Sat 12th Oct: SL Grand Final: Wigan Warriors v Hull KR KO 18:00 (Sky)

[Dunbar]

I think Wigan have gone through that whole half without interchanging their middles, Havard and Thompson have gone the full 40.  

HKR swapped out both props.

That could make a huge difference in the second half with lots of energy and impact coming off the Wigan bench.

[Damien]

Lewis having real trouble trying to tackle French all that half.

[Futtocks]

Just now, EagleEyePie said:

Seen it countless times where the ones that look bad end up with the player being fine and the really innocuous ones see a failed HIA. 

Reminds me of motorsport, where you can see people stroll away from crashes that look apocalyptic, but get injured or killed by innocuous looking incidents.

[Futtocks]

Cheeky DG before the hooter.

[Dave T]

This is the time for Lewis to step up. The Wigan halves have outplayed him so far. These are the games for MoS to shine. They've had some decent field position and often just looked toothless.

[Click]

Just now, Dunbar said:

I think Wigan have gone through that whole half without interchanging their middles, Havard and Thompson have gone the full 40.  

HKR swapped out both props.

That could make a huge difference in the second half with lots of energy and impact coming off the Wigan bench.

I was just about to mention that.

Havard and Thompson doing the full 40 and never really taking a break during that is incredible by both of them.

[StandOffHalf]

Smith pops over the one-pointer to make it 7-0 at HT.

KR the better team for the opening 20-25 minutes, but they couldn't get through.

Wigan were, I think, finding better field position in the last 10-15 minutes of the half.

Good game, but KR do need to get on the board.

[JonM]

8 minutes ago, StandOffHalf said:

KR's field position and defensive intensity in the opening 25 minutes has been really impressive.

I wonder if that's going to count against them at the end - lot of energy gone into the first half.

[JohnM]

3 minutes ago, StandOffHalf said:

Trust the Pie doc...

Isn't the decision made by the independent doctor? 

[JonM]

8 minutes ago, StandOffHalf said:

KR's field position and defensive intensity in the opening 25 minutes has been really impressive.

I wonder if that's going to count against them at the end - lot of energy gone into the first half.

[Click]

Just now, Dave T said:

This is the time for Lewis to step up. The Wigan halves have outplayed him so far. These are the games for MoS to shine. They've had some decent field position and often just looked toothless.

Yup, he really needs to step his game up in the second half for me. So far all he really has done are bombs and the one run.

[Maximus Decimus]

Apologies if you haven't heard it and now will, but whoever is doing that incessant tap-dripping drum beat needs a kick in the balls.

If anyone at the game is near, I'll pay your legal fees if you do any damage.

[bobbruce]

I wouldn’t be happy if I was KR if I lost to that drop goal it was a really scruffy ptb by French the sort that has been pulled up all year. 

[Futtocks]

2 minutes ago, JohnM said:

Isn't the decision made by the independent doctor? 

Put your tinfoil hat back on!

[JonM]

2 minutes ago, Damien said:

Lewis having real trouble trying to tackle French all that half.

That's the key thing for me. Two very evenly matched teams playing pretty much flawlessly, but Lewis does not look able to tackle French one on one.

[Agbrigg]

HKR need something more inspiring than the perpetual high kick to miski

[JonM]

1 minute ago, Maximus Decimus said:

Apologies if you haven't heard it and now will, but whoever is doing that incessant tap-dripping drum beat needs a kick in the balls.

If anyone at the game is near, I'll pay your legal fees if you do any damage.

Can't hear it. I'm on the halfway line and can only really hear the Rovers fans.

[Tommygilf]

3 minutes ago, Dave T said:

This is the time for Lewis to step up. The Wigan halves have outplayed him so far. These are the games for MoS to shine. They've had some decent field position and often just looked toothless.

Seems to me like he's trying too hard almost.

[RoughyedsFan_merged]

All the fears of Hull KR coming true sadly. Loads of great possession, great intensity in their game. Can’t get over the line and the team who have 3-4 exceptional moments players have produced a moment.

[bobbruce]

2 minutes ago, JohnM said:

Isn't the decision made by the independent doctor? 

I think the decision is made by the club but the independent Dr can say hang on he was out here or stumbling about get him off. 

[Just Browny]

Wigan have looked in complete control to me. Couple of penalties got Hull KR up there but they did nothing with the possession.

[Damien]

4 minutes ago, Dave T said:

This is the time for Lewis to step up. The Wigan halves have outplayed him so far. These are the games for MoS to shine. They've had some decent field position and often just looked toothless.

So far French has made a mockery of the Dream Team and MoS.

[Futtocks]

1 minute ago, Tommygilf said:

Seems to me like he's trying too hard almost.

If that disallowed try had been given, it might have made for a different performance from him.

[EagleEyePie]

6 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

I think Wigan have gone through that whole half without interchanging their middles, Havard and Thompson have gone the full 40.  

HKR swapped out both props.

That could make a huge difference in the second half with lots of energy and impact coming off the Wigan bench.

Alternatively Matt Peet might just keep Thompson, Havard and Ellis on the field for the full 80. If he thinks Dupree, Mago (or Byrne for another stint) won't be as effective then he might not bring them on.

[StandOffHalf]

French's PtB for the drop-goal should probably have been pulled back. He pushed forward and then stumbled over the ball. Looked iffy.