Rivalry is often determined by the degree of competitiveness which exists between two opposing entities. Considering it's currently 5-0 to Wigan whenever they and Leeds meet in a Final, I'd suggest a long period of Leeds "brewing" is required before it may be deemed a proper little rivalry. Right now it's nothing more than envious obsession with others shadows.

Ah ,but like has been said before Sl 2004,2007,2008,2009,20011,2012,and they ain't even got near Saints and Braddy yet.
Wait forrr iit

Along with headingley Central Park had the best atmosphere of any rugby league ground, over the years I have seen some epic games over at Central Park .
Two which stand out in memory are two semi finals one which we won, saints and one in which we were beaten out of sight which was the widnes game.
The new stadium sadly lacks atmosphere . As I have previously remarked at the moment wigan are a well drilled side, the passing of the ball is crisp and precise. Methinks its down to Harris and not wane.
Come the business end of the season I think we are able to match anybody in a sudden death match.

It's not a matter of being "rubbish", it depends on which teams are actually taking the regular season seriously. IMO just Wiggin and Hudds. Wire have coasted thus far and have only wracked up a couple of cricket scores because of the weak opposition of the last two weeks. Leeds have achieved their target of 5th place and 'ull seem to be finding form at the right time.

Enjoy your retention of the Hub Cap, well done.

I certainly didn't expect Wigan to be half as good as they have been this year, the young kids have been great and look to be playing with a bit of passion for the club.

Rule 1. Don't use the M61, as life is too short to be spent getting from the M61 to the other side of Wigan. I once missed the first half of a cup-tie using that route.
Rule 2. Approach via the M65 (the motorway from nowhere to nowhere) and the M6 southbound.

From there, I have my own "secret" route known only to me and a few Wiganers who I bribed with a pie that actually had meat in it ... like putty in my hands they were.

M62 to Junction 10
M6 to Junction 25
Turn left at the bottom of slip road and just keep going till you get to the Stadium.
Couldn't be easier.

Regarding the season to date, we are doing extremely well but big tests are still to come.

I thought Wigan would slide this year with the players that left.

I do like that they are willing to throw young players into positions of need rather than shifting senior players out of position.

That said, as others have said, there's still a long way to go. The only people who really care about the League leader's shield are the supporters of whichever team wins it and then doesn't win the Grand Final.

I wonder if all the Wigan posters who, prior to the start of the season, were so disillusioned with the game, due to Wigan failing again & Leeds wining from 5th again, that they were considering jacking it in are now attending with renewed enthusiasm? Presumably as Wigan seem to be winning the hub cap at a canter they are the only team who are really trying?

The last three meetings between the teams have shown that there is little to choose between them. Most Wigan fans recognise this and rate Leeds as the strongest competitors.

But the way the competition is structured surely any of the top 5 or 6 can win it as coming first gives you no advantage in the playoffs. I reckon Wigan are better away from home anyway, so playing for a home tie seems pointless.

Even Saints in 7th or 8th can't be discounted the way they played at Leeds the other week and with Roby to add, they will compete.

It's kind of sad that coming first after playing every team home and away seems to count for so little. Leeds are SL champions and fair play to you but did you really think you were the best team in the competition last year?

That's not sour grapes by the way...it's just that the competition isn't designed to find the best team, just to find the winners of an end of season knockout. Of course if we reverted to just a league competition who's to say that Leeds wouldn't have come top last year anyway...it's just that there weren't any games when they noticeably failed to try their best.

Rugby isn't like football, it's not a game that you can coast in for a few weeks, not really trying (I remember Ben Westwood's testimonial game this year in January when Wire nilled Wigan, the tackiling was absolutely ferocious. The fans cleared the pitch then watched as both team battered each other in a friendly!!!))

The way the league and competition is structured you dont have to be the best team throughout the year, just the last handful of games, which Leeds were.

When the game really mattered, Leeds were the best team and won more knockout games last year than anyone else (CC and playoffs / GF).

I know what your saying though, consistancy isnt rewarded with the current structure so much.

Wigan's home attendances are currently 5.81% down compared to last season.

You are right Leeds won when it mattered. Did you come away from the DW after the play off thinking that you were the best team or that you'd got away with it (Wigan were without the best player in Super League - the players vote, not mine - yet lost by one point)?

My point is that I think that the two teams are evenly matched as this season's two games illustrate perfectly (you missed JP at the Etihad, we missed Sam at Headingley). Winning a cup game is down to bottle certainly, but there are other factors, for example luck, the refereeing decsions etc which can mean that not always the best team wins in a cup competition, but in the league over the season these things tend to even out (injuries/supensions/refs decsions etc).

I'm at pains to point out this is not sour grapes. Leeds won the competition fair and square. But debate about who is the best is open to discussion in Super League's present structure.

No doubt saving themselves for the play-offs.