So you're agreeing that Wigan brought more young players through under Noble than any other team in that period?
If so, what's your point?

You've completely missed 21-12's point in his post. You have also missed that both of us are happy that Nobby has moved on but he has left us in good shape, much better than when he first arrived. Understand that flower?

Don't know what all fuss is about!

I'd be over the moon if no saints players was picked at all.

I'd rather all our players get good rest and no risk of injury for start of 2010.

@ Tony Smith

I hate that mentality with a passion.

I international RL should be more important.

It's why our sport will never be taken seriously, RL fans care more about their club than the International game.

If you would have read my post you would understand that I have just said that "it was time for a coaching change" but I stand by my point that the club is in ten times a better state than when he came! And nobody, not even you with you Noble hating one eyed comments can say that it isn't.

I will be the first to admit that international rugby league just doesn't interest me. I didnt watch one world cup game, I cant put my finger on why at all though, it just doesn't appeal to me.

Internationals are 10x better than SL games. More intensity, more skill, more exciting, etc.

At last somebody who can see the bleeding obvious

But it's not important and that's the problem. Nobody takes international rugby serious anymore.

All this 1 off test games in oz and the rubbish world cups are a farce.

No you've got your nose too near your again - grow up and get over it

the way your all going on about tompkins the aussies must be sh***ing themselfs. the lads a good player not a great player stop another 18 months youll all be booing him same old story

I can understand why it doesn't to many. I guess it's because there's not as much competition like there is in Football and Rugby Union, they have far more competition's at a higher level of standard than what we can ever dream of offering. It's a shame but I can't see anything changing.

Yup that England v Wales was out of this world

Only when the Aussies are playing the Kiwis

It isn't a case of building him up at all, it's the point that Sam deserves his chance more than what Myler does. Sam's played some outstanding rugby, earning his place in the dream team and named young player of the year but only to be not playing ahead of 2 players in Myler and Eastmond who are good players but have nowhere near shown the same form as what Sam's shown. This is not a Wigan thing at all, just proof that players don't get selected on form.

Come on now petal:

He said:

"you say Noble only played youngsters because of drug bans??" I didn't thus invalidating any point in his post in my opinion. Sorry but claiming Nobby was a champion for players such as Mossop, Ainy, Sam etc is certainly not the opinion of a number of the young players I have been in contact with and certainly not mine. Ainy should have had gametime last year but didn't so should Sam. Amos cost us the cup at the very least and should have been dropped. Recurring theme... McIlorum plays great one week, gets dropped the next. Joel T seems to disappear for a bit, players weaknesses remained the same year after year re fitness, errors etc and were not addressed but certain players still appeared regardless. Remember Mathers anyone? Needed so many games to get contract extension, played crap, still got the games. I know its pointless and you're not going to agree with my point but don't patronise me with misquotes and saying that I am the one who is missing the point. Had Nobby left after 6 months we could have said he'd left us in a better state than when he came but after 3 1/2 years it wears a bit thin.

Knowing a lot of young lads who played with Nobby at Bradford and how he worked there I wonder how many souls have been destroyed at Wigan in his time there too with his empty words and broken promises.

So you would rather watch a meaningless England v Wales game, than Saints v Wigan or Wigan v Leeds. Dont be stupid, there's more a stake in SL, there is real rivalry, more passion within the supporters, and people actually care when there team gets beat. Which is more than can be said for Internationals. Dont get me wrong id love Internationals to be massive like in Union or Football, but its never going to happen.

Well maybe the coach who has coached tomkins and coached the wolves against tomkins might know the player a little bit better than you.

Maybe smith who has a very very good record sees something all the know it all fans don't see.

From a Wire fan I find that hilarious.

Matt King anyone.

I agree with Tony Smith's decision to select Tom Briscoe over Peter Fox. From watching him in Super League he looks shakey under the high ball, been caught out of position numerous times and knocks on when their is no-one around him. The match against Wakefield away was a shocker - he must have bombed at least 3 chances over the line. He wasn't inspiring against Wales whereas Tom Briscoe showed much more enthusiasm and took his tries very well. His second took some finishing. I called for Tom Briscoe to be brought in over Peter Fox and he has done this. Good call.

But Smith has now just stabbed himself in the foot. I don't know how he can select a player who hasn't played for months and wasn't particularly inspiring against Wales over a lad who scored a hat trick, setup numerous tries in a man of the match performance,was voted young player of the year ahead of him and was voted the best stand off in Super League. I am amazed. He can play scrum half, in fact, some say that SH is his best position. He would have done a great job. Shocking decision.

Not only is it a poor decision but it looks very unprofessional IMO and has put me in two minds whether to go the England and Australia game. In fact I can sympathise with Jonh in just not watching the game at all.

How can our international team possibly progress with a part time coach? And how can we justify some of Tony Smith's selections as not being biased?

Simply we should not have the Head Coach of England as a coach at any other club.

That Tony Smith is a strange bloke, but there must be a method to his madness
Time will tell

Astonishing decision by Smith.

Over the years I've thought on many occasions that RL had reached new depths of absurity, only to find that yet again those in positions of authority have more ludicrous surprises up their sleeves.

Unless this is a cunning long term plan to help France regain some credibility on the world stage.

Let's face it, with that side England are far from guaranteed to beat the French.

I am not looking forward to the England v Australia game. We are going to get thrashed. I fully expect us to lose by at least 30 points. Does anyone know what the record home defeat to Australia is?