Looks like a C Farrell or Rob Lever are going to have to make their debut to cover SR.

LF is an interesting one with Lockers, Clubb, Flower and Faz all major doubts. McIlorum could go there as suggested to keep some creativity, Bateman could go there but that would mean one of the young SR debutants would have to start and play big minutes against Leeds' pack. An alternative could be to use Crosby there as a 3rd prop and have Ben Austin on the bench. We'd lose the pivot from LF but would be solid defensively. I imagine SWs having a few headaches this week!

He played more than half of the game at LF

Interesting one who to select if Wane is going to give a debut. Farrell is a second row, Lever can cover both second row and loose forward and Austin is a prop forward. I think whoever is selected they will slot into the Wigan's system as we've seen already with other young players making their debuts this season!

What annoys me most is that Leeds are not square at every play the ball. The first marker is almost square but the second marker puts his hand on the back of the first marker and stands to one side. They were penalised once, in the 37th minute, against Cas and Cas scored from it. Can't believe the refs don't notice.

Can you point out where and when other penalties should have been given, and how the crowd swayed the refereeing exactly? It was just that from watching the game it seemed that Wigan could have been penalised a hell of a lot more than they were.



Yes, you're right, that happens at every single play the ball that ever occurs against Leeds, and it's only Leeds that are ever guilty of it. It's certainly much more annoying than the three occasions in the opening 20 minutes of Leeds v Wigan that Wigan players lifted Rhinos legs above the horizontal and it went unpunished, and the unpunished high shots, and all the messing around on the ground you were allowed to get away with. Occasionally not standing square is much more annoying than all of the stuff that Wigan got away with.

No I can't BJ. You might well be right about Wigan deserving to be penalised more. You must agree that it isn't unusual for large vociferous home crowds to sway refs decsion making. It used to happen at Central Park, though not as much at the DW because our crowd aren't as loud as we used to be. It happens at Leeds.

This isn't a criticism of the Leeds crowd, or the ref for that matter. It's likely that at a neutral venue like the Etihad that Wigan will get more than 1 penalty.

Normally I would agree with you, and the Southstand has been known to have an impact, but this season our discipline has been remarkable, and along with our ridiculous goal line (and over) defence is why our points against column makes such delightful reading. I'd be very surprised if we give away more than a handful of penalties at the Etihad.

I must admit that I've been impressed by Leeds this season. I really thought that after the playoff last season you would struggle this one with many of your stars moving towards the twilight of their careers.

Much praise for this should go to Brian McDermott who is showing himself to be a better coach than many Leeds fans thought.

In fact just to go OT I think that in BMc and Shaun Wane we currently have two outstanding English coaches in Super League. It mystifies me why one of them wasn't approached to take the England team in the 4 Nations next winter.

The Rhinos discipline has improved massively this season. We have conceded just 59 penalties, the lowest of any team in SL. Is that all influenced by the Southstand or one particular referee? If so our away following must be outrageous.
This is the area I have been most impressed with this season. Usually Leeds give away daft penalties and invite the opposition to take the game from us, this season that has changed. As opposition fans you'll feel like you're getting nothing but that is because Leeds will be giving you nothing not the referee.

Personally I don't like referee talk, its small minded, and generally surrounds teams from lower down in the division.

What gets me is Wane as a LF playing at Leigh 23 year old Sam Hopkins bring him bach till we get Lockers sorted out is it because he is from Leigh academy and not Wigan academy.

If you read my post carefully I specifically said I WASN'T criticising the ref. I agree that criticising the ref is small minded.

However, if you think that vociferous home crowds don't influence the ref then you are naive my friend. No doubt Leeds discipline has improved, but probably not to the extent that we saw last time out with the penalty count so much in your favour.

Leeds fans may not like it (although they should) but there's no two ways about it- that South stand at Leeds has a big bearing on refereeing decisions at Headingley. It's something Leeds should be proud of in all honesty! That stand is so tight to the pitch and creates a very vocal atmosphere that IMO sways referees decisions. That's not small minded but logical.

Having that presence and influence of guys like Sinfield and Peacock certainly doesn't harm them either. I genuinely feel referees feel a little intimidated having to give decisions against Leeds and I can understand that.