Sam Tomkins

I still don't think Deacon will last a full season without a few different injuries so I'm sure we will see Sam at HB as the season goes on.

I'd love us to sign a new HB or hooker for next season. The squad really would be complete then.

Finch will slot into the halves as Tommy will move to 9. Tommy proved against the Aussies that he has all the potential to become a world class 9. Lima will replace Feka.

I understand your point about Hoffman, but why should young Wigan lads who really gave it their all be cast aside for an Aussie who will probably only be here for a year? Doesn't send the right message.

I agree with Jonh that everyone should be given a clean slate, but what's been achieved in terms of winning the GF also can't be ignored.

Hoffman is guaranteed to get in the starting 17 unless he has a nightmare pre-season. You don't bring players like that from Oz to play in the U20's. It's always been like that with star players. I can't see it being any different even under Madge. If he is taken back on the player who for me will have to prove himself so young Wigan lads who really gave it their all won't be cast aside based on a players reputation is Hock but rightly or wrongly when it comes to overseas players they are virtually guaranteed starts.

I think the clean slate thing will apply but not just because it is fair everyone starts from the same place but because with Piggy having left and the new players arriving we have a different team in crucial positions. That is why I don't think it is a given Sam will play F/B all season. If Richards were fit I think it would have been highly likely we would have lined up with him at 6 from the off. This would mean Goulding would keep his place on the wing, Roberts to f/b and Sam to 6 with TL to 9 seemed logical to me. If Sam plays f/b one of Roberts or Goulding misses out (effectively for Deacon).

Dave

I agree with a lot of your points. Ideally, and I think many feel the same, as we all would like to see Amos return to form and become the quality fb he proved to at the start of last season. But in reality each time he's mounted a comeback he's not been up to that standard.
Yes all players deserve a clean slate, but if a young lad or an experienced player shows up better then they should get the nod.
Sam is, IMO the best back we have. (including Pat) It's all about where he is most threatening, if we play split halves then he's best attacking from fb, but if he can play as a second reciever off Finch then put him at 6. It's really upto the coaches to work this to their advantage.
Hoffman, in all honesty didn't look all that at the back end of last season whereas Farrell, Tomkins, Hansen and Lockers all looked better. If this is the case on his arrival then he should miss out. I don't care if he's a former Aus test player. Lets not set a bad example and make sure we play our best team, regardless of age, nationality or anything else.

With no Pat for the start of next season we are in need of a top class goal kicker. That suggests perhaps that Paul Deacon will start the season.
He wasn't fully fit at the GF but after an off and then pre season he should be fully fit.
If Deacs therefore is 7 with Finch at 6, Sam surely would go to 1 with Roberts on the wing. We can't afford to go into the new season without a goal kicker, we have a first game v Saints and then the WCC a couple of weeks later.
Once Pat returns then will may well change.
Until then I do think Deacs is a must for selection.