Strangely for a dead rubber it was entertaining and in a weird way reminded me why our game really is quality and in need of a huge boost. On the other hand as a wire fan we've hopefully got two big games left and that's all that matters...not that arrised on tonights result or the next two. As for our half backs Patton did ok and if he was to come in for anyone it would be Brown as, believe it or not - despite the blinkered drivel, Roberts is by far our best hb. (If anyone queries that just take note of the passing quality of our players). Roberts should've ran more this season (LOTS) more but at least he's always offered a running threat....those two tonight were never going to have that option.

Why?

Nope, we’re very happy.

6 wins on the spin.

Scored some good tries

Great night for Manfredi

All without, Farrell, Flower, Marshall, Burgess, Greenwood, O’Loughlin and losing Isa mid game.

Cheers. 16-nil ar ht.
My head hurts.

Wonder what Walter thinks of Louis Johnsons performance last night? He looks a great athlete and pleased he has been given a chance and took it. Been ripping it up in the U19s and it’s great we have that pathway into the first team.
Despite not being a fan of Patton i thought he was great tonight.

Defences were right on top and I don't think either side hardly made a break for for 70 minutes. I think it showed just how difficult it is to be creative. We tend to expect half backs to find space etc. but it just doesn't happen. Roberts & Brown do seem to try to create more (and sometimes fail ... of course). I certainly didn't spot a lot of space last night.
I have some sympathy for modern day half backs ... it is so much more difficult than when we had Jacky Edwards & Bobby Greenough.

You’re having a laugh, he was lucky only to get yellow. Not that it should make a difference but If Manfredi had stayed down he’d have got red. He went hunting and certainly didn’t miss.

Typical overreaction. It was high but took the shoulder first, and was clumsy rather than 'hunting'. Yelloe correct decision.

I agree. The problem with fans' view of Roberts is that (justifiably) we expected him to be brilliant and he has been, for the most part, merely good. His pass selection and movement are better than any of our other halves. Patton had a good game by his standards last night, and an improved one, too, but we definitely missed Roberts and Brown (at his best), too, last night. Still, I expect Steve Price knew what he was doing. These two, and the key forwards, needed a rest. Wouldn't be surprised if Clark and Philbin, Jack Hughes, maybe even Charnley, Ratchford and Goodwin get a break against Saints or Wakey.

Your having a laugh.
It was obvious on the screen he was attempting to smash the ball from his grasp but it glided over that and hit him on the top of his shoulder.
Penalty yes, yellow either way, a little harsh...had it have been a Wigan player...throwing a punch(missed)...(Bateman) that Wiganer walks free....always the case.

Wigan players tried to cheat the ref and succeeded as players threw them self forward to win penalties after the tackle, it was almost becoming embarrassing how often Hicks was sucked in...even giving a thrown ball at our player to win a penalty.

It was by standard a poor game of rugby. Was okay to watch because of some good defensive work.

Spot on, Roberts is our best half by a distance, not marquee value, but still our best.

Does anyone think he will get a ban for that or is sin bin sufficient.

Can't see him getting a 4 game ban but if he does would be back for GF

3 even

Super League players are going to need to be very careful around Manfredi over the next few weeks. Th evidence last night was that tackling him is now an automatic penalty, and that Wigan players have full rights to go headhunting on anyone who does.

Give your head a wobble lad. Arguably the most pathetic post ever seen on these boards.

It might be different when viewed on TV but I did think that for a decent spell Hicks lost complete control of the game and he evened things up a bit from a position of only refereeing us at the start.

One thing that was evident last night and it's creeping in unfortunately was the 'football' antics of some of the Wigan players. For example diving to the ground at the play the ball, the one near our line in the first half was laughable yet gained another 6 and Escare, I think, waving an imaginary card to get one of ours a rest...the game is better without it.

I went into their South Stand bar apres match and the compere couldn't wait to slag us and the ref off to much one-eyed applause. Fair play to Davis and Tautai in the Q&A they didn't get dragged in, less so one of their coaches John someone or other.

Different folk see different things I suppose, we cant get any kind of consensus on here so not much chance there

Is it being coached now do you think, Brian Carney called out the Richie Myler one at the end of the Leeds/Salford match.

Whether it's being coached, or being adopted like a a bunch of kids in a school playground following their idols it's embarrassing and not needed. I'd give the imaginary card waver a rest or the opposition a penalty, coaches would soon put a stop to it.

Will the ref have the bottle to card Tompkins for whining in the semi or final?

Probably not, but, fair warning should be given for miscreants next year straight from the 'off'

He'll get a shock when he finds out how little he can get away with in a Catalans' jersey.

How refreshing this morning in the NRL to not see;

Holding down / interference
Locking players in
Attackers moving off the mark
Attackers diving at the play of the ball to get a penalty. When it did happen the attacker got penalised.

Also good to see players actually needing to play the ball with their foot, and getting penalised if they don't.

It seems an age since I have seen a ref give a 10 yard advance when encountered with mithering players.

Sounds like a strange game, you'll be telling us that during a scrum the ball goes in between the two front rows next!