Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 1:12 am  

NSW wrote:

Ivan Cleary has confirmed Jerome Luai is OUT of the game. He’s still coming over though which is good.

That’s a pity.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:22 am  

NSW wrote:

Ivan Cleary has confirmed Jerome Luai is OUT of the game. He’s still coming over though which is good.

I really hope Penrith don’t get accused of not taking this one seriously. Are they in the country yet?

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:48 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

I really hope Penrith don’t get accused of not taking this one seriously. Are they in the country yet?

Well they are clearly saving Luai for R1 and not risking him and judging from their socials they are still in Australia despite the game being in 11 days time and all the travel/jet lag

However they are of coure taking it ultra seriously this year..........

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 8:06 am  

Stu M wrote: Well they are clearly saving Luai for R1 and not risking him and judging from their socials they are still in Australia despite the game being in 11 days time and all the travel/jet lag However they are of coure taking it ultra seriously this year.......... Well it looks like their attitude towards it has changed slightly Stu, article from today: https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-nathan- ... 15789.html FWIW, I don't really understand where the barometer of seriousness v Saints opposed to v Wigan has come from. It was an unbelievable achievement for Saints last year, as it would be if we were to win this. These men coming over have a salary cap approximately 4 times (?) more than SL clubs.

Stu M wrote: Well they are clearly saving Luai for R1 and not risking him and judging from their socials they are still in Australia despite the game being in 11 days time and all the travel/jet lag However they are of coure taking it ultra seriously this year.......... Well it looks like their attitude towards it has changed slightly Stu, article from today: https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-nathan- ... 15789.html FWIW, I don't really understand where the barometer of seriousness v Saints opposed to v Wigan has come from. It was an unbelievable achievement for Saints last year, as it would be if we were to win this. These men coming over have a salary cap approximately 4 times (?) more than SL clubs.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 8:47 am  

LewCharnock wrote: Well it looks like their attitude towards it has changed slightly Stu, article from today: https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-nathan- ... 15789.html FWIW, I don't really understand where the barometer of seriousness v Saints opposed to v Wigan has come from. It was an unbelievable achievement for Saints last year, as it would be if we were to win this. These men coming over have a salary cap approximately 4 times (?) more than SL clubs. Not sure I believe his words to be honest. I'm staggered that they still haven't left Australia (as far as I am aware) We went nearly 3 weeks before the game and played a warm up. The reason Saints fans are so defensive about the "seriousness" comments are that a lot of Wigan fans last year (and other rival fans) were quick to say that Penrith didn't take it seriously. This year we have been told that no way will they be stung again and Wigan will have a much harder task as a result. Yet here we are with a star playmaker not being risked and a team that are still in Australia.

LewCharnock wrote: Well it looks like their attitude towards it has changed slightly Stu, article from today: https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-nathan- ... 15789.html FWIW, I don't really understand where the barometer of seriousness v Saints opposed to v Wigan has come from. It was an unbelievable achievement for Saints last year, as it would be if we were to win this. These men coming over have a salary cap approximately 4 times (?) more than SL clubs. Not sure I believe his words to be honest. I'm staggered that they still haven't left Australia (as far as I am aware) We went nearly 3 weeks before the game and played a warm up. The reason Saints fans are so defensive about the "seriousness" comments are that a lot of Wigan fans last year (and other rival fans) were quick to say that Penrith didn't take it seriously. This year we have been told that no way will they be stung again and Wigan will have a much harder task as a result. Yet here we are with a star playmaker not being risked and a team that are still in Australia.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 8:53 am  

Stu M wrote:

Not sure I believe his words to be honest. I'm staggered that they still haven't left Australia (as far as I am aware)

We went nearly 3 weeks before the game and played a warm up.

The reason Saints fans are so defensive about the "seriousness" comments are that a lot of Wigan fans last year (and other rival fans) were quick to say that Penrith didn't take it seriously.

This year we have been told that no way will they be stung again and Wigan will have a much harder task as a result.

Yet here we are with a star playmaker not being risked and a team that are still in Australia.

If we're all being honest, Penrith will not be taking it as seriously as Wigan, that's a fact. It's Wigan's biggest game for 5/6 years, Penrith certainly aren't treating it like that. However, it's clear to see Penrith want to right the wrong of last year.

With regards to acclimatisation, all the research is out there suggesting approx 9 days is sufficient. Like you, I'm not sure when they arrive though.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 9:25 am  

LewCharnock wrote: Well it looks like their attitude towards it has changed slightly Stu, article from today: https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-nathan- ... 15789.html FWIW, I don't really understand where the barometer of seriousness v Saints opposed to v Wigan has come from. It was an unbelievable achievement for Saints last year, as it would be if we were to win this. These men coming over have a salary cap approximately 4 times (?) more than SL clubs. The barometer came about because Wigan fans have been desperately trying to play down our acheivements for 12 months.

LewCharnock wrote: Well it looks like their attitude towards it has changed slightly Stu, article from today: https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-nathan- ... 15789.html FWIW, I don't really understand where the barometer of seriousness v Saints opposed to v Wigan has come from. It was an unbelievable achievement for Saints last year, as it would be if we were to win this. These men coming over have a salary cap approximately 4 times (?) more than SL clubs. The barometer came about because Wigan fans have been desperately trying to play down our acheivements for 12 months.

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:17 am  

Stu M wrote:

Not sure I believe his words to be honest. I'm staggered that they still haven't left Australia (as far as I am aware)

We went nearly 3 weeks before the game and played a warm up.

The reason Saints fans are so defensive about the "seriousness" comments are that a lot of Wigan fans last year (and other rival fans) were quick to say that Penrith didn't take it seriously.

This year we have been told that no way will they be stung again and Wigan will have a much harder task as a result.

Yet here we are with a star playmaker not being risked and a team that are still in Australia.

I'm very bored of this childish debate and have no interest in St Helens in the context of this game - its about Wigan and Penrith. But I'll bite on one point. How on earth do you know where Jerome Luai is at with his rehabilitation?

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:24 am  

Stu M wrote:

Well they are clearly saving Luai for R1 and not risking him and judging from their socials they are still in Australia despite the game being in 11 days time and all the travel/jet lag

However they are of coure taking it ultra seriously this year..........

The Aussies have not taken it seriously since the 1990s, the same applies to international rugby league. The only thing that matters to them is the NRL and Grand Final. Nothing has changed this year. The only thing I would add is, why would they want to come to a third world country in winter?

Re: World Club Challenge - Wigan v Penrith : Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:30 am  

Stu M wrote:

Not sure I believe his words to be honest. I'm staggered that they still haven't left Australia (as far as I am aware)

We went nearly 3 weeks before the game and played a warm up.

The reason Saints fans are so defensive about the "seriousness" comments are that a lot of Wigan fans last year (and other rival fans) were quick to say that Penrith didn't take it seriously.

This year we have been told that no way will they be stung again and Wigan will have a much harder task as a result.

Yet here we are with a star playmaker not being risked and a team that are still in Australia.

Stu, what do you call 'a lot of Wigan fans'? Mate it is irrelevant what rival fans think, enjoy the moment for goodness sake. I couldn't give a poop what the guys on the dark side of Billinge Hill think. If we win great, if we don't tough. Either way I will enjoy a good drink with my mates. Life is too short.