I think the second half showed what difference a “big man” impact sub can make.

BMM made a massive impact on the game and wrestled control and momentum back for Wire and Philbin was amazing.

They were able to expose our lack of size in the middle, however next season that looks to be a different story.

I would imagine the stats will show that they made more post-contact metres than we did, but ATEOD we stopped them playing, Goal-line defence was much better organised than last week too. Considering we also kept them out with twelve men (did anyone else think the sin-binning a bit harsh? Looked a pen to me, no more? I wondered at the game if it was for dissent, but seeing the highlights back, apparently not), which was no small feat.

Also, other than that, I thought our discipline much better. We hit them hard, but legally, and didn't give them too many easy outs.

From the very little I’ve seen I think full back will be his best position but I wouldn’t be dropping or moving Hardaker. I’d be inclined to give him a go at #6.

It’ll be interesting to see where he will play for sure. They just need to do what’s best for the team and if they think that’s moving Hardaker to centre and putting French in at fullback then so be it.

I know one thing, a backline containing French, Hardaker, Gildart, Hastings and a couple from Marshall, Burgess, Manfredi etc is going to be a joy to watch.

I've been pleased with Hardaker at full back, it's his best position and is very strong at the back. Takes a high ball with ease and gives you a settled feeling in defence.

With French who has experience in the halves (it's not like chucking Burgess or Marshall in at 6) I think I'd start off with him there....partnering Hastings, its a mouthwatering prospect.

You’re right with Hardaker giving you a real feeling of safety but maybe sometimes you have to take an attacking option and you get the sense French would be electric sniffing around from fullback. I do wonder how much stand off French has actually played. I heard comments he’d been playing there in reserve grade in Australia but I had a look at the Facebook page of the side he played for (Wentworthville) and he started at fullback for at least the last month or two.

We’ll find an order anyway and whatever way we go, I’m expecting carnage. The pace in that 2020 backline will be too much for a lot of teams to handle.

He kind of reminds me of Amos Roberts as I'm sure there was a lot of chat about him potentially being able to play 6.

I don't want to write French off at 6 (I've not even seen him play there), but I'm not being filled with confidence. I think we'll get 12 months out of Hastings and to make the most of it, I hope we're not messing around with an experimental HB partner.

Thats a decent backline, do you think Budgie will become surplus to requirements and end up as a back up player.

BMM, took 3 carries for 17 metres. And made 11 tackles.

Absolute pudding.

Philbin was quality though 18 for 159m, 19 tackles.

With the footwork he possesses, wing is a criminal waste

I like Philbin, looks really difficult to put down and has loads of aggression.

Totally agree on that.

Cracking player.

Tough as teak

French did quite a bit of attacking down the middle last night and was very effective too. His 'no try' break was made that way. I think him running off Hastings, who plays all across the field, will be devastating for us next season. French has already shown he doesn't need much space to operate and if there's one thing we know about Hastings it's that he can create a gap. French will thrive as a running 6. Of that I have little doubt.

Hastings as the play maker 7 with French being played into the gaps will be treat to look forward to.

Hastings just has it all, with the threats outside running off him, French, Gildart, Farrell and Greenwood etc, it gives him more space and if they do focus on him it creates space outside, it's just a win win however you structure your defence against him.

Had a quick look on the Wire site earlier. It’s like Armageddon to the power of ten apart from our pea brained ‘friend’ rubber duckie, who is in denial.

As against Hull we stopped playing in the second half, gave up territory and invited pressure. Hull nearly took advantage, thankfully Wire weren’t good enough to take advantage. Something to work on before it bites us on the backside.

There was no need to carry on going all out in the second half. Sit back, test our defence and soak up pressure. We turned it into an arm wrestle on purpose.

That said, Philbin changed the game for them, he was incredible and miles better than the pudding Chris Hill.

Marshall was outstanding for us (bombed try apart), what a player this kid is, never gives less than 100% even with injuries.

Leuluai was also a class apart, best half on the field. I can’t believe people on here still think Matty Smith is a decent player, championship standard at best.

I'd actually like to see French given a game at FB.

In defence Zak is second to none, reminds me of an 'old school fb' safe as houses under the high ball a great one on one defender and a great last line of defence.

But... I'm going to say something which could provoke debate....i think from watching French in the NRL I think he 'could' be a better attacking fb than Zak.
Linking out wide I'd say he's passing is better and he's show and go with his pace would be frightening for opposition defences.

Id like to see how he'd play in SL in the full back position. Just out of curiosity if nothing else.

I don't want to look beyond this season... So much more could happen for us. But it'd hard not to get excited about Hastings teaming up with our squad.

Then... Thrown in George Burgess.

Yes I do that was a magnificent effort in defense .

Since when did passing the ball away from the ruck become “going all out”?
You can test out your defence in the opposition half as well.

Had to laugh at the BBC headline I just read from last night- ‘Injury hit Warrington lose at Wigan’. They were only missing Charnley, Austin and Hughes from there from there first choice side were they not? I raise that with Burgess, Manfredi, Flower, Bullock and O’Loughlin from ours. It’s always amusing how these things get reported.

It’s not like the BBC to be biased in any way.

But if we had carried on and won by 40/50 it would have closed our points difference right up and given us a chance of overturning their advantage.