20 Feb: WCS: Warrington Wolves v St George Illawarra Dragons KO 8pm (TV)

[Just Browny]

Considering it was a 'glorified friendly' I don't half feel fed up.

[jannerboyuk]

13k attendance apparently

[Saintslass]

Well time will tell won't it. I maintain that we, meaning British RL, have a lot to be positive about tonight.

In the NRL a team can finish 11th in one season and win the comp in the next. 

[Maximus Decimus]

Good game to watch with the winner probably the right one. Aside from the ridiculous high tackles, the game breaker for me was at 12-12 when Wire were on the front foot and Ryan Atkins tried a no-look offload on the 2nd/3rd tackle that lost all momentum. They scored a minute or so later. 

 

The conditions are obviously in British clubs favour but probably not as much as many would like to make out. St George had played in the charity shield and Wire have only played 2 games, one of which was a relatively comfortable win. 

 

As for St George being 11th, it doesn't really tell us that much IMO. They actually only won 4 games less than eventual winners South Sydney. Also, teams often fluctuate in position much more than they do over here. They've had an off-season with Benji and Widdop in the halves rather than coming in mid-season. We might not know until the end of the season how good they actually are this year. Unlike them Wire finished 5th but will very probably be higher this year. To put it in perspective, in 1997 our champions played the 11th finishing team in round 1 at home and lost 42-12. The team that became champions that year lost at home 20-16 to a team that came 15th the year before. 

 

That said, I think you'd be a brave person to bet against a 3-0 for the NRL this weekend. There is something more clinical about their whole play, they just don't make the mistakes we do. 

[MrFussy]

In the NRL a team can finish 11th in one season and win the comp in the next. 

Exactly. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see STGI make the top 8 this year. They look like a very good side to me.

[Just Browny]

Good game to watch with the winner probably the right one. Aside from the ridiculous high tackles, the game breaker for me was at 12-12 when Wire were on the front foot and Ryan Atkins tried a no-look offload on the 2nd/3rd tackle that lost all momentum. They scored a minute or so later.

The conditions are obviously in British clubs favour but probably not as much as many would like to make out. St George had played in the charity shield and Wire have only played 2 games, one of which was a relatively comfortable win.

As for St George being 11th, it doesn't really tell us that much IMO. They actually only won 4 games less than eventual winners South Sydney. Also, teams often fluctuate in position much more than they do over here. They've had an off-season with Benji and Widdop in the halves rather than coming in mid-season. We might not know until the end of the season how good they actually are this year. Unlike them Wire finished 5th but will very probably be higher this year. To put it in perspective, in 1997 our champions played the 11th finishing team in round 1 at home and lost 42-12. The team that became champions that year lost at home 20-16 to a team that came 15th the year before.

That said, I think you'd be a brave person to bet against a 3-0 for the NRL this weekend. There is something more clinical about their whole play, they just don't make the mistakes we do.

Can't argue with any of that, good post.

[back to the future]

In the NRL a team can finish 11th in one season and win the comp in the next. 

Not these though

[Lounge Room Lizard]

Well time will tell won't it. I maintain that we, meaning British RL, have a lot to be positive about tonight.

Many positives indeed. But the game summed up the difference between often SL and the NRL- even if the Dragons are one of the worst teams in the NRL. Its the little things that the Aussies do well. They soak up the pressure and the defence is often very tough to break down. But then when the chance comes they usually make it pay. Warrington failed in the second half to really test the Dragons line for a period of time and failed to put kicks in which either put pressure on the defence or give the attackers much chance to score. Marshall put in some good kicks which had Wire in trouble. But it was a good close game and theres many positives to come out of such games. Good to see 13K turn up and shows such events are something people are interested in and needs to happen more in the future. 

[Aldo1980]

St George were the better side and deserved the win. The reffing was very much in Warringtons favour. I don't think either high tackle was a red card, I think the first was off the shoulder and a yellow at most. For all people think St George got away with, Warrington did just as much, maybe even more.

 

Good lord....make an effort at impartiality

[Maximus Decimus]

In the NRL a team can finish 11th in one season and win the comp in the next. 

 

Everybody knows as well that they have greater strength in depth. Anybody making out that this is some sort of a revelation is just trying to do our game down. 

 

Before the game, I suspected that our best clubs would compete but be in the bottom half of the NRL and I see no reason to think differently after tonight. 

[MrFussy]

Many positives indeed. But the game summed up the difference between often SL and the NRL- even if the Dragons are one of the worst teams in the NRL. Its the little things that the Aussies do well. They soak up the pressure and the defence is often very tough to break down. But then when the chance comes they usually make it pay. Warrington failed in the second half to really test the Dragons line for a period of time and failed to put kicks in which either put pressure on the defence or give the attackers much chance to score. Marshall put in some good kicks which had Wire in trouble. But it was a good close game and theres many positives to come out of such games. Good to see 13K turn up and shows such events are something people are interested in and needs to happen more in the future. 

