Quote: Phuzzy "You genuinely thought Sarginson was the correct choice when the squad was announced? Rather than in hindsight I mean. If that's true then fair play to you but I can honestly say you are in a select group of 1 as I haven't seen or heard of a single example of any non Wigan fan thinking that was the correct option prior to the tournament.
I'll give you JT was a risk based on his relatively few games back in League. But who would your replacement have been? Ferres was worse, and the great hope Whitehead was shown to be completely out of his depth when he did get the chance. I'm not suggesting he isn't one for the future but this tournament wasn't played in the future. As it stands his defence was always suspect and, as you pointed out above, there is a world of difference between ripping it up in superleague and doing it on the International stage. You mentioned dream teamer, double winner and Lance todd trophy winner Smith as not being good enough in your opinion as well as leading try scorer for 2 of the last 3 seasons, Charnley. So who should have taken their places and why?'"
I didn't say I thought he was the correct choice... I basically said he couldn't do worse than Cudjoe or Shenton. If anything I was sitting on the fence and reserving judgment.
Back to Smith, I saw enough of him at Salford to make what I think is a reasonably informed judgment. He did nothing in a Salford shirt and before you say he was playing behind a beaten pack so was Chase last year yet he managed to singlehandedly win us 2 or 3 games. Smith just doesn't have the line breaking ability or pace required from an international half, neither is his kicking game exceptional. Both Brough and Brown are better players IMO. I'd have even rather tried a 6/7 combo of Tomkins & Widdup and brought Hardaker in at FB to give us more cutting edge in attack.
Charnley, while a good winger is a million miles behind Hall. From what I saw last year I'd have had Burgess in front of him.