I enjoyed this thread last season and seeing how the forwards stacked up against each other statistically week in, week out as it developed some interesting discussions, so thought it was worth bringing back for this season.

Forwards Stats vs. Castleford 03/03/23

Singleton - 28 tackles, 3 missed, 83m gained in 9 carries, 9m average
Isa - 31 tackles, 2 missed, 73m gained in 10 carries, 7m average
Farrell - 34 tackles, 3 missed, 118m gained in 15 carries, 8m average
Smithies - 48 tackles, 5 missed, 67m gained in 6 carries, 11m average
Cooper - 22 tackles, 1 missed, 33m gained in 7 carries, 5m average
Ellis - 17 tackles, 0 missed, 85m gained in 9 carries, 10m average
Havard - 27 tackles, 1 missed, 122m gained in 15 carries, 8m average
KPP (limited mins) - 10 tackles, 1 missed, 6m gained in 2 carries, 3m average
Mago - 10 tackles, 0 missed, 35m gained in 5 carries, 7m average

Definitely some great figures from Farrell, Ellis and Havard but there has to be some perspective with the stats. Bench players should in theory be running at more fatigued defenders, different players will be asked to play different roles, off ball running isn't taken into account etc.

A good combined effort. Havard just shows what a talent is. He hardly breaks sweat to knock out numbers like that and now it’s just about going to the next level. I’ve been impressed with Ellis this past 2 weeks. I’d like to see him pushing for starts and longer minutes.

Oh of course, there are other factors at play but it is just a bit of fun and comparing some important stats.

Part of your point is why i think Singletons stats sre impressive especially compared to what we have seen from him in the past, as he started the game when we was under alot of pressure along with cooper. Havard is just a machine and is pumping out some serious numbers



After reading the comments recently by people about Ellis playing at 13, i am very interested if this is ever going to be seen as an option. I have seen him play at 13 for St.George also and he played there frequently for them, funnily enough i was more impressed and excited for Mago when i had seen him in the NRL and just thought Ellis was a decent signing. But now i think Ellis was the better signing for us and seems to give us alot more, funny how things work out.

The coaches really rate Ellis and off a similar exercise I did on the stats, need to get our more, he was out most effective Prop in 2022.

I’d like to see a comparison of the stats over a 2 month period.

Stats are really interesting in isolation to look at performances in individual games but to get the bigger picture obviously need more data.

Cas have in my opinion along with Trinity one of the weakest packs in SL this year so I’d expect good stats from those games. Hull KR bullied up in the forwards.

Will be really interesting this week as Cats usually have an aggressive combative pack so will be a better barometer of how things are shaping up.

Just had a look at the team stats and again in highlights the reliance we have on our backs and secondrows to make meters.

Marshy over 300m, King 166m and Faz 118.

Isa came in with a respectable 73, but again it has to be said this is all against one of, if not the worst pack in the league. I still thinks we need to replace Bateman mid season despite Isa's good form so that we can bring in a genuine meter eating secondrow that we currently lack to compliment Faz.

Really impressed with how King manages to make metres even after contact. And his defence massively improved. He had a great tackle from marker and someone of his size showed some good reactions/agility. Still early days but he seems to be growing. If all goes well do we have anything in place to sign him on a permanent?

As I understand it he won’t be returning to Wire is Powell is there.

He’s had a great start to his Wigan career but I’d like to see him for a few more months once the honey moon period wears off before committing to anything for 2024.

It’s a no brainer though if he continues like he is.

Only issue will come is the contract amount. He’s on a killing at Warrington does he expect the same from else where

Wire fans saying he is on a big contract doesn't equate to a massive salary. Wigan will pay what they think is a fair amount should King stay beyond this season.

A lot will depend on Wires position on him going back there. Presuming Powell will be in charge and they don’t want King back, they’ll really want to get him off the salary cap. That may mean they pay him up in some way or continue to pay part of his salary. As pointed out Wigan will pay him what they feel he’s worth and any shortfall won’t really be their issue. Funnily enough, it’ll become more of an issue for Wigan the better he plays (or if things go west at Warrington and a new coach was brought in).

Kings are on large salary which Warrington are contributing to. I can see another loan this next year, so Wire can contribute again then sign a normal contact with Wigan in 2025.

Assuming his form is good that is.

Obviously early days but how do you think the King/French combination is going?
I think the only pass from King to French that resulted in a try was a forward pass albeit from a good break on KIng's behalf.
Only 3 games in but I'd be very disappointed if this pairing didn't significantly improve over the next few weeks.

I think it will take a little time to bed in. French is player that needs only a little bit of space and most of the early ball has gone to the opposite edge.

I’m looking forward to them developing a bit of an understanding on his offloads which is a real strength of his.

After a poor couple of seasons I don’t think King is doing anything at the moment other than get back to basics and rebuild some form.

I think both Field and French will benefit off his style of play once they develop an understanding.

It will come and it’s not just from French it’s also developing the understanding between Fields and King. King carts the ball up the middle and similar to Mago the offload is there and Fields is or was usually at the end of it. It doesn’t seem to have happened yet as but it will I’m sure. At the moment fields seem to be favouring chiming in the line on the edges to score tries. The pre season try vs Salford was just a glimpse of how they can work together. Also seen a few cheeky kicks been put through by King