Credit to everyone for getting the game on yesterday. Shame the weather ruined the attendance. Haven't been that cold at a match for a while! Couldn't believe how poor Wigan looked yesterday. I know its only a pre season game but in attack they had little go forward and barely got near our line all game! Squad depth is going to be a problem for them it seems.

I can confirm Thaler was indeed wearing glasses that contained a small camera during the first half. The 'ref cam' will be worn by all referees during live sky games this year (dependent on them working!)

Source: I'm friends with the touch judge.

I happened across a second division Union match today on Sky (by accident, honest), and they were very keen on using 'ref cam'. Gave an interesting perspective, but could become a bit annoying if overused I feel. Will be good if they use it for when they're bollocking someone after a scrap though!

Ref cam can only be better than that Swingoneter thing used t the begining if last season. That was a joke. Can't wait till Sunday.

I thought that might be it. Not exactly inconspicuous, are they? He looked like a cross between Reggie Kray and Homer Simpson (when he wears his reading glasses). The RU refers have the camera's discretely tucked under their shirt which is a bit better.

If ref cam is to be worn during all live sky games then that is a surprise. I can imagine them using them in their gimmicky Monday Night SuperLeague games but will seem odd twice a week!

Just glad they managed to get the game on because when I woke up on Sunday morning I just thought there was no chance.

I don't like friendly games because from my experience they really give you little indication of how players will perform when the season starts for real, I have been to many of these games when players either look fantastic or rubbish but when the actual season starts they can turn out the opposite.

Having said that I think that with all the changes at Wigan in terms of players leaving and the new players coming in many Wigan supporters are feeling a little anxious right now. The new half-back combination is obviously going to be important and Blake Green seems to be an unknown to many supporters (myself included). I think a lot may also rest on how Scott Taylor performs too with the departure of Jeff Lima to Souths who I think was an important player for Wigan.

The match on the 8th of February will tell us a lot more about how good or how poor Wigan will be in 2013.

Don't understand why people don't like friendlies as they can be misleading! Can't you go and watch a match and enjoy it for its own sake?

Enjoyed the game, nice to be watching RL again. Ref was a bit whistle-happy which made the affair a bit stop start...god it was bloody cold though!

I bet it was, interesting conditions for players and supporters alike.

Here is a link to thoughts on the game by Bilko.

[urlhttp://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2501[/url

Roll on summer rugby.

Yep, pretty fair assessment by Bilko. Wigan were pretty poor, in admittedly difficult conditions, they never really looked like they were going to break through our forward line all game. However I'm expecting a very different side to be running out against us in a couple of weeks time!

Not too different though as they only had Sam T, Sean O'L, Harrison H & Luaki missing, although Luaki did show us his pace over 3 yards whilst attempting to warm up during half time.

I was referring to the quality that these missing players will bring to the Wigan side that will make it a different proposition, not the amount returning.

Don't kid yourself, most of the first team players were brought off by Wane after 20-30 minutes. The only 4 players out of the first 17 on the field after that were Prescott, Charnley, L Tomkins and Dudson. It will be a very different team in a few weeks. Don't get me wrong, wire will still be favourites but least Wigan might be able to get out of their half!

I've got to agree Bobby, their returning players will make a big impact and a bigger crowd should get the intensity levels up (will also suit us).

However, I think that we will still have enough and with Tony Smith 'returning' as coach to replace Phil Veivers I'm hoping for two points.

I agree with that any team that includes Sam T & Sean O'L will be better for it but I'm unsure of the quality outside 6 or 7 players in their squad.

I know its hard to believe and I hate to be the one who has to break the news to you but Matty Smith and Blake Green are your first choice half-backs this year.

Totally irrelevant to the point I was making. But on that topic, yes they are and it is a big step down from Finch and Leuluai. However, one area of our play which I can see improving from the new half back partnership is the kicking game, which has been woeful the last few years.

Apart from Smith playing nigh-on all the first half and Green playing well into the second half.

Ok well make that 5 out of the 17 then

Kicking game improving

Every kick your 'half back pairing' put in went straight down our players throat.... IMO your kicking was shocking on Saturday

Yep due to kicking from our own 40 after every set. Just my opinion the kicking game will improve, that's all.

There will be plenty more opportunities for 40-20s this year it would seem. Enjoy the season

LC did you help clean the snow off the pitch? you seem to be a shovelling expert.

A harder question and more to the point, “what’s he got in it?” it looks like the same old same old!

Didn't one of Matty Smith's first kicks for you land right in Ratchford's arms, leaving him open to run 80 yards and score?