We have an embarrassment of riches, certainly, but we are not the only decent back row.



Saints will be happy when Vea and Greenwood get fit. They will be strong. Catalans with Zeb Taia, Elliot Whitehead and Jason Baitieri are great at home (as we found out!). And somewhat surprisingly Hull FC look good with Westerman, Minichiello and Ellis.

Cracking game and well worth the lengthy round trip! It was so pleasing that we finished the stronger side; apart from the Brough breakaway, we really bossed the second half. Bowen was good in the second half, but that awful dropped ball in the first half really should have been six points to the Giants. He redeemed himself with some classy touches, though. Faz was terrific (how many times this season have he and Budgie scored that exact same try with the long pass inside? Three? Four? [edit: one of those was actually scored by Rocky, but you take my point). And as for Bateman; as well as his fierce appetite for ball-carrying and tackling, he has a hell of a step on him too! What can't the guy do?







Sarge almost seemed to make a point of stopping props one-on-one in response to recent complaints about his defence; he was again very good.



So, a good match-winning performance in the second half, but we could easily have been punished more heavily for those defensive lapses in the first half. Honestly I thought we were lucky to go in all square at the break.



Who was the guy down the front, applauding the players (and fans) behind the goal at the end of the game? Couldn't see from where I was.

The highlights of the game are on the skysports website.



Smith was at fault for the first two tries. Hopefully he's more aggressive in his efforts on Friday.

Matty missed two tackles in the whole game. Others missed tackles that you don't see on the highlights because they didn't lead to tries. Huddersfield actually bombed at least two efforts in the first half. But you won't see that on the highlights. The highlights comprise 2 minutes out of 80.



Look at the Super League stats and you see that Lockers missed 3 for example and so did MMc despite only being on the pitch for 20 minutes. Are you going to say the same about them? If you'd been to the game (I don't know if you were there) you would have seen that Matty played particularly well, especially in the second half. If you just watch highlights you aren't going on much for your information.



There's always some bright spark on here who comes out with 'So-and-so' needs to sort his defence out as if they've spotted something new. Earlier on it was Sarge, now it's Matty's turn. Guess what? Players miss tackles, rugby would be pretty boring if they didn't. Is Matty's defence good enough for Shaun Wane? Yes. And that's good enough for me.

I think the guy you are referring to was none other than - Henderson Gill

I've seen you use the phrase 'If it's good enough for Wane or If Wane thinks it's right' a few times now.



Do you form all your opinions based off what Wane likes?

No I dont. As you've commented - I've said it a few times.



Do you think you know better than SW?

I didnt see a lot from smith to be honest. Goes missing a lot through matches.

No I'm my own man and trust my own judgment and counsel.



SW opinion on something doesn't bother or trouble or influence my eventual opinion in anyway.



If I don't like a potential signing or if I think a player is doing badly then I'll say so. If said player has Wanes backing or not is irrelevant.



FWIW I agree with your assessment on Smith. I just don't agree with you're ending statement that seems to suggest SW opinion is the be all and end all and almost above reproach.

Fair enough. Keep taking those 'humility' pills.

Is it not just a fundamental function of a message board that people put their own opinions forward?



Must be a sad life to just always bow to what whatever action the club takes.

I put my own views forward on a whole range of topics. I just stop short of telling Wane I could do his job better!