Don't think it was his shoulder. I'm sure I read somewhere it's his bicep muscle in his left arm. With a little
luck it might be OK for Sunday.

[urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/10719[/url

Hampshire
Manfredi
Gelling
Sarginson
Burgess
Williams
Smith
Taylor
McLlorum
Flower
Clubb
Farrell
Burke

L Tomkins
Dudson
Crosby
Hughes/Bateman

The team need to get last Saturday out of their system IMO and whilst I wouldn't play a full team I do think we need to put a strong side out.

I'd be looking at something like-

Hampshire
Gelling
Thornley
Sarginson
Manfredi
Green
Smith
Crosby
Tomkins
Taylor
Clubb
Hughes
Farrell

Subs
Hopkins
James
Burke
Williams

Rests for Goulding, Charnley, McIlorum and Lockers who must be short of 100% and I'd pull young Burgess out of the fire for a week and give Manfredi a shot. I'd also look to rest Flower who'll be very important this year and give Bateman time to recover before playing at Cas next week. He's going to be a top class player (I noted how he dumped SBW on his backside in the 2nd half on Saturday forcing an error) but they won't rush him.

That's an exciting team overall.

Bowen seems to be getting special treatment because of his past rep and because he was our 'big signing' but surely if he's not playing well enough shouldn't be be dropped? Clubb was.

If it was just linking in the line then I would understand that he needs game time to figure out the systems but it wasn't just that.

He's catching, his positional play in defence, he's lack of willing to return the ball (always looked for his wingers) are all traits he should be doing in his sleep after being an NRL fb for over 10 years.

On the otherhand we look so much better with Hampshire as our 1, he plays like Sam, Rocky links well, returns the ball, and plays his socks off.

So who out the two deserves to play? Obviously I think Rocky.

I don't care how many years you've had in the NRL, its about whats best for the team.

So my team...

Hampshire
Charnley Daz Sarge Burgess (This is a new looking backline, especially on one side, give them game time)
Green Smith
Taylor Logan Flower
Hughes Batman
Faz
----------------------
McM Crosby Dudson Clubb


I'd play Logan for 30, McM to do 10 in the first and see what state we're in would depend on his game time in the second, for me if the games going to plan McM to play 10-15 at the start of the second then take him off and bring Logan back on.
McM could do with a 'lighter game' after coming off a hard game and an injury, Logan should be playing for his life, he needs to make a statement in the game to show he's worthy, similar for Clubb, needs to come on and play for his life.

Faz at 13, good hands, and can sure up the def on both left and right sides when they're attacking.

If Lockers is out as expected I want to see Bateman at 13, I think that is the reason for signing him and he will be our long term 13

I doubt its out training systems that are telling him not to jump for a high balls

I think hes not had a chance to settle in wigan yet at all, he arrived then went to florida, back a few weeks then off to oz

How could we not win!!!

I must have watched a different WCC to some people on here, most of you have included Matt Bowen and Gill Dudson in your team for the weekend you lot must be off your rockers. There were a host of lads who missed out on playing in what would have been the biggest game of their lives and those two put in performances nothing short of diabolical. Rocky Hampshire to play at fullback all day long for me.

Hampshire
Charnley
Gelling
Goulding
Burgess
Green
Smith
Crosby
McLlorum
Flower
Bateman
Farrell
Lockers

L Tomkins
Burke
Hughes
Taylor

Well I wasn't keen on signing Bowen simply because of his age and the knee reconstruction but I can't believe Bowen has been written off after one SL game and one WCC no doubt by some who had a go at me for suggesting it wasn't a good signing in the first place.

Give him a chance! He is here now and this has to be the fastest fall form grace I have ever seen on this message board since I have been coming on here.

I wonder when his family are coming over? That may help him to settle. As I posted on another thread, a friend rang me after Saturdays game predicting the anti Bowen tirade. He reminded me of how long it took Gene Miles to fit in and the stick he took. It's a good job t'internet wasn't around then.
Give him a couple of months before judging him.