id sooner have greg bird or luke lewis to be fair

I wouldn't.

He'll prove how good he is in the World Cup. He's always been superb in a national shirt.

Me neither

And Lima said he was the best player he has EVER played with.

One of the many refreshing things about the BBC's coverage yesterday was when they showed the attack from close up and almost level, as that showed the extraordinary skill required of Lockers and the halves with the style we played yesterday, having almost to touch the defence before letting the ball go.
Seems to me that we are adapting our style as the season goes on. While passing a long way in front of the line looks lovely and won us plenty of easy games, taking the ball to the line and then spinning it will be more effective against better teams. I wonder whether part of the reason for the high mistake rate recently has been this adaptation?

I think it was Millward who promoted O'Loughlin to team captain when he took over at Wigan just before our horror year of 2006 but over the years he has improved as a leader and as a player.

Must admit that I had by doubts with him at the time thinking that the responsibility was too much (perhaps it was?) but he is clearly a vital key to the way we play now.

Must be a certainty for England.

I remember certain posters saying that O'Loughlin was only in the team and captain because he was Andy Farrells brother-in-law, despite the fact that Lockers had captained every team he had played for.

I think it probably was, or was certainly startting to, but when Madge came in and introduced the leadership team, it allowed Lockers to concentrate more on his game and let others lead the team. We were blessed in 2010 with some excellent leaders, that are perhaps missing now (wasn't McIlorum captain in the derby?), but now Lockers is one of the best leaders in the game. I'm just glad he plays for us!

Very good point.

I think that introduction of the leadership team did help him to concentrate on his game and it proved a master stroke by Maguire.

Lockers is now twice the player he was when he was given (too early imo) the captaincy.

He also plays way better when the pressure is off him (I think he tries too hard when the team is suffering and gives away too many penalties- which I now believe is down to his desire to do well for the team, rather than anything else, but still...)

He is the best 13 in SL, but not the world. He wouldn't walk into a world 17 either. Not a popular view on here no doubt, but we have to be realistic.

Great player though and certainly one of the first names on the teamsheet.