Was at the ground so only saw a few replays on the screen, what was leeming sin binned for. It didn't look late or high?

Did the ref say why

It wasn’t either, was pretty bizzare, ref didn’t see much of an issue, commentary all agreed it was a fair shot but all came to the conclusion he got a card because of a accumulation of incidents which only works when the final one is actually a foul.

Regarding forber he's contracted until 2025 according to this https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ns-4764069

Regarding forber he's contracted until 2025 according to this https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ns-4764069

Thats baffled me too mate, like wtf it wasn't even a penalty oh so sin bin him haha

Leeming got sin binned because the French crowd went nuts.

Personally, I don’t get the negativity around Leeming. After a slow start to the season, I think he’s played really well in the last few months and has massively improved his defensive game, which was his biggest weakness when he arrived.

I’d agree with the praise heaped on Forber’s display against Catalans and we did look sharper at the PTB when he came on. But on the defensive side, and no disrespect to the lad, he is a small man and will be picked out in the line by attacking forwards (as Satae did at one point), whereas Leeming managed to handle the first half onslaught from the Catalans forward and had heavy involvement in our defence of the middle of the pitch.

In the longer terms, I agree with others that O’Neil may move to loose, Ellis is doing a great job but he is just as effective as a prop, which would see us rotating our hookers as we did today provided that Forber stays at Wigan.

Same on Leeming for me. I think he's had a pretty good first season and has added that point of difference we've wanted for a long while.

I don't think its intended as negative, hes an exciting player and has given good impact for us but he's playing as a starting nine and, while he hasn't let us down, its not his strength. Forber is on the small side but his defence has been exceptional in the Academy/Reserves, his distribution and decision making is top notch. TBH, however this pans out its a good problem to have.

If the rumours about Forber leaving are true I wonder if the club see Ratchford as the better long term prospect ?

If the rumours are correct then someone needs their head feeling.

Maybe, Forber is ready now, Ratchford may be ready in a couple of years, He had a good game v Hull Reserves and has shown promise.

In fairness to the club, if the decision was made a while ago, they likely had a fit Brad O'Neill fighting out with Leeming and it was difficult to see where chances would come from for Forber. They were likely doing what they thought was right by the lad if they have indeed granted him a release to join Salford. What I do wonder is if there is any way to safeguard yourself by stipulating a release will not be given should something like a bad injury to O'Neill crop up. If they could do that and haven't then it's not good but I have no clue if that's a thing (and it may just be that financially we needed to get players off the books).

In terms of Ratchford, he looks an outstanding talent when I watch him. He is out at Rochdale playing against grown men, so he could well come in to the reckoning early next year.

Nothing for Leeming. Not even cited.

On a side note Vaughn and the lad from Hudds have got 3 matches for the red cards (the Hudds lad has actually got 4, an additional 1 for a separate incident).
Probably the going rate at the moment but we all know they would've been penalties at the most if it wasn't for what's going on off the field

It will be very interesting to see if refs treat these incidents any differently in the playoffs and grand final.

An absolute ridiculous yellow card

It was. I was never worried about a ban for that but wondered if they may give him one for the tip tackle (which would've been ridiculous but when does that stop them).

Tom Forber will be at Wigan next season.

Good move by the club but a necessary one.
O'Neil is out at the start of next season. Leeming just needs a knock pre season and if Forber had gone where would we be then?
Forber was very good at Catalan (IMO) and scored the try which changed the game.
Catalans must have been shattered going in level after their performance in the first half.

Any further details? Was there a U turn of some sort?

No U turn mate. Tom was seen at a Salford game and someone put two and two together. We need to tie this lad down.

It was the very definition of Kendal having another "we're not getting to the end of this game without some Wiganer going to the bin" moment. But I still worried the Disciplinary might back him up if only to spare his blushes (not that he ever seems to have any).

The long term is interesting. Three hookers in to two positions doesn't go but we need the lad early next season without a doubt. If he smashes it then things become complicated but in a good way. Do we offer him a long term deal and make somebody like Leeming available? do we look to move Brad O'Neill in to loose forward and Ellis back to prop? Or do we let him walk away? Questions for another day and it may be that the lad doesn't make it here but it's good problems to have.

Ellis to prop covering coopers when he leaves, imagine another prop will be gone either this year or next. O’Neil to 13 hopefully have an out and out ball playing 13 which would be great and Leeming and Tom to interchange

I don’t see Ellis shifting from 13, however he could move to prop during games for a spell.

I think we will be expecting Eseh/Hill to be the long term replacement for Cooper.

A new 1 year deal probably suits Forber and Wigan, would be great if we could get him on a 1 year with a second year in clubs favour. Think we will all have a better idea of where all the pieces fit around the 9 shirt by the end of 2025.

Only position I think we need to recruit for in 2025 is secondrow, I actually think Walters may move into the middle again next year as I just don’t see him as dynamic enough to get the best out of him as a secondrow.