Sat 24th Feb: WCC: Wigan Warriors v Penrith Panthers KO 8pm (Sky/BBC/SuperLeague+)

[Futtocks]

Two points in it at the break. One hell of a contest.

[EastLondonMike]

Wigan looked vulnerable for the past 10Mins or so. Fatigue really setting in.

Still think Wigan have to move this team around to stand a chance of winning.  Going toe-to-toe will play into Penriths hands.

[graveyard johnny]

panthers sorely missing leui and crichton

[MZH]

Wigan just got worn down there. The exit set previously looked very tired, and then a soft six again just have them too much to do.

I don't think Penrith have looked very slick or organised for much of that half, but there are some serious athletes in that team and Wigan look second best at the physical stuff.

[Northern Eel]

1 minute ago, tiffers said:

That's soft from Ellis. Those are the 1%ers that matter. 

He's putting himself in the action, but he gave away 2 pens earlier also. Needs to up his discipline if he can.

[graveyard johnny]

main thing is- REAL RUGBY LEAGUE IS BACK!

[Dunbar]

I want a Wigan win.  And I want a good game.

I have one absolutely and the other is still definitely an option.

[dkw]

Left Mago on too long, he was shot 5 minutes ago.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Wigan put a lot into that half and will be disappointed to be trailing an average display by Penrith really.

They need to put in another big 40 mins.

Cut out the daft penalties and utilise their strengths in exploiting broken play as they have done first half.

Basically don’t give up!

[Chrispmartha]

7 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

Have none of Penrith players put kicking boots on tonight?

I think it’s tactically spot on, takes away the threat of Wigans back 3

[Dunbar]

2 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

main thing is- REAL RUGBY LEAGUE IS BACK!

On the BBC we have had 'clunky' 4 times. That's the highlight.

[tiffers]

Just now, Gerrumonside ref said:

Wigan put a lot into that half and will be disappointed to be trailing an average display by Penrith really.

They need to put in another big 40 mins.

Cut out the daft penalties and utilise their strengths in exploiting broken play as they have done first half.

Basically don’t give up!

I think that's right, broken play will open it up for French and Field. That's where Penrith are bringing in Edwards and opening up the middles. 

Mago should only get about 10mins at most this next half. He's cooked. 

[Hopie]

Really soft try to concede there, the balloon may have burst...

Wasn't sure I was going to watch this as I don't especially want either team to win, but it was nice to see the SL side throw the ball about a bit. Quite enjoying the presentation on the BBC, even with Kevin Brown commentating a bit on what he hopes to see rather than the game on the field, a bit of hopeful partisanship goes well with this fixture.

[sentoffagain2]

    Can only see Penrith winning from here with a couple of scores margin.I do hope i am wrong though.Not enough from Smith at scrum half.I know he does all the kicking but needs to get more involved in attack.

[DavidM]

10 minutes ago, longboard said:

Send out the navy.

I think he’s off today

[DavidM]

4 minutes ago, dkw said:

Left Mago on too long, he was shot 5 minutes ago.

Hes got about 10 minutes in him a stint 

Edited February 24 by DavidM

[ColD]

12 minutes ago, bratman said:

French has been brilliant, but Wigan need to find some line speed

SL standard just looks slower measuring against NRL

[Futtocks]

Wahey, Frano's here!

[OMEGA]

2 minutes ago, sentoffagain2 said:

    Can only see Penrith winning from here with a couple of scores margin.I do hope i am wrong though.Not enough from Smith at scrum half.I know he does all the kicking but needs to get more involved in attack.

Bit harsh on Smith, Wigan haven’t had the ball outside their own 40 for almost the whole 40 minutes.

[Chrispmartha]

Penrith twice as many metres, think that will tell in the second half

[NRLandSL]

Great Half, Penrith really dominating Territory but lacking attacking class. Wigan the Opposite, not much of a surprise though, Wigans backline have been what’s won them the grand final.

[Sports Prophet]

They do the little things well. Even at half time, they all ran off together, leaving their visibly tired opponents straggling behind. Great mental game.

[NRLandSL]

2 minutes ago, Chrispmartha said:

Penrith twice as many metres, think that will tell in the second half

If they can score of it, I’ve seen plenty of games dominated through the middle but if you’re not clinical you won’t win.

Edited February 24 by NRLandSL

[DavidM]

Penrith just keep on coming , big yards up front , starting sets from the back 3 , and Cleary knitting it together . It’s really hard to contain them over the course of a game , they don’t stop 

[sam4731]

To put into context, we were 12-0 up at HT last year. If RL had 45 min halves, they would've won last year.