I assume of the Mecca type?

Good post!! This is what ive been saying and Baileys probably on more than Hansen and Tomkins wages put together! Is he that much better than them??? I think not!

Another problem i feel is the fact that Noble see's the loose-forward as being just another second rower, this was highlighted in the recent J.Tomkins interview on the website when he was asked which role he prefered playing, loose or second row and he said he didnt mind as their virtually the same.

Is this just a problem at Wigan and another reason to explain our lack of expansive rugby?? Or is this now the same at every club in the modern game??

But what does his salary have to do with anything?

I expect better from somebody using up such a chunk of the salary cap. Do you think he's worth over £100,000 a year??

That when his contribution can be covered by 2 players on less money than him (combined) his wages could be spent on a more useful player such as a true standoff or prop.....

It doesnt matter if he is worth it because thats what he is paid.

He wouldnt offer enough if he was paid 10k a year either compared to our other back rowers.

But he has a contract, so that is a pointless argument.

I suppose it just adds to the frustration, that this aussie journeyman is earning so much more than local lads who put in better performances.

And with any luck this will be the case next year.

What do people on here think about this?? What is the modern role of the loose forward?

our back row is simply levels behind a superleague winning team standard. Andy coley offers nothing to the team, and the word "nothing" is no over-exaggeration. He runs with no pace or intensity, forwards are designed to intimadate defences, andy coley just fails in that department.
Gareth Hock has potential to be a brilliant player, despite his poor showings recently i still believe he is a brilliant player, for me, he his such a better 2nd rower to have in ur pack than phil bailey. Bailey appeals to me as a player who has no obvious skill in any position, to slow to be a centre, to small and fragile to be a forward. I couldnt agree more than harrison hansen (our top tackler of last season) should start. Noble is a man for stats and he should be the first to start hansen.

Coley needs to improve more than generally - he needs to improve beyond all recognition!

I'm not convinced that having that backrow would have made a great deal of difference against Wakefield - or in the future if we play with the same attitude or skill level.

Tomkins and Hansen with O'Loughlin at loose. Hock on the bench and Bailey at home.

Would that be in the next seat to Flannery?