www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/ja ... per-league?

www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/ja ... per-league?

And this is why our squad is so brilliant, to lose someone like Brett Finch, (& Richads) & still be able to line up;

1. Roberts
2. Goulding
3. Gleeson
4. Carmont
5. Charnley/Pryce/Marsh
6. Sam T
7. Deacon
8. Fielden
9. Leuluai
10. Coley
11. Joel
12. Hoffman
13. O'Loughlin

14. McIlorum
15. Lima
16. Hansen/Farrell/Tuson
17. Prescott/Mossop/O'Carroll

Not worried, just hope he recovers ASAP so we can be even stronger.

It's alright as long as Sam, Deacon, Leuluai and McIllorum stay fit until he returns. If one of those four were to get injured we would probably have to put Gleeson, O'Loughlin, Marsh or Powell into the halves which could be pretty dodgy.

Yeah I'm not too worried about it either to be honest. Sam Tomkins (Full Back/Stand Off/Scrum Half), Amos Roberts (Wing/Full Back) and Thomas Leuluai (Scrum Half/Hooker) give us so much flexibility to cover Finch being absent.

Not a huge worry provided the injury is given time to heal properly.

Don't want him being rushed back for the WCC if he isn't fit. Worsen a neck injury and he could be looking at a lot longer than a month out!

Added to which, even if he is fit for the WCC it's a big ask for a brand new half back pairing to click in (possibly) their first game together in what is arguably Wigan's biggest game in years.

Hopefully he'll be ok in time for the WCC but if not I can only echo what everyone has said. The squad is fantastic and has plenty of depth to it. We have the option of Sam or Leuluai playing alongside Deacon in the halves or even putting O'Loughlin in at 6 which even though wouldn't be my first pick is still an option.

One player I really hope can come through pre season in good shape and form is Amos Roberts at fullback. He would ensure any loss of Finch to be not too serious.

not a chance! wait till joe mellor plays! reminds me of a certain other half back to break through against harlequins 2 years ago

Could be a blessing in disguise. Feels like a safer option starting the season with tried and tested half-back partnerships especially with such tough games.

I've not seen him or Powell play to be honest, would have liked one of them to get a game on Sunday though while Finch and Sam are out injured.

by all accounts his injury hasn't phased him either

Finch now having surgery on his neck injury, so could be a while before we see him.

Didn't Roberts play a fair bit of academy the back end of last year? Article seems to suggest he's just coming back from injury?

Shame about Finch, was looking forward to seeing all the new Wigan lads play at Cardiff. Here's hoping it's not the sort of injury that could affect the rest of his career and he comes through it like Leon seems to have after his op.

He did but apparently was never fully fit, i beleive he had further surgery in the off season. He said in an interview not long back that the swelling around the knee had not long ago settled down

instead of starting a new thread but just wondering when pat richards is back?, got him in my super league dream team so im hoping he has another good year thanks

End of March I believe.

thanks alot might have to change him now

neck injury?looks like the rugby gods have given somone a reminder

Brett Finch now needs neck surgery before he plays and is going to miss the start of the season at least. No defiinite time scale given but if its a neck injury, ( suffered in training by the way), it may be a while . Was only discussing with some friends last night about the farce that was Luke Davico tearing his pectorial in a friendly at Salford.....

Are you Dingles still going on about that?. Have you not had anything else (apart from a silverware free off-season) to think about?

A man suffers a serious injury and you describe it as a 'farce'. Ok.

On a serious note, I hope Brett makes a full and speedy recovery. But with injuries to the neck, you can never be too careful

Finch will still be back before Peacock and Danny McGuire, so maybe it's only Finch's was only a venial sin.

Wasn't suffered in training - he missed games for Melbourne with the same injury towards the end of last season IIRC.

Davico was a freak injury, Finch has had a recurrence of an old injury. He's a bit touch and go for the WCC but missing three games isn't catastrophic, he must have passed a medical to come here so I doubt that he's crocked.

I've been assured that he isn't crocked. Anyone who suggests that he is, is mischief-making.

Think a few years ago this could of been a big issue, it's still a loss but with strength in depth we have atm it's easily manageable