Serious question: was this a problem back in the 80s & 90s too? I remember Leeds having a dig occasionally but the notion that we provided any kind of challenge is ridiculous. I'm guessing the same applied to most other teams, barring the occasional Herculean effort by Saints.

Figuring we'll see some stronger squads in the next two friendlies. Looks like he just has a few players he still wants to see in some positions. Better to do it now!

Exactly. There are basically 12 players in the side selected to face Rovers who don't qualify for the under 19's but will be outside the first 17 and those players will have to be sent on loan or dual registration. This is the only real time that Wane will get to watch them in a group, compare the players like for like and see what they've got to offer during a game.
Once the season starts a lot of these players could be all over the place; many at Leigh and South Wales but possibly some at other Super League clubs so this is a crucial time for making decisions as to who goes where and who is pushing for a first team place.

I'm more than happy if this is indeed the case (and aren't we all second guessing SW from the comfy of our armchairs, anyway?). I'm more concerned about the Hock situation than not giving the 1st team a run-out, so long as they turn up on the 8th what's the problem? (although if they don't, this'll start all over again ).

I was about to post exactly the same thing. Apart from Manfreddi, Hampshire, Burgess and Lever the rest can't play at U19's this year. Wane will certainly know his strongest 13, 15, maybe 17 but he needs to make sure of who he keeps around the squad and who goes out on loan, and maybe who leaves the club.

Double post...

If anyone seriously thinks that you can 'not try' throughout the season like Leeds apparently did, which we didn't and it's as easy as that to reach finals then you are deluded. What this current Leeds team did in my opinion cannot be emulated by any other team in the league, it was a unique achievement by a unique set of players who are by far the best in the league when it comes down to the crunch games. Any teams which try to replicate what Leeds did I'm almost certain will find themselves with a low league position followed by an early exit in the play-offs. The delusion that any club can treat the main season as friendlys and turn it on when it matters is wrong, that's been proven throughout Superleague, bar the obvious exception of this unique Leeds team.

Aye, they're brilliant in crunch Challenge Cup Finals.
Although I do agree teams can't just coast through a season and hope it works out at the back end.

I think most would agree with you on this RG, but, does it reduce the importance/intensity of games in the regular season?

Leeds ability to win in the GF's and lose numerous Cup Finals shows that they can pick themselves up for the last four weeks at the end of the season but can't maintain good form throughout the season.
The Cup Finals are August Bank Holiday with the distraction of SL games weeks before and after. They can't maintain that consistency.
Come play offs and there is no SL distraction. It's all knock out rugby at which they are good at. They play well, far better than in SL and have their fair share of luck, hence they win the four week play off.
What Leeds can't do now is maintain form and consistency for the whole of SL as Wigan did this year and 2010 just as Wire did 2011. They were top in 2009
The League Leaders Trophy is played down due to SKY and the RFL wanting a great end to the season which the GF is. To top the league after 27 matches is a great achievement. SW did that in his first season as head coach, you cannot underestimate that.
His selection for the first two trial games is right. He will know his first 13.
have a very good idea on his 17 and 20. What he does know is that we will have injuries throughout the season and when they occur knowing the best player to bring in is essential. This is what he is now doing.
Hock is out and Faz will replace him. He needs to know who will take Faz's spot and that can only be done first in trial games then as the season progresses.
There will be far stronger Wigan squads for the Salford and Wire trial games.