I'd give Roberts a crack at centre rather than Martin or Fusitu'a. He's raw but I don't see any point in being conservative at this point of the season. If it doesn't work out then try something else the next game or move Martin or McDonnell there mid game if he's really not up to it. If he goes well we'll have increased our depth a lot.

I also wouldn't mind getting an early look at Ruan as well. Again he's raw but if trials mean anything he probably deserves an early game.

Yep, agree, especially the bit about at this point of the season. Everything about this pre season smacks of focusing on getting it right when it most matters

Wire will be fired up and have rolled back the clock to the 70’s and 80’s with signing some aggressive forwards and will come hard down the middle . We will need to stand up to them and stop Clark and Walker getting quick play the balls.

I think we will be better later in the year when the grounds dry up and it gets a faster game.

I’m happy to give Smith plenty of scope. We produced some good stuff at wire last season, hopefully we can do it again.

Wire ground will actually be pretty firm as dry spell. They got some fast players like Dufty. Should be good game….

They could be missing a couple of their big lads. Dudson has broken his hand, and McGuire (shock horror) got sent off in a friendly. Believe Kasiano is also touch and go. On the downside, Sezer might well cop a ban for his "high" tackle on Coote.

Most pitches will be firm anyway, I played at Salford in October after days of heavy down pour and it was fine underfoot, modern pitches have great drainage

We'll see with Sezer but if last year's model is owt to go by, almost any contact with the head might well be judged reckless. As a side note, he'd do well to leave injured players well alone.
When's his hearing?

The disciplinary has changed though, for it to be a ban it would have to be a Grade C I think.

Coote wa that injured that he managed to swing a punch at Sezer for apologising



Josh Mcguire could be looking at a lenghthy one if rumours on the wire forum of what he said are true.

Josh McGuiire Grade F minimum 6 matches

Sezer no charge

Pleased about Sezer, hopefully a sign that Cullen and gang have returned to the realms of sanity.

Interesting that Coote actually got charged for his part, which I think is fair, there was no need for him to throw one at sezer

Prob not though in terms of plumbing the depths of stupidity it barely scratches the surface compared to McGuire and his chum from the leotards

Id be fuming if I was a Wire or Lopards fan - not at the disciplinary panel but at the players.

Mind you it was odds in with McGuire, he’s a grade A (or F in this instance) liability .

Don’t think anyone should have a ban from this preseason. Clubs will stop preseason games if this is where we’re heading……

Open season lads, it's only a friendly mame or abuse, take your pick! There's middle ground between that and last seasons farce shabs.

Rubbish, what message would that send? And theres quite a few players (Mcguire especially) who’d take advantage of that.

No they won't that a completely over the top from you.As for no bans that would be asking for trouble.

Okay. So two blokes have an argument on the field. Then probably shake hands and have a beer afterwards. Happens every amateur game in the land. Start banning them?

Yes if they use abusive language like McGuire has alleged to have used.

Depends how bad/what was said I guess then. Any idea what alleged?

It rhymes with Plastic.

Bad enough to meet the criteria for six games is the answer to that. If the sport wants to move on and appeal to a wider audience, it has to leave the meatheads behind.

If he get 6 games that’s a big blow for Powell.

Signing those 4 power forwards in McGuire, Vaughan, Dudson and Kasiano is an interesting gamble . I think McGuire will still have a real desire to compete, how much he has left in the tank, who knows.
If Vaughan really wants it he could be a standout as he has a lot to offer.
Discipline will also be key and both Vaughan and McGuire will have to adapt or risk missing most of the year.

I watched our (Wire) friendly v Leigh. Vaughan will be superb for us this year, lots of minutes and big metres. Could be one of SL's stand out props. McGuire is a real on field competitor and leader - still looked very good in attack and defence. I suspect we'll miss him massively but he deserves any ban coming to him.

Very quiet on here with the squad announced for Thurs. Probably Roberts, Tindall, Ruan and Mcdonnell to drop out. Fancy Smith will start Martin and Olpherts (though Roberts has gone well) at centre with Tetevano/Walters and Gannon back row with all 5 'Props' in the 17. Tough going with 4 starters out, but I'm intrigued as to what glimpses of Smiths style for the year that we will see.