He started at FB against Catalans at home and he was utterly dreadful there. He could make a great FB yet, but he's too small at the moment and he needs to work on his positioning and dealing with the bomb.

There was a topic on the VT recently with regard to the best "Superleague team"

80% had Radlinski at full back.

My case still stands.

Wellens great club man, but never a top International fullback.
But it's only my opinion and I'm sure even you wouldn't deny me that privilege.

Hard Wellens been playing at Wakefield, Harlequins or Warrington for example his deficiencies would have been found out long ago, but he would still have been a great club player.
Malcolm Alker is another who springs to mind, had he been with one of the more fashionable clubs he would have had International caps.

Here's some breaking news for you. GB haven't had a top international full back since I started attending on a regular basis some 25+ years ago.

What about Phil Ford? I thought he were awesome

What about him? I think he played at full back for GB twice lol.

This says far more about the state of the game than it does about his ability.

"He's a stepper, that Ford ..."

In 2006 and 2007, Paul Wellens was COMFORTABLY the best player in the country. Forget all the 'Barrett was robbed the MoS award' nonsense - Wellens was far superior to Barrett in 2007 and should have won it over Roby. Wello was better in 2007 than he was in 2006.

But, it seems to be since the 2007 Grand Final defeat (in which he had his worst performance of the season), he has seen his form take a hit.

In 2006 and 2007, I believe he was not only International class, but he was probably the best in the world. Australia were in a transitional period in terms of full backs - Billy Slater was just breaking into the ozzy team and only hit his untouchable form in 2008. In terms of international rugby, only Brent Webb could have been a contender, and it was only in 2008 that I believe Webb overtook Wello.

Now, in 2009, Wello is behind Webb, Hodgson, Greenshields when it comes to the best Super League full backs. He is still arguably the best in terms of defence however.

He`s a rubber man

No chance.

I seem to remember Lomax playing on the wing this year, scored a few and got M.O.M. but what i most remember was him taking more than a few high kicks in, still don`t think he`ll make a full bacck though

Wellens is still a very good player, i can't ever remember him being a speed merchant, even in his younger days, so his speed now doesn't seem to be as bad as people make out, or for that matter an issue

I think he has still got 2 very good seasons left in the SL

I can't believe that some Saints fans are questioning his ability?

It's silly season

I think the same as you, two seasons left in him.

Webb, Minichello, Hodges, Ingliss, Bowen, Hunt, Slater, Lockyer all dissagree and thats just for starters.

Eddie Hemmings, how's things going?

He's never been anywhere near that level.

a solid plodder going through the motions whom commentators jizzed over and undeservedly picked up a few awards.

Nowhere near that either, every award he's been given has been fully deserved.

Now lets not rewrite history. His lack of speed meant Wello was never a dangerous attacking fullback on the scale of a Lockyer or a Slater.

However his performances around 2005,6, and 7 were inspirational and he fully deserved the accolades he received around that time. This was around the time Sadlinski was pretending to be a good player aswell and there was no doubt who played better, no matter what their attributes were.

Dear god, i agree with you.
Because im now residing in Leeds i had a chance to watch Webb at Headingley and as much as i love wello and all he has done, he just doesn't come close to the skills that Webb has in collecting the ball, gaining the metres and the speed. He beats Webb in tackling and discipline but thats something that can be taught.
I'd take the same approach we have with Sean Long and offer him 1 year when his contract is up and then get him on the staff.

You mean when Radlinski had retired? or the 1/2 dozen games he played back end of 2006 on 1 leg!



I'll agree with you there! About that time Wellens was better than him, 2004 and earlier there's only 1 winner!

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Feck off knobs, hands off wello. He is still the best British full back. Briscoe, Briscoe, wouldnt shat on him. I fully support Wello until some body British replaces him pound for pound, and position for position. The rest is currently just Rhetoric!!!

2010 is his last contracted season I believe.

I have never been his greatest fan. He has always been an average player who has played beyond is natural ability and skill.

But

He is still our best option at full back. Maybe Lomax or even some else i.e. Foster, will eventually replace him but not for the start of the new season. As the season progresses this could change.

As for people that say Wellens should be played at 3, 4 or 13, that IMO is a complete not starter. He simply doesn't have the skill set to play for us in these positions.

If Wello does not play for Saints at full back then he does not play for saints.

I don't see why not, it's not like we've got any squad depth in the backs is it.

Paul Wellens has played on the wing and at centre at international level.

Sounds like that player will be slow too then.