byrne made 3 bone crunchers

The more I read it the more bizarre it looks. Skinny making bone crunchers. Who'd have thought it?

was awesome tonight. thought he had killed himself doing it though!!

He was solid enough, as always, but, as always, didn't offer much going forwards. It was noticeable how we struggled to clear our own end, especially early on before Wigan tired, without Tony and Raynor.

It's unfortunate for Byrne, who always gives his all and rarely lets the team down, but I can't see how he'll get a spot in the 17 when all are fit. His versatility might make him worthy of a bench spot, but I'd much rather have four forwards.

we're just about guaranteed to have at least one back out injured at anytime though. Raynor in particular seems to pick up a lot of knocks these days. I think Byrne will still make a lot of appearances this season.

Yeah, that's what it'll have to be really. As cover, he's great, being able to slot in anywhere in the back five and do a solid job. After G Horne's performance at centre tonight though, I think any chance of Byrne getting a spot in the first 13 has gone. Even without Hall, there'd be no way Byrne should be displacing Horne at centre now.

On the night we paid tribute to Arthur Keegan, Bryne made three Keegan like tackles. One knock on apart a very safe selection in the number 1 position.

byrne wa great made 1 mistake i think and looked to be everywhere

His one on one tackling was outstanding and he is strong for his size, 3 try savers at least tonight.

Skinny Byrne was my MOM last night by some way too. That one boo boo aside, his position play was near perfect, safe under the high ball and ran the ball back with gusto. His hit on Goulding was immense. I was in the third row west stand just on the try line and the sound that the impact made me wince let alone being on the receiving end. Think Motu will have his work cut out to get back in the side and rightfully so. An injury might have put Byrne in the starting line but merit will keep him there.

Nice one Todd.

I'm sure he had a reputation back in oz of making these type of tackles i.e putting is body on the line which considering his build isn't what most people would expect.

Good game from him last night, well done Todd.

Byrne was outstanding tonight, and 1 knock on apart i think a real MOM contender.His try saving hit in the SW corner was worth the gate money alone, infact our all round outside defence was awesome and a major step up on last years efforts, early days I know, but take a bow Mr Sharp!!!!

taking nothing away from radders as i thought he deserved MOTM, but im sure Todney will find himself hard done by that he didnt get it too! Very encouraging

He was better than that. He effectively won us the match with his try saver tackles as Wigan broke us more than we broke them. Someone else on here said recently full backs rarely have to make tackles. Hope they were there last night. To say Byrne was 'solid enough' is a massive understatement of his inluence on last night's game. Tony will have to hit the ground running to get his place back - in my opinion Tony should be brought back on to the bench as our utility back initially as I don't see how Byrne can be dropped playing like he did last night. If Tony shows better form then sure he should be in but not automatically back into the starting line up. Also, Yeaman should not be an automatic choice at centre. Didn't play too bad last night but not as well as G Horne. Where was he when Briscoe broke the tackle ? An option on the other shoulder would have resulted in a try. Top centres read the game and support.

Would this be the same Todd Byrne who just a few weeks ago was a 'waste of a quota space' and a primary example of Peter Sharp's poor recruitment?

Just checking.

Correct - the one who wasn't fit to lace Hall's boots, I think.



Seriously, great selection by Agar. With Richards in the team you always need to plan on Wigan putting in loads of high kicks to him and Skinny's performance v Leed showed how well he does this. His defensive display was an unexpected bonus for me.

byrne at full back

tony at centre

Calderwood had roughly the same impact and effect on the game, yet he's received nary a mention. Is it because Byrne's tackles stood out more, with them being a bit more isolated? I don't know, but the amount of praise he's getting is disproportionate to the effect he had on the game. Yes, he made a couple of great tackles on Goulding, but they were no more successful or vital than a number of others made by G Horne and Calderwood in particular.

Good tackle in South west corner, apart from that, .

Jesus....that was one of the best full back perfomances i have seen in ages.....solid under the bomb,his tackling was superb....he was finding the half break as the match went on,ok h bringing the ball back isnt his best bit but at least he has the bugger in his hands and isnt letting it bounce and roll all over the place

I'm sure normal service will soon be resumed

I really don't see how it can have been. Just from last night, there were another two (at least) that equalled, if not bettered, it, coming from Wellens and Riley.

I was tempted to put the same thing on the Cusack thread as well.

Cusack, Byrne, Radford in most people's top 3. Who'd have thought it?

just read that - made me laugh