Roy did play well on Thursday but not well enough to get starting spot. IF Super Ben plays then I think we will see Ben H starting prop along with Hilly.
If no Super Ben but Matty returns then Ratch could play 13 & again Ben H prop.

Wigan have a very structured game plan.

Wigan play the heavy lying on early doors with 3/4 defenders in every tackle, taking a full 4 seconds to release. More often they have also turned the attacker. They will even go to 4.5-5 sec to see what they can get away with.
Through that period of the game they give very few penalties, and look to utilise the pace outside with cut out passes to the wing or flat passes though dummy runners to the centre.

They only resort to roughing it up when that slowing down the play hasn't been effective enough to give them a substantial lead. Smith and Green will then attack running off quick play the balls.

If they have the lead the rough stuff doesn't happen and they resort to a big kicking with Smith.


We have learned to deal with all aspects of the Pie game except how to stop Smith and Green running at us in the second period.

I can't see past Wigan winning the GF... They're the most drilled team with a lot of academy lads playing who through have not only grown up in Wigan but also playing right through the system... Their pride in their Jersey is second to none.

We've shown we can score points past them (the GF and the other week). The worst thing you can do to Wigan is to be battering them at half time. They always come out fired up. Do what We've done over there before. Smash their forwards. Flood theruck and keep hitting the middle.

First 30 minutes 5 drives through the middle and PASS TO O'BRIEN, then smash the ball in the corner, Jan in and keep them there. Keep turning them round and they won't want to know. If we want to beat a team as drilled as Wigan we're goingto need something massive to be pulled out the bag.

I fear this will be one game to far for us.

Agreed.
What we need in the second period is to have an A kicking game.

We must protect the lead and play it like the Rhinos. If there isn't a play on from the kick, then don't go and kick it down the throat of Bowen, kick it out dead under the sticks. Yes I hate that tactic but it stops a quick return and buys time to level the defence and a 10 sec breather.

gotta bad feeling already for this one (hope im wrong )just hope the week off as done wigan a lot of harm...is it better to have a week off and rest up or is it better to keep playing..only time will tell..just hope we dont need any of the neck braces that are on order...wonder who the ref will be

I think who the ref is will play a big part in the outcome of this game.

I can't see us winning this, I want to but I can't see it. As long as we play with pride and give it a hell of a crack, I'll be happy with this season.

We need an official that allows us fast play the ball next week. If Wigan are allowed to wrestle their way through the match we stand absolutely no chance. I'd also like to see us stand up to them a bit more their aggression was key for them last time out.

Against Cas, I sensed that Wired had upped the agressive side of our defensive game. We seemed to be intent on slowing down the PTB, obviously a good tactic to nullify Clarke, much more than ever before and we pushed the defensive line to the maximum.

There almost seemed to be an element of "You know what, other teams are doing it to us and getting away with it so what the hell" and you'd have to say it worked.

Maybe we've realised that doing the ight thing isn't always the winning thing. One thing is for sure, Wigan will push the PTB area and defensive line to the max, because that's as much part of their game plan as a good kicking game, and I'm inclined to say Wires should do the same.

Just watching Penrith v Canterbury now and the refs are keeping a quick PTB, there've been a number of penalties so far for a slow ruck.

Shame wigan are allowed to conduct their wrestlemania over here.

Great match in front of 46,000 fans. We're not playing the same sport in this country, and I've heard all the excuses thanks.

Ever since the Wigan game we've upped our aggression and definitely started slowing down the oppositions ptb speed.

Use Wigan's tactics against them and it just might work.