Looking like a more confident and focused side, maybe a few needed the better bonus of finishing 3rd rather than 4th ha. Looks more optimistic going into the playoffs like that than the last month that has been up and down. Playoffs should be a treat!

And not a word was said.

That thought crossed my mind too last night.
After a couple of high tackles on Hall by Goulding, for him to then get a crack in the face by one of his own players must have seemed like justice to Phil Clarke. Don't recall him mentioning it mind.....

Great effort.

Leeds gearing up again.

We had to win the ruck and did so easily, the quick blind side plays made making yards very easy. Good, solid, sets followed by a great kick chase.

We made Wigan look very ordinary and their form going into playoffs will be worrying for Stress Eric Wane.

The amount of yards and bump offs made by Ablett, JP and Hall was scary.

Nice to see Zak and BJB come back around.

And the impact Singleton offered was superb, going under the radar but doing all the little things right. Nothing subtle about him he just wants to blast it up as hard as he can.

Shame we didn't get to see Achurch in more meaningful game time.

Thought Kirke had his best game for months, which was badly due. IIRC he even showed some emotion and lashed out with a 'knee up' at the PTB. Whatever next......

What was pleasing last night was our defence line speed, we got up to the Wigan attacker quick and in a solid line. Unlike several occasions this season when certain players have jumped out the line. This completely shut down various Wigan moves.
It also pressurized smiths kicking game, wigans kicking game was poor. On the night Wigan came off second best, not because they were off form, it was down to us not letting them play or dictate any passage of the game.
As for Delaney and Jjb to return and play like that was remarkable, top marks to both of them, and also to the conditioning team for the fitness levels of those two.

JJB after about an hour, without going off, he was blowing....hard.

1 play later he was sprinting to get to dummy half...Sinfield got there too and moved the ball. But those little examples of true commitment highlight a players mental attitude.

Legend.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctkuUzJMXKA Again? Surely not.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctkuUzJMXKA Again? Surely not.

Some clever little bits of game-planning off the training pitch last night.

The little scoot blind side then turn it back in to the player who had just played the ball caught out Wigan's aggressive marker defence a couple of times. Both markers set off after the dummy half, leaving a gap back behind the ruck.

The fitness and intensity levels were good from both sides in a game which had few stoppages due to a low error count.

Thought Leeds got a little lucky on the Thornley no-try, but then again Wigan shouldn't have had field position to start with from the 40-22 kick.

Anyone clarify what the ruling is on the tackle being completed on a grounded player? Thought Hall's momentum had stopped when Tomkins completed the ball steal, which would have made it illegal?

But Hall's ball carrying arm hadn't hit the ground.
That can be the only inference.
The poor 40/22 (like it AG) & the odd forward pass from dummy half from both sides apart, I thought the officiating was pretty good last night.

I quite liked the tactic of McDermotts to leave 2 players on the becnh for 60mins this week. It got match minutes into the legs of JJB, Delaney & McGuire, whilst conditioning the team to play a high intensity game with low numbers, whilst then able to bring on 2 completely fresh pairs of legs for the last 20 mins to seal the game. Wins all round

Just as good second time round. Was beginning to lose faith in the sport given the amount of garbage we've been served up in the last few weeks, in this vital year for the code.

All in all it stands us in good stead for a great play-off series. Leeds were immense, the scoreline flattered Wigan in the end. If ever there was a clear message that they don't intend giving the SL trophy up easily, this was it. JP was outstanding - I hope Sinny can convince him to have one last crack at Australia - is there a more deserving man of steel?

It all makes for an intriguing Saturday afternoon next week. I suspect if we play with that intensity we can overcome Wire, but it certainly will be a close game. I reckon Hudds will take the Pies, though a 5 day turn around is hardly a reward for coming top.


Wigan looked like we did in 2009. No lack of effort or commitment, but simply not good enough. One or 2 pie fans (on the goon board) are convinced last night didn't matter & the players weren't up for it, but that's not the game I saw. As for golden/rat (delete as applicable) boy, in order to be considered a true world class player you need to be able to defend as well as attack. He should have stopped BJB, and the attempt on Ablett was schoolboy stuff. The Aussies will have a field day I fear.

Roll on next weekend

First of all congratulations on the victory, well deserved and Leeds were the better side. I thought Peacock was outstanding and for me should be man of steel.

Just a few points, the forward pass for Thornleys try was never forward but we got the rub of the green with the 40:20 that for me wasn't.
The collision between Hansen and Goulding cost Wigan two substitutions and was a factor later in the match. Also for Leeds second try Scott Taylor was down in back play leaving Wigan a man short in the defensive line. Fair play to Leeds they exploited that space and were well worthy of their win.

Ooops, of course! There's been that many