Goes without saying that this is a big test, another shortish turnaround before a longer gap to the cup game. Be interesting as to whether we put our eggs in the cup basket and err on the side of caution for this game's selection regarding players with slight knocks etc. I doubt we will though, doesn't seem to be Hodgson's mentality.

If no further injuries other than Bowden, just replace him with Brown, and if Faraimo is banned I guess Fonua comes straight in. If Griffin is out we go with Scott. Sneyd is a tricky one though. If Wynne hadn't gone on loan we'd maybe go with Connor to partner McNamara and Wynne FB but don't know what happens then.


Start of a tricky run of fixtures this. Looking forward to seeing how we go.

1) Griff

2) Mitch

3) Mahe

4) Jude

5) Swift

6) Los

7) Houghton

Tag

9) Johnstone

10) Bowden

11) Lane

12) Sav

13) Ligi

Subs

Fash

Cator

Scott

Brown

Eyes on the cup, give Sneyd a rest, and leave Jake out at the pie dome. If Josh Bowden a doubt try another young academy lad D

.... eg Bowden.

Just a bit of fun on a lazy Sunday afternoon Mr Z

Saw the pictures of his arm on Instagram

Hope the conditioning team can get some energy into tired legs.

2 match ban for Faraimo,

Probably fair enough, I thought one match ban, but with his record it was always going to be at least two.

Just because he is banned doesnt neccesarily mean he should have been sent off, if every player banned was sent off it would ruin most SL games. It was high but not late, so 10 minutes is fair enough IMO.

.... I thought that the Wakefield player flipping the ball on rather than catching it made the outcome look a lot worse than it might otherwise have been.

To be honest its probably a fair punishment, for me it wasn't malicious or late as Faraimo was already committed to the tackle, unfortunately he made marginal contact with the head which is enough these days. Probably would have been 1 or possibly 2 games but due to his previous its been set as 2.

Just needs to improve his technique and make sure he makes contact low enough in future but these things happen with the speed of the game.

I do also think that some onus has to go on the attacking player too in these instances in regards to high shots when they start to crouch or duck, so I do have some sympathy for Faraimo in this instance as once he's committed he can't readjust. Also think the officials and review panel need to take these things plus the speed of the game in to account as judging a lot of these incidents in anything other than real time speed is unfair and gives a false account.

Gives Fonua another opportunity now.

About what I was expecting for Faraimo. Probably fair enough on reflection

Looking at Wigans squad and the possibles missing for them

Ruled out: Jai Field (hamstring), Liam Marshall (knee), Thomas Leuluai (sternum)

Doubtful: Oliver Gildart (groin), Dom Manfredi (thumb)

Think Leuluai will be a big miss for them along with Marshall and possibly Gildart.

Hopefully the guys can get a decent recovery this week and be ready and raring to go again on Friday. I don't expect to remain undefeated to be honest as think the physicality of Fridays game after such a short turn around from a 90 min game will take it toll. Still a part of me is optimistic and we have shown so far we are more adept at staying in the grind so far this season.