I agree. What is recorded in the history books is what matters. Stu I’d advise taking a chill pill and enjoy the moment, it may never come round again, who knows. And, when all is said and done, it is only a chuffing RL game.

For me it was the obvious…objectively they didn’t turn up and compete, in very much the same way that Penrith didn’t last year…so as great as it was to lift the trophy, I remember standing there feeling a little hollow, when I should have been elated, as they were awful and effectively beat themselves.

There are huge similarities with us v cronulla in 2017 and saints Penrith last year as much as those over the lump can’t step back to view it objectively Both games the English clubs won without really being made to play as the opposition was so poor.

It was much different when we played St George in 2011 and they came out all guns…had we won that one with a bit of luck going our way we’d have been elated!!

That’s what I hope and expect we’ll get from Penrith this year…they’ll be ready for it in a very different way to last year vs saints , and if we win or even get close, it will be because we’ve gone toe to toe, rather than relying on their worst performance in 5 years.

Incidentally I’ve only had the cronulla feeling one other time watching Wigan…which was the 2013 challenge cup final vs hull where I felt we hadn’t earned it. We won that year on the back of one of the easiest possible draws, without playing anyone decent or getting out of 2nd gear in the final!!
Victory itself is not always enough

The build up to this game - at least on here - is at risk of being over-shadowed by the debate of whether Penrith took last year’s game seriously and if they’ll take this year’s seriously. Page after page of subjective drivel going around in circles.

Well done to Saints on their 2023 victory. Does any more really need saying?

Whatever the result of this year’s game, I’m sure the winners will have deserved it.

Well said

You're always going to get that off some of your clubs biggest rivals fans and fans in general of other clubs some of it is banter and a wind up some really believe it. Is it much difference to fact a lot of Saints fans role out that Wigan was the only pro team when they won 8 on the bounce or RL only existed since the level playing field of SL, it fits their agenda and so on and so on. Me responding to that with Leeds was pro and Widnes and Saints a season later or 12 teams won the league in the 28 years preceding SL to the 4 in 28 years since it's existence is for most not going to matter one bit.
I would enjoy your win it was great for you and your club like 8 on the bounce was for us, no one can take those moments away but they will try and dilute the importance because it wasn't them.
I can't wait for this year if we win and some fans of other clubs think last year's win was better I'm happy for them I will be celebrating all the same.

I get what you’re trying to say and the conciliatory approach….but I don’t think it’s about trying to dilute because it’s not us?

Saints result last year was a great achievement, as was ours vs cronulla in 2017. To beat the Aussies under any terms is good. But my point was not to attempt to disregard or dilute saints achievement because it wasn’t us (otherwise why would I and others say the same for us re cronulla?).

If you watch both games objectively, as a general RL fan and supporter of neither club, you’d reach the same conclusion. Neither cronulla or Penrith turned up, arrogantly thought they’d beat us by going through the motions and viewed it as a pre season trial! Penrith even had a game the week before the saints one and played a full academy team, so it was literally minute one

But let’s hope the saints win last year has knocked the arrogance out of them! If Wigan win, or even get close to Penrith playing at their usual level, it could re-ignite the comp to 2000s levels. Get it to vegas and even possibly expand it into a top 2/3 format…that’s what the game needs

I agree what I was saying is that's the view of many, for me because of Saints win Penrith will be more switched on I still give us a chance and can't wait.

Has it been officially confirmed that the game will be on the BBC? I can't see any mention of it on the Beeb's RL site. Not that that proves anything...

Stu, doesn’t your contact know if Penrith took it seriously or not? Only the game was a year ago and you like to claim inside knowledge after the event.

You clearly haven't read my previous posts. I'm tempted to say "as usual" which is why I chose not to respond to any of your posts for quite a while. Perhaps I was hasty in relenting. I'll go back to the same principle as it's so much better than wasting my time on pointless arguments with you.