'McGuire out for weeks?'
Seem to recall that he was never going to walk again. It wasn't until after Sneyd had made a visit to Red Hall that Rovers' future Superstar made a miraculous recovery!?!

cummings talks absolute shoite on sky so I'm not surprised. he's so out of touch it's unreal

I'm pretty sure radford's comments were tongue in cheek unlike mcdermott who had clearly forgotten to take his mdication

I think PrinterThe has the decorators in...

Oh well looks like we will be playing rugby lottery on Friday with the appointment of Hicks as the ref.

Cummings is a perfect example of the inconsistency endemic in refereeing.

I seem to recall a match where a Hull prop (Taylor?) caught an opposition player round the head as he was bringing the ball out his is own 20, the player clearly slipped and it would have been impossible for the Hull play to adjust. Cummings went off on the 'tackling player has a duty of care to the opposition player.., any contact with the head, deliberate or otherwise..., etc., etc. and defended the referee for either sin binning or red carding the Hull player. Watch another match and Cummings excuses a player for what ended up a pretty atrocious tackle because he made first contact with the shoulder and then ended up round the head.

If the former Match Officials Director can't provide a consistent line sat in a commentary box under no pressure with the benefit of God knows how many replays then that shows what a problem we have.

He gave himself big time on Thursday,The 1st Leeds try were there a possibility the ball came off Watkins onto Briscoe was immediately dismissed by him despite there looking to be some contact,from then on in every comment he made portrayed negativity our way. He's by far the worse on sky. I can live with the others who usually seem to counter each other to give at least some balance. We're in among them and they don't like it

Squad announced - Ellis, Michaels, Carlos and Green out. Masi, Watts, Minichiello and Griffin back

1. Jamie Shaul
2. Mahe Fonua
4. Josh Griffin
5. Fetuli Talanoa
6. Albert Kelly
7. Marc Sneyd
8. Scott Taylor
9. Danny Houghton
10. Liam Watts
12. Mark Minichiello

14. Jake Connor
16. Jordan Thompson
17. Danny Washbrook
21. Sika Manu
22. Josh Bowden
25. Jansin Turgut
27. Jack Downs
28. Brad Fash
29. Masi Matongo

Shocked to see Tali in there, hope we aren't risking him if not fit

Cummings hates Hull simple.

Think Cummings just shows what a closed shop the RFL have created in terms of the officials as they are unaccountable. Cummings even with the benefit of replays still backs the refs 99% of the time even when its clear they've made an incorrect/poor decision and then goes on to defend them. The refs are not perfect and being human will make mistakes but its the inconsistency in the officiating between not only each ref but the same ref in the same game. Then the inconsistency of the disciplinary panel and the grades and bans dished out.

Cummings for me was always an arrogant official and for me was not the right guy for the head of officials due to his arrogance and lack of admission when making mistakes, this has been compounded by the appointment of Ganson. The RFL need to address the standard of officiating and use some of the money to bring over a respected official from Australia.

Can't see Tuli playing to be honest, lets face it the initial squads named mean nothing as he was named a few times along with Ellis when they were not even close to fitness.

True, and we don't tend to risk players

He wont play
Its Radfords way of keeping Wigan guessing.Dont see the point

Griffin to wing.Talanoa wont play
Looks like we will have to play Thompson at centre again
Masi looks likely for the bench with Bowden,Fash and Downs should get the nod over Turgut.

We're due another flash of brilliance from Kelly for this match



I'm hoping Watts will have a massive game too. He could play his way into the England squad on Friday night which is additional motivation for him

Watts is as good if not better than most of the England props and in form.Unfortuneatley his face doesnt fit for this current coach.
The quicker we get Powell into this role the better.

I know Turgut wasn't great against Hudds, but he should be ahead of Downs (who I'm not sure is big enough)

I agree about Downs but Turgut has done little in the first team when selected and his last outing at Leeds he gave away too many penalties and missed tackles.
I think he will deservedly lose his place.I had great hopes for Turgut but it has been mentioned on here that he will probably end up as a Championship player.

.... according to the leeds match stats, there are other players who would get dropped before Turgut.
4 missed more tackles than he did.

jury out on turgut, hasn't kicked on as I hoped, but still time, has all the tools to be a decent second rower, downs and fash imo just not big enough, I like fash as he always gives it all, but shame he isn't bigger as never bends the line,

Agree on this and let's be honest there weren't many senior players that covered themselves in glory against Huddersfield either.

I do think the problem with Turgut is he seems to be trying too hard rather than just going out and playing. Think that showed against Huddersfield with his passing as he seemed to be almost panicking to pass. The kid has ability and has tried to make his mark in what is really his first real regular stint at this level.

Take Bowden and Green as two perfect examples when they first got a chance neither were startling having fair and awful games along the way. Many wanted shot of Green but he has now started to show he can be a regular in the 17. Bowden again very similar though showed more than Green early in his career but has really come on in the last 2-3 seasons and one of the most improved players. Turgut is no different and will be better fir the learning curve and experience this season.

Would have Turgut in the 17 ahead of Downs as based on what I've seen of them both.

As an opposition fan I couldn't agree more. After Chris Hill (in general rather then this seasons form) and maybe Adam Cuthbertson, I rate Watts as one of the best in the league. He would be in my England 17 along with Graham, Hill and Sam Burgess. We know Wayne Bennett will pick a team based on as many NRL based players as he can fit in though and then fill in the gaps (grudgingly) with Superleague players.

Apparently Watts won't be fit in time for Friday. Huge miss if true

It was the penalties that killed us especially at 12/12 when his penalty in our 20 led to Leeds third try.
As i have said i had great hopes for Turgut as a running second row with a bit of pace but dont see any improvement in his play unlike Masi
who hasnt played too many games but every time he plays you can see improvement.
I agree with other posters about Downs and Fash.Fash works his socks off but doesnt impact a defence and his size will probably determine whether he becomes a Super League regular or not.