. It’s been rumoured for about two weeks and this week has really seen it ramp up as it’s coincided with the immediate signing of Moses Mbye to replace him. It was going to happen regardless of the result today.

Credit to Leigh, the better team won. Same problems in attack for Saints that cost us the game. Hope John Asiata enjoys Club Wembley, mind.

A fair contest?! Jesus Christ. American Football like.

I’m not sure what they’re moaning about. Hurrell should have been pinged for a knock on and Asiata for not being square. There’s been no six agains and we didn’t see a replay of the “knock on” Leigh appealed for early on. I don’t think Kendall’s done much wrong so far.

The Leigh fans appear more bothered about booing and labelling Kendall a cheat or bent than supporting their side in their first cup semi in a generation or two.

Not playing tacklers Square at marker, got it. About the fourth time that’s been attempted and not once was a tackler square.