Fri 20 Nov: SL: St Helens v Catalans Dragons KO 7.45pm (Sky)

[Davo5]

1 hour ago, Old Frightful said:

Just gone through the Saints' twitter reporting from last night and can't find this.

Am I looking in the wrong place or.....

(Feel free to speculate!)

Hmm,game still in the balance,forwards injured,concussed player led from the field after staggering around,announced he's failed HIA,suddenly runs out for 2nd half.

Nothing dodgy at all.

[Loiner]

11 hours ago, 7723 said:

Definitely forward.

Nearly as bad as the one from Hastings last night.

[JohnM]

Wrong thread. You should be posting on the bitter and bigoted thread.

[bobbruce]

2 minutes ago, JohnM said:

Wrong thread. You should be posting on the bitter and bigoted thread.

True

[Rupert Prince]

10 hours ago, Bod said:

Catalan helped our attack with some howlers, Wigan won't be so generous.

Hard to judge Saints on that performance, Cats played into their hands. Wolff was sanguine about Warmsley but he did not look good to me.  Wigan are playing reserve wingers but they do have pace with Gildart and French.  I think Lam may play Hastings at 9. It will be interesting if he does, and in any event will Smith be in the 17?

[Exiled Wiganer]

I was not surprised to see Catalans collapse. Playing FC gave us a harder night at the office, which will stand us in good stead.

Like many others, I was interested in the HIAs, both during and after the game (a 7 day break allows a player to play 7 days later?), but given that Saints simply refused to play 2 weeks ago because they wanted a break, neither LMS taking the field again with no sanction or seeing Graham next week will surprise me. It looked to me that we just need to do what we did the last time we played, and we should be fine. 

[ATLANTISMAN]

McBanana is on a good gig at CD (Reminds me of Nobby they both talk a good game) would love to see Mick Potter or Trent Robinson back at the CD.Under Banana it will be the same old same old next year year after etc etc etc he still has a job as he delivered a CC win (The frogs love cups) if they had their way you would be awarded one for turning up every week, if you ever been in a FRL club house they are full of them LOL:)

Potter would still be a good coach and maybe Robinson may want a new challenge down the line (He is a francophile) could see him maybe at Toulouse if they enter SL.

 

P 

[Gooleboy]

3 minutes ago, ATLANTISMAN said:

McBanana is on a good gig at CD (Reminds me of Nobby they both talk a good game) would love to see Mick Potter or Trent Robinson back at the CD.Under Banana it will be the same old same old next year year after etc etc etc he still has a job as he delivered a CC win (The frogs love cups) if they had their way you would be awarded one for turning up every week, if you ever been in a FRL club house they are full of them LOL:)

Potter would still be a good coach and maybe Robinson may want a new challenge down the line (He is a francophile) could see him maybe at Toulouse if they enter SL.

 

P 

It will be interesting to see if he is kept on, probably will, so as you say more of the same, iffy signings, inconsistency and bad discipline.

[Dunbar]

11 hours ago, Niels said:

I think that was faking an injury to enable a drop goal specialist to enter as a substitute.

I doubt any doctor would falsify a report that allowed a player with concussion back on the field.

The medical and legal implications if further injury occurred would be far too serious. 

A blood capsule was used to fake a mouth injury and enable a blood substitute. 

But more seriously (medically) the player who faked the injury was subsequently deliberately cut on the lip after the game by the club doctor in order to try and cover up the deception. 

[meast]

3 hours ago, Ramon Rojo said:

Think it's appropriate to mention the odd incident that was conveniently omitted from the coverage of the Catalans stitch up.

The early doors dangerous head shot from Walmsley that never raised an eyebrow.

Continual disruption of the game from Saints, especially the immediately healing knee that Walmsley was up and down with all evening.

Amor having immunity from blatant offside situations.

Waving of head injury procedures if you're a man down regards tacklers.

Ignorance of repeat forward passes in fraudulent try scoring sequences.

Ignorance of obvious obstruction that blatantly benefited a try.

Both LMS & Lomax somehow escaping sin binning for brawling.

Non stop whinging in the referees ear for 80 minutes.

But other than these trivial little titbits St Helens played very well and I'm sure Sky will be thrilled they're getting the final they demanded.

Glad you enjoyed the game!

[Rupert Prince]

11 hours ago, Niels said:

I thought it was an excellent game.

Tight and tense in the first half. Then some wonderful rugby from St Helens in the second half. 

I thought Catalans made it extremely difficult and tough for St Helens. To come through a physical test like that was outstanding. 

