I think you're being unfair on both counts there.

McGuire was frequently criticised for being a 'biscuit bones' by some members of this forum but he repaid the club's faith in him in fine style last year. JJB has already been mentioned. Watkins struggled a bit with injury early in his career and is in trouble again now. Do you want to get rid of him too? It's unfortunate that there is extra pressure on someone like Ward to be fit right now. His participation in last year's GF suggests he was so frustrated/depressed about missing out that he was willing to play injured if needed - I hope he's not doing that now - hopefully the coaching staff have the foresight to stop him.

I can't comment on the specifics of what happened while at the WCC, but it doesn't sound like Ward disgraced himself either. He strikes me as being a private person who has struggled with his demons in recent years; is it fair to expect all the players to be the life and soul of the party while with fans?

I never said he had to be the life and soul of the party, but when you spend a good whack of hard earned cash, following the club to the other side of the world, a couple of minutes chatting to the fans wouldn’t have harmed would it? Watkins actually came over to our table and thanked us for making the trip, and fetched a few others over for a chat. It’s a good job Eric Perez was in higher spirits, buying everyone a drink!

Judging by the WhatsApp message Hall is starting at left centre with Luke Briscoe on the wing, Dwyer starting at hooker with Parcell on the bench and Sutcliffe in the second row. A glimpse of the future perhaps...?

Ward isn't big enough to play the game in the way he does. He'll continue to get hurt until he scales down on the brawn and uses the brain a little more.

Correct. He should be used as an extra pair of hands at loose.

I suspect McDermott turned him into a crash, bang, wallop backrower, as he’s literally a tackling machine.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t he a very good 6 in his academy days too?

Walker
Briscoe
Handley
Hall
Briscoe
Moon
Myler
Singo
Dwyer
Garbutt
Sutcliffe
Ablett
Cuthbertson

Subs
Oledski
Keinhorst
Crosby
Parcell

Interesting line up tonight! Sutcliffe in the second row will be interesting to see how he goes

Sounds like Dwyer is keen

No wonder we end ip struggling in games, we dont score enough points when on top. All year people have moaned about beaten pack. First half here, pack excellent. But halfs terrible, and backs not good. Handley has been embarrassing so far this first half. We should be 30 up in this game.

We would be further ahead if myler wasnt kicking!

I thought nk youre being harsh, we look better again handley just set parcell up with a great run and offload

Dwyer having a good un and crosby is going ok

I said the pack was excellent. That included Dwyer and Crosby.

Handley did an offload for Parcell not a great run, and it was 8 minutes after I posted.

Widnes are terrible by the way. But I still think our pack have been excellent so far.

I think you’re being harsh on Handley, just set briscoe up with a great tip on

Widnes are dire though but ill take any win at this stage

He did. Which is why in the post you are referring to, I said “so far”, which was correct. Now can he start running and tackling though, hopefully.

Lets see weve got your 30 anyway

I think both Briscoes have been good