I personally don’t get the clamour to move Liam Byrne on. I think he is doing a solid job and went well on the weekend.

His development hasn’t moved on as much as I expected this year but let’s not forget he is still very young in Prop terms and also had a vastly reduced off season due to his involvement in the World Cup.

If we were to let him go at this stage I’m certain we would come to regret it in a couple of seasons time.

KPP talked about how his lack of preseason because of the World Cup really affected his form, and his 8 week injury allowed him to get into really good shape.

As Jonh says it could be the same for Byrne.

If we let him go pretty much every super league team would be after him given the lack of English props going.

Keep him and keep developing him IMO. He’s going to be at least our 4th prop next year so not under as much pressure.

I went watching the TAG rugby after the Leigh game, some of the squad players were doing some training with Leuluai on the track, Hill was there and he looks a similar build to Partington, I wouldn't be moving Byrne on in the hope that Hill breaks through next season.

Completely agree with this. It would be foolish to let Byrne go, especially after the season he had last year. I've been really disappointed with his performances this year but it doesn't mean I'd get rid. He's only 23/24 so still plenty time to turn it around. If he doesn't kick on next year then maybe a move away maybe the best for him but we'll see.
He's had a lot of pressure on his shoulders this season due to Cooper being injured alongside Havard and Ellis dropping in and out of the side. A full preseason and playing in a better pack next year will help him massively.

The penalty when he gave Hardaker a slap on the head?
Think he retaliated to Hardaker grabbing his b@lls or, at least, giving them a sneaky flick.

Still not good enough.

Absolutely correct. He won't be costing the earth and he's having his first real blip, in a young career, playing in possibly the toughest position on the field for younger players. If you're going to bring young prop forwards through and support them through the ups and downs, around the ages of 20-24, you then want to reap the benefits of them coming in to their prime. The only thing Byrne should not be IMO is a guaranteed starter but his place in the squad should be safe. The squad hasn't been strong enough to push him for his place but it should be going forward and he will need to produce the goods to get a place in the 17.

with the whistle.

What's not good enough is that any type of biff has been taken out of the game. Wigan Vs Leigh, there should be some tension and rough play.

It’s not good enough because it was extremely unprofessional and lead to a try.

As captain he needed to do better in that situation.

This isn’t park rugby on a Saturday afternoon in front of 20 blokes and a couple of dogs.

This is the elite level of the sport and he broke the rules of the game (regardless of what yours or my personal feelings are about them) in a blatant way, even worse it was late in the tackle count I believe.

Luckily it is an isolated incident and seems very out of character for a usually very level headed player.

Way too early to be talking about letting him go. He just needs taking out of the firing line for a couple of weeks to recharge and I reckon we'll start seeing the best of him. We've been saying how we've been suffering for having had too much disruption to the pack this season; well he's probably suffered more than most as he's been one of the few constants. Put him in with Havard, Ellis and Dupree after a bit of a rest and I'm sure he'll come good.

He’s much bigger than Oli.

Because he gave a senseless penalty away which resulted in us conceding a try. I’m all for a bit of biff but the laws no longer allow it.

Spot on Jon. There is no chance of Liam moving on, Rads rates him highly. If Byrne can recreate his form from last season he his a significant asset.

I see Byrnes the new "insert many names from the past" scapegoat

That other thread should have been titled "Do the fans need a Reality check"?

Byrne to be rested on Friday according to Peet today. He’s said he’s been playing with pain killing injections for weeks now. When people talk about binning him off, the full picture is always needed before going to extremes like that.

I see the wagons are circling around other opinions again on here. Byrne is an experienced prop now, not some rookie like Hill or Nsemba. He’s not been upto the job this year and week after week has been part of veiled criticism from Peet about the lack of intensity from our starting front row. I’m glad he’s being given some time out to recover from injuries he’s been supposedly carrying but then that brings us round to Peet’s use of the squad and trust in players. Can you blame people for being annoyed with Byrne’s efforts in defence last week?

He’s been a good prop for us for a few seasons now but hasn’t been given the correct support around him, so it’s not been easy. He’s had the first real dip in form I’ve seen from him recently and it’s now come to light he’s been playing injured.

