I am not disputing your logic it is just that the present system takes out the off the cuff style of play that made things different. The X factor.

It's one thing playing Hampshire against the Hull team that took the field last night compared to an almost full strength Leeds outfit.
When Sam moved to FB the tackles made a game dropped from around 22-23 down to 3-5. That must have saved him a battering that would cause fatigue and long term in the game would affect his attacking threat.
After last night I do think Hampshire might be ahead of Sam Powell but I do think Logan will get the 4th bench spot v Leeds to spell Mic Mac.

It's a very difficult decision imo.

Green and Smith are the worst halfback partnership for years.

Green offers zip. I said this when we bought him and I stick by it. Smith offers not much more apart from a kicking game.

Hampshire is young, maybe too young for playoff football?

6 months ago it's a non decision, I would have him in a heartbeat.

Playoffs.....I'm not so sure- even though Green offers nothing, he is more experienced.


It's a tricky one.

Bit harsh on Powell, IMO. I thought he had a pretty good game, especially his kicking.

Sam would be wasted at 6 in our system, 6 and 7 now (might as well just be HB-Left and HB-Right are just first receivers who bring others into play. Sam's better off attacking outwide as he can from FB

Sadly you are right.

Problem with this is it's too predictable

they said that about Sam..and look what happened

no they didn't?

Some did, some didn't. I remember the game when we came back from behind to draw with Leeds, we were behind when Sam moved into the halves with 5 minutes to go, we scored a try just after and then Sam kicked a penalty later and many said it proved he was wasted at full back, purely because he had a big 5 minutes in the halves against Leeds after previously having a quiet game. Nowt to do with us being on a roll, having just scored 2 tries in 10 minutes, of course. I prefer Rocky in the halves, or even better just let them both mix it up, if they start combining teams could really struggle to defend against us.

Yes he did! Turns out I got Powell and Hampshire confused regarding some of the big plays; such as the 40/20 and the huge kick that led to Gelling's try.

Sam Powell always reminds me of a young Tommy Leuluai as he tackles way above his size.
He does also seem to be developing a very good kicking game. If only he had another yard of pace, maybe another hooker in the making?

He's always had a good kicking game as far as I can remember. He once kicked two 40/20's in an England academy game against Australia and has generally kicked well when playing for the academy side.

I think his lack of pace will always be an issue as a halfback, although if he can improve his reading of the game he can make up for that defensively - while he wouldn't be the only sluggish halfback in Super League. There are quite a few halves who lack pace but can make up for it with speed of thought. He's got the look of one of those players that might switch between the halves and hooker and be comfortable in both roles.

I can't disagree with that at all, he's young enough to perfect that role. I would have him working with a sprint trainer though (something I don't think the club does enough of) to improve that first couple of yards off the mark.

Rogues where do you think George Williams fits into this debate?, he seems to be a well built lad and is he another one who will drift between halfback and hooker?.

He seems to be held in high regard at Wigan.

There is a common trend in all this, IMO it's not the players who are at fault but the structure. It's like banging your head against the wall watching Wigan and going over the same point over and over.

Look at our attack, and more importantly look at the oppositions defense when we attack, they arch up on the edges with their SR/centre cutting off our movement to 'out the back door to Sam.

Other teams do this, primarily in Oz but they set up the attack from different positions on the pitch. We set up the move from a central position, allowing for depth and movement, yes when effective it provides many options but when it's your only spine in attack it becomes predictable and easy to read.

So how do the halves fit into this? Bascially it's so structured, you learn the structures and play them out, the better HB at Wigan are the ones who can play the struture best. It must be so frustrating as a 6/7 playing for Wigan, not allowed to move out wide, double up on the left or the right or be creative.

Years gone by the likes of Edwards, Grey, Botica would pop up anywhere on the pitch, they would be allowed to create, spot issues with the oppositions def and exploit it accordingly.

Watch Benji play at Tigers or Thurston at Cowboys/Queensland/Oz, allowed to run the team, link in the line when they want and be creative.

Are halves are hitting their potential, not because they're not good enough, it's because they're not allowed to play.

This is main issue with Wigan and why I fear we'll always come unstuck against Leeds and Wire.