www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... -1-6103548

www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... -1-6103548

I saw a quote yesterday about Wane having to tell players they have lost their place if he returned, maybe it was the way it was worded but it came across as he would be playing.

I think he will play and the team are training this week thinking he will play according to Smith

And I've just quoted you, its hardly compelling evidence.....

I didnt say I had any.

Its ok to post an opinion but you dont have to back it up with your interpretation of an unidentifiable quote, imagine if we all did that... wait a minute....

Be reet.

Just for you heres the bit I read you moaning git.


"To go and tell some boys who have busted their socks off all year that they've missed out is one of the hardest parts of the job that some people probably don't understand," he said.

"But it's got to be done."

[urlhttp://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12040/8950365/wigan-coach-shaun-wane-hopes-sean-oloughlin-will-be-fit-for-final[/url
Waterhouse missed last week's semi-final win over Huddersfield with a knee injury, and Smith will face a selection dilemma over who to leave out if the second-rower returns at Old Trafford.
"To go and tell some boys who have busted their socks off all year that they've missed out is one of the hardest parts of the job that some people probably don't understand," he said.
"But it's got to be done."
[urlhttp://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/wolves-coach-smith-expects-oloughlin-6118565[/url
Smith is relishing the selection dilemma but admits it will mean heartbreak for one of his players.
“To go and tell some boys who have busted their socks off all year that they’ve missed out is one of the hardest parts of the job that some people probably don’t understand,” he said.
“But it’s got to be done.”

Funny but both those links suggest Tony Smith said it. Perhaps he is picking the Wigan team for Saturday?

Not a clue it was something about him and that quote was under it, as I said "could of been the way it was worded" not really sure why you are still going on about it....

Had to miss the game yesterday due to a wedding. How did Lockers play and was there any reaction to his (hopefully fully healed) achilles injury?

He looked sore later on in the game but they interviewed him afterwards and he said the hardest bit was match fitness and the injury was fine in the game

LAst 2 games challeng cup winal win and grand final win

Glory hunter that Lockers, just turning up for the finals! Ha.

What an effort by the guy. I said in the week that if anybody could come back and play after playing 1 game in 2 months then Lockers could. He looked to be blowing 2nd half but there aren't many players who could do 50-60 mins at that intensity.

Hope he's ok for England

I bet he is a bit sore and stiff this morning, the Physio will have to rub him down with a wire brush.
It was a tremendous effort to do the first 50 min and then return for the last 10 min (times are only approx.)

Well done Lockers for making the final. The run out will be useful for England.

The best thing for me about the last few weeks has been that SW has built a team that can cope with players missing.
Of our 2 highest profile players; that team today would have won with Flower at loose instead of Lockers; and Sam has not had the influence on the CCF and the play-offs that he did early season.
SW has built a genuine team. Its been great that the play-offs have produced 3 magnificent performances with no specific stand-out players, take your pick from Flower, Micky, Green, Smith, Charnley, Hansen, Farrell, Hansen ...

Wane's decision to play him almost backfired - match fitness was way off...

He put in a solid first stint, nothing flashy, just the hard yards and great defence, lead from the front as usual. Had a rest, then came back on with more of the same and setup a try. He was blowing hard at one point and had a rest. Add the leadership and confidence he gives the rest of the squad to the hard work, it was a calculated decision that paid off perfectly, to say it almost backfired is way off the mark, IMO.

might have been way off but his pass for Richards try was a cracker

IMO it isn't. The game was pretty much won when he put Richards in. He was also culpable in defence for one of Wire's tries... If Ratchford hadn't gone off I think we'd be here questioning SW's decision. IMO...

Due to Lockers playing we had 4 props going into supposedly the best set of props in SL. Flower, Crosby, Taylor and Mossop tore them to shreds. Lockers on 1 leg is better than most players on 2 and for someone to comment it almost backfired is a joke.

It worked perfectly. We would have been weaker with the props if Flower had to go to Loose forward.

If players being culpable for a try is backfiring, 3 or 4 players a game on average from each side shouldn't be picked.

It didn't nearly backfire in the slightest. He was his usual self but probably managed about 15 mins fewer then he normally would.

If we lose that game its not because Lockers is out on the field. That would have been a very lazy excuse.

I've got to disagree with this mate.

Purely for his presence and leadership it was worth him being there, add to the fact i thought he did remarkably well considering he's played 1 game in months before this , and that makes it a great decision from Wane.

We were so much more secure defensively with him in the team. Not just for the tackles he puts in, but for how he directs the other players around him. He is a monster, and should get far more recognition for the player he is.

When Pat was lining up the conversion of his try Lockers was busy organising the troops ready for the inevitable Wire short kick-off from which we won the ball back.