The shot from Griffin was certainly late, but the actual shoulder hit wasn't something that would have warranted being penalised last season I don't think. Wasn't high, at the head or specifically aimed, just solid and Matty Smith came off unlucky from it

Maybe not as bad as first thought - he's not completely ruled out for Sunday, though Wane says it's "unlikely".

rlhttps://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-warriors/smith-is-a-big-doubt-for-challenge-cup-trip-1-5658886rl

According to the RFL, the contact was Smith's shoulder into Griffin's chest so no case to answer. Bad news for Matty however you spin it though.

rlhttps://www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4405rl

Big loss for Sunday that. I can't see him playing, it'll just be too early. Been good for us this season and he's started to hit some form in the last few games. His kicking game is going to be a miss on Sunday. Hope Powell gets a chance, keep O'loughlin at 13. Was impressed with Powell when he played against Hull last year at home and it'll be interesting to see how well he can play in knock out football if he gets the nod.

if we are missing a no.7 then let's hope S W has learnt from last year, replace him with another who plays 7. DON'T move 2-3 players around and weaken other positions as well.......

Agree with the above, give Powell a run we should still have plenty to beat them and it'll be a great opportunity for him

Powell has to play 7 for me

I think Smith will play on Sunday.

Early on in the season Wane said he was going to replace like with like position wise and not play players out of position. This is his first real test to see if he has the courage of this particular conviction. He didn't handle Tommy being out at all well last season and if he does as he did in the CC last year and play Lockers at 6 it would show he hasn't learnt from that game and that he struggles somewhat when he has to deal with injuries in key positions.

Many have said if Pat Richards was moved to fullback when we played Leeds in the play offs we would have won that game, Wane can't win but I agree with your opinion like for like replacements seem the better option.

Out of interest who would you have replaced Tommy with, or handled the situation differently?

Mmmmm
I wonder who one of those people who said moving players out of position and not using a like for like replacement and it cost us the game was?

I think we have lost a few players over the last couple of years, where we haven't been replaced with 'like for like' .

I think Wane made a huge 'boo boo' of placing that young lad in, in the semi/play offs instead of possibly Pat Richards.

I still don't think the lad has recovered. He was inexperienced, it was not really his fault.

Like people have said Wane can't win. Replacing Tommy with Lockers rather than throwing in a young kid was the wrong decision and on the other hand not playing Pat at fullback and picking a like-for-like young replacement in Murphy was also the wrong decision.

ATEOD Wane has shown if he thinks a player is ready to step up he'll pick them. Look how many debuts he's given in the last 2 years!