All jokes aside, since Wellens went in on the RFL failing to protect players, he’s had one of his own players doing an Asiata style tackle and he’s then seen his club appeal a ban that looks pretty clear cut. They’re not making things easy for him on his crusade to protect the games players and make it safer for ‘everyone’ concerned.

Are we close to Matty Lees missing more games than he's played yet? He's not a dirty player though.

The next one from the angels over the hill will be that because the RFL aren't protecting their players they've taken it into their own hands. Morgan Knowles will be in his element.

They are appealing the tribunal verdict again.

It's poor from Saints IMO. It shows a complete disrespect for the process. Whilst we all think it's a sham of an organisation, there has to be some acceptance of the decisions.

Surely clubs can't just keep appealing until they get the outcome they want? I know on at least two occasions this season, Wigan have wanted to appeal certain bans but have decided not to and just begrudgingly accepted the bans.

They continue to undermine Wellens and his desire to make the game safer for all.

Fine 'em a marquee players wages

Says more about how dumb we are on these kind of things, than it does anything else. Wonder if KR has thought about sending them a bottle of whiskey? Wouldn't want them getting upset with us.

Hope Saints fail and take it to the Court of Arbitration. Get some extra eyes on it & turn it into a media circus.

Their 2 best props out for the last 7/8 games of the season since 2 weeks ago, so you can understand them appealing a ban on a 3rd.
It's a drastic situation requiring extreme measures

I mean its not like any other team has got or had their best 2 props out for the vast majority of the season and then picked a ban up on a 3rd
Or had 2 of their 2nd rowers out for extended/major parts of the season

Oh wait

There's nothing stopping Wigan or other clubs doing this. I can see how some will say its not a good look for the game but IMO there are two points to consider here...

1. Lees is not Jack Welsby. Him playing the next two games won't be the difference between us winning or losing. That tells me that Saints really must feel they have a chance. There is clearly some spite between Saints and the RFL undoubtedly since the Knowles appeal last year. I know that a lot of clubs still resent Saints over that. Rush clearly has an agenda and a desire to prove his point

2. We have had a lot of bans over the last two years and this is only the 2nd time we have done this so its not as though we challenge everything.

Tonight will be very interesting. If we lose I can definitely see extra games being added (if they are allowed to do that I don't know)

I wish more clubs would take such a stance over such an inconsistent process

I appreciate the process is inconsistent Stu, but the ban is a ban by the rules.

Seems like saints are going out with the attitude that "well you didn't ban him for it so you can't ban us" and whilst it's annoying, nothing ever works that way.

Whatever the outcome, it’s a mess. The fact the club feel they have grounds to appeal (twice) just shows how little confidence clubs have in the RFL. Obviously we are more vociferous than most in how we choose to constantly challenge them. Whether that has an adverse affect on how we are treated is a separate argument.

I just hope we know what we are doing and have a strong case. Because if they knock us back again we will just look like cry babies who are refusing to accept the punishment.

On the flip side if we are successful it will just highlight the RFL incompetence even further.

Whatever happens someone is going to look silly; neither of which will look good for the sport as a whole.

I'm with you on it. I wish Wigan would challenge more.

You're right. It won't look good for the sport at all and it seems to me like the current setup at Saints cares about themselves and nothing else. It's probably led to you winning 4 in a row and a WCC but ultimately the sport is what matters.

What? You’re saying our attitude towards the disciplinary panel is what has led us to winning 4 in a row? Not the world class players, academy set up, coaches, etc? Not sure what you mean here at all.

If you mean our ruthless will to win and our commitment to being the best we can be then yes I agree.

I think every club has a right to stand up for themselves if they are confident they have been in some way “wronged.” I suppose the ends justify the means in most cases so if we are successful tonight then we have 100% done the right thing. If not then we look silly.

I also think every club if truth be told prioritises their own success first and foremost and ultimately “cares about themselves.” And if that means appealing bans when they think they have a strong case then so be it.

Look at Asiata’s comments regarding his tackle technique for example. He’s said he doing what it takes to win and in doing so he is totally ignoring the fact he is putting people in danger. That’s an extreme example of “caring about themselves and nothing else” isn’t it?