Good to see Junior back https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/03/ ... london-r4/

Good to see Junior back https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/03/ ... london-r4/

Great to see Nsemba back. If he's ready to go, I'd consider a bench spot I think. In terms of the side, I think we need to try and strike a balance between being totally respectful and trying to give a couple of opportunities out (which will allow a couple of players to rest up).

I'd probably go something like-

Field
Miski Keighran Wardle Eckersley
Hampshire Smith
Dupree O'Neill Thompson
Isa Farrell Chan

Subs
Mago Hill Nsemba Forber


Looking forward to it.

Field
Miski
Keighran
Eckersley
Douglas
Hampshire
Farrimond
Dupree
O'neill
Thompson
Isa
Farrell
Ellis

Forber
Hill
Nsemba
Mago

I think i would be open to Chan taking a starting second row spot if we felt either Isa or Farrell would benefit from the week off, i do feel a bit harsh leaving him off as i don't think he did anything particularly wrong last time out and games are going to be hard for him to come by as it is.

I think we'll see Farrimond on Saturday.

All depends on who Peet feels might benefit from a week off really - Liam Marshall is obviously one but it wouldn't surprise me if there were a couple of others. Can't imagine London having a chance if the attitude is right but Peet can't be blamed if he rotates key players and something does go wrong - any 17 out of that 21 should be more than good enough to get the win.

Fully agree. Some people will always say to play your first choice team but it's not only about resting players when you leave guys out, it's about keeping everyone happy and getting them some chances. You look at Hampshire and Eckersley and one played a couple of games and the other not at all. In the case of Hampshire he could've walked and I'm confident he would've got a starting shirt elsewhere (be that lower superleague or high up in the Championship) and Eckersley has been playing well out on loan, was seemingly promised a chance last year and then for one reason or another, he didn't get it.

Those two as a minimum should get the chance this week IMO and if we lose the game, it won't be because there wasn't enough talent on the field and will all be on the attitude not being right on the day. FWIW, I think we will rest a few and we'll be fine and will win the game by 18+ points.

Imagine junior will start on bench hopefully to replace one of isa or faz

I hope he does get the nod, looks robust enough despite his age and build.

Should we pick up a knock in the halves that will see someone out for a few weeks then Rocky steps in, but in a 1 off game with squad rotation the experience Farrimond will get will benefit the club more than giving Rocky the start.

I see the logic in that, but if it's a toss up between the two I'd still start Hampshire. Partially because like you say, he's the next cab off the rank if we pick up an injury and he's probably needs first team rugby than anyone else in the squad. But he's also had to be so patient for his chance to play, it'd be a real kick in the teeth for him to get overlooked for Farrimond now.

Hopefully we'll get a kind draw in the Challenge cup and they'll both get game time before Easter.

Due to the restricted minutes French/Field/Smith need to drop out from games and London is the first ideal opportunity. Not sure if Peet will gamble with a Hampshire/Farrimond partnership on Saturday but I’m certain at least one of them will get a starting slot. I’d be tempted to move French to FB and rest Field and Smith.

That hasn't started yet had it?

Quote ="Jukesays"That hasn't started yet had it?'" Edit Just re-read some articles and one says 2024, the other mentions 2025 for tackle height but doesn't say anything about Time limits implementation date. Edit edit https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ex ... -from-2024 Looks like 2024, but also there's far more flexibility and common sense than I first thought

Quote ="Jukesays"That hasn't started yet had it?'" Edit Just re-read some articles and one says 2024, the other mentions 2025 for tackle height but doesn't say anything about Time limits implementation date. Edit edit https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ex ... -from-2024 Looks like 2024, but also there's far more flexibility and common sense than I first thought

Looking at that article I think the normal injury/rests will cover most of that, particularly with the concussion protocols now in place. Forwards have less games but are generally out injured more. Young players have less games but are generally used sparingly anyway. Seems a quite sensible implementation to be fair. Not something we can often say where the RFL is involved

If we are successful in all competitions then we could play up to 34 games so for all the backs who normally play the full 80 minutes unless there are injuries they will have to be rested for 4 games or potentially carryover a game if we make the GF. Obviously I’m hoping for no injuries but but with a bit of luck it’s feasible that the likes of Smith, Field and French would have to “miss” 3 or 4 games unless we start “spelling” them. Effectively the players who the crowds want to see won’t be available unless they are injured, once every 10 games.
Farrell virtually always plays the full 80 minutes so barring injuries/suspensions he could have to “miss” up to 9 games which could be over a quarter of the season. Obviously when Walters and Nsemba are fully fit one of them can spell Farrell and possibly Isa but effectively Farrell an 80 minute regular will only play for 75% of game time unless he’s injured or suspended. That will have a major impact on us.

As per the other changes my worry is that if there are no reductions in head injuries then the natural next step would be to reduce the maximum minutes per season. Could be a very slippery slope.

I see what you're saying Itchy but I think most forwards are rested/injured during the season anyway, particularly in the front row but Nsemba has already missed 3 games, Walters will have missed all his by the time he comes back, ditto Harvard, Byrne will have missed at least 2 and Leeming around 3 so most of those have already served their time, so to speak. Most front rowers only play half a game in terms of minutes anyway which won't get close to the maximum minutes and Isa will be spelled in the natural scheme of things. As you say, it may impact Farrell if we get to both finals but resting him would be no bad thing imo anyway to maximise his longevity and, we would need to do that anyway to give everyone sufficient game time.

Backs are a slightly different subject as they play more minutes per game and, generally speaking, suffer less injuries. That said, pretty much all of our back line have suffered time out to some degree during most seasons so it may be more a case of a little extra on top rather than thinking they would need to miss all the games due to the protocols. In addition, all of Hampshire, Farrimond, Eckersley and Jacobs would be expecting game time this year so you could argue it fits in well with the requirements of our current squad.

If they are now starting to count minutes then it's the perfect opportunity to drop the golden point farce. If it's a draw at full time, then it's a draw.

A great point.

I think the RFL's motivation is to be seen to be doing something to protect player welfare if/when the lawyers come knocking again.we have taken reasonable measures and have a process in place. Not saying this is perfect but good to see them making a start.

I wonder if we will see bigger benches - say a panel of 6/7 with the same number of interchanges, just a thought?

As for reducing the minutes, surely we all accept that SL would be better with fewer games? But of course, that's turkeys voting for Xmas for the clubs.

I wouldn't want us to be going too far in the direction of rugby union there!

Quite a few changes might back fire but in Peet we trust

A few more changes than I expected but not totally surprising. On reflection giving Ellis a rest is understandable considering his minutes so far this season.
A very young bench.
Hope all the young guys go well.

You'd hope that line up would be good enough to see off London, looking like a tough game next week so it's understandable to give a few bodies the week off.

Not very often you see your 6, 7 & 13 all being rested in the same game. Very inexperienced bench too

I guess this is what a squad is for.

One too many changes for me.

I’d have played Smith with Rocky or French with Jack.

Hope it pays off though

I don't see this as a very big risk, plenty of experience still in that team just shows how good our depth is!

Hampshire has plenty of experience as a super league halfback and him and Farrimond look very comfortable playing together from what i have seen so it is a good move from Peet.

Great to see nsemba back and chan getting more time. Looking forward to this one now which is not something i would have said a couple of weeks ago!