Salford throw Wigan match

[LeytherRob]

I find this particularly dumb and performative from the RFL. We all know they won’t do anything because they haven’t punished any of the many other times this has been done, and doing so now would just open them up to all sorts of appeals on that basis… so now we have to have this silly theatre where Salford have to concoct some nonsense even though we all know why, and the RFL have to accept it like chumps.

[LeeF]

2 minutes ago, LeytherRob said:

I find this particularly dumb and performative from the RFL. We all know they won’t do anything because they haven’t punished any of the many other times this has been done, and doing so now would just open them up to all sorts of appeals on that basis… so now we have to have this silly theatre where Salford have to concoct some nonsense even though we all know why, and the RFL have to accept it like chumps.

The simple and honest answers that Salford can give will be carrying injuries, niggles and overall player welfare based on minutes played. All legitimate. 

[StandOffHalf]

11 minutes ago, LeytherRob said:

I find this particularly dumb and performative from the RFL. We all know they won’t do anything because they haven’t punished any of the many other times this has been done, and doing so now would just open them up to all sorts of appeals on that basis… so now we have to have this silly theatre where Salford have to concoct some nonsense even though we all know why, and the RFL have to accept it like chumps.

I'd say it's Sky who are behind it.

[StandOffHalf]

9 minutes ago, LeeF said:

The simple and honest answers that Salford can give will be carrying injuries, niggles and overall player welfare based on minutes played. All legitimate. 

And an unforeseen short turnaround!

[phiggins]

Did the RFL seek explanations when clubs picked similar squads before the last two challenge cup finals?

[Fly-By-TheWire]

I don't remember the RFL asking Sam Burgess to explain the squad put out a week before the Cup Final?   But then we have the RFL in our back pocket at Warrington of course (see Salary Cap allegations etc).

Seems nobody has thought to pay off the Disciplinary team yet though 

[Worzel]

Just got off the phone to Hull Kingston Bronco, on reflection he’s convinced me that Salford are well within their rights here and fair play to them for sticking it to The Man and refusing to accept such a short turnaround at a few days notice.

Hull KR had our chance to top the league when we played Wigan, and we blew it by not realising you were only allowed 12 men for a quarter of the game when playing against The Pies. That was a lack of planning. 

Apparently Willie has now designed a specific game plan for this should we make it to the Grand Final, so we’ll be ready for it next time

[johnh1]

Maybe Salford could ask why they have been forced to play with a short turnaround with no advance notice. The RFL and SKY have brought this upon themselves.

[Welshleaguelover]

5 hours ago, RigbyLuger said:

The bookies had Wigan as big favourites before the squads were announced as well!

Yeah noticed that. Salford were anything from 12/1 and are now 22/1 on betfred.

The rumours of the squad must have got to the bookies early.

[Dave T]

This finish should have been a great way for the season to finish. 

1st needing to beat 4th for the LLS, and if they slipped up you had 2nd needing to beat Leeds who were playing for the playoffs themselves. And 3rd were hoping to slide into 2nd place if KR slipped up. 

It should have been intriguing. It should have been must see. Apart from Wigan fans, is anyone looking forward to this battle for the top now?

People can make all the excuses they want, but as a sprt we should be doing everything to make our season box office. The clubs will be the first to moan if Sky get fed up with RL.

[ELBOWSEYE]

2 hours ago, phiggins said:

Exactly this. And they know whatever game they have, they’ll have a better chance with a fully fit and fresh squad. Plus, they would’ve been outsiders to win this game anyway. Would’ve been an odd choice to pick anything like their best 17.

To be honest as a Warrington fan SRD are a team we struggle with so I don't care.

[Leigh-On-Kiwi]

So if Salford win this game, have Wigan thrown the match?

[ATLANTISMAN]

Yawn what a farce 

[Sports Prophet]

Big Bad NRL strike again!

