We are always short and that’s the idea of it. Wigan have better academy players and generate wins. However, there must come a draw of the average of wins in a final against them hoping it’s a grand final win.

He wouldn’t have been worse I’m afraid also. He doesn’t want to play for us can see that a mile away. Especially when we shopped him out a few weeks ago.

Thing is, he looked decent in the last few weeks, at least a lot better than his usual fare. Business as usual today while French ran the show.

Not that I’m picking out a particular player just from what I saw. We wasn’t up for it end of Wigan deserved it.

You’ve picked out a particular player…twice now

Disappointing. Disappointing that we didn't show the best of ourselves, that we didn't put Wigan under enough pressure, that we came up with errors at moments where we could have got a foothold.

Still, not disheartened. The effort was there (of course that's a given) and we fought incredibly hard to keep them out when they could have cut loose and run up a score. Lots of good defence, good scramble.

But in a final you need to find something extra and we just didn't. Maybe it can be a negative Sam can turn into a positive and learn from.

Well you have stood up for him twice so you his biggest fan? Don’t tell me he’s better than general patton.

Of course he’s better than Patton- he’s been pretty good the last few weeks. Not his biggest fan but losing today wasn’t his fault, honest. We lost because of lack of composure, poor execution and decision making, not because Stef didn’t play.

Burgess must be so disappointed that they went into headless chicken mode when his coaching team will have been running drills with them for months.

The players need to have a good look at themselves and come back next week & perform as they should.

Usual fayre from the Wire, start off like a house on fire, all the fans think it's their year then it all goes tit's up half way through the season

Thanks for your insightful comments, much appreciated.

The Pulitzer Prize is in the post.

Ha ha that tit has gone straight on to my ignore list

Funny ain’t it. Always get bellends giving it large after a loss who wouldn’t have messaged prior. Mad what A beer can do.

Perspectice please, hardly tits up. We were beaten finalists in the 2024 challenge cup. Beaten by a very good Wigan side. 12 other SL teams wished they could be at Wembley.

Especially for the misplaced apostrophe.

So tit's is really spelt tits?

No you got this wrong

It’s “you’re” you’re mums got a whiffy kipper.

Just read the no try that took an age for the video ref to decide on was not a double movement which it clearly was but for not grounding correctly.

Anyways today as gone now and hopefully we get to the Grand Final and we have learned from today.

Disappointing to watch today. Wigan were no great shakes in attack baring a couple of bits from French. We just couldn't match their intensity. Their defence is top notch and reminds me of Saints a few years ago under Woolf. They just defend you out of the game along with an excellent kicking game. Then take their chances when they come along. I think a lot were expecting a free flowing attacking game from both sides but it was basically a grind all the way through and we came off second best. The second half was marginally better but at no point did we ever look like coming back even with the Dufty try.
One thing i don't think we have compared to Wigan is size in the back row and i think it showed today.
As disappointing as it was today. We only lost by 10 to a great well coached Wigan side. I'd have been more embarrased if Wigan racked up a cricket score as would have happened in years gone by. We have plenty of grit and effort to stay in there. Just not always the game smarts to get us through.

King won't like watching the video back. That shoot out of the line to nail French and then miss was not his finest moment.

Ashton has had better games - knocking on playing the ball is all about composure. Brainless penalties from Bullock.

Abysmal kicking game.

But Wigan fully deserved the win. Our completion rate and errors ensured we would not challenge, and we have something to learn from (again).

Ps I really hope we have another pack signing for 2025

King had a mare but then he was far from alone, terrible performance - hope it spurs us on for a GF win but there’s lots to learn.

Just got back in before the rematch initial thoughts.

Kendal wasn't as bad as I thought he would be a few niggles with the offsides and with Wigan players literally stood in front of him but he wasnt the determining factor.
Their first try looked offside cant wait to see it back.
Why did Liam Moore take so long to rule on the most obvious double movement ever.
That I have more patience than ithought when the guy sat behind me a lone Wigan fan gave me the benefit of the most one eyed commentary throughout the entire game.
We just weren't at it today too many unforced errors too much not respecting the ball, we just didn't click in attack at all.
We were chasing the game from the first dubious try and instead of "Trusting the process" we tried to force it. Took us 60 minutes to mount a cutting attack and we scored, very frustrating very much the hope that kills you.
Initial positives, thought Thewlis was good,
Defence other than dubious first try and a decent bit of skill from French and a good Direct run from Farrell was good nullified Marshall, Wardle, Miski threat from edges.
I hope this as others have said is a learning exercise and motivation, so that when we again get to knockout rugby and a final we go from minute 1 not minute 60.

No, haven't re-watched subsequently, but at the game yesterday, he looked culpable on some level for the first two Wigan tries unfortunately.

One point I couldn`t understand is why Kendall stopped play after French attempted to touch down with his double movement/losing the ball in the process of scoring?

King picked-up the ball from our try line and set-off with a broken Wigan defence. He had Ashton in support and he would probably have scored.

Surely it should have been play on and then it would have been a video ref. decision to determine the outcome of the 2 incidents.