Wakefield

Quote: Adam_Harrison9 "Don't get me wrong, I think a lot of these are too close to call in that they cancel each other out. I think because we only see our own side the majority of the time it does lend a bit of bias. Also we have to take into account that I think sometimes more credence is given to players in teams like Wigan because they're fashionable. They are seen as stars because they play for traditionally a massive rugby league club which is a testament to them. They are obviously good players. However, that said, you have got to go on the form of the players over the last 12 months and what they have done on the field.

Wakefield beat Wigan 2 out of 3 times last season and also finished above them in the table. This would suggest that Wakefield on the whole over the last 12 months have better players on a man to man basis.

Here's my thoughts man for man:

Tomkins - Quality player in the past... seems to have started well this year but has he been better than Grix (who has been immense for Wakefield right up until yesterday)? Probably not but he is a ore "fashionable" player. But why would I pick him over a player who hasn't put a foot wrong?

Davies/Burgess/Marshall - Johnstone is better than all 3 and I'd say MCB and BJB are just as good as them as well. Close to call.

Gildart - Really like him and I think he'd get in the Wakefield side over Lyne/Arundel (two players who haven't let us down as well may I add!)

Sarginson - Bit of an unknown as regards current form as went to Australia but like you say, I'd take Tupou as I think Tupou is one of the best centres in the league at the minute.

Williams - Again, fashionable player. Had an excellent season a couple of seasons ago - last year he wasn't all that. If he plays to the best of his ability then yes I'd have him over Finn but Finn has an advantage over Williams upstairs. He's got a better rugby brain and he controls a game better than Williams. Has Williams been better than Finn for the last 12 months? As someone who sees Finn week in week out and sees Williams whenever he is on telly - I'd doubt he has been.

Leuluai/Escare - Are either better than Miller? No. Escare I quite like but he hasn't been as good as Miller.

Powell - I'd rather have Kyle Wood or Tyler Randall any day tbh. I don't rate Powell at all.

Bateman - He would get in our side as he is better than Horo/Kirmond

Farrell - Again, a fashionable name but has he been better than Matty Ashurst? No. I'd take Ashurst all day long.

Clubb - I like Clubb but he doesn't play big minutes and Fifita is a far better Prop.

Flower - Is he really any better than Huby or England or Fifita or Pauli Pauli? Again, pretty evenly matched here in terms of quality in my opinion.

O'Loughlin - Quality player - misses a lot of games. Probably not the player he was a few years ago? Tinirau Arona plays loose for us atm. Arona made 50 odd tackles against Catalan last week - 2 interchanges down - he missed zero of those. O'Loughlin is the fashionable Rugby League name but again when it comes to it - on current form is he miles better than Arona? Not for me. It's a close one.

Where Wigan do have the upper hand is there depth and the conveyor belt of youngsters they have that are of a quality standard. Even in that department Wakefield are catching up bringing through the likes of Jowitt, Batchelor, Crowther in recent years and Luke Hooley on the fringes this year with Ackroyd.

So, I know Wigan have some big names that have done well in the past but currently are they much better man for man than their Wakefield counterparts? I only see a handful of Wigan players where I would without hesitation be willing to put them in the Wakefield team at the expense of a current Wakefield player.

I think you've got a good squad this year, and are quite capable of turning us over on Sunday. There's plenty I agree with in your post actually, but there are couple of players who deserve much more credit for me.

S. Tomkins - Your view seems to be quite popular, even amongst some Wigan fans, but for me hugely underrates Tomkins contribution. It's obvious that he's a different player since he's got back from NZ, but there are still things he does on a pretty regular basis that we take as a given, that a huge majority of players simply can't produce, and would be raved about if his name wasn't Tomkins. Even defensively Tomkins is a lot better than people give him credit for, and I'd definitely have him in the team in front of Grix (who don't get me wrong, has had a great 12 months as far as I've seen).

Farrell - Wasn't nearly at his best for the back end of last year. Apparently had a longstanding hip injury. Bit early to say what his form has been like this season, but he's a vastly underrated player who has stood out as a key player in trophy winning sides. If he's anywhere near full fitness, I don't think there's any comparison whatsoever with Matty Ashurst.

O'Loughlin - Still an absolute Rolls Royce of a player, who no other 13 in SL gets close to in terms of ability or influence on the team. Absolute shoe in, and that's no reflection on the form of Arona.

I think I rate our wingers slightly higher than you do also, but I'm probably splitting hairs slightly, and as you say we're all guilty of being a bit biased towards our own team. No doubt your pack looks fearsome, and I worry about how we're going to deal with it on Sunday.
We will now get beat 52-0 on Sunday and I'll look like an idiot. No change there then