Wait and see the guy is class !

Walker pace???? Really? Reckon Paul Wellens would give him a close race, Walkers lacks of pace is a major concern I doubt he is quicker than Myler.

Based on what? 17 games of NRL for 2 clubs in 3 years?

He may well turn out to be a great signing but 2 NRL clubs allowing him to leave within 3 years after never nailing down a position would suggest he hasn’t shown enough class for them to keep him or for him to get into the team on a regular basis.

Lets wait and see

I've seen as much of him as you probably have. He has pace, but not much else. It's also telling that Parra thought that Jordan Rankin was a better option than him.

Walker is quick enough. Don't think pace an issue on his game. We have enough pace. Apart from Grace Saint's are hardly the quickest team around..
Wigan are genuinely a quick side, and will blow alot of grants out of the water. But like every season will come down to timing a run, and getting lucky with injuries.....

I cant say ive ever thought Walker lacks pace.

Same here. He’s certainly not slow

Don't think Walker is 'slow' he's got a running style which doesn't look quick but is, a bit like BJB who hardly looks like he's moving but is very quick. Walkers isn't the quickest fullback like French but he's no slouch and is very evasive.

Funny someone compares him to Wellens, as though that's a bad thing.

I would say Walker is ok on pace , not rapid though , but i must disagree with you on Saints they have plenty of pace

I already have said wait and see

When I've seen Field play I will admit that he is rapid and if he gets into open field then he's going to score more often than not
The question is where will Wigan play him?

He has played at full back, winger and also in the halves and Wigan seem to be very well stocked already for players in those positions

FB: French, Hardaker
Wing: Marshall, Manfredi, Bibby
Halves: Leuluai, Hastings, Smith

Field has some job on his hands just getting into the starting side and especially when everyone is fit and the big games come around.

Think he will play half back with Hastings , Leuluai will probably share hooking roles , but Wigan have no doubt got a great Team and are far and away in a better situation than us at the moment .I think they may well be stronger than Saints this time around .

Agree, think he will play half back with Hastings.

On Wigan generally I think they look good but I wouldn’t get carried away, on squad numbers and general feeling the starting 17 if all fit is below, compared to our starting 17 if all fit.

1 French 1. Walker
2. Manfredi. 2. T Briscoe
3. Hardaker 3. Koni
4. Gildart 4. Newman
5. Marshall 5. Handley
6. Field 6. Lui
7. Hastings 7. Gale
8. G Burgess (if fit). 8. Mik
9. Powell. 9. Leeming
10. Bullock. 10. Tetevano
11. Isa 11. Mellor
12. Farrell 12. Martin
13. Bateman 13. Prior

14. Leuluai 14. Dwyer
15. Smithies 15. C Smith
16. Singleton 16. Holroyd
17. Harvard 17. Thompson/king


On the above I would pick the best 17 as

1. French.
2. Manfredi
3. Koni
4. Newman
5. Handley
6. Hastings
7. Gale
8. Mik
9. Powell
10. Tetevano
11. Martin
12. Farrell
13 Bateman

14. Leuluai/ leeming
15. Prior/Smithies
16. G Burgess if fit
17. Holroyd/bullock/Harvard

I honestly think the bench spots aren’t clear cut.

The area they have a big advantage in is the depth, in particular in the forwards. Key is they bring the youth in and play them and if they are good enough then they fill the squad out well. Our team isn’t miles away, sure others may think I am being generous to Leeds in the above team but I honestly think we have some top quality players. Like every year depends who stays fit and can put the best team out week after week, in particular in key positions.

Comparing the two squads demonstrates how far behind the Rhinos are. That Wigan squad will wipe the floor with Leeds.

Disagree with that. Wigan & Saints are rightful favourites but I expect us to compete hard with them, and at least target home wins in the league. The challenge cup semi was not a fluke, it was a pretty complete performance against a good Wigan side. They are not a million miles ahead.