Anyone heard anything regarding his comeback? I cannot stomach much more of Hull's Brad Fittler at 7.

I don't get the hate being put in Wilkins direction. He's doing a job. He's playing above his level of ability, but the coach could pick Hewitt, Lance or someone else. If they don't put a hand up or show enough effort in training then you can't question the man for putting his hat in the ring.

Usually I'd agree but he has been terrible for a few weeks now, particularly his kicking game. I'd play Burns at 7 and give Lance a run at 6 next week.

Wilkin was truly shocking last night, but it wasn't his idea to kick early on every set. Even when he was held up Roby or Burns would do it. When he's playing 7, he should keep it simple and not try to be Andrew Johns.

It wasn't necessarily that which made him awful last night. It was his execution and attacking kick options.

I feel for lance, he's prob the best utility player about in super league, he gives his all every week and had finally started to play to a good level at 6 and can't get a look in!

He should be 6 and burns at 7. I give Wilkin nothing but praise the season before last when he filled in at 7 and for me was our player of he year but he's well out off is depth in close games.

Unfortunately the die was cast when he was named skipper. He is in every week regardless.

I would have burns and hohaia in the halves to start the season.

The good off season for Greenwood and Jones and having Vea on the books
means competition in the back row.

He does fancy himself as a scrum half, I just don't see it.

Look forward to Walsh coming back. Horrible injury . Could have finished
many a player. Done well to get himself right.

I admire the way Wilkin came into the team at 7 a couple of years ago but Friday was his worst display. His defence was a let down (especially for a SR!) and his constant need to kick early was frustrating.

Can't wait for Walsh's return.

I'm finding Wilkin very irritating this year with him at 7. He actually thinks he's a cheeky halfback.

I heaped the praise on him the other season when went to 7 as he gave us direction and leadership which no other could give us but he's been awful this year.

Who makes way for him when walsh is back ?

When is Wilkins contract up?

Think it's end if next year.

Thought he was ooc at the end of this year?

Maybe but he's staying

He's a useful player, but i dont see how he'll continue to be guaranteed a place in the 17 with everyone fit. This has to have a bearing on his future contracts and a question for his future as captain

You don't make someone captain with short term thinking like for one season. Wilkin is playing if he's fit, I have no doubt about that.

He will be captain for the next 2 seasons after this one.

My worry is if we play him in a ball playing loose. I Like the ball playing 13 like SOL and Scully but those two can also play as ball carriers when needed and I don't think Wilkin can anymore. He's to small and weak to be a runner and if he is 13 we will be a forward down.

I completely agree mate, and its a worry. If he's at 13 he will be some use as a ball carrier, but when he needs to drive up the middle, we'll be knackered

What makes you say this?

I don't mind a ball playing 13, having both second rowers at 105kg+ means we have the size in the pack to support it. However the point would have to be to offer something different, and be able to inject some pace and skill into the middle of the park for us. Wilkin doesn't offer that, and I think he would conflict with the halfbacks in the team.

Read my post! I said I like a ball playing loose but only if he can be a ball carrier also like Sol and even westerman.

If Wilkin plays the same role as he does now at 13, we are playing with a forward down. We already have forward that play 15 min spells or 8 min spells in Mose case so we playing with 3 halves and 5 forwards.

Playing with 3 pivots can be useful like Wigan had with smith green and sol but sol also plays like a ball running 13 and no way Wilkin can or will do that.

Also having 3 pivots all the time can become " to many cooks spoil the broth" situation as we have to many in the line and that takes the room away from the wide runners like lomax on the edge and Percy. Lomax fills in as the extra pivot if needed so we certainly want to run our wide plsyers out.

For me it's walsh, burns as the halves and lomax as the acting 3rd ball player and play with 6 proper forwards.

I see Wilkin is filling the gap Wellens left for the bulletin board bashers!

Far too premature. I'd still have Wilkin as one of our top three 2nd row/loose options. He's in the team on merit in those positions, and doubly so because of his utility in being able to cover half-back too.

As for the issue about too many cooks, well that's just a coaching issue. If he's told to defend out wide, run those lines he used to in his first 5 years, and not worry about kicking/passing, then I'm sure he will.

How about we try to get through this season without picking a scapegoat for once?

I'm not scapegoating, I simply don't see how everyone fits in. Greenwood, Thompson and Jones need time on the pitch to continue their development, and I question whether wilkin (and flanagan) bring more than the kids - especially considering how it impacts the team as a whole.

Yet people post that players play too many games.
So plenty of games in a year to develop players.

tbh people need to bash Cunningham not Wilkin as he picks the team. I'm disappointed Hewitt hasnt been given a run out and tbh I'd like to have seen Lance on the bench this season , he would have certainly helped perk us up on friday I think.

So I gather between Wilkin bashing and defending posts that nobody knows anything about Walsh?

I saw Walsh after South Sydney game & he said he was targeting this Friday to be back playing so will hopefully see him back this week

So that means Walsh in for Burns and Richards in for Amor.