Delaney played prop for a few minutes on Friday

Given there will be celebrations this week no doubt, I think a few may get rested. A few should get rested anyway even if we hadn't played the WCC.

I'd put Smith in for Webb
Hood in for McGuire
Pitts in for JJB
Moore in for Bailey

and also rest one of Peacock & Sinfield (singleton, Hauraki)

I would go;

Webb
Jones-Bishop
Watkins
Hardaker
Smith
McGuire
Burrow
Griffin
McShane
Leuluai
Clarkson
Delaney
Ablett

Kirke
Moore
Hauraki
Hood

I think you will find Kirke in the 17 this week.
For me I would rest Webb or Burrow, Peacock and Kylie possibly Delaney.

How many fans do you think you will bring to widnes on sunday?

I doubt that Hood will get a look in. He's only just returned from an injury that they thought would be much longer, and only played the one reserve game.

The forwards should be where all the changing is required. All put in mammoth efforts on Friday and really are deserving of a week off, whether they like it or not. We almost have a reserve squad in forwards capable of replacing all anyway. But definates to rest for me are, Peacock, Bailey, JJB, Ablett.

I'd rest Leuluai instead of Ablett but agree with the rest. Maybe Sinfield too but I doubt that will happen. That may leave us a bit light in the forwards though. I'd go with:

Webb
BJB
Watkins
Hardaker
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
Griffin
McShane
Moore
Ablett
Clarkson
Sinfield

Bench: Hauraki, Delaney, Kirke and Singleton.

We have to be careful not to rest too many and lose momentum. I would consider resting one of Delaney or JP or Ablett (listed in order of WCC work rate) perhaps one of Burrow or Sinfield. Some of these could have a half rest on the bench. Moore, Kirke and Hauraki should be given some extended game time.

Play the strongest side available for an away fixture. If it was at at HQ then maybe rest a couple, but even then there is the WCC hangover to consider, so strongest side would be my choice.

is it not this week

i hope so because i plan to be there

if keith is right could we pick 17 from the crowd to play?

I wonder if JP will be rested since he's off to London this week to see the Queen, Her Madge not the rock opera?
I'd like to see Moore, Kirke & Hauraki in the squad instead of JP, JJB & RB (Bailey not Burrow).
Re the rest not sure, Webb looked as if he was limping so bring in Smith for him either on the wing or at FB, otherwise don't tinker too much would be my thoughts since we can't afford to take Widnes lightly.
They will produce a performance sometime you'd imagine & what better time than against the SL champs & WCC holders?

Webb, Sinfield and Peacock could feasibly be rested, with JJB out and Bailey's concussion status unknown:

Webb/Smith

BJB
Watkins
Hardaker
Hall

McGuire
Burrow

Griffin
McShane
Leuluai
Delaney
Ablett
Sinfield/Clarkson

Hood
Peacock/Moore
Bailey/Kirke
Hauraki

Should still be plenty strong enough, with those coming in playing to impress.

Wow, we are only three games into the season and we are talking about 'resting' full-time professional players who are not injured!!! The only players that need resting for Widnes are the players that might have picked up a knock and would benefit from a week off to recover from the knock. Agreed, we probably can afford to lose a few and still put the cleaners through SL new whipping boys but the only players that should be missing are ones the medical staff tell Mac could use the week off... plain and simple!

Not only three games. Just played one game that had the intensity of a grand final, and took some massive effort. It's not like we had just played Hull KR on Friday, then going to Saints.

The coach was the one who declared at the season start that he would be looking to rotate his squad throughout the year, and rightly so. Therefore, you would guess, it makes sense to do it now after such an hard game, and some tough games to come in March, rather than when we play away at the likes of Saints or Warrington.

Same backline as last week, just change a few things in the pack by resting Peacock, Bailey, Leuluai and JJB. In there place bring in Moore, Kirke, Pitts and Hauraki.

Widnes will be without Scott Moore, Hep Cahill, Simon finnigan Ben Kavanagh, Anthony Watts, Shaun Briscoe and a few more i think. Sione Kite and Cameron Phelps are not in the country yet.

According to League Express. Dennis Betts says Cahill and Finnigan will be availiable for selection after their suspension last week.

Resting - my god the team have played all of three games and we are talking about having a rest!!

Where also talking about a pitch Sal that has had nothing but complaints about it from other players, and remains unsure about at the moment. Only yesterday one fo the Widnes players received a serious injury on it, without even been tackled.

Why risk your players who are not 100% in that case?

It wasn't just another game though was it?!

It was played with the intensity of a cup final, and at times it was down right brutal! Some of the forwards will be black and blue for a fortnight!

It's not about having a rest after three weeks. It's about managing the rigours on your players later in the season by giving those with minor knocks and niggles time to let them clear up.

With a squad our size, it makes sense to do it, in moderation.

McGuire must be due a rest. He looks very lethargic ball in hand.

I can't remember anything of note he's done with the ball in the last 2 games

That's why we will never be as good as Aus, that "brutal cup final intensity" is week in week out in the NRL. That by a Manly team that had 20 minutes in a trial leading upto this match!!

I'm pretty much repeating what's been said, but people need to remember we have just played an extra fixture that no other club has had to play, at an intensity most clubs will only play much later on in the season. We have a squad deep enough to enable us to 'rest' key players to an extent to ensure we have a squad which is fresh come the business end on the season. I can see why we need continuity, and why there is no point in resting players if they aren't injured but it's a long season and we've just played in a final. I would also add our key players aren't getting any younger either.

I'd say there was a difference between resting and rotating. Our players (especially Peacock) complain about our season being too long. A match off when possible maintains a fresh squad