Wigan v Penrith World Club challenge at the JJB

[dkw]

Have the Panthers told us if they are taking this game seriously, or are they waiting until after the game to tell us as expected....

[Futtocks]

15 minutes ago, dkw said:

Have the Panthers told us if they are taking this game seriously, or are they waiting until after the game to tell us as expected....

It's about 10 days too early to say.

[Andy JG]

On 25/01/2024 at 18:32, Damien said:

Pre-match entertainment:

 

 

Pre big match entertainment at Wigan used to be the Pemberton Brass Band.

[graveyard johnny]

4 hours ago, Dunbar said:

Has it been mentioned yet that the Panthers will be missing Jarome Luai.

due to?

[Dunbar]

2 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

due to?

Not ready after shoulder surgery apparently. 

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-news-2024-jarome-luai-ruled-out-of-world-club-challenge-shoulder-injury-penrith-panthers-vs-wigan-warriors-who-will-replace-luai/news-story/9c947a3db9c809c23362f5698d7c43ff

[graveyard johnny]

3 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

Not ready after shoulder surgery apparently. 

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-news-2024-jarome-luai-ruled-out-of-world-club-challenge-shoulder-injury-penrith-panthers-vs-wigan-warriors-who-will-replace-luai/news-story/9c947a3db9c809c23362f5698d7c43ff

may as well let him go to the tigers now for what they will get out of him in 2024

[Snowys Backside]

4 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

Better be quick. I think those odds have tightened in to be 3 to 2 now.

Bottled it. Gone for Wigan to win between 1-10 at 3 to 1.

I fancied them more at 9 to 3 

[Snowys Backside]

4 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

 

Double post

Edited February 14, 2024 by Snowys Backside
Repeated post

[hunsletgreenandgold]

46 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

may as well let him go to the tigers now for what they will get out of him in 2024

I suspect the Tigers might not think that's a great deal for them, if that was the case. He'll be back for the Panthers in the early rounds. The fact they left it so late to confirm he wouldn't be playing does suggest to me they hoped he could and therefore are taking this game seriously. He is also due to travel with the squad. 

[Leyther_Matt]

If you’ve not received your tickets yet, check your junk mail!

[johnh1]

Can anyone recommend a decent pub about 20 to 30 minutes walk away from the ground to have a drink and a pub meal before the game? Travelling west along the M61.

[del capo]

1 hour ago, johnh1 said:

Can anyone recommend a decent pub about 20 to 30 minutes walk away from the ground to have a drink and a pub meal before the game? Travelling west along the M61.

Wigan Town Centre is about a 20 minute walk.Plenty of decent pubs there.  Near the rail stations ( unlike Leigh , Wigan has two ) Wigan Central or the Swan and Railway both good with plenty of cask, Berkeley or Raven just up the street or the Moon under Water ( a Wetherspoon ) Tap and Barrel serves its own ales.

Near the ground you have the Red Robin.  Wigan Warriors own Robin Park Arena has a  great bar and will be packed with supporters. 

If you have not been to DW before, do NOT come off the M61  at junction 5 , come off at junction 6 instead ( you'll see the Reebok on your right). It's signposted Chorley but as soon as you exit pick up the Wigan sign and drop down into town.

Enjoy.

[johnh1]

Cheers, del capo. I have been before, many times, but bringing two newbies and hoping to make a day of it, rather than just in and out. Not often I can say this, but come on Wigan.

[dkw]

18 hours ago, Leyther_Matt said:

If you’ve not received your tickets yet, check your junk mail!

Now that's a lovely subtle dig at Wigan......

 

[Leyther_Matt]

39 minutes ago, dkw said:

Now that's a lovely subtle dig at Wigan......

 

I’m there on the Saturday for the WCC then back again for the football on the Tuesday  

[graveyard johnny]

3 hours ago, dkw said:

Now that's a lovely subtle dig at Wigan......

 

how many nominations for the British comedy awards this year dkw? 

[dkw]

5 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

how many nominations for the British comedy awards this year dkw? 

Your infatuation with me, while flattering, is very odd.

[Bradman Better]

Holding this match in a stadium that seats less than 40,000 is a disgraceful decision.

[Damien]

16 minutes ago, Bradman Better said:

Holding this match in a stadium that seats less than 40,000 is a disgraceful decision.

It really isn't. There's been 1 attendance in excess of 40k in its history and less than 5 sellouts. The last 15 years have seen only 1 match scrape just past 30k and this year's attendance will be the best for 8 years, since the last one at Wigan.

Edited February 16, 2024 by Damien

[Sports Prophet]

18 minutes ago, Bradman Better said:

Holding this match in a stadium that seats less than 40,000 is a disgraceful decision.

I made comment much earlier on this thread or another on my thoughts about the suitability of a 25k capacity stadium for this fixture. I wouldn’t call it disgraceful. 

Importantly, which ground would you suggest otherwise? Your minimum target of 40,000 leaves only Old Trafford and Emirates as nearby options.

If the Knights were to host the WCC, do you think the 33k in Broadmeadow would be disgraceful as well?

If I read you correctly, I do agree with your sentiments, this fixture does deserve a much bigger crowd than 25k. 

Edited February 16, 2024 by Sports Prophet

[Hopie]

It was sad when Leeds gave up on Elland Road and went back to Headingley for the WCC.

Given Wigan sold out with plenty of time to spare it does raise the question about if they could have got more elsewhere, but maybe some of their local fan base wouldn't go somewhere further away, and home advantage might give a better shot at the prize money so the gate money is already enough?

[WN83]

33 minutes ago, Bradman Better said:

Holding this match in a stadium that seats less than 40,000 is a disgraceful decision.

If we’d held it at the Etihad (for example) nobody would’ve rushed to get a ticket, it would’ve cost a fortune to rent and I doubt the crowd would’ve hit much above 30,000. 
 

 

[Sports Prophet]

1 minute ago, Hopie said:

It was sad when Leeds gave up on Elland Road and went back to Headingley for the WCC.

Given Wigan sold out with plenty of time to spare it does raise the question about if they could have got more elsewhere, but maybe some of their local fan base wouldn't go somewhere further away, and home advantage might give a better shot at the prize money so the gate money is already enough?

Is there prize money?

[WN83]

4 minutes ago, Hopie said:

It was sad when Leeds gave up on Elland Road and went back to Headingley for the WCC.

Given Wigan sold out with plenty of time to spare it does raise the question about if they could have got more elsewhere, but maybe some of their local fan base wouldn't go somewhere further away, and home advantage might give a better shot at the prize money so the gate money is already enough?

The limited supply of tickets meant demand was high. If we’d gone to the Etihad, Old Trafford etc, there would’ve been nothing like the rush and I doubt sales would be much above their current levels. 
 

Now if Wigan win and they or another big English side host it next year, maybe then would be the time to try and take a next step but I think they’ve got it right this year. 

Edited February 16, 2024 by WN83

[Damien]

6 minutes ago, Hopie said:

It was sad when Leeds gave up on Elland Road and went back to Headingley for the WCC.

Given Wigan sold out with plenty of time to spare it does raise the question about if they could have got more elsewhere, but maybe some of their local fan base wouldn't go somewhere further away, and home advantage might give a better shot at the prize money so the gate money is already enough?

If it didn't fall on the English club to put all of this on, pay for it and make it work then maybe we could go bigger. The Aussies, whether that is the generally reluctant club or NRL, really need to step up to go bigger and move it to the next level.