Rugby League 2023

[dr beat]

Edinburgh Eagles v Saddleworth Rangers is on the iPlayer next Saturday (11th). I plan to attend. If you see me I will be wearing a Widnes Vikings anorak. I may also choose to wear some other clothes.

Anyway you know the drill, troops, discuss.

[Old Thrashbarg]

Despite the loss of Jake Connor, I'm quite excited to see what Hull can do this year. For the first time in many years we've got a proven coach who plays an open style, and we've got a young spine of talented players.

Probably out of playoff contention by August.

[dr beat]

Got into Edinburgh Eagles free cos I'm wearing my Widnes coat.

[dr beat]

Watching it back now, like Larry Sanders.

[Old Thrashbarg]

Got into Edinburgh Eagles free cos I'm wearing my Widnes coat.

Did they think you were a coach/scout?

[Snrub]

As a Bradford fan, looking forward to the inevitable three losses to Keighley, a story three decades in the making

[Gulftastic]

Absolute dog shit from Leeds.

[Mr Eggs]

Love Rat Myler havin a shitter. The cunt.

[mikeyg27]

I imagine that's the only time I'm supporting St Helens this season. I thought they blew it when it went to Golden Point.

[dr beat]

As a neutral Saints v Leeds was massively entertaining. 

[Gulftastic]

As a Leeds fan, I couldn't agree more.

FUCK YEAH!!

[Schrodingers Cat]

Cas need to admit hiring Radford was a mistake and replace him now. We look totally void of any ideas, spark, ability to generate pressure, or any other way of winning games. Really don't know who we could beat at this point.
I said at numerous points last year that I'd rather have a balloon with a face drawn on it as head coach than Lee Radford and I stand by it. Our only hope is that Wakefield are even worse than us, but the last time we were in this situation they beat us when it counted. I see nothing in this team to suggest that anything will be any different this time around.

[mikeyg27]

Are Saints fans really that unaccustomed to losing? The shoulder charge non-call was bollocks but none of the other decisions were worth getting furious over.

[Old Thrashbarg]

And even if it had been judged to have been a shoulder charge, the penalty would still likely have been reversed for the reaction.

[Snrub]

I'd be cheesed off if I was a Saints fan, they did have plenty of chances to put it to bed but I don't think I'd be so annoyed I'd be letting off like a foghorn in Rohan Smith's face. Was actually quite funny how nonplussed and calm he was whilst facing some genuinely OTT reactions.

To be fair to Saints, playing two games less than two weeks after winning down under I'm surprised they aren't absolutely knackered. They'll probably paste Leeds later in the year, and were lucky to play a hilariously inept Castleford side - I would have bet the mortgage on West Bowling under 12s beating Saints last week.

I do feel for the Cas fans with Radford. I like him as a bloke but I will never understand how he stayed so long in a job at Hull. Schrodinger's Cat - you might be ok, a mate of a mate saw one of Wakey's games and said they look absolutely dogshit

[Old Thrashbarg]

Didn't take long for Cas to bin Radford then. Andy Last in charge temporarily, so assuming they continue to follow the path of Hull minus 3 years, Brett Hodgson will take over full time by next season.

[Schrodingers Cat]

Didn't take long for Cas to bin Radford then. Andy Last in charge temporarily, so assuming they continue to follow the path of Hull minus 3 years, Brett Hodgson will take over full time by next season.

I don't think anyone can realistically argue with the decision, but surprised to see it happen so quickly.
Saving the season now depends on who we can get in to replace him and if there is any budget left to bring in any players. We've ended up with, by my reckoning, probably the worst backline in the league and a fairly slow, but not very big either, pack. Plus most of our recent signings have been poor, but on long contracts, so will be very tough to move on. Wonder if Wakefield would take Miller back so we can free up some cap space? Then convince Widdop to retire early and we might be able to get some players in.

...far more likely though, is we give the job to Andy Last and Scott Murrell, and persist with the same squad. And unfortunately the last 2 times we've been in a relegation battle with Wakefield we lost both times. Turbulent times ahead whatever happens I think.

[Gulftastic]

I wonder who Saints' fans will blame this week?

[Mr Eggs]

Buy Paul Vaughan and then everything is alright forever.

[Gulftastic]

First half, as you were Leeds
Second half, LET'S HAVE IT!

Rather enjoyed that.

[Snrub]

As a Bradford fan, looking forward to the inevitable three losses to Keighley, a story three decades in the making

One down, two to go.

[dr beat]

Both LUFC and Rhinos at home on Easter Sunday? West Yorks plod must be coining it.

[dr beat]

Helen Skelton has got her voodoo doll out again. 

Seriously, Myler just about got his arm out of the way, otherwise it could have been red.

[Gulftastic]

Opening 15 minutes aside, that was a cracking performance. I wish we could cure Martin's kicking yips.

[dr beat]

Watched Wigan v Wire last night.  Scrappy game but Wigan much the better team, their defensive line speed meant Wire never settled.  Wigan's 2nd try looked offside to me although the grounding was ok.  That Wire no-try at the end was the correct call although would have been interesting if the on-field call would had been for a try.

[Gulftastic]

I love when Sky build up a team to ridiculous heights only to have them come up short. They need to be careful. They've been burned by Warrington before.

[dr beat]

Speaking as a Widnes fan it never tires ;)

Btw what's with Wakey?

[Mr Eggs]

Powell need to spend even more of Simon Moran's money on NRL talent RIGHT NOW.

[dr beat]

Saints on top here, Warrington didn't make enough of their field position in 1st half.

[Mr Eggs]

Leyther domination.