At least you've ensured there's a Pratt on the thread!!

Golden Boot 2004.

What's Scully doing in there.

He wasn't a stand off but David Waite played him internationally at stand off because he wanted to have 6 loose forwards on the field. So proper stand offs (Orr, Thorman, Cooke) got overlooked.

Wasn't Thorman a scrum half? And a poor one at that?

Farrell's main problem was, the fact he had too big an influence on the team. That said, several times I saw him giving his all, to drag GB by the scruff of it's neck back into games. Unfortunately, others around didn't have the game to step up with him.

He did make mistakes, but that was indicative of the whole David Waite era. Even Radlinski, who an absolute rock for Wigan in SL, was dropping kicks, then Keith Senior got his hands on the ball and immediately forgot how to pass it.

I still think Farrell had a better all round game than Scully.

Don't be silly. Farrell's best days where when he moved to prop forward and forgot the pretence that he was a creative player. Sculthorpe was superior in every regard bar possibly kicking.

did he really think cunningham was a prop? just filling in at hooker?

Farrell and Scully played the game in different ways. Scully didn't have Farrell's Leadership, organisation, kicking or strength. Scully was slightly more elusive and quicker. Injuries were starting to take their toll on Farrell's body, but he could have played anywhere in the pack, where Scully would have performed at centre or Stand Off. This said, if there had been a decent Stand Off around between 2000/2004, I'd have played Farrell at second row and Scully at LF.

How on earth did you get to that conclusion from “Was as strong as a prop but had the agility of a hooker”?

At one point, we had a potential back row of Peacock, Farrell and Sculthorpe. It never really materialised, though.

Sculthorpe had times when he really took it to the Aussies. He scored 3 tries in the 2001 series and consistantly impressed despite playing in his 2nd position of standoff throughout the 2001 and 2003 series.

Scully was excellent in that first test, Farrell really took it to them in the second half at the Reebok stadium, but can't remember the other test.

That back row, plus O'Connor, McDermott and Fielden (although I don't think Fielden had hit top form at that stage), if only Morley, Cunningham, Lowes and Newton had been fit in 2001. With the exception of Radlinski I don't remember our backs being great. The lack of a recognised hooker cost us in that series.

People talked up the England pack last season, but man for man I'd say the potential 2001 pack was stronger.

pretty good in his prime was thorman, london, then the NRL came calling (parramatta), also was good for us at huddersfield but it went sour towards the end when asked to go to full back... downhill from there his confidence was gone by time he went to hull fc

I remember when Cunningham was in his prime and the Ozzies used to talk about how he was feared when they came up against him
At his peak one of the best 3 players in the world, as was Scully on his day

Looking back, I'm not sure if Barrie McDermott was as good as we remember. I remeber he used to be slow to fill in in defence. I don't reckon I'd take him over the props in the squad now.

O'Connor was a beast though, much like Graham is now, he just kept coming. The season Wigan had him and Craig Smith (maybe 2003?) they used to really give us a pounding.

Everyone just loved the Biff with Barry Mac.