https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/05/ ... 4hjlKnbneq I'll be very surprised if Hill and Cooper don't play this weekend also seems like a game to keep Hampshire and Eckersley ticking over

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/05/ ... 4hjlKnbneq I'll be very surprised if Hill and Cooper don't play this weekend also seems like a game to keep Hampshire and Eckersley ticking over

No inside info on my part, but I feel we will go full strength this week and then rest a fair few v Wire next week. It hasn't served us well in the past, but I just have a nagging feeling that's the way we'll go.

It is always a fine balancing act around a cup final. I actually think the three bans could work in our favour because Cooper, Hill and then anyone else who feels they may be at risk when Byrne comes back should be absolutely flying to try and pinch a spot in that final team.

I'd go full strength this week and then take next week when it comes. I fully understand any concerns of losing momentum for the final by resting loads next week but things are a bit different now to how they were even a couple of years back because of the head injury sit down periods and the disciplinary.

Same team as last week for me with Hill and Cooper in for Ellis and Walters and Mago to start at loose forward.

We could theoretically go full pelt for the next 3 weeks knowing after Wembley we've got Cas, London and the international break before what's looking like the best run of fixtures all season in July

Agreed - I'm not convinced resting players before the cup final is the best approach (outside anyone with niggling injuries of course). Sometimes a week off works, sometimes it backfires. Maybe later in the year its more helpful but not necessarily when we're a third of the way through and just now hitting form.

I think we go as strong as possible this week then look to rotate the week after with players like Hampshire Eckersley Douglas Esseh Chan Makin Farrimond Forber Hill making the 17.

I’d also expect Walters to play given his lack of games so far this season as a bit of an audition fitness test for Wembley.

There's merit in the argument for not resting but the flip side of that coin is losing players to bans, concussion protocols etc. It's a gamble either way.

Agree on all of that.
Obviously Peet and his staff know all the players really well and they will know which players won’t mind being rested and some may want/need to play every week to maintain their form.
Which ever way Peet goes will be fine by me.

The result on Sunday comes into play a little as well I think. We could afford to lose one of the next two but I wouldn't want us to lose both.

Play full teams both weeks. Someone gets injured or banned, next man up mentality.