James Graham Kevin Sinfield Adrian Morley Gareth Ellis Sam Burgess Sean O'loughlin
-----------------------------------
James Roby Andy Lynch - if he refuses to play then Fielden. Joel Tomkins Eorl Crabtree
That would be my first choice 17. Gareth Widdop is the best option we have at fullback. He at least has some pace, excellent footwork and is a good support player. Peter Fox and Ryan Hall played very well in the Four Nations and deserve to be included. Chris Bridge and Leon Pryce could hopefully offer us some threat out wide. There's no point just going for a defensive option, we have to play some good Rugby League. Chris Bridge can come back in field from time to time and Pryce can at least cause some problems with his footwork and ability to drift in between defenders. Tomkins and Eastmond worked last time - they stay. McGuire is a poor defender at club level and was ripped to shreds at the DW stadium last year. The forwards pick themselves. Lockers is the best 13 in the country. And finally I think the bench is the best we've got. Eorl Crabtree had a fanastic tournament whenever called upon and he for some reason puts a bit of doubt in the Aussie forwards. Lynch has been excellent at Bradford and Roby is a better player than Lunt. Joel Tomkins has been the best back row forward in the league IMO and deserves a spot above Westwood and Harrison.
Rugby Union: When entertainment just isn't your thing.
Widdop cant get a game for Melbourne, so I don't think he is ready to be thrown in against the Aussies and Kiwis. Definately in the squad, but not in the first 17 for me. Personally, I would go with Pryce at FB, but that wont happen. Wellens is playing as well as ever, but the lack of pace that gets shown up in every international tournament will mean he misses out. Sean Briscoe isnt good enough IMO, but will probably get the nod in the absence of all other options.
Tomkins is currently starring at fullback for the top team in England, but his long term future is presumably at no6 so he should play there. McGuire has proven time and time again that he cant hack it against the Aussies. He may be in the form of his life for Leeds, but he proved last year that he just cant do it when it matters. I think now it is probably more a psychological problem for him than anything else.
Seeing as everyone else is naming players from their own club - I am going to nominate Jonny Lomax as an outsider for the squad.
Sinfield and Roby to share hooker spot like last year. O'Loughlin at 13.
Briscoe (Sean) Briscoe (Tom) Bridge Shenton Hall Tomkins Eastmond Morley Sinfield Graham Ellis Burgess O Loughlin
Joined: Feb 25 2009 Posts: 3971 Location: The Barton Arms
1. Sam T (Sceptical initially about his move to FB, but has been outstanding there. IMO he is tough enough to handle the Aussies. Very brave and excellent defence) 2. Widdop (Took his opportunity very well against the French, see no reason for him not to be given another shot) 3. Gleeson (Has got his detractors, but for my money the best English centre available. Great footwork, good with ball in hand and strong in defence. 4. Atkins (Big Unit who has impresses me toward the back end of this year. 5. Hall (perhaps not set the world alight like last year but has the size and is a great finisher) 6. McGuire (I feel he could work very well with Eastmond. 7. Eastmond (Class act this lad, would work well with McGuire on his shoulder) 8. Morley (Skipper on reputation alone. Brutal in the tackle and tireless in attack) 9. Roby (Previously regarded as a one trick pony by myself. Has proven me wrong completely. Saints best player IMO and my second candidate for MOS. Nice lad too!) 10. Graham (can’t stand the bloke personally, but is the best go forward player in SL by a distance) 11. Ellis (Basing this purely on word of mouth TBH as I have not seen much of him this year. But if reports are correct then he is playing very, very well for West’s) 12. Burgess (Offers everything you want from a modern forward. Has the respect of the antipodeans) 13. O'Loughlin (Best 13 by a country mile. Has become the complete package this year, truly)
14. Ben Harrison (only seen this lad a few times this season, but I am very impressed. Puts it about and skilful for a big lad) 15. Coley (Has been outstanding this year for us. Tough and aggressive. Prone to the odd brain fart, but who isn’t?. Some of the hits he has put in the year have been frightening). 16. J. Tomkins (Stacks of pace, good footwork and aggressive) 17. Westwood (Has matured into a very good player this year. Likes the tough stuff and his kicking of late has impressed me
What's the rumpus, Tom?
Pemps wrote:I can't confirm Bennett's exact words but I believe they were along the lines of "Strewth Ian, I wouldn't touch him with yours. He's a flammin' Gala".
Wigan Peer wrote:I keep my bin under 30mph to avoid fines...
MattyB wrote:you cant tell me they are all busting for a turd.
Please see for me if she's wearing a coat so warm To keep her from the howlin' winds.
Joined: Oct 30 2005 Posts: 6268 Location: Warrington UK
How the majority put Atkins in before Bridge beggars belief. Bridge never finds touch, Atkins never finds his winger. I said it at the start of the year and I still believe it to be true; Atkins will never make a top class centre and unless the guy learns positional sense and how to put his winger through and not the touchie, he's just a great athlete with no natural centre skills. I can understand the debate between Gleeson and Bridge, personally I'd take the latter being much younger but Atkins?? I dont know what game some watch.
tugglesf78 wrote:13. O'Loughlin (Best 13 by a country mile. Has become the complete package this year, truly)
Has he now? I've not seen much of him as he's been injured for a few of the games I've seen Wigan play this year but he was absolutely shocking against Huddersfield.
Joined: Feb 25 2009 Posts: 3971 Location: The Barton Arms
Saddened! wrote:Has he now? I've not seen much of him as he's been injured for a few of the games I've seen Wigan play this year but he was absolutely shocking against Huddersfield.
He was shocking against the Giants. However, that is only one game in a long season.
Apart from this blip (Which has been commented on by many wigan fans) he has been truely oustanding this year.
He has also never let GB or England down in the past.
What's the rumpus, Tom?
Pemps wrote:I can't confirm Bennett's exact words but I believe they were along the lines of "Strewth Ian, I wouldn't touch him with yours. He's a flammin' Gala".
Wigan Peer wrote:I keep my bin under 30mph to avoid fines...
MattyB wrote:you cant tell me they are all busting for a turd.
Please see for me if she's wearing a coat so warm To keep her from the howlin' winds.
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