It's not a case of throwing in an untested halfback at fullback but more us using every opportunity to find Tomkins replacement whilst we can. Hampshire is a talent who could play that modern day fullback role 'eventually'.

I'd give him a shot and line up-

Hampshire
Thornley
Goulding
Hughes
Richards
Green
Smith
Crosby (give Flower a deserved week off)
McIlorum
Taylor
Tuson
Farrell
Burke (give Lockers the extra week)

Subs
Mossop
Dudson
Hansen
Powell

I'd go along with that, the best thing about these injuries we're getting to the forwards is that there's no doubt it'll serve us well in the longer term.

Unless players are injured if leave it be, if players are brought back into the team ie Mossop and Hansen then that's expected. Players like Charnley will want to play every week and will be fine doing so as long as they aren't injured.

Interesting, seems a lot on here are now in favour of resting and rotating players, the exact same thing I was hammered for saying a few months back.

If Wane thinks Mossop and Hansen are fit enough to play this weekend then they should. Give Burke and Tuson a well deserved rest. I'd also play Sam powell at hooker again with Logan on the bench.

Possibly but I think the rotating is more concerned with the younger players who probably would benefit more from being given rests.

Personally I would not play all the returning players (assuming they are) - they will not be match fit and also run a risk of breaking down and leaving the team struggling - better to play one or two and ease them in gradually - less risk that way.

After the Hock debacle it seems Wane is trying to axe the... how best to say it... timber carriers in our squad.

Cue responses of "he's just got a fat face" and "the horrid Widnes away jersey added 10lbs".

Then when Charnley gets injured in the play offs we either have to play 2 players out of position or throw Manfredi in the deep end. In 2011 we came up short because the pack was burned out and in 2012 we threw Murphy, who had played only 1 SL game, into a semi final to deal with Sinfield's kicking. We need to learn from these lessons and rotate the side, under the current system there really is no excuse not to

we really need to give another genuine winger some game time. The forwards have been utilised already through injury and Logan/ Sam powell are getting game time to cover hooker/halves. Its the rest of the 3/4 line we need to give get some alternatives some game time in their correct positions

I hope he doesn't throw Hampshire in. He'll be a top player, but he's not ready for SL yet.

Sam Tomkins
Josh Charnley/Dom Manfredi
Darrell Goulding
Iain Thornley
Pat Richards
Blake Green
Matty Smith
Dom Crosby
Logan Tomkins
Scott Taylor
Jack Hughes
Liam Farrell
Chris Tuson

------------------------------------------
Greg Burke
Sam Powell
Anthony Gelling
Gil Dudson/Tom Spencer

Rest for Lockers, Flower and McIlorum. Give Hansen and Mossop an extra week off if needed - no need to rush them. Reward Crosby, Taylor, Hughes and Tuson for their excellent performances with starting positions. Same for Powell and Tomkins. If Charnley isn't right then play Dom Manfredi. Gelling to be given a crack in the forwards. Possibly more game time for Spencer too but Dudson had a good game against Hull KR.

I'm guessing that Gelling comes cheap, he has shown some raw potential and as we don't look like needing the qouta spot I can't see him moving on until he has been given a fair shot.

Are these guys coming back fit though? We have no reason to go down the route of rushing players back. Let them have all the time out they need.

I don't think we'll see Pat Richards on Sunday.

do we have another goal kicking winger beside Pat and Josh...?????

No.
Matty Smith will probably do the kicking.

If Josh is fit then I would expect Thornley to go to the wing as Pats replacement with Hughes at centre. If not then Gelling (if fit) or Burgess, although he's still doesn't quite look over his injury. The other option would be give Dom Manfredi a game.

I don't follow the argument that we should give Mossop and H another week off if they aren't fit. They'll only get properly fit through playing.
I like the idea of seeing whether Manfredi or Burgess can do a job at this level. It feels like a low risk way of looking at our options.
I would keep the spine the same (save for Lockers), and get Mc off after 30 minutes again if things are going smoothly. You get the same 2 points for beating Wakefield as beating Saints, so the last thing we want to do is make too many changes.

Didnt go Sunday, heard he had a good game?
Did he not look 100%?

He scored a good try, then one from a yard out and should have had another (ref gave a double movement). He just looked that little bit off his normal pace and was bit hesitant, which is unlike him. As you know I think he's a player of great promise and should really be ideally placed to take Pats position in a couple of years.
What he did do well on Sunday was take two or three kicks way above his head Aussie Rules style.

Being 6/3" or 6/4" at 18 years of age and still growing helps!



That's why I wouldn't play him this week (And you know how much I really want this lad to do well) as I think the time needs to be just right with someone so young.
Given the other issues at the moment in terms of injuries etc I would just think if things didn't go well Sunday for the team then it could set him back a bit.

I was hoping given a favourable CC draw that he may get a chance in those types of games?
Or
If league position is gauranteed late on in season and nothing can be gained/lost in certains games then expose them in that enviroment?

No Mossop or Hansen this week according to a piece on the Wigan site. They think Charnley will be ok and it says lockers missed HKR with a back complaint(thought it would have been his ribs) and is touch and go for Wakey.

No point risking anyone. Lockers, Hansen and Mossop to get themselves right for next week then.

Tomkins
Charnley
Goulding
Thornley
Richards? Gelling or Mandredi if he's not playing
Green
Smith
Crosby
McIlorum
Taylor
Hughes
Farrell
Tuson
-----------------------------------------
Burke
Dudson
Powell/Tomkins
Spencer

I think Flower needs a week off and Spencer needs more game time.

The Richards dilemma isn't too serious in that we can probably get a game out of him or at least get the win and then take him off. I wouldn't play anyone who is 'touch and go' though as I've said all season.

Richards will be available to play apparently, says on Wigantoday.net that Richards is arriving back Sunday morning and is expected to play, as one of the conditions of him being allowed to go was that he didn't miss a game!...

www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... extra-mile

www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... extra-mile