Fullbacks are so important in the modern game and the best are either lightning quick like French or to a lesser extent Evalds or they’re an extra halfback like Coote or Tomkins. Unfortunately Hardaker can’t bring either to the table after losing his pace and he’s never been a ball player. He loves playing there and makes no secret of it but the right call has been made for us and more importantly him by moving him to centre. He developed his game nicely in the position as the year went on last year and he’ll continue to do so this year once he moves back there.

Ah right. Didn't hear about that one. Makes things slightly more difficult maybe but our team on paper is strong enough to force a result hopefully.

To a certain extent I agree but he (Hanley) is of an age now where he needs to sink or swim.

He seems to be getting some rave reviews in training by other members of the squad.

For me Hardaker has never been a top fullback for Wigan, he’s been a very good centre.

I see no reason to move him back to 1 unless all the other realistic options are exhausted.

Looks like I am wrong though going off his comments, but I must say unless mind games are at play then I personally don’t get it.

I’ve always felt differently on that Saints game tbh regards Hanley. He was an 18 year old kid being absolutely peppered and just kept coming back for more. The whole game was played in our half and he must’ve had to deal with 15+ high kicks. He of course dropped a couple but he didn’t go in to hiding, he took some good ones after that and he kept offering himself up to take the ball in. He’s a natural talent with the ball and whilst I’m not sure he’s 100% ready for regular first team rugby, I do think he’s far closer than Halsall and he’ll do a good job filling in on the wing for a couple of games and in a strong team and against a side not as strong as Saints, I’d have no qualms giving him a couple of opportunities at fullback.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes on Friday. It would be nice if he gets a couple of good early touches and can build in to it.

Didn't that delay his flight 24-48hrs? Not really punishing him by not selecting him if it makes our first team weaker.

If Field is in and Hastings is out

FB 6 Field
RW 30 Hanley
RC 3 Hardaker
LC 22 Bibby
LW 28 Halsall
SO 20 Smith
SH 7 Leuluai
P 8 Singleton
H 9 Powell
P 10 Bullock
SR 11 Isa
SR 12 Farrell
LF 13 Bateman

S 14 Partington
S 15 Smithies
S 17 Clubb
S 21 Havard

I hope you're right, I was focusing on him which does lend itself to exaggerating one way or the other. I've looked back and it was 3 errors, not sure if that includes the ball steal or not. Errors by a full back do tend to be costly though as they tend to come deep in our own half after we have just defended a set. IMO it's the most unforgiving position to come through in. Look at Jack Murphy, his career was derailed by dropping one kick. Ideally I'd like to see Hanley out on loan to a Championship club if we didn't have so many injuries. Get him used to playing against grown men.

I've seen Hanley play quite a few times for the around 6 of the last 8 years . I hope he goes on to have a great career at Wigan. The club have definitely promoted his face as part of 'The Hanley Brand' as a PR exercise maybe to bring in some lost support perhaps?

However.....(and I say this quietly).....

He ain't his dad, so don't expect a replica. Not even remotely.

From what I saw with his time at Shevvy, and clips in the Scholarships he's about as much of his dad as Lewis Tierney was to his dad. Half decent players compared to two world class superstars, of which one was arguably the best player that's ever lived.

Now he may have come on leaps and bounds over the last two years, hope I'm wrong and someone on here fills me with more confidence but I just can't see it.

I'm aware he could come up with the odd flash of brilliance aged 14,15,16 by the way. Obviously I'm not expecting anything like his dad but even do, I'm just not that convinced.

Happy to be proven wrong.

Don’t get me wrong, my expectations aren’t anything like thinking he’ll turn out like his father (who has?) but I certainly think he’s more of a natural talent than a young Lewis Tierney when I’ve seen him. He’s naturally more skilful but at this stage he’s loads to work on and loads to prove before he can forge a first team career. So many things need to drop in to place for him to nail a first team superleague career but he’ll have a good chance to lay a marker down in these next couple of weeks. I thought he showed good character in that Saints game and in a stronger side I hope he takes confidence from that game safe in the knowledge that he’s unlikely to get peppered like that again. We’ll hopefully get to see more of him with the ball rather than without it.

Jackson Hastings reckons he is going to be a superstar. Mind you Matty Smith said the same about Jake Shorrocks.

It's akin to being a goalkeeper in football.

Hastings is a must for me.

I think that is a fair selection. Personally, I would play Hastings instead of Smith, Byrne instead of Clubb and Hanley would be replaced by Sivo (only joking about the last one).

I thought that Leigh beat Saints?

We did, but when they were leading 18-6 at half time, they brought on 4 or 5 academy players 2nd half.

but you lost players to injury during the game

Yeah I was working on the basis that Hastings is unavailable. If he's available I'd start him and play Smith from the bench.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... er-3176330 Prepared to eat my words. As I say will be more than happy to be wrong.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... er-3176330 Prepared to eat my words. As I say will be more than happy to be wrong.

Yes, beat Saints (well, Saints academy really for most of the game) and lost to Wire.

As you said the name Hanley brings with it a certain amount of baggage.

I hope he is given the time to develop without her expectations weighing on his shoulders.

When I look at young players some I look for attitude, others I look at athleticism. A good coaching system can normally develop the rest.

From what I’ve seen of Hanley (which is limited I have to say) is a natural athlete. He seems to me the type of player that will thrive under full time coaching.

Been hearing lots of positives from players regarding his pre season.

Fingers crossed he reaches his potential as if he does I am sure he can be a regular for Wigan in the next year or 2.

Season long loan to Fax

Regards EW

Really ? With that false remark, you obviously have a soft spot for Saints.

He'll be given a game by the fans. If he plays well he'll be the next Ellery Hanley, if he makes a mistake he'll be useless......

21 man Squad named. https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2021/03/ ... d-v-leigh/

21 man Squad named. https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2021/03/ ... d-v-leigh/

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"21 man Squad named. https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2021/03/ ... d-v-leigh/'" From that I’d go - 1. Field 2. Hanley 3. Hardaker 4. Bateman 5. Bibby 6. Smith 7. TL 8. Bullock 9. Powell 10. Singleton 11. Faz 12. Isa 13. Partington 14. Havard 15. Clark 16. Smithies 17. Shorocks I’m sure though Lam will go with something completely different.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"21 man Squad named. https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2021/03/ ... d-v-leigh/'" From that I’d go - 1. Field 2. Hanley 3. Hardaker 4. Bateman 5. Bibby 6. Smith 7. TL 8. Bullock 9. Powell 10. Singleton 11. Faz 12. Isa 13. Partington 14. Havard 15. Clark 16. Smithies 17. Shorocks I’m sure though Lam will go with something completely different.