I think he's done really well with a fairly average squad (bar Brough). Took them to their first league leaders in his first full season as well as knocking Leeds out of the cup, 3rd last season and very nearly knocked Saints of the cup, currently in 4th place. I reckon with our squad, academy and facilities he would win trophies.

How do I know?

Mango's a God-knows-how-many-times Origin and Kangaroo full-back. Rocky isn't a full-back, but still needs game time. It isn't a simple equation.

I don't say Wane is flawless. Far from it. I worry a great deal about his inabilty to find a more permanent role for Hampshire, and I fear terribly that this will become another Sean Long situation. But it's getting so tired, this habit some people have of finding problems with everything the guy does and says. He's still managed to win us the Challenge Cup and the Super League, which is more than most coaches in the current competition.

For what it's worth, I feel sure his number will be up if we win nothing this year, which looks distinctly likely. But I just wish some folk would give it a rest with the hyper-criticism. It's so bloody predictable and boring.

"...the 2013/2014 Matty Smith" indeed. Like you, I think, I've been a supporter of Smith, but there's no doubt he looks jaded now, and a shadow of the player he was a season or two ago. Why this is, who's to say; does he miss Green? Well, he's a senior pro now, should be able to stand up for himself. Worst of it is, a bit more from him would certainly have helped Williams's game this season, cos he has looked a little lost at times. But I think Wane was right to stick by Williams, and it's to SW's credit that he's shown faith in the lad, because he clearly is a talent. That said, so is Hampshire, and he looked lively last week.

And it gives me no pleasure to say this, but our issues in the halves haven't been helped by the fact that Lockers has been very ordinary on the rare occasions he's played this season, so if were looking to him to add an "X-factor", we're largely looking in vain.

I was a huge fan of Green but I didn't quite think we'd miss him like we have and I did have high hopes that Smith would lead the way and help Williams a bit more. He's been ok at points but poor at others and that inconsistency hasn't helped Williams. In fairness to Smith I actually think his form has been a bit better of late but Williams has lost form and neither are being helped by a powder puff set of props.

It's the lack of go forward from the props that makes me want to see more of Hampshire in the halves. No halfback can excel on the back of a beaten pack but this lad has that bit more individual threat about him and can make things out of nothing for himself.

Hampshire isn't a miracle worker and he's probably been over hyped to an extent but he's been appallingly under used at a time when his qualities are much needed.

If Hampshire does not make even the 13 this week never mind the 17 it will only confirm what I have felt for a long time. Wane has told Hampshire in the past that he sees him as a fullback and now when it is obvious Rocky does not feel comfortable in the position, it seems Wane is to stubborn or pig headed to realise that he may have to change is stance.

All this is tied in with Wane saying at the start of the season that he saw George Williams as his answer to the standoff position, he has had his moments in the position but for George who is a natural scrum half it must be frustrating to be used almost as a left sided link player out wide.

That is why I would like to see Hampshire in at 6 and Williams at 7 with Smith spelling MM and for those who come back with "who kicks the goals then with Smith on the bench) Hampshire used to kick goals for fun in the under 19s,

We will now get the response that the Hampshire thing has been done to death, so be it.

The problem is that at this stage of the season w still do not have a plan B. All the permutations should have been tried by now. Last year mixing Williams and Rocky up brought something different. For Wane to use Hampshire as a stand off would look like desperation. Hampshire neefs a good run in his best position but given the lack of go forward up front he could always play prop.

I'm honestly beginning to think that when Williams resigned a new contract it was a clause that if available he would be the primary 6. rocky must be thinking enough is enough by now.

No Hampshire in the 17 but Powell is on the bench.

Time to move on lad.

Liam Sutcliffe and Ryan Hampshire future Leeds half back combination?..get it on Leeds!!

I'd love to know what part of his performance last week warranted dropping from the 17.

Baffling selection. Pig-headed doesn't even nearly express my opinion of this incredible choice of line-up. Is it 'play well and you're dropped' for some players?

Time to move on for his career and his International credentials yes, sadly I agree.

What is even sadder is the club seem content to limit his opportunities and stall his development and that looks like continuing into next season.

Absolute disgrace. Play well and get dropped. Rocky needs to leave for the sake of his career.

I really do give up.

It's clear he's not wanted by Wane. His bigging up of Lewis Tierney the other day makes me think he's being promoted to understudy for Sam Tomkins next year and Hampshire will be thrown on the full back scrap heap by moving on to play in his weaker position (in Wanes mind) of stand off at another club.

It's rare that it gets to the point that a teams own fans believe a promising youngster should leave for his own good.

Hampshire looks like a real star for the future he has all of the required attributes required to make it big time in SL, but IMO he is a half back without a doubt and not a full back?

Incomprehensible! If Powell, Smith or Williams fail to impress (yet again), Wane needs to go! Rocky was Wigan's best player last week and deserves to be in the 17 if not starting.
Me/Ye of little faith....!
Just hope SW knows better than a lot of Wigan fans on this issue. I just think we should give Williams(at 7) and Hampshire (at 6) a chance, with Smith as bench hooker.
Time for Sam Powell to step up to the mark - but will he ever playing out of position as bench hooker?

I really rate Hampshire, a few people won't agree with me but I'd love to see him and Williams at 6 and 7 next season, with Smith a replacement 9 or leave all together, a few players seem to be in Wanes clique and some who can't do anything right like Hampshire, Charnley and sometimes Gelling

Rocky made the first try, scored the third and made Gelling's try with a jink and then a pass. Something that Smith would never do. His pace is phenomenal - as has been demonstrated on several occasions this year.
But just heard he is "out injured". How come he was in the 19? Not another "training injury"?
Was he wrestling with Wane who then showed him who was was in control?!!

Did Eddie just mention he's injured?

We'll have to leave the debate for another day if so.

Gelling is never a centre

Believe me he's not injured

Dom Crosby is an absolute liability these days isn't he?

I've bagged Joel recently but he's been superb tonight. Massive difference from last week when he was ambling back to scrums.

Rocky isnt injured. He was warming up with the team before kick off!

well, i for one am glad he played bowen, williams and smith.
we are just coming up to the top 8. Now is not the time to tinker, but with a week off next weekend, it is time to continue to get the 1st choice partnerships to gel.
Apart from the discipline, this was a lot better.