Joel was the only Wigan forward to do the 80 mins.

Looked just as strong in the last five mins as the first five.

Hansen played well too.

I do wonder how Bailey is going to get into the team.

To drop either Joel or H for him would be a travesty.

Bails may have to wait for injuries to get his place back.

I think your right the only way Phil will get back into the team will be through injury to either of those two.



I'm really looking forward to Joel's battle with Newton on Friday, it's a shame that Galea's missing because it would have been a great test for Joel and Hansen against the best two backrowers in the comp last year.

I didn't realize until Wigan/Leeds Andy pointed it out that it's only really Joel's third full year so maybe his poor form last year was down to second season syndrome.

Or was it Nobles game plan and tactics that Joel didn't really get a grip of, and now that McGuire's come in and realized what he's capable of he's given him a more freer role within the team.

He definitely looks like he's been told he can actually play rugbyleague and use his passing skills. He hardly ever seemed to look for a pass or an offload last year(which has just reminded me of the play semi at Saints).

I would certainly play Pryce at centre or wing or fullback and bring in Gleeson and Senior!

My back 5 would be-



Eastmond

Pryce

Gleeson

Senior(if he plays like last year and would tour)

Hall



surely better then-



Briscoe

Fox

Bridge

Shenton

Hall

Leon or Karl?

Wayne





Or is it Waine?

I would say the same but I can't help but think about how dangerous the Tomkins, Eastmond partnership was. I would hope that Sinfield from hooker could organise the team so those two could just play. Pryce would probably be great at FB. He certainly needs to be in the team. You don't get many QPTB against the aussies but when we do, I want Leon Pryce on the scene.

I'd stick Myler or Brough at the side of Tomkins tbh.



I'm all for giving new players a shot but Smith went abit too far at the end of last year. We were awful in the world cup and it was clear certain players were out of their depth but guys like Gleeson and Senior are still head and shoulders our best centres and should have been selected.



I actually think if a new man selected that back line with the new halfs we have on the scene aswell as our powerhouse pack we can improve on last years Four Nations. I'm not saying we'll win it but we could make the final and give it another good go(but maybe without the late collapse this time).

I hate him but, Sean Long playing like he was on friday, is the perfect partner for Tomkins

I think its just that Madge has give Joel a free role compared to a very defensive one last year as when he played LF when Lockers was injured, he was awesome there roaming across side to side making great runs.

I just can't agree with that sorry.



Firstly I really liked the way Tomkins and Eastmond progressed as a partnership during the four nations. There is massive potential for the two together and if we’re gonna break that partnership up then the new guy has to be of equal talent. Myler most defiantly isn’t of that calibre and neither is Brough sadly. Brough is a decent SL player who I agree offers something different to Eastmond and Sam but what you gain in kicking ability you lose the running threat.



Secondly although Senior was great for Leeds last season replacing Shenton for him would be a step forward in the short term but a massive step back long term. Shenton like Eastmond and Tomkins held his own when they stepped up to the international level and I’m actually quite excited at the prospect of how these three’s careers will progress.



Also if your going to have Hall on the wing (which I agree with as he’s head and shoulders above the rest) then you can’t, imo, have Pryce on the other wing as we’d be majorly exposed for Pace. The one thing Fox matches any other player in the world for is pace. The kid has it in abundance and he’s also got a habit of getting across the try line as well. I just can’t see what Pryce would offer us on the wing? Full back possibly tho?



I do agree with Gleeson over Bridge tho and if he’s keeps playing like he did on Friday he’ll be one of the first backs down on the sheet.