We have had no different from JJB for years, and he has never been as talented as Ward. I think the change of view is that he doesn't have team mates hiding it for him like we had in previous years.

I think you're being unfair on both counts there.

McGuire was frequently criticised for being a 'biscuit bones' by some members of this forum but he repaid the club's faith in him in fine style last year. JJB has already been mentioned. Watkins struggled a bit with injury early in his career and is in trouble again now. Do you want to get rid of him too? It's unfortunate that there is extra pressure on someone like Ward to be fit right now. His participation in last year's GF suggests he was so frustrated/depressed about missing out that he was willing to play injured if needed - I hope he's not doing that now - hopefully the coaching staff have the foresight to stop him.

I can't comment on the specifics of what happened while at the WCC, but it doesn't sound like Ward disgraced himself either. He strikes me as being a private person who has struggled with his demons in recent years; is it fair to expect all the players to be the life and soul of the party while with fans?

I never said he had to be the life and soul of the party, but when you spend a good whack of hard earned cash, following the club to the other side of the world, a couple of minutes chatting to the fans wouldn’t have harmed would it? Watkins actually came over to our table and thanked us for making the trip, and fetched a few others over for a chat. It’s a good job Eric Perez was in higher spirits, buying everyone a drink!

Judging by the WhatsApp message Hall is starting at left centre with Luke Briscoe on the wing, Dwyer starting at hooker with Parcell on the bench and Sutcliffe in the second row. A glimpse of the future perhaps...?

Ward isn't big enough to play the game in the way he does. He'll continue to get hurt until he scales down on the brawn and uses the brain a little more.

Correct. He should be used as an extra pair of hands at loose.

I suspect McDermott turned him into a crash, bang, wallop backrower, as he’s literally a tackling machine.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t he a very good 6 in his academy days too?

Walker
Briscoe
Handley
Hall
Briscoe
Moon
Myler
Singo
Dwyer
Garbutt
Sutcliffe
Ablett
Cuthbertson

Subs
Oledski
Keinhorst
Crosby
Parcell

Interesting line up tonight! Sutcliffe in the second row will be interesting to see how he goes

Sounds like Dwyer is keen

No wonder we end ip struggling in games, we dont score enough points when on top. All year people have moaned about beaten pack. First half here, pack excellent. But halfs terrible, and backs not good. Handley has been embarrassing so far this first half. We should be 30 up in this game.

We would be further ahead if myler wasnt kicking!

I thought nk youre being harsh, we look better again handley just set parcell up with a great run and offload

Dwyer having a good un and crosby is going ok

I said the pack was excellent. That included Dwyer and Crosby.

Handley did an offload for Parcell not a great run, and it was 8 minutes after I posted.

Widnes are terrible by the way. But I still think our pack have been excellent so far.

I think you’re being harsh on Handley, just set briscoe up with a great tip on

Widnes are dire though but ill take any win at this stage

He did. Which is why in the post you are referring to, I said “so far”, which was correct. Now can he start running and tackling though, hopefully.

Lets see weve got your 30 anyway



I think both Briscoes have been good

I’m more impressed with pack. Constant movement. Not impressed with the Moon Cuthbertson brain farts.

What a second half Walker has had. Brilliant

With two in the bin we should have made it look easier

He was great tonight

Good win tonight got the job done, it probabaly isn't enough for us to get out of bottom 4 but i think tonight showed we won't have any problems at all in middle 8's I'm fairly confident that will win 6 out of the 7 games maybe even all 7, but hopefully we rebuild for next season and get back where we belong. Walker,Dwyer,Myler and Moon we're very good for us tonight had a solid debut and did a good job for us in that extra prop role we've been missing all year. Hopefully get in super 8's but looking doubtful and got a challenge cup semi in a couple of weeks who knows we could win Silverware from 9th. MOT!!! ALAW!!!!

Everybody has opinions, but thought Myler and Moon were poor. Ablett should be added to the praise list.

Thought that was one of their best performances as a half pair this season imo. agree with Ablett though did some good stuff for us

Dwyer M.O.M for me closely followed by Walker. Fair play to Crosby aswell added impact off the bench.
We'll need to be better but that will do the confidence good.
My earlier opinion still stands we'll ease through the middle 8's

Walker outstanding for me. Fair play to Dwyer he was excellent when on 2nite as was Parcell and both Briscoes carried the ball strongly.

Couple of silly offloads from Cuthbo but I'd rather that than the one out garbage which is hopefully a thing of the past now but generally thought Cuthbo was good. Singo, Crosby and Mikolaj very solid.

Look there's signs we are starting to go in the right direction but we are still a fair way off where we will be next season.

Have to say if I was a Widnes fan I would be very concerned approaching middle 8 but that Widnes team in 80s n 90s ruined my youth so who cares!!!

Really hope sinfield sees suttcliffe as a backrow going forward, it seems perfect sense imo. Its probably his most natural position when taking his skillset into account and its the area of the squad we'r crying out for some young athletic players. and fullback are his other potential roles but we'v got the best young fullback in the game and 3 of the best talents in the british game coming through in newman, broadbent and burton with handley already holding down the role whos younger and just as good a as liam already.

If we'r ever going to get anything out of him, i can only see it being in the backrow, i personaly think he'd do well there given a regular run.