While I think he was frustrated at dropping the ball, it was Hohaia wacking him that made him see red. An act far more thuggish than anything witnessed last night, let's not forget! It's too easy to blame Wane for this, a hell of a lot players would have thrown the first punch in Flowers situation, it was the second that was inexcusable. As far as I can remember Joel has always been keen on pinning down opposition when a bit of afters starts.

I agree with your sentiment but we won our opening game in 2013, hammering Salford 42-0

My bad, but we do have an awful "first up" record

When Wane took over from Madge he said he was going to cut out performances like that v Widnes as he felt we lost too many winnable games. I know we didn't lose the game but its exactly the kind of performance he was on about. And there have been several such games ever since Wane has been in charge, notably one against Widnes a couple of seasons ago and one at home to a very poor Bradford side as examples.

I don't think some slow start syndrome cuts it as an excuse when the coach says he wants to eradicate performances like that. In the Widnes game he had a half time team talk to sort the tactics out v 12 men but you wouldn't have thought so given the way the team played.

To be honest I'm pretty sure all top teams still give up shock losses. It's good that Wane has those aims but I do struggle with his arrogance sometimes. Regardless of their respective trophy hauls I wouldn't put him level with Maguire.