[dkw]

11 hours ago, LeeF said:

The simple and honest answers that Salford can give will be carrying injuries, niggles and overall player welfare based on minutes played. All legitimate. 

Maybe they could claim they all have covid, theres recent precedent 

[dkw]

10 hours ago, Dave T said:

This finish should have been a great way for the season to finish. 

1st needing to beat 4th for the LLS, and if they slipped up you had 2nd needing to beat Leeds who were playing for the playoffs themselves. And 3rd were hoping to slide into 2nd place if KR slipped up. 

It should have been intriguing. It should have been must see. Apart from Wigan fans, is anyone looking forward to this battle for the top now?

People can make all the excuses they want, but as a sprt we should be doing everything to make our season box office. The clubs will be the first to moan if Sky get fed up with RL.

The game before the CC final where Warrington played kids could also have been a great game, if Warrington didnt choose to do the exact same thing Salford have.

[Dave T]

6 minutes ago, dkw said:

The game before the CC final where Warrington played kids could also have been a great game, if Warrington didnt choose to do the exact same thing Salford have.

Did you not enjoy the 19 v 18 match?

[Harry Stottle]

12 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

Sad as it seems it probably is that simple at Salford.

I can't imagine that Paul Rowley would listen to the officers of the club telling him to play a weakened team at Wigan, no I think this is a tactical decision by Paul himself.

[dkw]

4 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Did you not enjoy the 19 v 18 match?

I`m not sure of the relevance, it was still a game that impacts on the season in some way. I dont see how you can pick and choose any game that doesnt matter.

[JohnM]

7 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

Big Bad NRL strike again!

I blame cyclists.

[Damien]

5 minutes ago, dkw said:

I`m not sure of the relevance, it was still a game that impacts on the season in some way. I dont see how you can pick and choose any game that doesnt matter.

This was my point earlier, this happens throughout the season and many teams do it to one extent or another. Each has an effect on league placings just as much as the last game.

[The Future is League]

12 hours ago, StandOffHalf said:

I'd say it's Sky who are behind it.

Who pays the piper calls the tune

[Dave T]

2 minutes ago, dkw said:

I`m not sure of the relevance, it was still a game that impacts on the season in some way. I dont see how you can pick and choose any game that doesnt matter.

I was being a little facetious. But there are some things that should be acknowledged here.

I'm maybe old fashioned in that I think clubs should be trying to win every game. I don't like Wire resting players, I was surprised we got so close to Wigan that night.

We can't ignore that thisnis the final round of the season that will see the LLS awarded. This isn't a random Rd 13 game buried away in June with context around the players being rested.

To have one of our biggest games of the year undermined like this is not a good look for the sport. This isnt standard approach as much as people may make out there is nothing to see here.

We do have a responsibility to our fans, sponsors, broadcasters to create big events, and it is perfectly reasonable to expect full strength teams in such a crucial round. We cant then complain when we find it harder to get partners and eyeballs on our sport.

 

[gingerjon]

Just now, Dave T said:

I was being a little facetious. But there are some things that should be acknowledged here.

I'm maybe old fashioned in that I think clubs should be trying to win every game. I don't like Wire resting players, I was surprised we got so close to Wigan that night.

We can't ignore that thisnis the final round of the season that will see the LLS awarded. This isn't a random Rd 13 game buried away in June with context around the players being rested.

To have one of our biggest games of the year undermined like this is not a good look for the sport. This isnt standard approach as much as people may make out there is nothing to see here.

We do have a responsibility to our fans, sponsors, broadcasters to create big events, and it is perfectly reasonable to expect full strength teams in such a crucial round. We cant then complain when we find it harder to get partners and eyeballs on our sport.

 

The blame lies with the last minute decision to cut Salford's rest period before their final game before the play offs.

[Damien]

Just now, gingerjon said:

The blame lies with the last minute decision to cut Salford's rest period before their final game before the play offs.

It will be interesting to see the RFLs response if Salford use this as part of their justification when they have to explain themselves.