i think the basis of his inclusion in the squad for the season is so that people can be rested/rotated. i dont expect him to play more than 10 games, which would cover lauaki and powells inclusion last year, and those games to occur against 'lesser' opposition or in dire injury straits. barring some disaster in which 4 of our props are out, i dont expect him to be near any big games. hes there to do a job, to fill in for others. not to pound people into the ground or win games single handedly for us.

Plus he scored against Saints on Good Friday at Knowsley Road, he can't be all that bad.

Spot on.

But just to add, and this may not go down well. I'm not sure if Greg Burke will ever make a top class forward. I don't think he has enough pace for any of the back three positions, so it'll have to be as prop if he is going to do it. I know he has a lot of admirers at Wigan but I'm not convinced at all. Hope I'm wrong btw.

I would have to agree - I look at Burke and think of Bryn Hargreaves to be honest. But that's right now and I've enough experience watching the game to know that the development of young players can sky rocket out of nowhere in a year or two - some players just reach their potential later than others.

James' stats against Cas were very good. To be honest, based on that performance I'd have him in the squad above Crosby and Dudson.

I agree. I just can't see where he fits into a quality back 3. He lacks mobility footwork hands of that yard of oace that takes him from a steady player to a top one.

I have been wondering for a while who our replacement for Locky is long term because I don't see it in Burke.

Bateman looks far more comfortable as a 13, although I would prefer him to concentrate on second row, leaving us with 2 years to find a long term successor to Locky.


Burke for me if he is to make it at Wigan will do so as a Flower style Prop.
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