Round Two - Wigan Warriors 20-06 Leeds Rhinos - Match Thread

[CherryPie]

You're the Champions for heavens sake! How can you all be so pessimistic?

It's not exactly one bad Wigan performance. Wigan have been poor in both pre-season games too. It was level at Hull KR until they put their under 20's out and against Salford they were fairly poor but Wigan still struggled to make anything happen.
There's quality in the Wigan side, but I don't think 3 poor performances could suddenly turn into a fantastic performance, and that's what is going to be needed for Wigan to win.

Having watched the highlights I'd say the only apparent weakness in the Leeds side was defending on the right hand side. That's usually Wigan's most dangerous side to attack but Carmont and Richards looked pretty ineffective against Huddersfield.

If Rob Burrow has started well then I don't see anything other than a Leeds win. Wigan's biggest problems defensively seemed to be down the middle where they didn't have to do much to create a gap. Burrow and Sinfield could have a field day.

Wigan's team is likely to be:

Tomkins
Charnley, Goulding, Carmont, Richards
Leuluai, Finch
Mossop, McIlorum, Lima
Hansen, Hock
O'Loughlin

Lauaki, Flower, Tuson + one of the under 20's.

[jools]

Not expecting Farrell to play cherry? Thought him and Tomkins were your stand out players.

[MossdaleRhino]

If JJB doesn't make it then we have Ian Kirke and/or Richie Moore waiting in the wings, neither of whom featured against KR. I would stick with Smithy, because from what I've read elsewhere, BJB has had a very poor pre-season, and Smith has been training the house down. Any lack of cohesion between Smithy and Watkins, and Hall and Hardaker on the other side. will improve the more game time they get together. Also, one of Wigan's best players from Sunday, Liam Farrell, is up in front of the disciplinary tomorrow evening on a Grade B charge, so that may be another problem for Shaun Wane.
Any other occasion, I would have said Wigan cannot possibly lose two on the bounce at home, but on Saturday all the pressure will be on them after Sunday's result, and I have to say I'm quietly confident that we COULD just nick this one, although there will not be much in it.

[buggritt]

I don't think we played all that well against HKR. We had bursts of great play, then went on the back foot. Must admit, your performance was worse. I haven't a clue about this one.

[CherryPie]

(02-06-2012 07:28 PM)MossdaleRhino Wrote:  Also, one of Wigan's best players from Sunday, Liam Farrell, is up in front of the disciplinary tomorrow evening on a Grade B charge, so that may be another problem for Shaun Wane.
Any other occasion, I would have said Wigan cannot possibly lose two on the bounce at home, but on Saturday all the pressure will be on them after Sunday's result, and I have to say I'm quietly confident that we COULD just nick this one, although there will not be much in it.

Farrell could be a big loss. He's been very impressive so far but I can't see him escaping a ban.
It means Tuson is likely to get more responsibility and I've never really been impressed with him. Leeds certainly won't have to worry about him.

The biggest issue for Wane is the bench. I've got a feeling he will bring Tom Spencer onto the bench alongside Tuson, Flower and Lauaki. That's good in the sense that Spencer deserves to be in the side, but it still doesn't solve the issue of the team having no threat other than Sam Tomkins.

It's already got to a point where most fans have a different opinion of what Wigan need than Wane does. It seems most are in agreement that Leuluai has to play mostly at 9 because McIlorum doesn't cut it. Wane on the other hand seems set on having 4 forwards on the bench and only using Leuluai at hooker for a short period of time.

At the moment I think Wigan are too one dimensional to cause Leeds problems and packing the bench with forwards probably won't help things. I'm far from confident but Wigan could end up doing what Leeds did last year and pull out a strong performance right after a disappointing result. It could be a fiery game so I'm still looking forward to it.

[MossdaleRhino]

I always feel this is the danger when a new coach comes in and tries to put his stamp on the team. Leeds were exactly the same this time last year when Brian Mac swept through the place and changed loads of behind the scenes stuff, that had some detrimental effects on team performances for a while. For me Shaun Wane has a big pair of shoes to step into after Michael Maguire, and it's the expectancy of the Wigan support that could create the most pressure if the team's form becomes inconsistent this season. I think Leeds are playing them just at the right time, because the more I think about this one, it really could go either way. I too can't wait for this game, it could be an absolute cracker.

[J-RhinosForever]

Who's going? We taking a lot there?

[LeedsBarmyArmy]

Im going for a Leeds win! Think it will be close tho!

[MossdaleRhino]

Yep I'll be there too, hoping that we can add a little more pressure on Shaun Wane and his boys! Leeds to nick it by 2pts!

[J-RhinosForever]

Can't wait now!