Enjoyed reading this thread & there's some well reasoned posts.
MHO for what it's worth is that Melbourne couldn't have played it any other way than 'to the ref' in such wet & heavy conditions. Only Melbourne & Canberra have games on cold wet grounds,though never as bad as Elland road was.This is why G I was almost non existent as an attacking force & why a gang tackle defence was so effective,(a little needling didn't hurt either). I see no reason why playing to the ref should not serve Wigan well on heavy grounds,whilst still playing a fast paced,offload attacking style of game on fast dry grounds. What many see as slow,dour or spoiling defence is only so if it is not done skillfully & as the conditions dictate.
Here's to a great 2010 season for Wigan