If there was a secret plot, they wouldn't have scheduled your game for Sunday (opportunity for players to back up) and Wire/Saints/Huddersfield for Friday (no opportunity for players to back up).

If anything, that weekend is a boost to your chances.

Those were exactly my thoughts, and Maguire was heavily involved in the preparation of the Melbourne players in both test match and SOO rugby.

That's because it's at Wakefield and Sunday is the normal Wakey home game day. You must wonder about Saints though as they would surely have had the opportunity (still may) to switch the game to Sunday.

Warringtons game is the Friday t.v. game otherwise they would have played on Sunday (their normal day)

I know the reasons for it fella, just saying the talk of conspiracies against Wigan are loony.

Good squad, but Coley should have got a go

I think he has only named a maximum of three from each team. Although I would also have Harrison before Westwood and Lynch before Scruton. Its a very strong pack, shame about the three quarters.
I would go with;
Widdop
Briscoe
Bridge
Shenton
Hall
Sam T
Kyle
Graham
Roby
Mozza
Ellis
Burgess
Lockers
McGuire
Joel
Peacock
Sinfield

Again we are weak from 1 - 5 with no back up. Crabtree was one of our best performers in last year's 4 nations. We look to be short of hookers. Otherwise as expected.

What's the news on Eastmond's injury? He was due for a scan on his ankle today I think.

That must mean us Leeds do then?

Not if you look at the stats.

Scruton has made 3 times the amount of tackle busts than Coley. Everywhere else they look quite similar.

As for Peacock he's played 4 fewer games than Coley and still made more metres.

Stats only tell half the story and if they are taken from the Engage Sl site I would say they are less than accurate at best.

Can't see anything else that's impartial out there. You've obviously seen a lot of Coley and he's played well. Likewise me with Scruton. I'd say Scruton has improved by miles on last years showing and is a really aggressive and destructive runner now.

He deserves a chance IMO.

I'm glad Joel's in the squad


He's been outstanding this season and should be playing in 4 Nations if he carries on.

I could quote stats but there's no point. Peacock and Graham's stats over Coley's. However I thought Coley and Scruton's stats maybe a little closer, but no, Scruton again [ilooks [/i like the better player at the moment on paper.

TBH honest if there's one prop who should consider himself very unlucky not to be in its Andy Lynch. I also think Crabtree is unlucky to miss out. Coley is way down the pecking order.

Thats the rule yeah. Whether your clubs takes up that option is up to them.

Don't Lynch's stats tower over Scrutons though? I would check but I cba, but he's impressed me more out of the two when I've seen them played this season, but obviously you've seen more than me.

Would you have picked Lynch or Scruton?

Well we must have some outstanding backs to be in a position 4 points clear at the top of the league, to have no quality up front.

Its a well know fact that good teams do not need a platform laying by their Props..........oh hang on.......

I agree.

Lynch is carrying a knee injury. If he continues with his form though he'll be in the squad at the end of the year.

This for me too, haven't really seen much of Widdop, is he any good? I think the right squad has been picked except I'd have had Crabtree instead of Scruton because he proved he can take on the best when he played in the four nations.

It's more to do with how poor our fullback options are.
Wellens, Briscoe, Mathers etc.

That's true, Shaun Briscoe's had a stinker every time I've seen him this season, Smith and Pryce would be out of position, Wellens is past it and the less said about Mathers, the better.

Just watched a highlights video of Widdop from last season and he looks pretty handy with his support game and playkicking, made a couple of good one and one tackles too. I wonder if we have our eye on him? Not likely to get many games at Melbourne with Slater in front of him but here there is a spot waiting for him, he'd be with his old assistant coach, probably on better money than he was in Aus and Melbourne are presumably looking to offload some players to stay under the cap this year.

yeah just saw that, a lot of toyota cup highlights but he didn't look bad. Would like to see him in a full game but with Slater ahead of him there isn't much chance of that. Good for him, nice to see an Englishman impressing over in Aus, and there isn't anywhere better for him to learn and grow than with the Storm

Scan is tomorrow.