Nobody is saying that it doesn`t rain in New Zealand or in fact parts of australia like Melbourne and Canberra, parts of NZ has a similar climate to what we have in the uk.

The point is that the bulk of the kiwi squad are based in australia and play their rugby in a far better overall climate, southern hemsiphere teams like the aussies and kiwis move the ball across the line at a far quicker pace than we do, their pivots and backs are more skilful with ball in hand. Add rain to the equasion and it eliminates a alot of the threat.

We played the conditions better last night, the weather eliminated an expansive game which played to our strengths, before the tournament started the majority of people were saying how good our pack looked but the three quarters looked weak.

It will be similar next week if we get wet conditions as it will blunt what the aussie backline is capable of, a game down the middle and we have a chance but if it becomes a game of how skilful and creative both sets of backs are then we will lose. Its not rocket science really.

Only on here can we go from discussing the national coach, to talking about the weather in New Zealand.

you could`nt make it up...must be another bitter and twisted soul...theres quite a few who did`nt like us winning the cup that spout utter bilge on here....

Smith is just cashing in on having a world class set of players at his disposal which was left to him by Jimmy Lowes. It's like Rafa Benitez built his rep on one season winning the Champions League with basically a great team which Houllier had left for him.

Absolutely. Furthermore, neither Smith nor Rafa had ever achieved anything at their previous clubs, so their lack of sustained success in their career shows they're flash in the pans, who've got by with massive luck.

what great team...veronin,lucas,that clown of a greek defender..talk some sense or say nowt

Oooooo the irony!

Like I say, Rafa won the Champions League on the back of great team which Houllier left for him. Voronin and Lucas weren't part of that team it was built on Houllier's boys, Dudek, Traore, Kewell, Smicer etc....all who Benitez got rid of to bring in his new super signings.

and great they are...not fit for warrington town

Agree with you there, the only one who Warrington Town would have is Torres, maybe Benayoun

One of Burnleys greatest heroes.

Well done to Tony Smith.

He obviously learned from his mistakes in Australia with regards to having team mates room together.

rlhttp://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid

Before Smith took over it looked possible we would finish third from bottom, I noticed this season how easy it was to beat Wigan by watching the saints. For gods sake he is decent coach ,He did say he can't put it right in one season, but he is doing a reasonable job at the moment. Ok Kiwi's are crap tho they did beat the aussies and it was close last week. We probably won't win, but we'll never match there depth. Over here we're a minor sport whilst there they are like footballers

Wrong in what way? Most criticism I read came in the light of some poor decisions he made. They must have been poor as he, himself, has chosen to correct them. You can't have it both ways. Either the decisions were wrong and therefore deserving of criticism, or he's got it wrong now by changing his original correct decisions.

Having said that, all credit to him for having the strength to make the neccessary calls. Well done Tony!

Just one other thing; from your comment above I take it, should England get beat on Saturday, that you'll be visiting the Wigan and Saints board to tell us what a crap coach TS is and how you got it wrong? Thought not.

C'Mon England (and TS! )