I know we got 5 from 5 in 1994! I know what he means though!

Not under the present playoff system it hasn't.

Rugby league only started in 2009.

all the conspiracy theories are just that. I have a niggling concern that Sam is nursing an injury that they dont want to be made public, one maybe they are hoping to sort but could also mean the end of his season which could throw a major boost to Hull ahead of the final and also other playoff opponents. Looking at the bigger picture potentially transfer fees depending on the injury. I feel the last couple of weeks have been a smoke screen for something potentially more serious. Be interesting to see if he does play in what is always a physical encounter in France.

I agree. Especially your first paragraph. Wane experimented enough this season early on. I think even if injuries have led to senior players being missing he has over done it regarding new players. Too many changes and not enough continuity in the side.

You could be right, but why would the club use food poisoning, back spasm as the excuses if they know they might have to cover a longer term injury? They'll be making up a new one every week, why not just say calf strain or something.

True True

Personally I want to see our best players play in the games that matter. Sam has played in the last two games that mattered. Yes we would probably have won without him, but he played and he will play in the next 3 or 5 that matter.

I said at the start of the season that I'd be happy to see our reserve side for 90% of the season to keep us fresh for the cup/playoffs and while the system stays the way it is that won't change. I want to win trophies not hammer the likes of Salford, Widnes and London.

Training fully at Orrell this morning I've been told!

My only issue with this is i think its difficult to turn on a good winning performance on after a couple of weeks with a weakened side, especially if we meet up with a stronger side.

Yes we managed it against Widnes & London in the cup but should we underperform at Catalans with the kids then Im not convinced we will have it easy at Wembley where it matters!

Didn't we have an issue along these lines in 2002 at Murrayfield with Saints fielding a weakened team the week before and then it biting them on the backside when it mattered? Rings bells for some reason, anyway

He probably has been for the past month so we'll have to see how creative we can be with our reason for him not turning out at Catalans (if he doesn't).

Last week- bad back
Previous week- Ill

This week- lost passport/fear of flying developed.

Wembley- He found his passport, got a ferry to France, went to Lourdes, cured his fear of flying, bad back and sickness and got a flight back in time for the game, scores a hatrick and lifts the cup.

Easy.

they will only find his ingrowing big toenail on sat morning.

Funnily enough. Just got another text, they are still there and he's now 'limping'.

He will be limping he carries the Wigan team

Did Sam ever fully recover from the knee injury he sustained at the end of last season? He missed the warm up games at the start of the season and seems to have missed games on a regular basis throughout the season, culminating in the current situation where he has only played in the CC games since playing Warrington at the end of June. He has also had strapping on his knee most of the games this season and although he has had his usual pace for some games for others he has not. Could there be a chronic knee problem which flares up after he has played several consecutive games? Will he need an operation at the end of the season and are Wigan trying to keep the lid on this until the transfer fee has been agreed and paid? Or is this the reason the move to NZ has still not been confirmed......?!!

Yeah sod that we have a load of nothing games this year, lets leave Hampshire and Tierney in the under 19s every week, then expect one of them to be our full time full back next year. Then if they mess up in a big game I'm sure no one will get on their backs about it and their confidence definitely won't be shattered. Also, what would happen if we got a repeat of last year where Sam got injured for the semi final, and his deputy had a total of one game under his belt? We would be screwed, again. Wane's doing the right thing trying out Tierney and Hampshire in the games we can afford to experiment in now that we have a top 4 position secured. I don't think that's what happened v Hull KR or Hudds anyway though.

Last Friday mattered!

To who? Huddersfield yeah.

We could have gone top of the league and been in with a very good shout of the LLS. Are you [ihonestly[/i saying that didn't matter?

Yes, I honestly do not care that we aren't going to finish 1st.

I honestly don't know how you can say that. We could have had an extra piece of silver wear and the accolade of being most consistent. I'd sure as hell prefer to achieve that than not.

Everyone would prefer to win the LLS rather then not but it isn't a priority for me. If we win the CC next week with a fresh Tomkins, Smith and Lockers running riot it will have proved to be a very wise decision.

If I had to rank in percentage terms how important I deem the three trophies I'd go GF- 70%, CC-29% and LLS-1%.

I buy two season tickets which cost around £400 for the home league matches. I see quite a few away games too which cost extra dosh.
The Super League weekly rounds matter to me.
If the LLS is only a 1% issue why do you watch the games?
The C Cup is just that, different but great!
As for the play offs and GF. The crowds for the play offs are going down each year so fans are losing interest. Everyone loves a final that's why the C Cup and GF are so popular.
I just don't get it that we watch the league all year then say it isn't important.
I don't get that, I really don't!

The regular rounds are qualifiers for the playoffs. No more. No less.