Thompson out for next week, unsure on Leeming.

A real shame. Our new signings aren’t having much luck! Might only be Keighran left standing for next week.

We can cope without Thompson/Leeming but we need Smith.

There is some argument that the lad Smith tackled made sure he went head-first to the floor, but in the current climate, it'll be a miracle if Smith doesn't cop a ban.

I'm seriously starting to fall out of love with the game I've followed all my life. And this is only a taste of what'll happen next season.

The irony is that it's supposedly being watched by more people than ever before. If only they'd seen the real thing, eh?

That is 100% what happened.

The Smith one was bordeline for a ban, the Watts one was a red in any season - no attempt to wrap the arm.

Poor spectacle (weather didn't help) but if that is an indication of the game for the rest of the season I will be not sorry to miss any games, penalty fest, stop start and long delays for VR, no thanks, killing the entertainment.Don't think I have seen as many six agains in a game as well. Just constantly breaking up the game - hopefully things will setlle down a bit once the early rounds are out of the way and the refs and officials have got things out of their system.

Hooley milked that spear tackle for all it was worth. Smith lifts one leg and Hooley aims his head for the grass. Utter prick move and now Smith will probably miss the WCC

Keighran may have a broken cheekbone. For what it is worth, I think they will all play, bar Thompson. Hill will be an excellent substitute for Luke.

I fully agree on all counts.

Lots of potential but Hill is not in Thompson's league just now.

Leeming also on crutches after the game. Injuries coming thick and fast already.

With hindsight there may have been an argument to rest players tonight - half a squad may have got the job done and a loss wouldn't have been the end of the world anyway.

Good wet weather performance, Smith the obvious worry, unfortunately in this climate can’t see anything other than a ban coming his way.
Did think here we go with Thompson but when they showed the reverse angle that was a a fair clout he took so not surprised he failed his hia. Just unfortunate for him but should be a great experience for Hill next week and should make up a bit for him missing out on the GF.

I never like resting players. Who’s to say that those not rested wouldn’t have got injured. We have been a tad unlucky but we needed to blow the cobwebs away. I’m not suggesting that Hill is in the same class but I don’t think he will let us down.

Could Kieran play where smith plays and we stick Eckersley at centre. Lost a few there

Cliché to say, but the game has gone soft.

Never a red card. IF it was however, why didn't both of them go? Look at this pic, how is one a red and the other isn't? It's almost like they are making it up as they go.

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As for Thompson missing next week, that's a farce as well. The fact they've just released a shirt immortalising the last WCC winners Vs Penrith and LT is going miss a game because of a headache, shows us what a sorry state we're in & where people's priorities sit.

I read an article the other day saying that "medical experts" believe letting kids play rugby is tantamount to child abuse. The RFL really listening to them? You'd have thought we'd had enough of these experts after the f over the economy during COVID.

Hill is nowhere near World Club Challenge level

I wouldn’t be so sure. It’s a fixture that comes around very rarely but one that drags special performances out of people. The lad is a huge talent and he looked very sharp in pre season. It will be a terrific opportunity for him and I’m confident he’ll do everyone proud.

Even if we'd rested some, those injuries would have happened to someone as they would have been in that position at that moment in time, and would Thompson and Leeming have been the ones rested anyway?

Havard was never going to be fit for the WCC but losing Walters & Thompson are big blows, the Panthers strength is their pack imo.

Thought Marshall, Mago, Wardle and Leeming were very good.

Wardle looks ready to claim the title of the top centre in SL.

Injuries and the Smith incident is a concern to loose Leeming in particular would be damaging.

Discipline is letting us down a bit in the pre season and round 1 need to fix that up ahead of next week.

Yesterday given the conditions the Penrith game was about the win and getting through unscathed with injuries.

50% of the job done.

Should Smith be banned (hopefully not) Peet has a big call to make.

I appreciate I’m in a minority in thinking this but I would go with Farrimond at 7. From what I’ve seen he’s a more controlling game managing 7 where as I see Rocky more in the 5/8th role occupied by French.

Agree with Mago, Leeming, Wardle, Marshall all having good games.

Mago probably had his best game for wigan. Played around around 15 mins first half and all the 2nd? This time last year he was getting pulled after 10 mins. He was out on his feet at the end but still taking the ball up from a scrum right at the end. Brilliant footwork for his assist to Bevan.

Ellis also had a very strong 1st half with some very strong carries.
Fingers crossed for Smith, I think there were mitigating factors but there's at least a 50/50 he'll get a ban.

I wonder why they kept Leeming on? He seemed pretty bad for the first mins after, but then scored a try - hopefully it shows it wasn't too serious and just needs managing now, but ankles are funny things to get right.

Last point - anyone know why Marshall got a penalty against him when he came away from the line in the 2nd half? He seemed to get caught off balance went flying got up and was tackled and the ref gave Cas the pen ?

Ref said he jumped into the tackle.

I think it was the right call although I’ve not seen it back.

I assumed Leeming was a bit of a dead leg (thigh) but I was at the game and not rewatched as yet.

It was definitely an ankle. He grimaced in pain but then seemed to run it off. He must've played around 10 minutes on it and despite whatever pain he may have been in he seemed to move freely on it for his try and in the minutes before.

I'm not an expert but could the protective boot and crutches be purely a precautionary measure to give him the best chance of making it to the WCC? Or at least until they get a proper diagnosis for it.

I may be being a bit optimistic with that but its the fact prior to being subbed he was running on it etc.

I really hope these injuries don’t spoil the season. We look on to a good one and I know it part and parcel of the game but I’m counting 6 players out (including Harvard and Juniour) in two games is just a joke.

We’ll be ok. None of the injuries are overly long term and the depth we have means there isn’t a major drop off. The one injury that could be a longer term worry is Thompson getting another head knock. He was having major issues with that but then obviously didn’t play much due to other injury problems. To get one in his first competitive game for the club is far from ideal.

I hope the club have some clauses baked into his contract around the issue. Like you said he's got previous with it and whilst I don't think this stuff is as serious as people make out, the rules say he can't play. If he's getting these regularly (which he is) then I hope the right conversations will be had.