Looked very good on the tele. Damn Covid robbed me of attending but glad there was a buzz and hopefully that will build. I could see tickets to HKR going pretty quickly. We’ve only got 2 blocks behind the posts looking at their site. I can’t commit to a season ticket due to a couple of prior engagements this season, so rather than wait I’ve bought a couple of tickets on the end of the first HKR block.

I thought you were never ever watching Wigan again?

Mustn't...feed....the trolls.

Enjoyable and really promising. Thornley, KPP, Field and Byrne were standouts. More intent, togetherness and confidence as a team.

The starting line up for KR will be very interesting, particularly in the backs. It would be a risk but I think I would stick with KPP at centre - I really think we could be onto something there. Is there a place for Zak atm? Field was a threat in attack though I'm not sure how he'd cope with Abdull's kicks. Again on balance I'd probably continue with him at fullback though it wouldn't surprise me if they go with Zak.

Also interesting that they played Bibby at left centre with Thornley on the right wing - you might have expected it to be the other way round. No idea what the 3/4 line will look like in the first game.

Made a last minute decision to go today and really enjoyed it. Some of my takeaways below -

Firstly the starting 13 just looked a big physical experienced side. Only really Field and Marshall lacked size but we know they have speed to burn.

I know Wire were missing Cooper and have recently lost Hill but we got on top of there pack big time, which was great to see.

Kicking game (especially first half) was night and day from the last 3 years, finding the floor, early kicks. Nice that Cust is a left footer playing on the left.

Ellis - bigger than expected (taller and fitter Singleton). Looked solid and just got through his work.

Cust - nothing spectacular but decent debut, good kicking game. Liked his work rate on the final kick off the game rushing 40m across field just in case the ball bounced (good sign)

Miski - didn’t have many opportunities with Wire having the weight of possession when he was on. Seems to be down the pecking order in the backs.

Mago - still building on his fitness, drifts out wide a bit in the defensive line too much for my liking and let’s others do his tackles. But wow he had xfactor, big hits and high quality offloads.

Thornley - wow not what I expected at all, firstly wing?!?! His carries off our own goal line were SUPERB! Got us on the front foot. Great ball inside for Field (knock on). Took his try well. Hoping like it’s said he’s a great moneyball signing.

KPP - honestly think this guy could be a phenom. Reminds me so much of Sonny bill. Shown already he can do a job at centre. We need to enjoy him while we have him before the NRL come calling.

Only a friendly but really positive signs. Second half was a bit disappointing with conceding all the penalties but work on our goal line D won’t do us any harm.

Field - really impressed, positioning was great, i find he weird he views himself as a half back as full back looks like his natural position. Exciting that we have to find a place for him, Hardaker and hopefully French.

Roll on hopefully a more positive year! The whole club feels different.

Troll.

Wire fan in peace here. Thought you easily deserved the win today, best team. Great turnout from your fans too for a friendly, going to a great player for us and a nice bloke in Stef. So cheers everyone.

Really enjoyable watch, and you couldn't say that too many times last season. Competitive, but played in a good spirit; I can't recall any incident of serious foul play, despite the torrent of whistles in the second half. All bodes well for the start of the season.

So many good things to take from that and relatively few bad. Mago outstanding again. It's like having an extra back on the field at times. His offloads would have done any centre proud! Talking of centres; KPP to stay there for mine. If he can cause so much havoc having barely one match in total there just think how good he could be after a season or two. At the risk of loading expectation a little, a genuine superstar in the making.

Thornley: please, please, please continue with the mindset you have right now. I said in a previous post that he was a good player but needed to do it on a regular basis. Keep playing like today and he could make a lot of people eat their words!

Field's positional play is a joy to watch. I know he should have had a hat trick today instead of the 2 he did get but the fact is he's there in support every time. I don't think we made a break where he wasn't available. As someone else said; I can't believe he doesn't consider himself a fullback. Support play like that makes him a natural.

Hasn't Byrne and Smithies bulked up over the off season! Both looked strong when taking it in. Our pack dominated theirs across the board.

Once again, some great talent coming through. Eckersley, Hallsall, Nsemba among others look ready for first team football.

Excellent couple of hit outs both last week and this and, for once, a pre season that fills me with lots of hope and enthusiasm. Great stuff!

He’s not wrong though…

I'm not going to games until they stop.

Lots of youngsters there too which is really encouraging.

Great to finally meet up yesterday.
Hope you and your mates had a good day out.

It’s absolutely ideal to think Hardaker and French may sit some games out purely on not being selected. I don’t think I’d pick Hardaker first game now, especially given he’s got no minutes under his belt and he’d have to fight his way in. That’s a great position to be in. As and when French is back, he again will struggle to get that fullback spot ‘if’ Field can keep his pre season form up.

They’re two man of steel winners/nominees we’re talking about and we have a great opportunity to make sure every player knows they’ll need to earn spots.

Fields has been good so far but he hasn’t been tested defensively. Need to see him one on one with an attacker.

Possibly running the first game with hardaker at centre, fields at FB. If things don’t go to plan push Fields into the halves, hardaker to FB. Bring KPP/Halsall/Bibby/Thornley on for Fields/Tommy.

Agree with that, he does need to be tested and there was one or two hairy moments dealing with kicks last night but we can’t be anything but pleased with the start he’s made. I don’t think we’ll get a Radlinski level of safety out of Field or French as fullbacks but going the other way they could be dynamite and we need that threat IMO.

It’s good problems anyway, whatever they decide to do.