I think the state of origin games help with the national sides cohesion, Lockyer and Thurston have been halves in both origin and national teams for so many years they know each others games inside out and sowill Billy Slater.

X2

Lazy journalism by a lazy journalist for a lazy paper. Does Barker get paid for this - rings a mate up who is probably sitting in the tap room of the Rose and Crown - "Kevin / Alex / Martin what do you think about this". Utter crap.



For some reason Barker seems to have an agenda against Wigan though I believe he is a Wiganer.

Two classic comments I remember form him:

Wigan will never again be able to play at the JJB if Latics reach the Premier league.

Forget the South of France, the RL should be promoting the sport in Blackpool.

I kid you not!

Yep totally agree, I dont think Sinfield and Chase as a HB combination works at all. They dont get the plays moving where Sam can wrap around the back and join the line late. Sinfield is too slow as a 6, hes a class act and a very clever but definitely not an international 6, especially at this stage of his career. Chase is a bit too "off the cuff" to be disciplined enough to get the moves going. Watching the friendly last week I was quite happy we didnt sign him because I dont think he would suite our style of play at all.



With Sinfield and Chase as the HB partnership we are wasting our best player.

And neglecting one of the most consistent halfbacks in the NRL - Gareth Widdop!

Hope he stays with you, if not I hope he's hanging on for the NRL TV deal to go through and goes to Oz.

Personally I'd sooner Sam go to the NRL than Union, if that's the choice presented.

Somewhere in this there is a 'nod' to League over Union, we are clearly developing better players in our code if Union feel the need to lure them over with big bucks.



By the next RUWC we could potentially be looking at:



15 S Tomkins

14 C Ashton

13 J Tomkins

12 Probably targeted another League bod by then

11 K Eastmond



Well done Union, you clearly are developing your own talent with such success.

In relation to George Ford who will probably play at 10 for England no doubt, there was this little snippet the other day:







Full of **** comes to mind, union is dead on it's knees in terms of producing it's own quality backs at any level.

I'd much rather see Sam play in the NRL it's a great league to watch and would full realise his ability. It's vey disappointing as a Wigan fan being resigned to losing him though.

Crazy isn't it?



Starting 6 all season for the team which finished top in the NRL under probably the second best coach in the world.

Kevin Sinfield --->

<--- Steve McNamara

Surely Rangi Chase might be a shout and even perhaps Tommy Leuluai and George Carmont?



The best Kiwis in England usually get picked up, Henry Paul, Vainikolo and Hape.

Add Riki Flutey and Dylan Hartley to that list, the RFU is more of a UN based rugby team.

Normally once they get a bad injury going off that list!