Bibby/Hardaker - Centre/Wing : Mon Feb 28, 2022 8:03 pm  

What do people think of Hardaer being played out on the wing? Is he there because Thornley got injured or was the plan to have Bibby there? I can't work it out and was admittedly very surprised when Thornley started against Hull KR. I think Bibby is undroppable. He never let's us down whether he is at centre or out on the wing. What would peoples preferences be? I think Zak will be off back to Yorkshire at the end of the season and kudos to him (so far) for turning his life around here. Field and French will probably be off so big re-shuffle will be happening in the backs next season i would imagine. i will worry about that at the end of the season though because i am really enjoying our season so far but i would like us to try and make a play for Quare-Quare from Cas. If he can build on his lightening pace he will be some player. He seems the type our coaches would do well with and we have an excellent record of honing the skills of wingers.

Re: Bibby/Hardaker - Centre/Wing : Mon Feb 28, 2022 8:43 pm  

Pie_Eyter wrote:

What do people think of Hardaer being played out on the wing? Is he there because Thornley got injured or was the plan to have Bibby there? I can't work it out and was admittedly very surprised when Thornley started against Hull KR. I think Bibby is undroppable. He never let's us down whether he is at centre or out on the wing. What would peoples preferences be? I think Zak will be off back to Yorkshire at the end of the season and kudos to him (so far) for turning his life around here. Field and French will probably be off so big re-shuffle will be happening in the backs next season i would imagine. i will worry about that at the end of the season though because i am really enjoying our season so far but i would like us to try and make a play for Quare-Quare from Cas. If he can build on his lightening pace he will be some player. He seems the type our coaches would do well with and we have an excellent record of honing the skills of wingers.

I was always under the impression Bibby was signed as a replacement for Gildart who we knew would be going and when when we signed him.

I have never really understood some fans criticism of him. I think if he was Australian and signed from the NRL he would be much better thought of.

He’s still very young, is clearly working very hard on and off the field, particularly in the gym and as far as I’m concerned is now cemented as one of our starting centres.

I expect Zak to be in and out if the team this year. If we have a full functioning fit backline he probably sits in the stands.

I think we know it is Zak’s last year, he’s been a good servant at times for the club and I think we will have got him in a reasonable deal because of his baggage. He wants to move closer to home and probably be in a position to collect a superior last contract at Hull or Hull KR who I think will be his next destination.

I think we are doing the right thing using him as a squad player whilst we blood our younger lads who hopefully have more commitment to Wigan longer term.

Re: Bibby/Hardaker - Centre/Wing : Mon Feb 28, 2022 8:59 pm  

I think the main thing that could keep Hardaker in the team at the moment is goal kicking.

Re: Bibby/Hardaker - Centre/Wing : Mon Feb 28, 2022 10:03 pm  

I think Bibby gets some heat for his passing and nobody can deny it’s a weak point of his game but his positives outweigh that for me. He’s defensively very strong and he’s put some size on and is a really powerful ball runner now. I like his character when I hear him in interviews and enjoy seeing him doing well. I know some people would like him on the wing but he worries me under the high ball and I’d keep running with Hardaker at 2 and Bibby at 4 for now.

It’s when French is back that thinks will become really interesting. I’m pretty convinced he’ll be given that right wing spot and then you need to choose 2 from Hardaker, Bibby and KPP for two centre spots. You can throw Thornley in the mix not long after as well. We’ve not mentioned guys like Halsall or Miski yet as well, so the depth is extremely positive and there’s going to be a pretty intense battle for spots.

Re: Bibby/Hardaker - Centre/Wing : Tue Mar 01, 2022 10:49 am  

I’m surprised they haven’t switched, I think Bibby is better on the wing than Zak and Zak is a better centre than Bibby. The only thing I can think is the club see Bibby as our long term centre and want him to grow into that position? It’s looking likely Zak is leaving at the end of the season so they may feel long term it’s more beneficial for the club to play Bibby at centre rather than Zak this season?