I think that's fair. STGI's defence did look very solid and confident over the last 15 minutes even though they only had a narrow lead.

[GIANTSTRIDES]

Good effort from Wolves in a good tough game, Few second half errors cost them but not really that much between the sides, If Monaghan takes that ball in they are all square, The biggest difference for me was the kicking game. Won't say anything about the Ref because I know how hard a job it is.

[Maximus Decimus]

Good effort from Wolves in a good tough game, Few second half errors cost them but not really that much between the sides, If Monaghan takes that ball in they are all square, The biggest difference for me was the kicking game. Won't say anything about the Ref because I know how hard a job it is.

 

I know how hard a job it is too but to not give a yellow for that first tackle was just utterly spineless. There was nothing remotely ambiguous about it. 

 

I enjoyed the game but after seeing it I'd be reluctant to see the format changed or made a top 3 vs top 3. I don't think we quite have the standard to justify it. 

[Dunbar]

Very good game, really enjoyed it

 

As everybody is going on about him, first the ref.  I thought he was ok.  I liked the fact he let the teams get stuck into each other in the first half and didn't blow every few minutes, it was a proper physical game of rugby

 

Neither high tackle warranted any more than a penalty.  The first one had the initial contact off the shoulder and looked spectacular but was only a penalty.  The second was higher but again I thought a penalty was sufficient

 

The best side won I think but Wire will be wondering why.  If they had any kind of composer in the 3rd quarter it would have been a different score line. I thought they were the better side at the end of the first half and expected them to go on in the second and win

 

Two evenly matched teams.  I don't buy into this argument that St George were underdone.  With the modern fitness regimes and contact sessions no player starts a season unfit.  What exactly are they going to do in the next two weeks to be significantly better

 

Look back 15 years and the SL was miles behind the NRL.  This is not the case now and I expect another couple of great games to come

 

And lastly... thanks to both teams, a proper tough and skilful game of rugby.  I'm just glad they didn't think it was just a friendly like a few on here did

[MrPosh]

I know how hard a job it is too but to not give a yellow for that first tackle was just utterly spineless. There was nothing remotely ambiguous about it.

There obviously is some ambiguity - it was one of the easiest red cards I've ever seen.

Didn't think there was a lot in Marshall's one. He changed his body position to ride the tackle and minimise the impact. Penalty suff.

[Aldo1980]

There obviously is some ambiguity - it was one of the easiest red cards I've ever seen.

Didn't think there was a lot in Marshall's one. He changed his body position to ride the tackle and minimise the impact. Penalty suff.

 

Agreed! it was a stone wall red card and I bet fans of most teams can recall a decision where they have had a player red carded (without hesitation by a British based referee) for less than that

[GIANTSTRIDES]

I know how hard a job it is too but to not give a yellow for that first tackle was just utterly spineless. There was nothing remotely ambiguous about it. 

 

I enjoyed the game but after seeing it I'd be reluctant to see the format changed or made a top 3 vs top 3. I don't think we quite have the standard to justify it.

Spineless! Mr Thaler, surely not, He is one of our top Ref's.

[my missus]

crowe on four now.

[back to the future]

just think if they'd sent over the true 2nd and 3rd teams

I fear for Saints

Wigan should be ok as Brisbane aint much better than SGI

[GIANTSTRIDES]

just think if they'd sent over the true 2nd and 3rd teams

I fear for Saints

Wigan should be ok as Brisbane aint much better than SGI

I fear for Saints as well, Dare I ask who the Ref is. Bring back Ganson for this one I say, We have a fair chance of seeing someone sent off then, Could be a touch judge , or even a spectator, depends who he is tracking at the time, and I miss his dulcet tones, MOOOOVE

[Ullman]

If they had any kind of composer in the 3rd quarter it would have been a different score

Can't argue with that.

[Padge]

just think if they'd sent over the true 2nd and 3rd teams

I fear for Saints

Wigan should be ok as Brisbane aint much better than SGI

 

just think if they'd sent over the true 2nd and 3rd teams

I fear for Saints

Wigan should be ok as Brisbane aint much better than SGI

 

Have you seen Wigan this season.

[Jerry the Berry]

The two potential red /stonewall yellow spoilled the game for me. Really poor officiating.

[back to the future]

Have you seen Wigan this season.

Yes

And their still better than Brisbane last season

Plus they've only brought 18,a couple of pulls hamstrings/groins in the warm-up and Wayne Bennetts getting a game

[Padge]

Yes

And their still better than Brisbane last season

Plus they've only brought 18,a couple of pulls hamstrings/groins in the warm-up and Wayne Bennetts getting a game

 

Bennett, the best con man in RL, psychologically on another planet to the rest of RL.