Coote as always added the extra to make or score the tries at the vital moments. 

The referee had a great game I thought. The 2 sin bins he gave were both warranted, and perfect timing to prevent further head shots and injury. 

Yes, but once he started sin binning he could have binned Amor even though it was too late for Cats by then.  And I thought the second bin was not a foul, came off the shoulder and if that was reckless then he had let a lot go before that - and given the general melee I thought 1 from each side was warranted.  

Catalan did not know how to do "tough", just a bit wild.  Let's not forget the almighty set to we had a few years ago with Wire... although Wire did help. 

They started this season OK, they have had lots of difficulties as well that's not their fault. I hope they improve, but frankly they have gone backwards as a team.  The coach needs to look at himself... At 18 points down what was the point of having Tomkins at fullback when it was clear they needed a half.

But the competition needs Catalan, because the game needs France.  It's a hard choice but I would bring in Toulouse next season.

[Exiled Wiganer]

6 minutes ago, Rupert Prince said:

Yes, but once he started sin binning he could have binned Amor even though it was too late for Cats by then.  And I thought the second bin was not a foul, came off the shoulder and if that was reckless then he had let a lot go before that - and given the general melee I thought 1 from each side was warranted.  

Catalan did not know how to do "tough", just a bit wild.  Let's not forget the almighty set to we had a few years ago with Wire... although Wire did help. 

They started this season OK, they have had lots of difficulties as well that's not their fault. I hope they improve, but frankly they have gone backwards as a team.  The coach needs to look at himself... At 18 points down what was the point of having Tomkins at fullback when it was clear they needed a half.

But the competition needs Catalan, because the game needs France.  It's a hard choice but I would bring in Toulouse next season.

The game needs a team with French players, so we need Toulouse. Cats are a sad joke, in their current set up. What do their overseas holiday lot care about digging deep? They show enough flashes to bank the next pay cheque, and then head back to the bar. 

[Rupert Prince]

7 minutes ago, meast said:

Glad you enjoyed the game!

His points were jaundiced... But some were valid.  One Saints try was clearly forward and another luckily dubious.  2 long range tries were lucky, even if Cats were dozy.

And Saints are always off side.  But they were easily the best side and any team wanting to get their own lucky breaks have to work hard to ensure they get them and have the players to finish them off.

I must say I thought Walmsley looked ordinary.  He clearly came in with an injury even though he had not played the game before.  Being able to drive his long legs is what makes him difficult.  Having had an ice pack on his dicky knee and your iconic forward also having concussion the week before a grand final is not ideal.

But fair doos to Saints, their three quarters were quick and elusive... even if they were offered a field day.  Lay off them and they will do damage.  

[Rupert Prince]

9 minutes ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

The game needs a team with French players, so we need Toulouse. Cats are a sad joke, in their current set up. What do their overseas holiday lot care about digging deep? They show enough flashes to bank the next pay cheque, and then head back to the bar. 

Hmm... A bit harsh but I see what you are saying.  Maybe I'll just call them an 'enigma' and call it at that.  Otherwise we will be analysing it all week... when in fact I want to talk about how Saints are (I hope!) something of a flat track bully.

But I do definitely not want to hold a hostage to fortune (he quickly added) because I cannot expect Wigan to be as brilliant next week as they did in the last Saints game.   Can we...?

[Gooleboy]

1 hour ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

The game needs a team with French players, so we need Toulouse. Cats are a sad joke, in their current set up. What do their overseas holiday lot care about digging deep? They show enough flashes to bank the next pay cheque, and then head back to the bar. 

Do you think Toulouse will be made up of several French players? 

[Gooleboy]

1 hour ago, Rupert Prince said:

Yes, but once he started sin binning he could have binned Amor even though it was too late for Cats by then.  And I thought the second bin was not a foul, came off the shoulder and if that was reckless then he had let a lot go before that - and given the general melee I thought 1 from each side was warranted.  

Catalan did not know how to do "tough", just a bit wild.  Let's not forget the almighty set to we had a few years ago with Wire... although Wire did help. 

They started this season OK, they have had lots of difficulties as well that's not their fault. I hope they improve, but frankly they have gone backwards as a team.  The coach needs to look at himself... At 18 points down what was the point of having Tomkins at fullback when it was clear they needed a half.

But the competition needs Catalan, because the game needs France.  It's a hard choice but I would bring in Toulouse next season.

No problem having a French team in SL, but surely we aren't dependent on France?

