I thought Tomkins had a really strong running game. Much more forceful than last season. Looks like a lot of hard work has been put in close season. Very impressive start.

Yeah we've all collectively agreed.... rlwigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmorerl

He looks like the guy out of Glee.

Some people aren't a big fan of the stats on the superleague site but if you take a look at Joel Tomkins from Friday night they tell the story of a guy who had a massive game. He made huge metres, bust tackles, offloaded, had a try assist and got through 35+ tackles without missing any.

He had a storming game and it was hopefully a sign of things to come.

Hopefully this is the season where Joel steps up to the plate. He has the ability for sure to be one of the best attacking back rowers in the game. The new coach and regime may be the best thing to happen to him this year. If he carries on like Friday night an England call up may be in the future.

Guys like Tomkins, Mossop and Harrison at Wire are going to be pushing for places in that 4 Nations side at the end of this season if they carry on as they've started this season.

As per usual we look a nation capable of producing top quality forwards but we need some outside backs.

Think Tomkins suffered the "2nd season syndrome" effect last year after doing so well in his first proper season. He was outstanding on Friday and was my MoM by a mile. He's got a real chance now Hock is out to be that devastating runner out wide we've lacked since the failed drug test.

Hall
Shenton
Ainscough
Riley
Owen
Watkins
Goulding

All good players, but they don't really convince me that they will ever compete with the aussies.

Thats it, they're good players but like you say can these guys really cause the Australians enough problems to get enough points on the board to beat them? I very much doubt it.

We may have to make some big calls in the Four Nations and go down the route of playing somebody like Eastmond at fullback and bringing guys like Gleeson, Pryce(never a stand off though) and maybe even Senior back in.

If he stays fit he will be a monster for us this season looks like he has got bigger since last season, League Express gave him MOM for Sundays game.

Joel was the only Wigan forward to do the 80 mins.
Looked just as strong in the last five mins as the first five.
Hansen played well too.
I do wonder how Bailey is going to get into the team.
To drop either Joel or H for him would be a travesty.
Bails may have to wait for injuries to get his place back.

I think your right the only way Phil will get back into the team will be through injury to either of those two.

I'm really looking forward to Joel's battle with Newton on Friday, it's a shame that Galea's missing because it would have been a great test for Joel and Hansen against the best two backrowers in the comp last year.
I didn't realize until Wigan/Leeds Andy pointed it out that it's only really Joel's third full year so maybe his poor form last year was down to second season syndrome.
Or was it Nobles game plan and tactics that Joel didn't really get a grip of, and now that McGuire's come in and realized what he's capable of he's given him a more freer role within the team.

He definitely looks like he's been told he can actually play rugbyleague and use his passing skills. He hardly ever seemed to look for a pass or an offload last year(which has just reminded me of the play semi at Saints).

I would certainly play Pryce at centre or wing or fullback and bring in Gleeson and Senior!

My back 5 would be-

Eastmond
Pryce
Gleeson
Senior(if he plays like last year and would tour)
Hall

surely better then-

Briscoe
Fox
Bridge
Shenton
Hall