Our Bureau Of Meteorology are predicting possible light showers in the morning - 21-29 degrees. Should be a good evening for footy.

I just don't get the SOL thing. I think we look so much better when he isn't on - totally over rated imo

Please Somebody tell me they can show the stats showing tries scored, tries conceded when SOL has been on/off the field.

I'll back anyone's right to an opinion on players and if they should/shouldn't be selected however surely we have looked far better when he's been on?
I'd be confident the Stats will back that up?

PS
Get's nothing but praise from every coach/Top Player he's played for/with - The pundits last week and previously rated his contribution and influence to the teams he plays in alongside that of Cameron Smith/Thurston etc.
From my experience of watching him for the last 15 years at Wigan I can tell you he is without doubt The biggest Key to our success, obviously that is slightly diluted when you go up a level as the players around him should and often are of a higher calibre but I bet he's a similar influence.
I could give you many examples of Opposition coaches glowing praise of SOL (including 2 direct conversations with SL coaches) who have all highlighted his contribution as Key (And I believe there was a recent story where Ian Leneghan received a Text from Nathan Brown when he was negotiating SOL's New contract with Wigan where Nathan Brown described him as the Best British Player he'd come across or words to that effect?)

Anyway, what I will say is that if he isn't fit he shouldn't play - but if he is his on field presence and abilities will be one of the Keys to any potential victory Saturday IMO.
I once quoted to a Leeds Fan circa 2005/2006 that you only understand the value of players like Sinfield (Like we had gone through with Farell a few seasons earlier) when you've lost them.
I believe O'Loughlin is as Valuable and equal to the other 2 IMO and certainly at Wigan he will be one of the biggest losses we will have ever had to move on from.

Reminiscent of Melbourne 92 & Ettinghausen grovelling around in the mud behind the sticks.

Are you his agent? - I don't rate him, never have Aussies dominate him in every game - my opinion, get over it.

In response to the question posed in the thread title: No.

No they dont. Anyone can see we are much better team and far better organised with him on the field.

Regards

King James

Did you watch the NZ series in 2015 that we won?

SOL was our MVP it was pretty obvious. If you can't understand or appreciate what a good player he is then perhaps you ought to take a closer look

I'm not saying his form has been that great throughout the WC but he'll be a huge loss if out injured

Yes, still don't rate him, never have never will.

Loved that game I was their and was one of the fans doing the conga to all ways look on the Brightside of life lovely game Hope the same happing's tomorrow

then when my time comes I can die happy

A lot of people far more experienced and knowledgeable about the game than you and I obviously do - Get over it

Widdop won a GF with Melbourne in 2012.

The problem is the halves, Gale may have been to a GF but he has never played in one.

I don't need to get over anything but you clearly do - if SOL fuels floats your boat so be it, I still think he's overrated and won't be missed

Got a few replies with his Lockers fishing has Vast(space in his head)man. I like to think he truly believes O'Loughlin is poor because then that really does show his opinion to be worthless.

England have fallen in to a pattern in this tournament that Wigan have been dreadful for in the past few years. When O'Loughlin is on we're better organised, our shape is better and the timing of our plays is better but when he goes off there is a noticeable drop off in performance.

I sincerely hope he's fit because more then anything he deserves it but if he's not that really hurts us. We were abysmal and a bit of a rabble with Sam Burgess there last year (that's nothing against Burgess, it's just not his game).

Can we beat the Aussies....Yes

Will we....No

Two more sleeps...

I do think he's over rated end of. Typical Wigan arrogance demanding other fans worship there idol - I don't, oh dear me a heresy has been spoken.

Oh well I won't lose any sleep over it.

