I agree.

Smith should have been banned for SL games but banning him for the WCC would have made as much sense as banning George Williams for the internationals at the end of last year. Domestic disciplinary issues should not lead to suspensions for international fixtures, club or country.

Totally agree. The all-licensed clowns in the Disciplinary should not have the facility to damage this country's chances of international success. They are dubious enough characters without giving them that power as well.

Just the 2 tries for Feldt this morning taking him to 20 for the season......

To be fair any of your current wingers would have scored the 2 tries he did this morning.

I do like the look of him though very like for like to TM, be interesting to see who else you bring in as a rebuild is very much needed.

Feldt doesn’t strike me as the kind of player to come on a holiday, looks super committed, I do though think in losing TM a bit like when you lost Roby it’s another natural leader Saints through and through gone and no matter who comes in that’s tough to replace.

He’s a good player but I thought Saints could have got more bang for their buck by signing a centre or prop. To be fair though they may still do so.

It looks like Jon Bennison will get a contract extension, I can’t believe that the saga surrounding Matautia has not been resolved though. https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/st-helen ... 380-96380/

It looks like Jon Bennison will get a contract extension, I can’t believe that the saga surrounding Matautia has not been resolved though. https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/st-helen ... 380-96380/

Quote ="Zig"It looks like Jon Bennison will get a contract extension, I can’t believe that the saga surrounding Matautia has not been resolved though. https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/st-helen ... 380-96380/'" I've just watched the video where that article has plucked the comments from and Wellens doesn't make any reference to Bennison's contract at all. He praises him, but gives absolutely nothing awa in terms of his future.

Quote ="Zig"It looks like Jon Bennison will get a contract extension, I can’t believe that the saga surrounding Matautia has not been resolved though. https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/st-helen ... 380-96380/'" I've just watched the video where that article has plucked the comments from and Wellens doesn't make any reference to Bennison's contract at all. He praises him, but gives absolutely nothing awa in terms of his future.

Quote ="Zig"It looks like Jon Bennison will get a contract extension, I can’t believe that the saga surrounding Matautia has not been resolved though. https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/st-helen ... 380-96380/'" I don't see who the Bennison deal benefits. He turns 22 soon and he's miles away. He isn't even being trusted to cover positions in the middle of an injury crisis, and unless he can suddenly start offering a lot more physically, I don't see how that changes next year. The lad needs to find a club a bit lower down the pecking order that will actually play him so he can try and build a career. The club would be doing him a favour by saying that it's not going to happen at Saints.

Quote ="Zig"It looks like Jon Bennison will get a contract extension, I can’t believe that the saga surrounding Matautia has not been resolved though. https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/st-helen ... 380-96380/'" I don't see who the Bennison deal benefits. He turns 22 soon and he's miles away. He isn't even being trusted to cover positions in the middle of an injury crisis, and unless he can suddenly start offering a lot more physically, I don't see how that changes next year. The lad needs to find a club a bit lower down the pecking order that will actually play him so he can try and build a career. The club would be doing him a favour by saying that it's not going to happen at Saints.

They were playing melbournes third team. Anyway. Didn’t one of your 500 sources not tell you about Saints signing him?

You know Rob, the world has changed now. There are people out there that you can talk to for help
Don't suffer in silence...

I don't think anyone doubts the quality of Feldt, it's more the fact he'll be 33 when he starts next season that has been questioned a little.

Sill it could be worse, it could be a 35 year old winger on a marquee deal

Richie's father in law really did just buy him a job.

I'm happy with Feldt. We're losing a lot of leaders and he falls into that category, and we are struggling with exit sets and close range finishing anyway.

To the poster who said any of our backs ould score the tries he's scored, we've watched them be bombed all year. Waqa Blake being the funniest one the other week.

I completely asgree with the sentiment that we need to sign props though - we've gone from an embarrassment of riches to struggling on the back of bad injuries and departures in that role and it's no coincidence that we're dominating games far less than we could 12-18 months ago.

Blake was a strange signing, and the fact virtually all Saints fans dont rate him says quite a lot. With Ritson (i know he's not been playing ever week) also in your back line, its there to be got at. I initially thought the 1st Ritson deal was quite smart from Saints, but to then offer him a contract, even if not a lot of money wasnt the smartest business

onto props, yes, you've gone from dominant to struggling quite quickly in that area, and something you would have thought you'd be looking at addressing. I know we had a bit of a laugh as Wigan last year, when we just seemed to sign a prop every week, but its proven to be quite a good bit of business with the change in disciplinary rules and injuries we've had, and been able to turn out a strong looking pack each week. Its probably not a coincidence that Lees doesnt look as effective with the lack of firepower in the pack around him (note this isnt a pop at Lees), as its easier for sides to double up on him, if the other forwards arent making dents in the line

Spot on

I said similar to a couple of my Saints mates about Wigan being very smart. Its not just the disciplinary side and general injuries, its also the concussion rules and the increased chances of forwards in the middle suffering these.

We used to laugh at Wigan's powder puff pack and bullied them under Woolf but now its the other way round.

I have to say though I don't see Eseh or Chan at Wigan long-term.

In fairness to Eseh and Chan, they've not had a chance here and have been moved around clubs. They'll go up the pecking order next year and playing in a side like Wigan is different to playing in Hull FC's team. They're very much risk free options for us. If they work out, then great but if not, well there are numerous options above them currently and it's not going to have a huge baring on how we shape up.

And numerous options behind them as well.

I’m looking forward to seeing Eseh in 2025.

He’s a cracking prospect who offers something different to any other prop we have.

He bulked up significantly in his first offseason, I think he will again this.

He’s had his issues in 24 but he can really play and he’s still very young.

Chan I’m not convinced by, and if we bring in another second row this year I think he will be moved on.

I honestly think that should be up to Chan. He has a three year deal and has moved country to commit to Wigan.

Ultimately it will be, I don’t see a long term future for him though.

I feel he was brought in as a project to replace Isa, he’s looked lost when used on the edge in attack and defence.

He’s good enough for SL as a middle, but not for us I don’t think given our current squad.

He could sit in his deal and not play or be offered an out.

If we sign a secondrow as rumoured id be surprised to see him here in 25.

Maybe one of your numerous sources can help me?

I had to laugh today on redvee. Someone’who actually does have sources mentioned saints signing a Brisbane centre and straight away you are giving it “my sources tell me we are signing a Brisbane centre”. You are a proper chancer. You don’t have a sources at all. I could start a thread about darts on redvee and your first response would be “I have a mate who is president of the PDC lmao

Saints have signed Lewis Murphy, think that’s a great signing for them if he can stay fit.

My worry with Eseh is his lack of workrate on both sides of the ball but he’s only a pup and had time on his side. Even next season he won’t be someone we should be needing to rely on.

I've only seen bits of him this season, but there was one game in particular at when he was at Leeds where he seemed to be cheating the effort areas. Poor kick chasing and not getting back onside. He's still very young for a prop and maybe I just caught him on an off day, but attitude is a non-negotiable if he wants a long term future at Wigan.

I feel quite bad for Bennison because technically and mentally there’s a good player there. Unfortunately genetics have worked against him, because he’s not big, fast or strong.