Forgot the WCC, how bright is the future for Wigan with the depth we have?

Great to see the likes of Powell, Williams, Hampshire, Burgess, Manfredi, Bateman, Tomkins etc. getting this opportunity to play down under, they will be better players for it, and they were all superb.

And then there is Taylor, Sarginson, Charnley, Dudson, Gelling, Goulding, McIlorum, Farrell etc. who are all early to mid 20's.

I thought our younger players really stood out against the Warriors, Powell in particular has stuck his hand up for a place in the team next week along with Bateman.

Long may the production line continue.

And for me this is why we will be at the top for the next few years. Our strength in depth. For them lads to travel to the other side of the world and to put in a 2nd half performance like that just shows why Waney took 27 players with him.

I think for next week Bateman deserves a shot over Clubb, Hughes should also play in the back row and Powell definitely gets the 4th interchange.

A major + for the first half as well I thought was Sarginsons performance, he looks like a quality acquisition.

I have a smile on my face this morning!

My line up for next week

1. Bowen 2. Charnley 3. Goulding 4. Sarginson 5. Burgess 6. Green 7. Smith 8. Taylor 9. McIlorum 10. Dudson 11. Hughes 12. Farrell 13. O'Loughlin SUBS 14. Flower 15. Pettybourne 16. Bateman 17. Powell

Just add a sprinkling of reality to the situation, NZ Warriors rested most of their top players for the 9's this weekend.

I agree you have lots of good youngsters coming through, but let's not get carried away with regards to what they have done today.

They arrived in NZ just over 48 hrs ago, had 1 training session on grass, adapted to the NRL rules and the 2nd half dominated the game, that was a young wigan side in the 2nd half facing off against a young NZ side, not a bad effort and I am sure we will improve massively ahead of next Saturday.

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Agreed, and I still fear for us next weekend. However we are constantly told that the strength in depth is infinitely better in the NRL, and it's nice to readdress that a little.

I'm not knocking them mate, don't get me wrong. It's just that people are talking as though they have gone over and beat a full strength NRL side.

And the rule changes really aren't that different.

You are though, because that's the only thing you do. Sooner you're banned, the better

=#FF0000Cut out the personal insults please. Moderator.

Did you watch the game?
It's the interpretation and having two refs that make it harder to adapt to.

The future does look bright, Burgess and Hampshire excite me most, they are perfect replacements for Sam and Pat and they really link up well together. Very proud of that second half performance can't wait to watch the highlights after work.


Ps: Does the giraffe not have a life outside this forum? Every time I come on here he has more posts on each thread than anybody and it's always negative. How do you mute someone on an iPhone on this forum??

Did you see the game? What did you think about the Wigan team in the 2nd half? Very young and played exceptionally well don't you think?

Th Warriors had a first team pack out, Wigan had every youngster and his dog playing in that second half and completely destroyed them 5 tries to nil, why shouldn't we get carried away, don't forget our lads have not even had chance to acclimatise that's usually the main factor above all that effects us when British teams play in hot weather, but not today don't get me wrong you could probably fill a bath with a the sweat the lads spilt but you go and concentrate on your game with Wire while we concentrate on bigger and better things.

That would be my team also, though I would start Flower. We need to get in their faces early on and have the aggression that players like McIlorum and Flower bring. After today Dudson is probably slightly edging it over Crosby but I'd have no issue if Crosby was selected.

Banned for what? Giving an opinion?

People are once again jumping on everything I say without actually thinking it through. I am not knocking the lads or the performance. You have some fantastic young players, Hampshire in particular is very very good.

All I am saying is that people should remember that NZ didn't play any of their 9's squad so some of the comments about the achievements this morning are slightly OTT.

How can you give an opinion on the game if you didn't see it?

In respect of that, what makes you think your views should carry any weight at all?

Why post them unless what you're really here for is to subtly try and cause trouble?

for christ sake, i have put the stretched custard neck on ignore to avoid seeing his mad ramblings.....please stop quoting his drivel.....lol

Believe me, I am not trying to cause trouble. I am trying to engage in conversation but because I am a Saints fan, people don't like it.

I can guarantee that if a Wigan fan came on here and said "come on lads, let's not get carried away, NZ had half a team out," then nobody would bat an eyelid. It's ridiculous.

And I haven't giving an opinion on the game or your performance, I am simply reminding people that it was a much weakened side they played against, there's no harm in that mate.

Well I watched the game and I was delighted with that second half from our youngsters. That was a masterclass at times. Don't really care who was out on the field for NZ by then, for our lads to go to New Zealand and do that on Live TV in NZ and Australia was fantastic to watch. Judging off twitter, those kids are delighted with that experience and good on em!

I agree it was the younger squad members who really shone today. Powell was impressive and I thought Jack Hughes had a cracker. Bateman made a real difference in 2nd half too. Burgess may have got 4 tries but I thought Manfredi's try was the best of the match. Future is bright if we can keep the current crop of young lads together.next week I'd go:
Bowen, Charnley, Goulding, Sarginson, Burgess, Green, Smith, Taylor, McIllorum, Flower, Hughes (or Bateman if Wane wants to use him), Farrell & O'Loughlin. Subs Powell, Crosby, Pettybourne & Dudson.

From Friday and on today's showing, Clubb has to improve a lot to get in above Bateman or Hughes.

Hampshire has to be very very close to pushing Bowen surely?

Not yet YG. Bowen knows the Roosters inside out and has all the experience in the world. Hampshires time will come and it'll be worth waiting for!

I agree with that last bit definitely, he looks class. I am only asking as Bowen has been below par in the 3 games he has played so far. Not sure how he was named MOM against Huddersfield!

So on the basis of two games, one of which you didn't even watch, you're trying to push the case for Bowen being a bad buy?

Even by your standards, this is a pretty transparent agenda.

I guess when your own team isn't there you feel the need to comment on those that are. Even a team full of our own kids has to be brought down by saying NZ played their kids. I doubt NZ lost have a team last year like we habe, so in essence we put out a team of similar experience. Except their younger/reserve players play a better standard than SL players do.