Quote moto748="moto748"Nobody has mentioned it,but doesn't Bateman have as much to fear as Powell from any review? He was involved in the tackle too.'" No charge for either of them. www.rugby-league.com/leagues__co ... sciplinary

Quote moto748="moto748"Nobody has mentioned it,but doesn't Bateman have as much to fear as Powell from any review? He was involved in the tackle too.'" No charge for either of them. www.rugby-league.com/leagues__co ... sciplinary

Split halves aren't essential, or, at least, don't have to be that rigid. I am watching Wests Tigers, and they have Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall with the freedom of the park. Brooks is clearly the 'senior' half, but both have a good running and kicking game. Between them, they have either assisted and scored themselves just about all West's tries.

After watching the womens’ game, I’d be tempted to play Sarah Harrison at #7 and Becky Greenfield at #1 ...

Don't change a winning team.

They were both great, weren't they?

The last tackle plays are the main area of concern as you say Itchy. Hull KR, for example, was near perfect and we scored a hatfull of tries. Leeds was almost universally bad and we struggled to score (as did they). Hopefully, as I say, that's down to the Easter period. We'll see on Friday.



Agree regarding the passing too. Powell in particular has been poor over a few games. Not something you want from your 7! Conversely Escare was excellent across the board in the reserve game so, for me, Powell needs to up his game otherwise I can see no justification for not giving Escare and extended run in the halves.



Definitely re: Isa too. Been a revelation so far this season. I put it down to him having a full(ish) team around him as opposed to the injury hit ones of last year. He's not the player to do it on his own in the way Lockers, for example, can. But in a team where he's asked to be the 'grunt' he's more than up to the task. Not unlike the Mick Cassidys etc in the past. All successful teams need players like that. Long may it continue!

That was my thinking, I thought he'd get a match for that tackle.

I reckon Escare will miss out from the 17 now, can't see SW not wanting four forwards on the bench against a team as big as Cas.

I always think Isa is a much better player when he has a decent run in the team,he gets into a groove and does his thing,I like the lad always have done not flashy at all but doesn’t need to be he just fills a Willie Isa type hole in the team and they look the better for it.

Tomkins

Davies

Bateman

Gildart

Burgess

Williams

Escare

Flower

Leaulai

Clubb

Isa

Farrell

SOL



Powell

Sutton

Tomkins

Naverette



Got to be sound defensively against Cas left edge, having Bateman there sures it up imo.

Hiya guys





Should be near perfect conditions tonight so hopefully we will have a great game to watch.



Interesting to see that a lot of you have Bateman in at centre in your own teams.... Is this something Wigan have done already? Would assume he's strong there in defence which, I guess is why you'd maybe have him there against us. Just wondered if he's working on his game as a centre or it'd just be a one off for this game?



I was as surprised as anyone to see him at centre in the world cup. The as much as he's a very good strong second row he didn't really have the passing game to play at centre....



Powell just getting a wrist slap must have given wane a selection headache as I felt you were the better team against Leeds but his decision making cost you a few points

I'm presuming then the weather up north is as nice as it is in the South East? Should be good but I feel the conditions suit Cas more than us.



Bateman has played several times this season at centre. Basically the whole time Sarginson was out and I think Wane has identified your edges as being a real danger and wants to bolster it as much as possible. He still doesn't have the passing game of a centre but I think from what I've heard on the radio and seen he's sort of improved in that regard.

Yes he's been first choice at centre, with Sarginson either omitted or benched. Sarginson had a shocker last week off the bench against Leeds so wouldn't be too surprised to see Bateman start at centre again. He hasn't shown a good passing game at all, just hard graft in both attack and defense.

It's amazing how it off form sarginson is, to be honest. I thought it was a great signing for you guys when he came back but, obviously not, yet.



Yeah I'd assumed that it is more of a defensive move having Bateman there against us which makes sense I guess. As a cas fan it's kinda outweighed by you maybe losing a little of his running at second row in attack.



The last few times we've played you guys he's generally been more of a handful than farrell.



Was really impressed with Isa last week. Probably the best game I've seen him have for you - he generally goes a bit unnoticed, a bit like Matt Cook for us.



Can't really pick a favourite for tonight. We have had a bit of a soft belly this year, just picking points up without being particularly convincing.

I think Bateman has grown into the centre role personally. It may not be his favourite (or best) position, but he looks more at home there now for me.

A shocker?

He dropped one pass, made more metres than either Watkins or Handley and only missed one tackle. He wasn't outstanding but he certainly wasn't poor.

Much better tonight. Far more expansive and trying to play.



Imagine what we could do with an actual 6 & 7?

Oh bugger me, George has turned up, with a try

Credit where it’s due we have played very well tonight. Efficient is the word I’d choose to describe it. It’s evident Budgie has lost a yard of pace though!

Better. Much, much better.



How good was Sam. Such a shame he’s off, after performances like that tonight (and last week)

Got chased down well by Cas defenders on both runs. That pass to Gildart was worth the entry fee alone.



Did anyone see him chucking his muck up after his first run. Half his lunch came out. It’s getting to be a regular thing with him now, is it exhaustion or something else?

True but he seems bigger than when he first came into the team.

Would the skinny flyer Burgess have been able to put Webster into next week ?

His breaks were pure class and as I said on another thread, reminded me of Gary Connolly! I’m sure there’s a great centre in him somewhere!!

Maybe, but we haven't seen it so far. Great win, though.

Sam was MOM for me. Lost pace but a better overall player nowadays. Great reading of the game, Hampo esq under the high ball and added some much in attack. Sad to potentially lose him.



Burgess; starting to show why he's so good, has he lost pace? Hard to tell. Depending on fatigue. You try to spirit your heart out when you're already gassed, it just doesn't happen. RL is so hard, having to sprit with nothing in the tank is practically impossible. But on a positive that hand off was something Greg Inglis would have been proud of!



Left edge is starting to click, right is a big issue. I'd highlight the 7 and right centre as areas to improve. (This is no knock on Bateman, he's no centre being asked to play centre).



This needs addressing.

He has been doing it for years, since his academy days at least. Probably just a quirk of his body.