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Club Owner | 30106 | Wigan Warriors |
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Nov 2004 | 21 years | |
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| Stu M:Mark_P1973:Stu M:Mark_P1973:4 of us with tickets for Wembley and Everton. Missed out on Headingley, but blaming daughter as she registered on my account but didnt tell me, and then after they'd sold out she says "Dad i registered for the tickets" I really hope it doesnt got to a decider cos i'll be cheesed off, but equally it would be great for the game if it is 1:1, but couldnt cope with the disappointment of losing to them again  Whichever way it goes, there will be fans complaining about Wane's team selection, but in the main the team will pick itself subject to injuries I've no issues with Wane. I think he's genuinely honest. There was a huge clamour for Jake Connor whom Wane had labelled as inconsistent. Was great against HKR but went missing against us twice in the space of a few weeks. i've spent the last couple of weeks arguing with fans from Yorkshire, all complaining about Lancashire bias because of Wane, all he picks is Wigan(ers) players, all over a squad to meet up  . I agree with you on that front, that he's up front and honest, and also knows what he wants the players to do, both on and off the pitch, and if they dont fit that bill, then there is a good chance they arent going to get picked On the other wigan forum we've been debating the half backs with a few for and against Jake Connor, i'm in the against camp. Unfortunately i dont think we are blessed at half back at the minute. We have some good players, but no world beaters, and i think Wane will go tried and trusted of Smith and Williams, with Lewis off the bench giving versatility to cover off 9 as well. Outside of those 3 we have Sneyd, Connor, possibly Will Pryce (albeit he's been playing 1) and Whitby (think he's too young at the minute and looks to have a very promising future) I agree with you and it would be my choice. I think he'll go with Williams and Smith with Lewis off the bench. Back row will be interesting too. We have KPP, Nicholson and Nsemba. Who starts, who makes the bench... Knowles and Radley the same. Knowles will probably make the bench so that only leaves 2 spots (if Lewis is the other 1) and that's even before a 9 or props are considered. Wane will definitely pick Bateman IMO and then it'll be about who partners him. I've not seen enough of him to comment really but I read people saying he's not having the best of seasons but Wane values loyalty massively and he'll want his leadership and experience in the team. It feels easier for me to pick what Wane will go with, than what I would go with myself. I think if they're all fit for that 1st test Wane will go- Welsby Young Farnworth Wardle Johnstone Williams Smith Lees Clark Thompson KPP Bateman Radley Subs McMeekan Havard Knowles Lewis And me leaving Nsemba out isn't an oversight btw. He'll be in the squad but like last year, I don't think he'll start the series.
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Club Owner | 30106 | Wigan Warriors |
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Nov 2004 | 21 years | |
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Door may be open slightly for Marshall, if Johnstone's injury problems don't get resolved by the end of the season. I think Wane would have gone with Young and one of Johnstone or Ashton (so would I to be fair) but Marshall must surely be the next cab off the rank if Johnstone drops out.
I agree re Smith. It's him and Williams or Lewis in the halves - Williams and Lewis doesn't have the right balance, though it wouldn't necessarily be a disaster if, say, Smith were to be injured. If I were picking right now, I would go with Smith and Lewis but I agree with others, Wane will start with Williams and put Lewis on the bench.
Regarding Connor, I like him as a player and he has been very good this season. But age is against him - would we go into a world cup with him next year? - and I think this is factoring into Wane's thinking as well. It's a pity for Connor, as he has shown up well for England when given the chance but I think the ship sailed some time ago. I am only surprised so many people are surprised that Wane didn't pick him in the last squad. Of course, Connor does give some versatility as well, but halfback is his best position and I don't see how anyone can realistically make the case he goes ahead of Lewis, Smith or Williams. I wouldn't want him to play full back or centre against Australia at this stage of his career.
Personally I think the door is borderline off its hinges on Marshall and his chances. Not many Wigan players can be happy with the quality and consistency of their performances this season but I think he's one. Wane usually picks three wingers in his squad and he wants lads who can get your set rolling, with tough carries from your end and Marshall has just got better and better at that as the years have gone by, to the point where now he's just about the best in the league (certainly statistically he's making the most metres, is right up there on an average gain per carry basis). People worry about his lack of height and the potential worry of him facing Lomax or Coates but that would be there with any of our options against those two, even the taller ones. Joe Burgess gets mentioned but he's poor under a high ball and his work rate is nowhere near as high and his average gain is well down on Marshall, Johnstone and Ashton (before his injury).
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International Star | 4830 | Wigan Warriors |
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Jan 2015 | 11 years | |
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| On Lewis being 'a 6 all day long': I watched the game against Cats, and Lewis seemed to most of the organising, play-making, and kicking. Plus a couple of tries from good support play. And May seemed to do... not much, really! But he does that thing where he gets the ball standing still, and does a bit of a dance around on the spot, before passing to someone a metre away from him! 
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International Board Member | 20603 | No Team Selected |
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May 2003 | 22 years | |
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| nathan_rugby:
Havard won't be in the team based on recent form.
