Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:14 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

No it really hasn't been overlooked. It's just not as big of a factor as you make it out to be. As I've said many a time, you winning is the equivalent of Buster Douglas beating Tyson. You've poked the bear and we'll (probably) get bitten. It doesn't matter where the game is played, they'll be up for it.

I'm actually flabbergasted that you somehow believe that Penrith took it serious as they could last year too. Madness

Really? Flying 12,000 miles after a pre-season in scorching heat to play in cold English conditions in front of a capacity crowd with no away fans isn't a big factor? Madness

And I've no idea if they took it completeoly seriously or not. Only the players and staff could answer that one. All I say is that they did a good job of not looking bothered when Cleary did his ice in the veins celebration and they dropped to the floor after the DG went over.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:24 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Personally I think they will be desperate to win as they won't want to lose twice to English teams and its a trophy they've never won.

My annoyance is that if Wigan win their fans will deem it as a bigger achievement (as clearly they didn't take it as serious last year) however being at home in English conditions is a huge advantage. This seems to be overlooked with comments that I've read.

My take on this is Stu you quote that they will be desperate to win, more than last year it seems.
By your admission they were not as desperate to win last year.
Still great achievement by St Helens last year as Penrith underestimated Saints and paid the price.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:41 pm  

No one can for sure say if Penrith took the game seriously or not, only the players can say if it was something they deperately wanted to win and were gutted at the end.
I for one watched the saints game and will admit (through gritted teeth) that I actually supported Saints all through the game and even jumped of my chair a few times when Saints broke through, but I think all professional sportsmen take every game seriously especially in a final and i am not sure why some Wigan fans seem to want to put down the fact that an English club beat supposedly the best team in the world in a one off game, on the day I was an english supporter, which I will always be when playing the aussies, why can't everyone just get behind then English club and recognise that one the day some english clubs can compete with the best.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:50 pm  

Anyone else starting to find the comparisons between Saints in last year's game a little boring? Its not about them - this game is about Wigan and Penrith. The only relevance of last year is they are likely further incentivised to turn the tables this time round.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:52 pm  

Saints win was fantastic that is no doubt.
And I also through gritted teeth wanted them to win,as I am sure some Saints fans want us to win.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 3:21 pm  

One thing is for sure, a second consecutive win for an English club in the WCC could go a long way to helping the sport in this country as a whole. It’ll be interesting to see how the Vegas games go for the NRL with talk this fixture may jump on the back of that in future years.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 4:14 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Personally I think they will be desperate to win as they won't want to lose twice to English teams and its a trophy they've never won.

My annoyance is that if Wigan win their fans will deem it as a bigger achievement (as clearly they didn't take it as serious last year) however being at home in English conditions is a huge advantage. This seems to be overlooked with comments that I've read.

Why? Wigan fans didn't take beating Cronulla at home a bigger achievement than Brisbane Away, that's the pinnacle.

For me personally it currently stands:

Brisbane Away
Manly Central Park
Penrith Anfield
Cronulla DW

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 4:29 pm  

MattyB wrote:

Why? Wigan fans didn't take beating Cronulla at home a bigger achievement than Brisbane Away, that's the pinnacle.

For me personally it currently stands:

Brisbane Away
Manly Central Park
Penrith Anfield
Cronulla DW

I thought the Cronulla game felt a bit flat - it didn't feel like the big game it is and playing it in the day probably didn't help.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 4:48 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

I thought the Cronulla game felt a bit flat - it didn't feel like the big game it is and playing it in the day probably didn't help.

Definitely being in the day took plenty away IMO. It was a really enjoyable win but was just missing something the others had and I can’t think what else it could be.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Wed Jan 17, 2024 5:59 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Why? Just because they are being based at a camp and having an opposed session? Roosters did the same before they played us in 2020, spent time at Barcelona. Rabbitohs had an opposed session against Wigan at Orrell when they played us in 2015.

if Luai is indeed rested then whats the difference between that and resting Edwards before they played us?

This is another example of Wigan fans assuming that Penrith are taking this ultra seriously to value a Wigan win more if it happens completely ignoring the home advantage and over 20k fans cheering them on in English conditions.

We had the most English of conditions in Penrith!

Stu - think you need to just enjoy our win for what it was not what you are annoyed some Wigan fans thought it was.

It is funny to read how Penrith have gone from not giving a fig about the WCC (despite having lost two before as a club) to being dead eyed assassins this year because they lost, but genuinely what do you expect?

There is nothing that can be said on here that will dampen our memories of that game and nowt said on redvee will matter a jot to Wigan fans if they win. Which I hope they do, if only to laugh at Phil Gould again.