Congrats to Saints,both sides gave it their all had to be one side that lost.

Onwards we go.

Apart from at the end I didn’t see anything wrong in French’s performance, if anything it highlighted that he can be as good in defence as he can be in attack. At almost no point in that game we’re Wigan on top and building a platform in the forwards so you’re basically expecting French to perform magic on his own.

Had it been a bit further away from the ball I think so but as it was so close it would be classed as competing for the ball.

I do think Brick's implied criticism of French is a bit harsh, though, unless you're blaming him from the try. But I do agree that that chance Bibby binned when he he just hesitated for a second, if that was French, he would have been over in the corner. We defended really well, and created enough chances to win the game, despite conceding most of the territory and possession.

Difficult to deal with that result but Hell ... let's not pretend it wasn't a fantastic final and a great advert for the game.

I'm sure even the Saints faithful would admit it could have gone either way right at the end, it was that close.

Disappointed obviously, but pleased to have witnessed a major event.

Gutted

Had we won I would have had French on the shortlist for MOM.

Yeah, honestly I said at the time, I thought it was a fair and legal try. But sometimes (obstruction), they seem to try so hard to find a reason not to award a try...

And yes to French close to MoM.

I had French as mom

Superb game, defences in top, lots of 50/50s that could have gone either way. Our lack of punch in the pack meant we were camped in our own half for too long, if it had gone to extra time we don’t have the kicking range. Going for 2 was the right decision, but only if you can kick it dead if you miss. The Conversion off the cross bar was the killer, the conversion travels 6 inches further it’s over and were 4 clear.

We need more grunt in the pack.

French isn't to blame there - he couldnt commit to the ball until it had bounced and it happened to bounce perfectly for Welsby.

Hardaker not to blame either and I personally would have gone for the 2.

Thought the penalty against Hastings was harsh but I will also say I thought their disallowed try should have been given.

They had the better of possession and territory but we had the better chances - we cut them open when we had the chance to go out wide.

Horrible feeling but congrats to Saints. Remember we're still 7 championships ahead of anyone else

Whoever decided to go for the two wants shooting. Hardaker isn’t guaranteed to kick those on the training ground never mind after 78 minutes of a game like that. In fact after that sort of match Pat Richards wouldn’t have been odds on to kick it. Inexplicable decision when all that is needed is a drop goal and if you miss that you still have extra time sudden death.

Im pretty sure it was offside, i thought the actual try was a tighter decision. Why can’t they get the lines out like they do for offsides in football?

I have to agree

No, he had to go for it. Danny McGuire who played alongside Hardaker expected him to kick it.

I never said French had a bad game , I thought he played well but tonight I feel he should have moved out wide to be more effective. Hardaker is stronger running the ball out from fullback . French thrives on the smallest of gaps in defence when bringing the ball out from fullback. There weren’t any gaps tonight

Firstly Ben Flower ruled out of the GF after getting injured last week

THEN Hardaker being a complete bottle job and costing his team the GF.

Karma at its finest and dont you just you love to see it.
Couldnt have happened to 2 nicer blokes

It was hardly a simple kick.

I'd say most players would back Frano Botica but he still missed occasionally including against us for Cas at Central Park.

We shouldn''t have put him in that position IMO.

What a war that was.

Gutted to lose especially like that but we had a chances to win the game and didn’t take them.

Very proud of the effort though, some performance.

Wigan and Saints are so far ahead of the pack it’s unreal.

Chin up lads, we’ll pick that trophy up again in the next couple of years. Saints are a great side too, respect.

Anyone who thinks he shouldn’t have gone for that kick is a whopper who has never played the game.

Absolutely the correct decision and was just unlucky

His kicking success rate this year is not good enough to be going for those never mind after an an exhausting game like that. Especially when the alternative takes you half way to the sticks (minimum) for a drop goal.

The point in his career when Hardaker wasn't a primary kicker? Hardaker bottles kicks in big games, it's known and it was a terrible decision.

It wasn't a simple kick, but it was a kick to win the game. He had to have a go IMO.
We should have defended it better though, they came over sixty metres from the catch.

You missed The Messiah’s last game and Lamb’s tears........

Our chase was terrible