I’m stunned he got in the squad or anywhere near. Pre injury he was showing signs he could be quality but ever since the Catalans Grand final in 2024 he’s been, and I hate to say this, poor. His body language just looks off and I’m not sure if his issue is physical or mental but something isn’t right. Nsemba, on this years form shouldn’t be there either. He’s either fatigued from playing too much or believing the hype but so far in 2025 he’s going backwards. I can though see him getting his act together and forcing the case. Bateman will be in the 17, Wane loves him, and to be fair he’s playing well at the moment. We have KPP and Nicholson too so Nsemba needs to find his form quickly. Wardle is way off his best but I think he’s safe due to lack of competition. Smith is the natural 7, the only real natural 7 apart from Sneyd. I rate Sneyd but his defence isn’t anywhere near good enough. Lewis and Williams are 7/6 highbrids. They can play both roles but when Smith is firing he’s comfortably the best 7. Smith isn’t firing and if the team is picked tomorrow the halves are Lewis and Williams. Smith though again has credit in the bank and a couple of months to regain his form. Marshall I love, but he’s not an international player. He’s consistently the best winger in SL or up there but the challenges at the top level are very different. Even if Ashton and Johnstone are out I’d go with Ash Handley and I think Burgess could maybe still force his way ahead of Marshy. Luckily for some of our lads the team isn’t picked tomorrow and I’m sure they will peak in September & October and play themselves into the team. I actually think given the expected players defecting to Samoa in Haas, Tino and Hammer the Australian team are significantly weakened, they will still clearly be favourites and rightly so, but I don’t think the gap is as wide as some think IF, we can get out best 17 on the pitch and on form.
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International Board Member | 674 | Leigh Centurions |
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| Stu M:Kings of Rugby:
Apart from Farnworth and Wardle, I think the England side is pretty poor. Loads of hype, but they actually just aren't that good.
We have better Aussies, playing in SL than some of the "stars" who'll start for England. French over Williams is a perfect example.
I'd rather see the Wigan lads get a rest.
I’m staggered that you can mention Wardle whilst thinking that Welsby, Knowles, Radley, Lewis, Williams, KPP, Nicholson, Thompson and Nsemba “just aren’t that good Of those above, Knowles and Williams are going to the NRL next year, whilst the others all play in the comp bar Welsby, Lewis and Nsemba yet all have NRL clubs chasing them. Thompson also played in the comp and chose Wigan over other NRL clubs They are good in super league , but they would need a long period to adjust to the pace and skill of NRL. I think we are further behind at the minute than we have been since the 80s.Williams was decent over there , but if he was a local he wouldnt be anywhere near an origin shirt Knowles we dont really know yet , but if Tom Amone couldnt get a game and we have other NQC props coming over and causing SL teams problems , he might be miles of the pace. Welsby not going to have the pace , but one of the better SL players , Lewis ( would probably make it after a hard season or two ) and Nsemba , hard to tell if hes a flat track bully who would get smashed in NRL , but also could be the real deal . in the 90s/2000s , we had a lot of best in the positions when we played like Offiah/Robinson Schoffield Hanley KFC miles ahead Farrell , Sculthorpe , Newlove , Senior , Conolly all should be there or there about in there match ups , but even then it never really materialised . Now I look at the squad as a Leigh fan , Trout has been terrific , but I struggle to see him having anywhere near that impact in test series . If Wardle and Marshall are playing week in week out it has to be those two , Burgess would have the edge as an individual , but two plying together week in week out should count for a lot. I think this team whatever they pick would be beaten convincingly by the 1993 Kangeroos.
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International Star | 4830 | Wigan Warriors |
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| jonh:nathan_rugby:
Havard won't be in the team based on recent form.
I’m stunned he got in the squad or anywhere near. Pre injury he was showing signs he could be quality but ever since the Catalans Grand final in 2024 he’s been, and I hate to say this, poor. His body language just looks off and I’m not sure if his issue is physical or mental but something isn’t right. Nsemba, on this years form shouldn’t be there either. He’s either fatigued from playing too much or believing the hype but so far in 2025 he’s going backwards. I can though see him getting his act together and forcing the case. Bateman will be in the 17, Wane loves him, and to be fair he’s playing well at the moment. We have KPP and Nicholson too so Nsemba needs to find his form quickly. Wardle is way off his best but I think he’s safe due to lack of competition. Smith is the natural 7, the only real natural 7 apart from Sneyd. I rate Sneyd but his defence isn’t anywhere near good enough. Lewis and Williams are 7/6 highbrids. They can play both roles but when Smith is firing he’s comfortably the best 7. Smith isn’t firing and if the team is picked tomorrow the halves are Lewis and Williams. Smith though again has credit in the bank and a couple of months to regain his form. Marshall I love, but he’s not an international player. He’s consistently the best winger in SL or up there but the challenges at the top level are very different. Even if Ashton and Johnstone are out I’d go with Ash Handley and I think Burgess could maybe still force his way ahead of Marshy. Luckily for some of our lads the team isn’t picked tomorrow and I’m sure they will peak in September & October and play themselves into the team. I actually think given the expected players defecting to Samoa in Haas, Tino and Hammer the Australian team are significantly weakened, they will still clearly be favourites and rightly so, but I don’t think the gap is as wide as some think IF, we can get out best 17 on the pitch and on form. I don't think the Kangaroos are weakened much by the loss of Tino, but otherwise,I couldn't agree more.
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