Harsh on D. Hodgson! I'd have a few there in front of him. Possibly even David Vaealiki for how much of a let down he was, but then again there was that length of the field try against Saints...

I think the second XIII is probably an even more interesting one, given how many shoe-ins are in the best.

Probably wouldn't make too many changes with your teams (maybe swap 2000 Connolly with Carmont) but the competition for the wing spots are frightening.

After Robinson & Richards, you've got Carney, Dallas, Charnley, Roberts, Manfredi and even a fully fit Burgess who don't have much between them. Actually, the fact that basically nobody has said Charnley despite him getting basically a try a game shows how well off we've been for wingers.

Richards by plenty for me, Richards was much better than Dallas because he had so many strings to his bow. He was a far greater aerial threat, could bump players off to score in the corner, hit hard coming out of our 20m, made the high kick to the corner a waste for the opposition, physically dominated his opposite number when defending, plus he can kick a touchline conversion, 50m dropout, drop goal from halfway, cover at full back. The only places where Dallas beats Richards IMO are speed, agility, and getting a quick ptb. He won us penalties as well as he was a high-tackle magnet.

1. Radlinski
2. Charnley
3. Renouf
4. Carmont
5. Richards
6. Barrett
7. S.Tomkins
8. O'Connor
9. Leuluai
10. A.Farrell
11. Hoffman
12. Hock
13. O'Loughlin

14. Bateman
15. Lam
16. C.Smith
17. J.Tomkins

(I never got to see Robinson play so haven't included him). Honourable mentions to Dallas, Connolly, Green, Newton, Furner and L.Farrell

The sun worshipper was Luisi Sione, by the way. Glad someone else remembers him. I was talking about his to some others involved in rugby a couple of months ago and they thought I was making it up

I think Carney should get a mention too. Thinking back, at his peak I think he was better tan Richards and Dallas. Very strong carrier of the ball, defensively sound, bags of pace and the ability to beat a man one on one which I don't think Richards ever had.

A very good player, not sure I'd agree about him defensively though. I remember Vainikolo scoring 5 past him, and him getting dropped after a howler for GB. I think in today's game with teams kicking to the corner more with tall wingers he would be exposed. Agree about him being very good at beating a man one on one though, he was also very hard work to put down on scoots/returning kicks as well.

A bit harsh to judge him against Vainikolo. He was a monster and ran over many wingers, centres and second rows.
I always liked exciting wingers. Gill, Robinson, Smyth, Carney, Dallas, Manfredi, Marshall... All capable of beating someone one on one. Sadly that's something Richards never had and, on a slightly different note, neither did Radlinski.
With regards to Radlinksi I'd have Lydon, Hampson, Paul, Blake, Roberts and Tomkins all ahead of him. I'm sure I'm in a vast minority with that view though.

Only changes i would have with your side is Lam to 7 and Tomkins to 1 and Robinson for Josh. Really shocked that your the only one in 4 pages that has put Hoffman in. Last true world class player we signed. We had him for 1 season and you knew he was just waiting to go home. But for that season he was class.

True, but Vainikolo didn't score 5 every week, and I'd rather have Richards defending against him than Carney. Yeah it depends what you're looking for I suppose. Richards is definitely less exciting than the guys you mention, but I think he was an incredibly valuable player for all his attributes.

Picked Radlinski ahead of Tomkins because of his defensive abilities really. He won us the' 02 cup final almost single handedly. Not a bad attacker as well (think he was top try scorer in '01). Again, depends what you're looking for in an FB. I judged players over the course of their whole time at Wigan, rather than just at their peak, hence no Roberts or Fielden, who were brilliant on their day, but not on an average day.

Agreed, Hock could of been the best back rower in the world when he was at his peak and on form. He was fast, strong, hurtful, fearsome defender, could offload, had a great pass in him and could make the hard yards if needed. He could of gone down as one on the greatest Wigan players ever.

we will never know as Hock blew it

We don't seem to score many tries from high kicks anymore. Can't work out if it's because our wingers aren't great in that respect, or if it's because our halves can't stick up kicks like that.

The Aussies respected and feared Hock. They dont know who Joel is.