Unfortunately St. George -Illawarra has been drastically weakened by the withdrawal of boom forward Michael Cooper, who insists on being present for the birth of his child. ( That will make Michael the father of an Australian citizen. So, although Michael will likely pull on an England shirt again, he is unlikely to return home to live). I hope that the news of No Cooper will not bugger the attendance figures.

I like Cooper well enough, but couldn't honestly say his absence especially weakens a St. George side that really aren't all that anyway. Can't see it having much effect on attendance, either.

FWIW. I believe all the weak Aussie teams will win their games.

A team that includes a reborn Benji Marshall, plus Gareth Widdop, Joshua Dugan, Jason Nightingale, Trent Merrin and others is not to be taken lightly. But Michael Cooper was an important part of the the forward pack.

How many times did you watch St. George last season? Yes, they have some quality in the halves, and two good wingers (one, now BMozz has gone), but their perennial problem, as it has been for a few years now, is their lack of forward power. And the ongoing praise for Dugan, a good ball-runner but otherwise a very limited player, never ceases to surprise me. I will be surprised if they overcome the Wire.

Wigan F.C. play rugby.

The soccer team are Wigan Athletic A.F.C.

I am forecasting Wigan will have the biggest attendance of the three games and will be the only one to beat their Aussie opponents.

I'm expecting wins for Wire and Wigan, and defeat for Saints.

If Wire don't beat the team that finished 11th we might as well pack it in over here

and yet......................


Don't wish for things that may possibly happen, no matter how remote it may seem.

Problem with that it isn't really the team which finished 11th is it. The team they will play will be the 2015 version not the 2014 version.

Yes, but since then they've lost their star player and bought, well, no-one much.

Saints nearly sold out,saints had first pic on seating bit annoying when saints ticket holders could buy for any Tom, dick,or Harry fans then non season ticket holders could purchase two weeks later!!?? Lass in sales said blame rfl?? Anyway kicked off..... As a rabbitohs international member she sorted sum decent seats!!! Will be plenty in red n green tbhand bunnies up for it big time!!!