The Morning After: More record crowds, video referee & Harry Smith for England?
Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.
The Morning After looks at three talking points from the latest Super League action between Warrington and Wigan.
Record attendance
Despite the 13-6 defeat, Warrington enjoyed a record crowd of 15,026 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium against Wigan.
It beats the previous best dating back to 2016, with 15,008 against Widnes.
It’s another positive step for rugby league, having smashed its attendance regular six-match round of matches during the Easter period with 83,357, beating the previous record in Easter 2019 by around 4,000.
Leigh also recorded a new Super League best during their match with Wigan, with 9,189 in attendance for their Thursday night clash back in Round Seven.
Attendances are looking pretty good in 2023 so far.
Harry Smith for England?
Harry Smith must be very much in the picture for England, with head coach Shaun Wane present at Friday night’s game.
The Wigan academy product kicked Warrington and St Helens to death in both respective wins, with strong game management for a 23-year-old.
He has really stood up in the absence of Cade Cust and Jai Field, and has linked up nicely with Bevan French since his move into the full-back position.
Following the game, head coach Matt Peet said on Smith: “He works hard on his kicking game. Tommy Leuluai does a good job there mentoring him.
“He practises incredibly hard. He’s got a good feeler for the game and it’s something that’s only going to get better and it makes it easier for the lads to defend when they’ve got kicks to go after like that.
“I’m proud of him. I think him and Joe (Shorrocks), the whole spine, Brad O’Neill and Sam Powell did a good job as well.
“Harry works really hard. If you’ve watched Harry play through the year groups, he’s always had good game management. An old head on young shoulders.
“I’m really proud of Harry tonight and it’s really pleasing and I think he’ll be the first one to look at his game and look where he can improve.
“But I think he can be happy tonight and I think his defence has improved as well.”
Meanwhile, Wigan boss Peet admitted it’s too soon to know the extend of Brad Singleton’s injury, having left the field just five minutes into the game with a knee issue.
Video referee
There were two video referee decisions that split opinions on the night – one in favour of Brad O’Neill’s effort a try, and the other ruling out Greg Minikin’s.
Former Super League referee Ian Smith backed the decision to award substitute hooker O’Neill his try, with question marks over onside and grounding.
Replying to Love Rugby League editor James Gordon, he wrote: “Onside mate.
“That’s the only angle he will have had and no VR is going to call him off on that footage plus he’s not offside anyway.
“Brilliant and quick decision on the grounding as well. Well done VR.
“It looked like a knock on in full speed live. Good job we have a VR.”
Onside mate. That’s the only angle he will have had and no VR is going to call him off on that footage plus he’s not offside anyway. Brilliant and quick decision on the grounding as well. Well done VR. It looked like a knock on in full speed live. Good job we have a VR.
— Ian Smith (@Iansmith2468) April 14, 2023
Although Warrington head coach Daryl Powell didn’t quite agree.
Following the game, he commented: “I thought he (O’Neill) bounced it at the time. If you slow them down, well, you know.
“I think the video referee will have a couple questions from tonight, because I thought Greg Minikin’s try was a try.
“On top of that, I would say I thought Wigan were deserved winners.
“I’ll have a good look when I get home. I don’t think it changes the result.”