Stats can be made to look many things.
Hesford was a semi pro with semi pro team mates up against teams that were a match and better than Warrington.
Botica was a pro, within a team of pros with pro opportunity to score against semi pro teams in a league where only Wigan were pro and there was no equals or better.

From what I remember Hesford was in the team primarily as a superb goal kicker. He was tried on the wing and fullback but his skill alone in either position didn't justify his selection.

Yes, correct Hesford played wing. Botica played #6. If you going to carry a player put him in a position where he is not going to get involved in play.

I remember Hesford as chiefly a full back. As I remember it Botica developed his kicking skills to get into the team but once in was there for more than just his goal kicking. But I’m sure Wigan fans will have more authority on these points.
I suppose from our point of view the question should be who would you be prepared to drop to bring in a specialist goal kicker, then who is available who can kick and play in that position without losing too much in general play?

I do like Lefty’s fantasy football approach though. It’s like contracts, salary cap and availability don’t matter...he is Uncle Mo and I claim my fiver.

I can't name any current player in Union or League who is not really good enough to be in the team but is picked as a specialist kicker. Also ... even the best kickers have bad days ... especially when the pressure is on.

BTW Frano Botica was a hell of a player. Wigan virtually had the pick of the rugby world at the time.

Hesford initially was on the wing and from what I remember may have played centre as well, but at full back totally justified his position. He was superb under the high ball and a dropped ball was extremely rare and he was a good tackler.
As a goal kicker, I haven't seen his equal in over 55 years of watching. He would kick from inside our own half on many occasion and the pitches were often mud baths. Not forgetting also that he didn't kick off a tee, but just a raised divot.

Great post.

Cheers RD

Now that he’s been inducted into the wire hall of fame maybe it’s time for Steve to do some work in a coaching capacity with some of the present day kickers ....

He wasn't signed as a kicker so the answer would have to be yes (although using the phrase 'walked into the team' is a bit disingenuous as very few players, including great ones, would have 'walked into that team such was the competition).

He played chiefly at 6. Do you 'hide' an incapable player in the halves? He had great hands, a fabulous rugby brain and a determination to succeed second to none. That he turned himself into a world class kicker, one who is still spoken about today, should be enough to tell you that!

I saw pretty much all of his games for Wigan and I can tell you he rarely, if ever, had a bad game. In fact I'm struggling to remember any at all! That level of consistency is rare, even amongst, great players. He was a superstar in a team of superstars. To suggest he'd be anything less today is, as I said, utter nonsense.

The only way the phrase 'he'd be a championship player if he was around today' (sic) would be right would be if you meant he was still playing now... aged 54! In that case you might just be right!

Phuzzy's Post is pretty much How I see the Botica thing. Wigan didnt carry Players yes they may have had the odd player who wasn't that good Billy Mcginty, Mark preston, Ged byrne, Ian Lucas etc etc (theres probably a lot more to be fair) but carrying a player isnt the way to win multiple challenge cups and League titles.

Botica was a Key player to their success in the same way Hanley, Gregory, Edwards, Tuigamala, Bell, and to a lesser extent Offiah were.

Offiah is the odd one if anyone wanted to pick out a player......Wigan Didnt need Offiah at all even Mark preston did a job for Wigan as we can testify in the 1990 challenge cup final.

wigan didnt need offiah as much as they needed Botica....

as A wire fan your heart sunk When Wigan Scored out wide becasue you had no glimmer of hope that it was only going to be a four pointer.. it was more often than not 6....

its fair to say he grew into his stand off role but what half back doesnt.....

Very true and, to be fair, he wasn't a half bad full back before becoming a half! He was rated in that position by some very good coaches. All round good rugby player who, I get the feeling, could have turned his hand to any position along the back line had he wanted.

Didn’t he play on the wing for the first half a season or so?

Good player who’s transition was made easy being in a team that was fully pro and years ahead of the competion.

Had he been playing for Leigh I suspect we wouldn’t even remember his name, such is the cruel nature of sport.