Change your avatar, Sam looked a little happier yesterday.... hehehehehe

I think had the ref given a penalty for the late challenge on the kicker, then people would have said well it was just an unlucky consequence as it was, the touchy and ref ignored it and so not only did we lose a guy but there was no recognition of it or even a stoppage in play when the play came back down the other end.

It was a huge turning point in the game on so many levels, sub wise, injury wise, half back wise, it's one of those that's hard to let go as it just had such an impact.

But Wigan will be very lucky to get Saints in such a beat up team the next time we meet. So we'll see how it goes then.

Having said that though, the last 12 months we have really struggled to get our half backs on the field against wigan. It's almost like the wigan fans have their voodoo dolls out to keep our backs injured for these games.

as i said in another thread, i didnt think it was particularly late or high. Just part of the game.

She be coming for you, be warned!

People are going to think you're obsessed, Pete!

I am obsessed with you

You sound hot

We can debate whether the Hoffman challenge was late until the season ends but one indisputable fact is that Hooper copped a four match ban for exactly the same hit. I don't expect the disciplinary to remain consistent so it's probably best to forget about it (although the players now know what they can get away with doing to the opposition kicker in future and I hope they'll deliver exactly the same).

The loss of Wheeler certainly didn't do us any favours as his kicking was forcing Wigan back time and time again. That said, we can't really blame the lads as their defence was only breached in the first half by a mile forward pass.

I thought Wigan were pretty mediocre, TBH. For the first thirty minutes they were extremely lethargic and only managed to make serious yardage on the back of individual rugby (two breaks by Tomkins). In the second half they found it easier without Puletua and Graham and the absence of Wheeler's kicking. Instead of making fifty yards per set we were down to thirty and Wigan were suddenly starting their possession close to the half way mark. It was noticeable that once those props returned to the field it didn't take long for usual service to be resumed.

Inexperience and injuries cost us the game. Nothing more. Lomax and Shenton will learn from their mistakes and be better players. Throw into the mix Perry, Pryce, Flannery, Gaskell, Clough, Wheeler etc. and we'll be okay. It'll also be handy having a born competitor in the backs like Hohaia next season who will make sure minds stay focussed on the task in hand.

Unless he suffers the same fate of the half backs injury curse against Wigan.



But yep, we did pretty well all being said

I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong regarding the rules, but is it not against the rules to attack the kicker, but alright to attack the ball. If I'm right, then whether Hoffman was late or not is irrelevant as he quite clearly attacked the kicker. Unless you can attack the ball with a shoulder charge.

Sour Grapes !! Doesn't get a mention if Saints win the game.

Really? I think the extent of Wheelers injury and the lack of action taken by the officials to halt play would suggest otherwise.

That's my understanding, Paul. The rules have changed since Hooperman specialised in it.

Its hardly surprising Wheeler got hurt with a bit of contact - he seems to be a player who cant go a couple of games without picking up an injury of some sort. Saying that fingers cross it ain't too bad because he is a talent and doesn't deserve the luck he is getting with injuries..

Surely the fact that none of the officials nor the official in the stand felt the need to call the incident back says that Hoffman was committed and the injury is just an unfortunate aspect.

Yes, of course. Just as surely as the fact that an official failed to call the forward pass which led to your first try must have meant that the forward pass the whole world saw wasn't in fact a forward pass.

Refs make mistakes/are incompetent (delete as you feel appropriate). In addition, where late tackles on the kicker are concerned, they all interpret 'late' differently.