We've just done a fair job without Bowen in the 2nd half against NZ with us scoring 6 try's to zero with Ryan Hampshire running the show.

He is exceptional and the team will lose very little if anything when he plays this year (which he will do quite a bit).

Much as it leaves mud in my mouth, I agree with JC. The RFL have to think of the wider picture. It is broadly similar to the famous O J Simpson case where the decision possibly prevented riots. The objective meaning of justice went out the window. Here, big business (mainly, down under) want a competition and any decision to weaken Wigan could compromise this.

Does not mean I like it or agree with it.

So, bans are now dished out (or not) by taking into account what matches the offenders team has coming up?

Everyone knows he didn't face the disciplinary because of the fact he's in Australia would have meant the logistics of flying him back a day after he got there to face them were impractical, and he would have had to face a ban which would have made him miss 'a big game'.

Surely that's the whole idea of punishment !!

So, just because Wigan have a WCC coming up the disciplinary procedure should go out of the window.

Just because Bowen’s misdemeanour was less thuggish than Westwood’s, a line should be drawn in the sand & only punching warrants a ban.

If Wigan are unable to function without Bowen, God help ‘em.

I appreciate people have different opinions, but sometimes I despair.

Subtle, but still obvious.

IIRC Westwood faced the disciplinary via video link after the GF because he'd already flown to SA with England, so I don't think it is just a logistics argument why a ban was not given. Jeff Lima was banned in 2011 for an incident in Round 1 and missed the WCC, so the RFL have banned players for "big games" in the past (a Wigan player as well, even though we get all the decisions apparently).

The easiest cop out would have been to give him a one match ban and let today's friendly against NZ Warriors count. The RFL have set a dangerous precedent by issuing no punishment because you can guarantee everytime a player does recieve a ban in 2014 the Bowen incident will be referred to.

I look forward to the first Salford player being banned for a high tackle and what their demure chairman has to say about the equity of the judiciary system!

Are you daft ??? That picture proves me right as much as you... I said Rangi Chase made contact with the chest initially then ended up high same as Bowen .... Lower end clubs ALWAYS get the worst of it at the disciplinary.

You mean exactly the same as Bowen did while escaping any sort of ban ???

If they are concerned with having players in the big game they could just have imposed a 2 game ban after the WCC.

Precedent set, happy hunting for the rest of the season.

What's wrong with you? How the hell did Chase hit his chest first and then end up there. If you really want to then watch the video on that video sharing site.
He hit Hardaker in the head with his shoulder and was lucky not to be sent off. Hence the 2 match ban he received. The conspiracy against your club was so big your club didn't even appeal.

Stop with the pathetic blinkered paranoia.

Appeal ??? What's the point unless you play for a top club. The ref had a perfect view of the incident and didn't send Rangi Chase off... Infact until McDermott and Softacre had a cry in the media after losing the game nothing was said at all.

yeah, cos when you have a valid complaint you do it during the game. Thats always succesful.

Wigan was playing a massively under strength NZ Warriors team. According to the coach 18 full time players were missing. The Warriors scorers included C Townsend, A Tuimavave-Gerrard, and N Peteru, who are unknown to most followers of the NRL.

Wigan will be beaten decisively by the Sydney Roosters, but whether or not it is by a cricket score depends on whether or not Matt Bowen plays.

? Bowen isn't fkin superman you nobber, If he plays or not the score will be similar.

No, I know what I meant, thanks all the same. We were talking about Rangi and his nasty streak.

For the record I think the Bowen decision was a shocker and sets a very dangerous precedent for the coming season.

Bowen is miles superior to Hampshire you half wit. You should watch the game Wigan First Choice vs NZ Warriors Second Choice, and see the difference between Bowen, who was always a presence in attack, and Hampshire, who only made a couple of runs towards the end of the game. Bowen is a brilliant player who makes breaks and inspires the rest of the team. When Bowen doesn't play Wigan is firing on only 75% of its attacking power.

Hampshire did OK during the Wigan First Choice game against NZ Warriors Second Choice. Hampshire made a couple of long runs at an angle, towards the end of the game, but he was hardly dominant and certainly was not running the show. That task was taken on by in the first half by Matty Smith and in the second half by Powell in conjunction with Tomkins.

Based on a game in which he was rank average and should have been sent off and a New Zealand 2nd string?

Are you really Wayne Bennett?