It’ll all go back to what is ‘World Class’ this but I’d be tempted to say if Walmsley is then Bateman absolutely is. One is battering an average superleague and the other proved his class in the best league (by an absolute mile) in the world. One is yet to prove anything on the international stage and the other has played a big part for England over a number of seasons. They’re the only two that come in to the conversation though, I’ll give you that (Knowles could take that next step soon and maybe prove it in the World Cup).

In terms of what is world class, I’d say it’s one of the best 5-10 players in their position in the world. If it’s a position there is only one of, like fullback, hooker or loose forward, I’d say you need be top 5 but if it’s a position were there are two of them starting the game, such as centre, prop or second row, I’d push it to top 10. That is absolutely my own personal opinion though and everyone will see what ‘World Class’ is differently.

On that basis Walmsley and Bateman have a case but I’d probably find it easier to put a case forward for Bateman, due to him throwing the superleague comfort blanket off and testing himself where he could prove it. I think Walmsley would go pretty well in the NRL but it wouldn’t be a walk in the park for him. His size and rep here would put a huge target on him. The World Cup is huge for his reputation on a wider scale IMO.

The Canberra Bateman was most definitley world class. Has he performed at the same level since his return? Nowhere near IMO. Whether his shoulder injury is more of a problem or not, who knows but he has been nothing like the same player. Farrell has been way more consistent. Being completely honest I'm not too fussed if he plays against us or not anymore and I definitely wouldn't have said that a couple of years ago.

Now that I've said this, he'll rip it up on Good Friday!!

But this is exactly what I said - Bateman showed it at one point but hasn't been remotely world class since his return - by the way he plays in the same average superleague that AW does, just without looking world class. Which willl probably be pinned on the players around him, before the next post says Saints are useless without AW

Bateman has played at a world class level, I've seen him improve somewhat lately but he's still nowhere near the player he was when he previously at Wigan.

It's fair to compare him against his old Wigan performances but I'm not so sure we can compare against his Canberra appearances (yes he played against a higher level of opposition but he did have better class of teammates around him as well).

If he can get back to anywhere he was prior to leaving us I'd be happy.

I think if this happened AW will carry on carrying for well over 100m every game, busting tackles, winning collisions and being the best prop in the league and we would be just fine

The winger passing the ball back inside still counts as "the move"

Sometimes you just need to believe the evidence of your own eyes. It is patently obvious how good AW is as a prop. He's chosen not to play in the NRL but it's not for lack of offers - I doubt it is an exeggeration to say that every single NRL club would have wanted to sign him had he been available in recent years.

He and Thompson played together and Thompson is clearly a good prop, but he's never been a walking one man pack in the way that AW can be and has been. AW lost Thompson and then James Graham alongside him and if anything just got better and better.

And I quote:

"3) that Wigan have more average players so losing them probably makes less difference to them than saints losing world class players like Walmsley"

Are you seriously trying to pretend that the implication there is anything other than Wigan have average players and Saints have World class?

If you'd said "a world class player like Walmsley" then you could claim the above. You said "world class players". Plural. Capeesh?

On Wigan you insinuate that losing players wouldn't impact as they are average. If you'd said "Wigan losing some of their lesser players wouldn't impact as much as losing their best ones" then you'd have been right. It would have also been stating the obvious.

I've accused you of being disingenuous several times now and you continue to prove me right whilst protesting your innocence. Utterly ridiculous!

So let's be honest here for a change, shall we? We both know exactly what you meant.

I think you might be under valuing Thompson’s performances a little tbh. I thought he was absolutely outstanding for those couple of seasons before his exit.

My eyes tell me Walmsley is a brilliant superleague player and I’m agreeing, I think he’s world class but until there’s concrete proof there, I can’t be sure he’d nail the NRL or that he will dismantle the Aussies, Kiwis, Tongans etc in the World Cup. He’s certainly not done that in the past for England but his game has improved since then.

The packs in superleague are chalk and cheese with the NRL and as a poster who has criticised the likes of Wigan, with Brad Singleton and there overrated, under sized forwards, I’m sure you’d agree the test he’s getting here isn’t always the greatest.

James Roby would be a good comparison as a guy who also hasn’t tested himself down under but we will all absolutely agree he was at one point as World Class as they come. The difference? A few things really. Some fabulous GB/England performances, the same with the WCC and he also terrorised a superleague twice as strong as the one Walmsley is chewing up.

I agree, and AW is walking all over them in the way you would expect a world class prop to.



Roby was clearly a world class hooker in his prime and I didn't need to see him in a WCC game or England shirt to know it - again, evidence of your own eyes regarding his relative superiority was sufficient - perfect distribution, great decision making, plays 80 minutes and mises about one tackle a year. In the same way AW is clearly a world class prop (IMO) - the Saints v Roosters WCC game in 2020 is a good one to look at if you need to - immense and he's been at that level for a few years now - but really it's not necessary because it's just so obvious.