It comes down to how highly you value wingers.

I think not too long ago they were regarded as simply finishers.

They obviously brought something to the table but there influence was generally at the attacking end of the spectrum.

I think Jerry, Hall and TM probably lead the way in changing that in SL along with their coaches which has seen them being crucial to exit sets but also being expected to do the finishing too.

I think wingers stock has risen significantly in regards their role in the team in the last decade, and rightly so.

i'd go back to Charnley and Richards at Wigan when MM 1st came. Very rarely did Sam run the ball in but offload to one of the wingers, who took in 1st and then 2nd balls, with George Carmont / Martin Gleeson also taking in early drives (add in Gelling too). We've used our backs for a long time for exit sets, its just we were very effective last year compared to recent seasons

In terms of a try’s per game ratio, guys like Makinson and Hall trail well behind a guy like Charnley but both are far better all round players IMO (or they were in Halls case) and for the reasons pointed out above. In terms of all time Superleague wingers, I’d probably have Makinson towards the lower end of a top 10 but he’d definitely be in that conversation. Makinson and Hall are two guys who reserved their best for England as well, so that helps their reputations.

Golden boot winner.

He’s 33 and still the best winger in SL

Which is why he always finishes top of the try scorers list.


Oh! Wait a minute...

What is your hypothesis based on?

The fact that Makinson plays for St. Helens.

It’s between Makinson and Ritson for me.

Longer than you think. I remember chatting about Carney and Dallas and discussing how much yardage work they do and how they started the sets for us. That’s probably 20 years ago.

Fair point.

Go back further to when Robinson and Offiah used to take the ball in from their own twenty on a regular basis.

With the corner flags in play Makinson would be no more than an above average player.

In an era when they would get a lot more 'special attention' than defenders would get away with now.

If ever there was a post that highlighted how little Wigan fans know about rugby this is it.

He won’t sleep toneet now