iv said this to a couple to people but if your needing a big clearing kick and the opposition have 2 or 3 people dropping back its very difficult to find the floor, the thing what wigan do do well at what goes un-noticed is after a generally poor kick we always dominate the first tackle which is a big thing in our game

I don't disagree with you of course it's hard to play 60+ minutes when an important player goes off, I do however don't appreciate you suggesting he is becoming a liability based on 2 incidents he wasn't a liability last October when he played his part in Gleesons second try or his general play in helping us to even get to the Grand Final dare I suggest you wouldn't make your earlier statement had it been Sam Tomkins or Pat Richards is Richards a liability for getting injured in the Grand Final that could have cost us the win and would have for virtually every other team.

We cant be missing him if he hasn't played, but I get your point. We're playing with the same halves that won the title for us last year (except for when Tommy covers for McIlorum). With a bit of luck Finch will step into Deac's boots soon, then with Paaaaat back and Sam in his rightful place at 6 we'll be scoring for fun.

Agree with the posts regarding our kicking game, but it's been poor for ages and we've managed. Never seen Finch play but those who have say he's the missing link we've been waiting for in that department. Exciting times ahead.

I STILL prefer Sam in the halves than at full-back. He's never a full-back in a million years.

You never know with Radlinski coaching him he could just turn into a good 'un. Right now he's sadly wasted there, but if the long-term view is that he's going to be coached into being a full-back then he has to play there to learn it.

Personally I wouldn't bother, he a cast-iron number six. Train someone else upicon_smile.gif

Probably a week too early for Finch next week but might be a chance for Warrington. Excited by what he could bring to the side over time.

Sam Tomkins is a fullback in my opinion but its a pointless arguement anyway because I guarantee he'll play there all the time under Maguire unless there's a real emergency.

To be fair to Deacon I think anyone would have been injured after the hit he took today... I thought it might be a long term injury. lets hope it isn't because IMO he was our best signing in 2009 by a country mile

Maguire said that Finch is seeing the doctor this week and is very close. Deacon looked in a very bad way when he went off.
Sam must stay at full back the number of head shots he took today was all wrong. If he'd played at 6 today he would have been in the dressing room before Deacon. Hull would have seen to that.

I'd agree with that. Had we had another back on the bench today that may have allowed Sam to move to 6 and I think his speed off the mark from there would have caused Hull problems. It didn't from running as deep as he was from full back. They were ready for him.

Speaking of liabilities, anyone know why Roberts wasn't selected today? Assume there was still a problem with his knee.

If Deacon is out for next Friday, I'd like to see Roberts return to full-back and Sam move into the halves.

Never seen Finch play, and knowing some foreign players take a while to settle in, I'd be surprised if he made much impact until maybe Round 16, when it's warmer and the pitches have hardened up, and he's had a while to work with the team.
As for Sam, he doesn't join the line on the shoulder like you'd expect a full back to do. Opposition players are getting used to the step, or just battering him instead!

Deacon was taken to hospital, I don't know any further details.

Finch is needed, we are struggling on the last tackle.

Im excited by Tommy/Finch and with Pat not far away and possibly Amos/Gleeson, we could be really hitting our straps in a few weeks.

It just seems to be once every few games since just before play offs last year

it may be a little harsh but does anyone think tomkins went into hididng today after a couple of them bad tackles, cant blame the lad but if hes gonna be top player thats what you have to put up with im afraid

Great news.

He's astonishingly resilient, can't think of many players in the league who have to put up with what he does - it's no shock he's started trying to make sure the opposition are penalised for it, if a bit too... obvious for me in the way he does it.

If the marker is now set for how to shut him down, Wigan will have to consider whether he is worth it on the kick return, he can play a deep role in attack at 6 if that's all we're after due to O'Loughlin. I suppose this will all depend on our other options at FB.

I have a laugh at many of the posters on various clubs message boards saying Sam Tomkins, strangle him , kill him etc.

Having had the privilege of watching Sam come through the academy teams from him being 16 years of age I can tell you that the opposition have been trying to do it for years (and failing) and he has an attitude very similar to Shaun Edwards. He's a tough little b*gg*r and when I was trying to explain to our Saints supporting friends the difference between Sam and Eastmond they wouldn't have it.

They are now beginning to agree (through gritted teeth)

I'm looking forwards to seeing how Finch goes, a couple of years ago when he was on the outer at Parramatta I fancied us making a move for him as a partner to Briers. From his NRL pedigree you would have to put him in the same calibre as Adrian Lam. You never know how these players will translate to SL of course, but I'm surprised more hype hasn't been made of this signing, I bet if Wigan had finished 2nd or 3rd last year this would have been hailed in the press as the 'final piece in the jigsaw'

Sams little tough side is what makes him such a great player, and long may it continue.

A sensible post from a sensible Wire fan. Cheers

Some people on here are hopeless at judging players.

Liability? We rely on Deacon more then ever atm.....

Nope I don't think he went into hiding at all.

Nope.

They were pretty good with their kick-chases, I thought - most times he had a solid wall ahead of him, yet still made good yards.

How can we miss someone who hasn't even played yet? Would I like him to play and have the luxury of his kicking game... yes!