[saddleworth]

On ‎17‎/‎11‎/‎2020 at 23:42, Loiner said:

Davo I was over it at half time there was no way back. Don't mind losing to anyone so long as they play fair. It wasn't just Mcilorum doing the headshots Maloney did about 4. Kasiano on Oledski was a bit dubious. Just hope both semi finals are about rugby and nothing controversial by the officials.

We all enjoy the rough and tumble of the game but the performance by the dragons was no more than outright thuggery IMO. It was obvious that certain players were out to inflict serious damage with their cheap shots.. The Saints are akin to a top class professional boxer. They can lean back on the ropes and soak up everything that is thrown at them and then without warning destroy the opposition with a couple of good punches.

[Niels]

12 hours ago, Celt said:

You are clearly not joking, so you must live in a complete fantasy world.

Honestly - your comment is incredibly naìve.  Such practices have been rife over the years in professional rugby.

There is a large, and very visible campaign going on in France right now concerning this exact issue, led by a former international union player, who was sent back on to the field by a doctor, while clearly concussed.

[I was reluctant to get involved in this discussion as it is clearly off topic, but your comment is so wide of the mark, I felt i had to say something.]

France is not England. 

Doctors only earn 60% of what Doctors earn here so it is more tempting maybe. 

There are too many checks and safeguards here. 

 

[LeeF]

11 hours ago, Celt said:

You are clearly not joking, so you must live in a complete fantasy world.

Honestly - your comment is incredibly naìve.  Such practices have been rife over the years in professional rugby.

There is a large, and very visible campaign going on in France right now concerning this exact issue, led by a former international union player, who was sent back on to the field by a doctor, while clearly concussed.

[I was reluctant to get involved in this discussion as it is clearly off topic, but your comment is so wide of the mark, I felt i had to say something.]

So for the avoidance of any doubt you are stating that the St Helens doctor deliberately falsified a concussion check yesterday?

[DavidM]

I don’t know how good the Saints v Wigan big dance is gonna be ... but the match thread is gonna be very lively , harmonious I’m sure ...and absolutely brilliant ! I’m looking forward to that as much as the match 

[graveyard johnny]

just watched the "game" cats penalised out of the match in the 1st half- again saw too much of the ref with too many stoppages in play - saints showed some good touches but over all a game low on skill levels with too many ordinary players

[Gooleboy]

38 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

just watched the "game" cats penalised out of the match in the 1st half- again saw too much of the ref with too many stoppages in play - saints showed some good touches but over all a game low on skill levels with too many ordinary players

And a bad attitude towards the game by Catalans.

[Rupert Prince]

2 hours ago, Gooleboy said:

No problem having a French team in SL, but surely we aren't dependent on France?

To be honest I think we are. 

[derk]

1 hour ago, DavidM said:

I don’t know how good the Saints v Wigan big dance is gonna be ... but the match thread is gonna be very lively , harmonious I’m sure ...and absolutely brilliant ! I’m looking forward to that as much as the match 

On 20/11/2020 at 08:20, Davo5 said:

If Saints were the most consistent,dominant side in Superleague,how comes they finished second ?

 

On 20/11/2020 at 08:30, Oxford said:

yipyee the analogy between ref and player is a poor one at best. The players and coaches angle is always to win. This puts them on the two year olds way of working by testing every rule they can. In other words they bend the rules every single way. Fans find in impossible to see this in their own team and see every wrong doing of the opposition. In other words they live in an imaginary world where evrything's unfair. Just like 4 year olds.

The refs are being bombarded with decision making moments right from kick off at a pace that few of us comprehend and have almost never experienced. The speed at which these decisions have to be made beggars belief, ( And you couldn't keep refering to the video ref as we'd have a game slower than rugby union if we did).

It's also quite possible for the ref to see it one way which is quite correct and for the video ref to be wrong. There have been a few examples recently.

Now, I admit that when I notice who the ref is for games for my side there are some where I utter phrases with No and lots of Anglo-Saxon expletives and the wife just says "Well they'll have to play better then, won't they?" 

 

 

saints finished second because their coach chose to play many untested youngsters against Salford for which he should be castigated(Not castrated as some think)

[derk]

1 hour ago, DavidM said:

I don’t know how good the Saints v Wigan big dance is gonna be ... but the match thread is gonna be very lively , harmonious I’m sure ...and absolutely brilliant ! I’m looking forward to that as much as the match 

wigan will waltz it.although if catalans keep on playing the way we all saw wigan might lose their title as the dirtiest team in world sport(google it if you dont know about it)