Pryce hasn't been an attacking threat since he decided to go to the Dragons and Lomax isn't fast so I don't think he would be much more of an attacking threat from fullback than Wello is especially given his tendency towards panic and his lack of experience. Makinson is looking more like a potential fullback IMO than Lomax. But all that is for the future. What we don't need next week is massive changes. We've had enough of those throughout the regular season. It's far too disruptive.

Pryce is one of the few matchwinners we have. If you're defending Wello on the basis of 'poor form after injury, surely Pryce is allowed the same mitigation. Chiming into the line from FB would allow him to drift in and out rather than carry the organisational responsibility. When he's free to roam, you get the best from him.

Lomax is far more pacy than Wello and certainly elusive. I'd love to see him on a kick return.

Makinson is also an option, but I'm liking him on the wing and I'd prefer to leave him there - safe hands on either flank with the ability to finish. Nice.

I take your point on massive changes. I wouldn't make them. But I would chance my arm a bit, and hopefully catch Wigan a little cold.

Yes Wello is experienced, but so is ray french, would you play him?
Wayne Bennet when asked how he'd kept Brisbane at the top for 20 years "Having the guts to drop your established 30yr old star for your 19yr old future star" Wello's not the best fullback in the league anymore, hes not even in the top 3

Brilliant!

Not really because in his first three outings he made an impact and then he went silent, just passing the ball like Eastmond did. So I don't think his performance has anything to do with recovering from his injury. If he was looking anything like as committed as he was before his injury then I'd be as supportive of him as I am of Wello but he isn't and so I'm not. Just now Pryce isn't an attacking threat at all and so I'd be happy if Simmons dropped him. He's been a big disappointment.


Lomax is strong and he's nippy but he isn't pacey over a stretch. Makinson is. I'd love to see Makinson at fullback but not for these playoffs!


Stick Wheeler in the halves with Gaskell off the bench and interchange them! That would catch them cold. Mind you, it would probably fook us up as well!

Yes. Hilarious.


Whatever you say.

Like I said Royce will not drop either so it's a mute point.

That's why they both make my probable team.

My point was more that once you're set up that way, having Gaskell on the bench is irrelevant. Gaskell is your go to man for kicks and controlling a game. Not for a desperation flash of brilliance to dig us out of a hole.

Eastmond used to be able to do that , but I'm not convinced he's going to be fit. Wheeler is fit for once, so in terms of a bench spot he gets it above Gaskell, as would Eastmond.

Gaskell would be my first choice half back to control the team and the kicking. But Pryce, Lomax, Eastmond and Wheeler are your go to men when the chips are down and the game plan is not working. I just think playing 2 of them as half back ie Pryce, Lomax just offers control to the opposition halfbacks and means you are going to need to dig your self out of a hole.

As for Meli not a question of shifting him to wing.

I've put TP Roby Graham Sia Moore and Wilkin as a starting pack as thats our most aggressive, high impact, threatening pack IMHO. Swapping any of them for flannery, LMS, Clough, Dixon, Ashurst etc, these players bring a reliability but less aggression and impact again IMHO.

If we're talking bout a personal choice I would pick:

1. Kyle Eastomond
2. Tommy Makinson
3. Michael Shenton
4. Francis Meli
5. Jamie Foster

6. Gary Wheeler
7. Jonny Lomax

8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. LMS
11. Sia Soliola
12. Jon Wilkin
13. Leon Pryce

14. Scott Moore
15. Tony Puletua
16. Paul Clough
17. Chris Flannery / Lee Gaskell / Paul Wellens / Carl Forster

That won't happen though.

Eastmond should play. At least then we'll have someone to blame it all on.

Do you remember when he was on the wing at castleford and he gassed the full back on the outside? I reckon he may have more than we think, since we're used to see him jinking in heavy traffic.

Going back to his try against Wakey, Makinson has got serious pace, though. I'd love to see him get more ball in space.
I think if Ade's fit to start next year, we should think about getting him on loan to a (SL) side that will give him a run at centre or fullback to develop him. Meli will probably retire end of next year and that will present a massive oppotunity for Makinson if we've prepared him right.

If wheeler does make the 17 he'll sit on the bench for 72 mins then get eight mins. For them eight mins he'll not tackle or run the ball, that way he won't need a shower

Being serious, it don't matter if he plays or not because we will lose. Our pack will be great and our backs will be crap again.

It seems to be the Aussie way, hence were getting Hohaia. For me Wello needs to be moved out of the fullback slot ASAP, we have options for this season and next.

Me too. Look at the way WIgan have made the most of Tomkins ability to run at stretched defences - We need to do that with the like of Lomax. Hohia could fill the role Lomax has played this year at first and second recever and Gaskell could come in and take the kicking duties and distribution. If Lance's knees give out we've got Wheeler to step into the halves[size, if fit.[/size


It's the way forward