You question Peet for not trusting others but who could he realistically pick? Hill and Nsemba have been in plenty of 17’s together, so could he go one further than that and put Makin in? He’d have been crucified for that by some. I get he didn’t bring Hill on in the semi and that was an error IMO but it just looks a simple case of a guy playing injured because he’s had to, struggling for form and then getting pelters without us knowing the full picture. Questioning his form is fine, I’ve done it myself but questioning his future at the club was a step too far I believe.

Quote ="NickyKiss"He’s been a good prop for us for a few seasons now but hasn’t been given the correct support around him, so it’s not been easy. He’s had the first real dip in form I’ve seen from him recently and it’s now come to light he’s been playing injured. You question Peet for not trusting others but who could he realistically pick? Hill and Nsemba have been in plenty of 17’s together, so could he go one further than that and put Makin in? He’d have been crucified for that by some. I get he didn’t bring Hill on in the semi and that was an error IMO but it just looks a simple case of a guy playing injured because he’s had to, struggling for form and then getting pelters without us knowing the full picture. Questioning his form is fine, I’ve done it myself but questioning his future at the club was a step too far I believe.'" This might explain it https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wi ... tty-busted

Quote ="NickyKiss"He’s been a good prop for us for a few seasons now but hasn’t been given the correct support around him, so it’s not been easy. He’s had the first real dip in form I’ve seen from him recently and it’s now come to light he’s been playing injured. You question Peet for not trusting others but who could he realistically pick? Hill and Nsemba have been in plenty of 17’s together, so could he go one further than that and put Makin in? He’d have been crucified for that by some. I get he didn’t bring Hill on in the semi and that was an error IMO but it just looks a simple case of a guy playing injured because he’s had to, struggling for form and then getting pelters without us knowing the full picture. Questioning his form is fine, I’ve done it myself but questioning his future at the club was a step too far I believe.'" This might explain it https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wi ... tty-busted

Quote ="Zig"This might explain it https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wi ... tty-busted'" Pretty much word for word as many of us have said on this very thread. Maybe we fans do know something after all!

Quote ="Zig"This might explain it https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wi ... tty-busted'" Pretty much word for word as many of us have said on this very thread. Maybe we fans do know something after all!

Quote ="Zig"This might explain it https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wi ... tty-busted'" KR are bringing in 3 loan players for next 2 weeks, basically a certain indication they will be playing a heavily rotated squad this week ahead of the final, so great opportunity to rest anyone that is carrying a knock.

Quote ="Zig"This might explain it https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wi ... tty-busted'" KR are bringing in 3 loan players for next 2 weeks, basically a certain indication they will be playing a heavily rotated squad this week ahead of the final, so great opportunity to rest anyone that is carrying a knock.

If we’re giving Eckersley a shot, now would seem the time. We need to win the majority of our games, so there won’t be many opportunities after this.

I’d agree with that sentiment to an extent but on the other hand if he’s putting his hand up to play he must be up to standard which he just hasn’t been. Playing with painkilling injections must be tough and I tip my hat to him but equally he should be honest and say he can’t do it and needs a rest. On top of that Peet should have made that call so for me both are at fault here.

I sincerely hope he does prove me and others wrong. I’d have no qualms about admitting that either if he did.

Realistically I guess players are playing busted most of the time, especially in the pack but I do think this news probably gives us an insight in to why he’s not looked himself. He could pull himself out or Peet could’ve done but at times, we’ve had Byrne in the 17 being the only prop most people have faith in. We’ve lost Cooper, we’ve seen Ellis and Havard absent a lot, Mago and Singleton have been poor and then it’s kids and you have to decide what’s more damaging, playing a lad who isn’t fully fit or going with 3 or 4 forwards under the age of 20/21 in your 17 man squad.

Fingers crossed this rest does the trick and we see him back to his best in a few weeks.

I just watched that. Wasn't he good? A real pocket rocket.

Quote ="Zig"This might explain it https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wi ... tty-busted'" Seems crazy admitting picking players who are 'pretty busted'. Very odd. Even more so when you make them play longer minutes in a semi-final whilst another capable player sits on the bench for 80 minutes.

Quote ="Zig"This might explain it https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wi ... tty-busted'" Seems crazy admitting picking players who are 'pretty busted'. Very odd. Even more so when you make them play longer minutes in a semi-final whilst another capable player sits on the bench for 80 minutes.