Team to face Scotland : Sun Oct 30, 2016 6:12 pm  

Based on yesterday and the limited options we have with it being a 24 man squad, this is how I would line up on Saturday.

Lomax
Mcgilvary
Watkins
Ratchford
Hall
Widdop
Williams
Hill
Hodgson
Graham
Whitehead
Farrell
S Burgess

Cooper
G Burgess
Bateman
Clark


Although judging by Wayne bennetts pre match interview yesterday Williams won't get a game

Re: Team to face Scotland : Sun Oct 30, 2016 6:23 pm  

He should go with the team that he is likely to pick for Australia.

Personally I'd go

Lomax
McGillvary
Watkins
Percival
Hall
Widdop
Williams
Hill
Hodgson
G.Burgess
Whitehead
Bateman
S.Burgess

Clark
Farrell
Graham
Cooper/T.Burgess

We need to go for points because it's now likely to come down to points difference for us to reach the final (if we can beat Australia that is) so we could do with bettering their winning margin over Scotland.

As mentioned on the other thread I'd start with Graham (or Hill) on the bench so that you don't lose them both from the field at the same time and have at least of them on at all times. When they went off together towards the end of the first half we struggled.

Re: Team to face Scotland : Sun Oct 30, 2016 6:45 pm  

Widdop
McGillvary
Bateman
Percival
Hall
Williams
Gale
Hill
Hodgson
Graham
Whitehead
Farrell
S. Burgess

Clark
Cooper
Taylor
G Burgess.

Re: Team to face Scotland : Sun Oct 30, 2016 9:03 pm  

I dont see any real point in changing for changing sake, Yes the Aussies have said openenly that all their players will get game time, I dont think thats a luxury we have - We need to use the Scotland game to build on combinations, Therefore I see no point in changing the spine now 1,6,7,9,13 They all need time to play togther.

Therefore my changes are thus

Sarginson out - Percival in. I was actualy suprised Percival didnt get the nod to begin with I actually thought he offered alot in the France game - I know it was only france, but still.

Scott Taylor in for One of the Burgess Twins - I would also Start him and put Hill on the bench

Thats it really

Re: Team to face Scotland : Sun Oct 30, 2016 9:14 pm  

Lomax
McGillvary Watkins Percival Hall
Widdop Williams
G Burgess Hodgson Graham
Whitehead Farrell S Burgess

Hill Cooper Taylor Bateman

Percival for Sarginson is a no brainer. It's clear that Sarginson has found his position at fullback.

Williams for Gale. If Gales only responsibility is to hit and hope the odd bomb up from 40 yards out then we may as well put a running threat in the position.

Taylor for Tom Burgess. I wasn't impressed with either of the Burgess twins and we looked weak defensively around the middle when they were on so I'd give Taylor a shot for Tom and bench Hill simply because I think him and Graham are superb and we need one of them on the field at all times.

Farrell to start. He's a superb line runner and he has a great link up with Williams. He's fresh as a daisy as well after missing a large chunk of the season.

I had the last bench spot between Clark and Bateman and plumped for Bateman. I don't think we need to spell Hodgson tbh and Clark was very poor defending the middle when he came on. As a Wigan fan I was dissapointed that Bateman didn't play his naturally aggressive game. He was the same in the series against the Kiwis last year and he needs a big game at the weekend. Some will say it's simply him being dominated because he's too small but I think it's a case of him playing in his shell. He needs to get in the opposition faces and niggle them like he loves doing for us.

Re: Team to face Scotland : Sun Oct 30, 2016 9:24 pm  

I agree with Printer that the team that faces Scotland needs to be the one for Australia.

Hopefully not too many changes.

Re: Team to face Scotland : Sun Oct 30, 2016 9:27 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Farrell to start. He's a superb line runner and he has a great link up with Williams. He's fresh as a daisy as well after missing a large chunk of the season.

For those reasons I'd like to start him on the bench. Come on after 30 mins or so, fresh against tiring bodies as they reach HT.

I agree with the leaving one of Hill & Graham on the bench to start with. I know the obvious thing would be to start your two best props from the off but we really have to think about who we are bringing on around that 25/30 mins mark. Got to have 13 out at all times that you have confidence in.....watching Hill and Graham depart around the same time vs the Aussies and I'd be really worried about things going wrong either side of HT.

Re: Team to face Scotland : Sun Oct 30, 2016 11:56 pm  

I don't think you can have both Farrell and Bateman as forwards. You can get away with one, but as a pair they're too small IMO.

Re: Team to face Scotland : Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:30 am  

George Burgess - not copped near as much flak as the other two. He was woeful and has been all year. At least you could tell Sam and Tom were trying.

I would drop Sarginson, Widdop, George Burgess. I'd give the benefit of the doubt to Lomax and Whitehead.

In - Percival, Williams, Farrell or Taylor.

Re: Team to face Scotland : Mon Oct 31, 2016 8:37 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

I don't think you can have both Farrell and Bateman as forwards. You can get away with one, but as a pair they're too small IMO.

I wouldn't have either, they are way too small to have any impact. Bateman did nothing v NZ, I would go for a big pack v Australia with 3 monsters on the bench in Taylor and the twins.