If anyone seriously thinks that you can 'not try' throughout the season like Leeds apparently did, which we didn't and it's as easy as that to reach finals then you are deluded. What this current Leeds team did in my opinion cannot be emulated by any other team in the league, it was a unique achievement by a unique set of players who are by far the best in the league when it comes down to the crunch games. Any teams which try to replicate what Leeds did I'm almost certain will find themselves with a low league position followed by an early exit in the play-offs. The delusion that any club can treat the main season as friendlys and turn it on when it matters is wrong, that's been proven throughout Superleague, bar the obvious exception of this unique Leeds team.

Aye, they're brilliant in crunch Challenge Cup Finals.
Although I do agree teams can't just coast through a season and hope it works out at the back end.

I think most would agree with you on this RG, but, does it reduce the importance/intensity of games in the regular season?

Leeds ability to win in the GF's and lose numerous Cup Finals shows that they can pick themselves up for the last four weeks at the end of the season but can't maintain good form throughout the season.
The Cup Finals are August Bank Holiday with the distraction of SL games weeks before and after. They can't maintain that consistency.
Come play offs and there is no SL distraction. It's all knock out rugby at which they are good at. They play well, far better than in SL and have their fair share of luck, hence they win the four week play off.
What Leeds can't do now is maintain form and consistency for the whole of SL as Wigan did this year and 2010 just as Wire did 2011. They were top in 2009
The League Leaders Trophy is played down due to SKY and the RFL wanting a great end to the season which the GF is. To top the league after 27 matches is a great achievement. SW did that in his first season as head coach, you cannot underestimate that.
His selection for the first two trial games is right. He will know his first 13.
have a very good idea on his 17 and 20. What he does know is that we will have injuries throughout the season and when they occur knowing the best player to bring in is essential. This is what he is now doing.
Hock is out and Faz will replace him. He needs to know who will take Faz's spot and that can only be done first in trial games then as the season progresses.
There will be far stronger Wigan squads for the Salford and Wire trial games.

Fair enough, but to even make 3 challenge cup finals in a row, and win 2 superleagues in those times in 3 years is pretty impressive. Do you think any other side in the league would be capable of replicating what this Leeds side have done, 2 years on the trot?

Well, sadly, that squad has cost the game 2 more supporters.

There's no way that I'm driving over 200 miles to watch just 4 first-teamers, especially as it's live on Wigan TV.

Just hope Salford has more of a first-team feel.

I'm pleased. The Hull KR match is on 13th January. The World Cup Final is on 30 November. That's one hell of a season for some of our boys.

Your posts might have a bit more '[igravitas[/i' if you didn't have that clogger Bremner as your avatar. Well it looks like Bremner to me.

We don't have any Aussie or Kiwi internationals do we?

Was thinking the same. But RL does have "Sir Kev"... And i hope this comes back to bite me on the booty... lol

Im that confident im going away when the final is on

Now i REALLY hope it bites my booty!!! lol

Well they have put a few more 1st team players in there so im happy not enough to justify me travelign to hull though, at least the game is on wigantv

It's set up for an England / NZ semi. Our home record against the Kiwis is very good.

In fairness to you all I wouldn't be travelling all that way on a cold, wet and possibly snowy Sunday in early January to watch a side not to different to that of last weeks playing against a better opposition than Leigh (no offence meant by this).

Have to agree also, you guys are aiming for the Grand Final and while I'd like to think HKR are too at this stage of the season, realistically you are more likely to get there and to have your lads playing early January all the way through to October it is a long 10 months.

It will be interesting to see how your youngsters go against a pretty strong HKR line-up. Not our first team by a long way IMO but still much stronger than the squad you're sending over the M62.

Safe journey to those coming, credit to you hard core! Those not coming, just remember it isn't about the result but about progressing your youngsters experiences in the game. They'll all be better for it.

It's a strange squad really. I can't see how you can assess these fringe players properly when they're on the end of a stuffing. For example if you were judging them on how they played against Leigh you'd be worried! You need to see how they would fit into the first team and how they play alongside the regulars.

Would have liked to have seen a few more first teamers involved and rotate it a bit. Similar to the squad that travelled to KR last year.

Hopefully this week they show at least half an ounce of enthusiasm and a desire to stand out and get into the first team.

I agree with that. I really don't see how any worthwhile judgements can be made of the players involved in the Leigh game and if the HKR one goes the same way that also.

The other thing is we have almost got a new first 13 given the number of players who left in 2012. I'd have thought the more games together our "new" team had the better. Doesn't need to be the full 80 but I just hope Matty Smith and Blake Green aren't reduced to sending post cards to each other to get an understanding before the season kicks off.

We have three more friendlies but I think realistically only two (i.e. excluding South Wales) can be used to get the team up and running. I hope to see Smith and Green in particular in both.

I was going to go to this but I think I'll give it a miss looking at that team, long way to go to watch the reserves