Quote ="caslad75"Not 'our' player in my eyes. Born and bred Aussie who has only ever been to England when he's been playing rugby. Not English to me. Before anyone quotes 'heritage' and 'this country/sport does it, that country/sport does it', I couldn't care less. We have English lads who must be shaking their heads wondering what they have to do. Plenty of options available using players already there and in the travelling squad. Bateman to back row (where he belongs) and Percival in the Centre (where he belongs). Scott Taylor/Mike McMeeken sat doing nothing. But, no, Bennet brings in a washed up Aussie. I know some of you might say I'm stupid for thinking like it, but thats my feelings and thoughts and I'm as entitled to them as anyone thinking the other way is entitled to think how they do. It's took a little of the shine off a World Cup Final appearance for me, but I shall still be up and watching it live and shouting England on whether I agree with the selections or not.'" Will Wales RU fans be in uproar about this selection? No, because it happens in every sport and every country. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42172246

Quote ="caslad75"Not 'our' player in my eyes. Born and bred Aussie who has only ever been to England when he's been playing rugby. Not English to me. Before anyone quotes 'heritage' and 'this country/sport does it, that country/sport does it', I couldn't care less. We have English lads who must be shaking their heads wondering what they have to do. Plenty of options available using players already there and in the travelling squad. Bateman to back row (where he belongs) and Percival in the Centre (where he belongs). Scott Taylor/Mike McMeeken sat doing nothing. But, no, Bennet brings in a washed up Aussie. I know some of you might say I'm stupid for thinking like it, but thats my feelings and thoughts and I'm as entitled to them as anyone thinking the other way is entitled to think how they do. It's took a little of the shine off a World Cup Final appearance for me, but I shall still be up and watching it live and shouting England on whether I agree with the selections or not.'" Will Wales RU fans be in uproar about this selection? No, because it happens in every sport and every country. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42172246

We have been far better with SoL on the field and he would be a big miss. If someone can't see that that's their opinion/problem in not being able to understand the game.

No worship needed, just some sense! The bloke has been brillliant for England and GB over the years. I think the NZ series in 2015 was the third time he'd won a man of the series award against them and the Aussies (I seem to recall the Aussie one was as just our player of the series though).

He's been the glue to hold the side together in the tournament so far. He's not as eye catching as a Sam Burgess or Alex Walmsley and he's got going to be breaking teams open like McGillvary or Widdop with individual runs but he just gels the team and covers a variety of roles. If you want a tough carry, a big tackle or a man to take it to the line and get an accurate pass away to your halves then he's the man. He's a leader and a cool head.

We probably won't win with him but we sure as hell won't without him.

Lets be honest Heighington hasn't been anything more than average every time he's played for England unless someone can correct me of a game where he's stood out. I've nothing against him because he comes across as a decent guy when I've seen him interviewed over the years.

I'm also personally not bothered if he's from Aus, as long as he qualified on decent grounds like he has having an English parent. Anyway, for me he shouldn't have been picked anyway, he's not the player he once was, not that he's ever been anything other than a decent solid player and the season he's just had in the NRL didn't warrant getting picked.

The fact is he's got so many appearances is a bit of a red herring in my opinion. It's been mostly down to him having a relatively injury free career, in turn playing for plenty of years without missing many games and has been picked over the years for Wests and Cronulla for his utility value.

Like others have said the biggest asset he has is that he doesn't make many errors, but then again, he doesn't make that many meters, doesn't burst tackles & generally doesn't run good lines like international backrowers should. Yes, he has experience but for me, he's well past his sell-by date.
Also if there are any forward injuries he'll be doing much more than any cameo appearance.

Saying that hopefully he proves me completely wrong and has the game of his life in the Final.

That's a surprise - thought SOL only turned up for the big games - like Lazarus rising from the sick bed to lead his team to defeat. Him not playing will the first big final he has ever missed - one year the only games he played at the end of the season were the CC final and the GF.

No we haven't, that's unless you're either a Wigan fan? Or someone blinded by undeserved reputation.

Still we'll see come the weekend. If England lose you'll be able to kid yourself that it was bacause SOL was missing. If England win you're in bother.

For me and I'm happy to say it over and over again. Don't rate him and never did and now he's well past it, don't be sad you can still dream.

As far as I see not one person has agreed with you (Probably just as you like it) including fans of Rival clubs.