reading old copies of Open Rugby, Brian Noble made an interesting point in the 80s about his time in Australia. Said that there was an expectation that the players look after their own fitness and most of training is spent on ball skills and tactics.

Now I know that was back then, and lots has changed, but it is unquestionable that it is both technical skills and fitness where the aussies have the upper hand. Watching the young Aussie teams play, either Australian schoolboys or AIS, it is clear that they have a massive physical head start on us from a young age. Clearly, by the time they reach NRL squads they are finely honed athletes.

What I am trying to say is that however fit the coach gets them, the real difference might be whether or not he can have an effect on ball handling and tackle techniques (not a criticism of Wigan, rather a reflection on the differences in the NRL/ Superleague).

It may well be that the real difference isn't a lighter Feka or a thinner Piggy, but rather a team that is able to differentiate itself from its opponents in Superleague by superior skills, better ball handling and therefore possession, and a noticable abilty to shift the ball from one side to the other without basic errors which we tend to commit in Superleague even at crucial moments in games which are harshy exposed when we pla internationals.

I will raise you one Stuart Fielden .

Karl Pryce - too lazy to roll over etc etc

I'm way ahead of most on here. I boo him when I see his name in print. By the start of the season I'll be spitting venom. Obviously I may change the focus of my attention if one of the foreigners, the fat hooker, throws a bad pass in a preseason friendly.

There were days when players were judged on their performances in games but we have now reached a new bench mark with players being criticised for allegedly finishing last during a run through haigh hall in pre-season.

God help any player that actually makes a mistake in a friendly, especially if he isnt from Wigan.

No pressure boys.

That's a very pertinent point. Most outright sprinters would severely struggle in a training session like that - it's good that they're put through it though!

Just watch the 1500 metres in a decathlon to see big men suffering. They can all still do sub 10.5s 100m though.