"Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:14 pm  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18538370 Bit random, this. Seems to be saying that the refs are allowing unfair play regularly, and if teh league don't sort it, he will - er, his players that is, er, legally. I haven't noticed it myself - any more than you'd expect the playmakers of any team to be "targeted" - but if this protection can already be done legally then why aren't his players already doing it?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18538370 Bit random, this. Seems to be saying that the refs are allowing unfair play regularly, and if teh league don't sort it, he will - er, his players that is, er, legally. I haven't noticed it myself - any more than you'd expect the playmakers of any team to be "targeted" - but if this protection can already be done legally then why aren't his players already doing it?

Re: "Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:24 pm  

Maybe we can get the same dispensation for Briers or Atkins, how about asking refs to blow up if anyone gets within 2 yards of Sam ? ( assuming they can ).
Dopey thing to say by Wane. His first mistake in an impressive first season in charge.
It reflects that without Sam Wigan are not so scary and he's worried about losing him after losing Tom L at the weekend.

Re: "Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:28 pm  

All top quality creative players receive treatment from the opposing team and unfortunately Tomkins is no exception.
The fact that he showboats so much will increase the desire of the opposing players.
What does he expect ?

Re: "Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:29 pm  

It's an utterly bizarre statement to come out with and you have to wonder about his suitability to be a Super League coach when he's basically a thug himself.

Wigan are the most aggressive team in Super League and by far the most likely to commit serious foul play, particularly with the attacking of the standing legs they do and are coached to do.

Tomkins doesn't come in for special attention IMO, I can't think of a bad shot on him since he was KO'd by Raynor the other year. For a coach of a side containing Gareth Hock to suggest his side are being bullied is absolutely ridiculous.

Re: "Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:31 pm  

A non story, & Wane has been around long enough to know that big guys will smash little guys if they can catch them. the rules of the game are the same for all players large or small gifted or not. I dont recall Rob Burrows ever moaning that the big guys hammer him if they can catch him. It is the way the game is, if you are terrorising the opposition they are going to try & tackle hard & put you of your game, If you dont want to get hurt play darts.

Re: "Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:47 pm  

To be fair - I'm amazed that Sa was never called up to the disciplinary and that, I assume, is what Wane was answering a question about. It warranted "on report" if memory serves, but they decided penalty sufficient.

Re: "Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:52 pm  

As Bilko states this comment from Wane mainly stems from terrible tackle by Setimata Sa on Sam in the Catalan match. It was a poor tackle that Tomkins was lucky to escape uninjured from. I think most of us would concede that the RFL have gone a little soft this year when enforcing and policing high and dangerous tackles. It's of course as always about finding that happy medium between being too strict and too lax.

I think it's a bit of a nothing story personally. But I'm pleased to read that if the RFL won't protect Sam the Wigan forwards will. Within the rules of course.

No doubt the anti-Wigan brigade will get stretch this non story into a good sized thread. I'm looking forward to reading the bile.

Re: "Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:06 pm  

I seem to recall Nathan Brown making a similar statement last year. One of his players ended up getting sent off trying to play the enforcer.

Re: "Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:07 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

Tomkins doesn't come in for special attention IMO, I can't think of a bad shot on him since he was KO'd by Raynor the other year. For a coach of a side containing Gareth Hock to suggest his side are being bullied is absolutely ridiculous.

He has been smashed by Ablett before and David Howell has been sent off after hitting Sam with the forearm.

Also tackles like we saw on Sam from Sa in the Catalan game happen more regularly than people think.

Re: "Refs not protecting Sam" - Wane : Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:16 pm  

Wasn,t Mr Wane on wigans staff roll when Terry Newton targeted and smashed Sean Longs jaw to pieces. Perhaps Mr Wane didn,t think much about that one and turned the other cheek so to speak.
Coming from a full back position Tomkins will always be targeted like any other player in that position who is an attacking threat.