He's literally said nothing about Wigan in that article

Don't let that get in the way of the myopic.

I think in the context of the question asked there is a slight underlying criticism of Wigan, but nothing major to get hot and bothered about.

Personally I rate him as an excellent coach, to get Wire where he has and playing to the levels they are for a club that has traditionally always struggled with a big club tag is superb.

Still not sure why he buggered up the GB job quite so badly, but without doubt the man is a great club coach, probably one of the best in the SL era.

This



and this

Spot on! A little nudge at Wigan at best, nowhere near a dig or complete destruction of character some are making it to be.

And indeed two fantastic coaches, as well as teams competing tomorrow. I really can't wait! I may pee at my desk by the end of the day!

Not a dig at Wigan just common sense, if every team played boring, robotic, 4 sets up the middle rugby, then eventually the fan base would dwindle, just common sense.

Seems ours is going up.....

Yes but only one team could win the league playing that way each year.

If a team can't win trophies, the fans want some entertainment. If you're offered neither, you lose support IMO.

p.s. I'm not saying Wigan are boring, they can play some great stuff. I think it's fair to say they are a fair bit more conservative than Wire though.

Yes naturally as your winning trophies therefore you will attract more fans to your matches... but if every team played boring styles of rugby, the viewing figures overall would drop as neutrals and the like would switch over to the NRL, or some other more entertaining sport.

Of course the number 1 team in the comp attendances may increase in the short term (lots og glory supporters out there), but the collective would drop, which is most important, right?

I am always staggered when anyone tries to tell Wigan fans about loyalty and support. Most of you see no futher than the "Wigan walk", try looking at our support in 2006. The Wigan RLFC brand has done as much, if not more, to keep RL alive in this country than anyone. Your team get a blip of sucess for the first time in decades, and suddenly you feel you can lecture us about style, success and support.

Do do run run Ron.
Do do run run...........

Spectacularly missed the point, the point is, it is irrelevent whether Wigan attendance has increased or not, that is natural as you're champions, the point is, if every team played a boring, robotic style of rugby, then its likely that the viewing figures overall (whole of SL) would drop... i.e Tony Smiths point.

I like watching Wigan. They are an efficient rugby league team that use an effective pattern of play to dominate opponents where upon they can and do break loose and score some good tries.

The problem is when the same tactics are employed poorly you end up looking like Hull did at Leeds last Friday.

Oh i think you missed the point Rhonda..... TS is trying to play mind games, we are not playing boring rugby and he knows it.

He's not saying you're playing boring rugby, he's saying Wire try to play a more expansive game.

Which they do.

We play a winning style of rugby...

I have met him on more than one occasion.

Smith talks about a competition's fan base and viewing figures dwindling if all the teams played the same high completion, high attrition rugby.

Well the NRL the is that competition. Yet it's viewing figures and attendances are nothing short of superb. What ever the style whether expansive or conservative, if it's done to highest standard audiences will watch it

Perhaps Smith would be better of criticizing the poorer teams in SL who lack the most basic of skill's and really do let this competition down in terms of quality.

Exactly. It showed in the WCC that Wigan just play with the same style + tactics as most NRL sides use, a much more structured style of defence + attack (but obviously without the same quality across the park). If every side in SL had defence like Hudds, Wigan (and Wire this year) then you'd be forced to have to use more structured plays, spreading the ball wide to stretch the defence. It's just all too easy in most games to rack up the points without having to try that hard (as evidenced by some of the scores we see on a regular basis).

Wigan start winning things so that means they play "boring, robotic rugby". Believe me under Noble it was a hell of a lot more boring and thats nothing to do with results.

I enjoy watching structured, aggressive defence and attack that has purpose, with great execution of moves. We don't offload much but I'd rather that than try the offload in every tackle ala Solomona. This Warrington entertainers tag has been blown well out of proportion mainly by muppet Hemmings...

me too.

wouldn't say i know him personally tho.

would you ?

Actually, they were very boring under Noble. The word dire comes into mind.
I have thoroughly enjoyed our matches under Maguire. The fitness and SKILLS of the team have improved immensely.
Warrington do play some magnificent rugby but lets not pull a veil over their defensive tactics. They go out to smash the opposition so they cannot play attractive rugby. That's why their defence and Wigan's defence are just about equal.
A team always tries to defend well and restrict the opposition. Wigan do it by wrestling technique and Warrington do it by 'in your face' defence, charging down kicks, lying up in the centre positions for interceptions and ball stealing. All's fair in love and cup ties.

Melbourne's performance against the Broncos this morning was a near perfect defensive display against one of the most attacking sides in the NRL, defense will probably win Melbourne the league this season and give them a great shot at the play offs. As for the Smiths comments I was more entertained by Melbourne's display than I have been with any Warrington game this season.

Personally i think this was aimed at our squad and our fans, the south stand could easily be accused of not being in full voice on quite a few occasions 'pressure the ref' being code for keep the noise up, and the comment on entertainment is just covertly saying go out there and express yourselves. I don't think any of that was aimed at Wigan, Smith has more class than that.

He doesn't criticize wigan be refuses to talk about us and instead says what he wants wire to play like and I know he may be implying we dont do this but you can't say that for sure.

Smith is an example of pure professionalism he wouldn't get into what kear did last year.

Wigans average attendance went up when we were bottom of the league and playing some really poor rugby.