Going to take a massive performance to progress in the cup this year - tough draw and forward injuries racking up. On the positive side it sounds like Carlos will be good to go following his head knock on Thursday and signs are that Reynolds will be back. Assuming no further action against Connor something like



Connor

Swift

Griffin

Tuimavave

Fonua

Reynolds

Sneyd

Satae

Houghton

Sao

Lane

Savelio

Cator



Johnstone

Brown

Fash

Scott



I think with Taylor, Bowden, Ma'u and Matongo missing we're down to our last forwards with squad numbers so they self select, question is whether we start shifting players round eg Griffin to back row. Anyone heard whether we might get a timely boost with Ma'u? Bench looks weak against a relentless Wigan but if we don't start with our best forwards I fear the game will be over early. Good that we get a decent turnaround for this one, looking forward to it.

Quote ="Mr. Zucchini Head"It wasn't the conditions for expansive rugby yesterday. We knew that and we went with a very simple gameplan knowing that we had the measure of Wigan in an arm wrestle. I was pleased with our patience, there was a long period in the second half when we were in control but couldn't quite kill the game off and it must have been tempting to push a few more passes and try to make things happen. But we stuck to the plan and gradually ground Wigan down. It wasn't always pretty but it was smart wet weather rugby. Throw in Swift not really being a ball player and it was the only way to approach the game imo. /> In better conditions with our first choice spine together on the field I'm sure we will look a bit more easy on the eye.'" /> Got to say pre match, you nailed it with an excellent explanation of how you thought the game would pan out. /> And it made me laugh as it was posted on the Wigan board, who to be fair to them, took it with good grace. /> We know it’s early days, but this appointment of BH is initially proving a master stroke, the way things have changed so quickly, is nothing short of miraculous. /> Defensively we have been as good as any team, and with Jake returning will give us that X factor in attack, it’s this part of our game which concerns me, I do believe our half’s should use the short in goal kicking option more, we don’t apply pressure, and turn teams around as much as we could. /> I also feel this horrible six again rule is very much a cop out for referees, as fifty percent of the times, under normal circumstances, they would not be giving penalties for scrums on technicalities in such a large number. /> Really positive start to the season for us, and I for one am looking forward to testing ourselves against the Saints, they are the benchmark, can we also nail them.

Quote ="Mr. Zucchini Head"It wasn't the conditions for expansive rugby yesterday. We knew that and we went with a very simple gameplan knowing that we had the measure of Wigan in an arm wrestle. I was pleased with our patience, there was a long period in the second half when we were in control but couldn't quite kill the game off and it must have been tempting to push a few more passes and try to make things happen. But we stuck to the plan and gradually ground Wigan down. It wasn't always pretty but it was smart wet weather rugby. Throw in Swift not really being a ball player and it was the only way to approach the game imo. /> In better conditions with our first choice spine together on the field I'm sure we will look a bit more easy on the eye.'" /> Got to say pre match, you nailed it with an excellent explanation of how you thought the game would pan out. /> And it made me laugh as it was posted on the Wigan board, who to be fair to them, took it with good grace. /> We know it’s early days, but this appointment of BH is initially proving a master stroke, the way things have changed so quickly, is nothing short of miraculous. /> Defensively we have been as good as any team, and with Jake returning will give us that X factor in attack, it’s this part of our game which concerns me, I do believe our half’s should use the short in goal kicking option more, we don’t apply pressure, and turn teams around as much as we could. /> I also feel this horrible six again rule is very much a cop out for referees, as fifty percent of the times, under normal circumstances, they would not be giving penalties for scrums on technicalities in such a large number. /> Really positive start to the season for us, and I for one am looking forward to testing ourselves against the Saints, they are the benchmark, can we also nail them.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r">https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/challenge-cup-team-of-week-5395514">https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ek-5395514 4 players in the team of the week. www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_thumb.gif" alt="icon_thumb.gif" title="Thumbs up" />

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r">https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/challenge-cup-team-of-week-5395514">https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ek-5395514 4 players in the team of the week. www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_thumb.gif" alt="icon_thumb.gif" title="Thumbs up" />

Powell and Brown tackles both considered by Disciplinary Committee and both given 0 match penalty. Strange how one resulted in a sin binning and the other not even a penalty. /> No penalty for Farrell and head high tackle. Let’s see if Griffin is fit to play next week.

Powell and Brown tackles both considered by Disciplinary Committee and both given 0 match penalty. Strange how one resulted in a sin binning and the other not even a penalty. /> No penalty for Farrell and head high tackle. Let’s see if Griffin is fit to play next week.

Quote ="hesslefan"Powell and Brown tackles both considered by Disciplinary Committee and both given 0 match penalty. Strange how one resulted in a sin binning and the other not even a penalty. /> No penalty for Farrell and head high tackle. Let’s see if Griffin is fit to play next week.'" /> Think Griff will be good to go. 9 day turn around and compulsory 7 day lay off. Brown has benefitted from the fact that Wigan players don’t get suspended www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_lol.gif" alt="icon_lol.gif" title="Laughing" /> I read somewhere on the forum that O’Loughlin was sent up 29 times and was cleared 28 of them www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//d040.gif" alt="d040.gif" title="CRAZY" />

Quote ="hesslefan"Powell and Brown tackles both considered by Disciplinary Committee and both given 0 match penalty. Strange how one resulted in a sin binning and the other not even a penalty. /> No penalty for Farrell and head high tackle. Let’s see if Griffin is fit to play next week.'" /> Think Griff will be good to go. 9 day turn around and compulsory 7 day lay off. Brown has benefitted from the fact that Wigan players don’t get suspended www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_lol.gif" alt="icon_lol.gif" title="Laughing" /> I read somewhere on the forum that O’Loughlin was sent up 29 times and was cleared 28 of them www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//d040.gif" alt="d040.gif" title="CRAZY" />

Quote ="hesslefan"Powell and Brown tackles both considered by Disciplinary Committee and both given 0 match penalty. Strange how one resulted in a sin binning and the other not even a penalty. /> No penalty for Farrell and head high tackle. Let’s see if Griffin is fit to play next week.'" /> Thinks that right decision, browns tackle was fine, only looks bad because, player was bent back over him, and Powell would have to retire if they’d of given him a ban, does it every week, refs are shocking, any excuse to slow the game down, penalising mau for actually attempting to play the ball properly is just laughable

Quote ="hesslefan"Powell and Brown tackles both considered by Disciplinary Committee and both given 0 match penalty. Strange how one resulted in a sin binning and the other not even a penalty. /> No penalty for Farrell and head high tackle. Let’s see if Griffin is fit to play next week.'" /> Thinks that right decision, browns tackle was fine, only looks bad because, player was bent back over him, and Powell would have to retire if they’d of given him a ban, does it every week, refs are shocking, any excuse to slow the game down, penalising mau for actually attempting to play the ball properly is just laughable