That was easy. But seriously, Wellens isn't and has never been very good when compared to the best fullbacks. That he's generally been the best available to us since Radlinski (who wasn't much good himself) says it all about the quality of fullbacks we produce.

Saying Wellens was NEVER good made you look stupid. Saying Radlinski wasn't good confirmed it.

Wellens was easily the best player on Sunday

Wellens is a player who performs above his station and has done for a decade. People constantly criticise his lack of pace, but at 30 he's still winning games for Saints. His defense against Wigan was sensational, taking everything they threw at him and dumping Carmont in touch to save a sure try. He also scored a vital try in the game.

We've not had any top fullbacks in Super League. Wellens is by far the best English fullback there has been in that time, consistent and inspirational.

Yep (as long as you add the word 'British' before 'fullbacks'). A damning indictment for the quality of fullback we've produced over the past 20 years.

Oh I don't know.

That Chris Thorman was pretty special

I wish people would stop comparing Wellens with the likes of Slater etc... They're a class above Wellens. However thats not a bad thing when competing at Super League level.

Pace isent everything and we can rely on him to save matches and be passionate about his hometown team.

He seems to be like Leon Pryce. No matter how well he plays he still gets criticised by the opposition and neautrals.

Thing is though, a full back's main job is the last line of defence and I can't think of a better last line in SL that Wellens, plus he's that dependable under a towering bomb that you just think "oh well, Wellens is there". Saints defence is noticably less solid when he's out too.

And considering he has the pace of a snail (apparently), his try scoring record isn't too shabby....

That is the antiquated attitude most over here have still and that's why we've produced fullbacks like Wellens. It's starting to change a bit and the fullback is being used better at a lot of teams now (although that's still mainly in teams with antipodean fullbacks), but it's going to be a long time before we regularly start producing attacking options there from the junior levels upwards.

Let's get this straight, compare any fullback to the likes of Billy Slater and they will look average, the guy is a freak!

The comparison with others is always the problem. Wellans is one of the most reliable in SL. Do I think he's a world beater no, but definatley reliable. I too am baffled how he scores so many tries when he clearly 'lightning slow', but the stats don't lie.

I did like his comment during the interview about the players in the world cup........