Will we see this more often in the future now do you think? I know the difference is negligible nowadays but this selection stood out for me.

Wouldn't surprised if we did. He could probably do a good job as a Graham style ball handling prop. Great hands close to the line and showed against New Zealand that he can score from those kind of positions.

And makes it easier to spell him in 20-30 minute breaks.

I thought it was a great move. It doesn't change his role much and it gets Bateman in the middle where he's at his best.

Id go as far as to say we could well make it permenant.

Great idea putting the most important, yet fragile player, we have in a position where he'll take more hits.

How about this for a novel idea - we actually just sign a decent prop...

At loose forward he plays in the middle, at prop he'll also play in the middle. He played less minutes then usual tonight as well.

He's not fragile in the sense that he's breaking bones or missing games due to impact injuries. He misses games due to muscle pulls and strains mainly and i don't see a move from 13 to 10 increasing the chance of them really.

The signing a prop bit I agree with.

So much for our strength in depth.
Apart from Flower we don't have a another decent prop on the books unless Sutton comes through.
I've seen more go forward in an Italian Infantry

Nothing wrong with Tony Clubb, would like to see us sign a good prop though. Italian infantry made me chuckle

Anyone know why Mossop was missing? Did he not get selected or was he injured?

Well I thought Lockers caused them problems but I agree, it highlights an issue of strength in depth. If Lockers can get a game at prop and looks better than just about all of them bar Flower doesn't this tell Wane something?

O'Loughlin went well tonight and this could very well be his new position.

As things stand though these are my thoughts on majority of our props:

Ben Flower is our best prop. Not the biggest bloke but difficult to handle and a workhorse. A real credit to the club.

Tony Clubb has surpassed everyones expectations since we signed him. Maybe a bit quiet tonight but he's impressed me since Wane moved him to prop and he fully deserves the new 4 year contract he signed last season.

Dom Crosby. Awarded the number 8 shirt a few seasons back to the surprise of many but has never kicked on since. Very much an average joe with little to offer when the going gets tough.

Lee Mossop. Would we have re-signed him last season if he wasn't one of "the lads"? Had enormous potential before his move to Paramatta but he's been underwhelming since he came back and is always susceptible to injuries.

Tautai. Signed him because we needed size in the pack (and still do). He is however a penalty machine and ball handing disaster. This will be his last season with us.

Ryan Sutton. I really like this bloke and im optimistic about his future. He does still need to put some size on though. His progress and development has been limited these past 12 months. This is a big year for him, he needs to kick on and has to avoid hitting a plateau and brick wall like Crosby has.


This shows that we definately do need to recruit another big prop. We must avoid signing yet another beefed-up second rower. We need an out-and-out prop. Tautai will be leaving next season as well so we may need to sign TWO.

Im well aware of the players we have in our academy and im sure they have great potential but forwards always take longer to come through than backs so i want to focus this on the here and now.

He's playing the exact same position in the exact same way as last season. Only difference is he's spelled more.
He's a 'ball playing 'middle'.

Forget traditional numbers and positions. Now we have:

Middles:

Lockers
Batman
Flower
Crosby
Mossop
Clubb etc

Edges:

Joel
Faz
(Batman as well)
Etc

Dummy half

Used to be a hooker

Outside backs:

(Wingers, centres)

Halves:
Used to be scrum half and stand off

Full back.

Isn't the new name for wingers "prop"?

I'm the opposite. Makes me cringe when I see people using old terms. Do the centres play in the centre of the pitch? Do the props prop up the scrum? Does the stand off 'stand off the scrum half?

No. Not at all. The names apply to rugby union not league.

My favourite is when people ask why is such and such playing hooker when they pack down front middle of a scrum, the list goes on.

Somebody likened Lockers prop role to that of Graham and that looks a good comparison to me. He can make the yards but also use his fabulous handling ability to bring others in to play. His role hardly changed tbh, in fact all it did really do was to allow Bateman to get in the middle of the pitch as well and he will thrive in there.

Sean O'Loughlin as we all know is a massive human being and is well suited to playing in the front row as he carries the ball well and as other people have mentioned on this post has great ball handling skills close to the line, he also broke the line on at least one occasion if I'm not wrong last night? The biggest plus for Wigan would be he will be interchanged so his risk of injury I would imagine is decreased by some margin. It could well prove to be a massive plus and great decision by Wane.

Lockers was impressive as ever and whatever ever role he asked to fill,it does make you realise that our props,Flower aside are a little bit average as others have said Sutton could have potential but we do need someone the sooner the better.

You are spot on LSOW. We all make the mistake of using outdated terminology and sometimes that clouds our thinking. Lockers played exactly like he always does, no different just because he was playing 'prop'.

It was good thinking from Wane allowing Bateman to play in the middle. In fact in the first few sets I thought it was Bateman playing 'prop' as Lockers didn't take a single hit-up.

I thought it was a stroke of genius from Wane. Allowing Bateman to be a middle while keeping Lockers in the starting line up. Our 8, 10 and 13 are our middle unit, looks impressive with Bateman Flower and Lockers. I see Burke fitting nicely into this, he's got good hands and size, probably while we've always retained him when others have been let go.

With Lockers I cannot speak highly enough. Outstanding in defence, can make the hard yards like a 'prop' and has hands like a half back.
I think I've seen him play centre (for England under Smith) 6-13 at Wigan.


I think he could cover most positions on the pitch, only his lack of pace would let him down in some positions.

On that pitch he seemed to be the only "prop" capable of accelerating into contact. Everyone else just seemed to squelch into the tackle.

If Bateman is an "edge" why is he playing in the "middle"?

What is the difference between a dummy half and an hooker? 40 minutes?
Why haven't we given the full back a new name? A bit discriminating that don't you think?

I think the hooker should be called a "Gusset", something or some one who gives a bit of stretch or flexibility around the "middles".

But someone else can tell MM he is a "gusset " not me.