What a cracker!

He did the same at Hudds last week so they should have seen it coming!

The tackle from Lockers on the end of it was even better.

Glad the nonsensical criticism of SOL has stopped on here, cracking player who'd run through walls for Wigan. Hope he's England's 13 later this year and would be amazed if he isn't.

I sat at the game and at the moment Lockers put that hit in thought 'thats why he's a better international player then Sinfield'.

He hits hard, he's physical and has a great engine. His game is perfectly suited to the international game and i'd be suprised if Smith doesn't select him for the 4 nations.

We missed him(and Burgess) in the World cup.

Lockers has had a very, very good season.

Prior to this, I think most of us recognised that he was a good player, but many of the questionmarks were against his captaincy. Whenever he played for England or GB, seemingly without the added pressure of the captaincy, he played well.

This year he's settled more into the captain role, presumably because he's maturing. I guess whether he retains it will depend on whoever the new coach is. But personally I'd be quite happy for him to continue as captain now.

As the years roll by and Lockers becomes more and more one of the elder statesmen of the team he'll find it easier to captain the side. It can't have been easy for him at times trying to lead the likes of Fielden, Barrett and Bailey who've been there and done that and he's tended to stand away a touch and let them take the lead but with 2 of those 3 not in the side(for different reasons) now he looks alot more comfortable.

The youngsters like Sam, Joel, Prescott, McIlorum and co obviously look upto him and will hopefully become leaders in their own rights to help him out.

No doubt about that.

He hit an absolute monster in the World Cup and turned the whole Tongan backline round.

Now that he's calmed the high tackles down (which was a bit of a problem) Lockers is one of the very best tacklers in SL. That hit last night was absolutely top drawer, but even more important than the big hits is the sheer volume of work he gets through in defence. He's showing real signs of becoming the kind of defensive machine at LF that Phil Clarke was in his prime.

When you add to that defensive quality and contribution Locker's short kicks, which can be very dangerous (as we saw last night) and the fact that he chips in his fair share of tries Lockers is easily the best LF we have in this country.

I'm proud to say that I've never been a Lockers knocker and its great to see a Saints fan giving a Wigan captain respect, RL fans generally (not just Saints fans) are too parochial, when it comes our stars we all need to talk up the international players if our game is ever going to get the media attention it deserves.

it wasn't even that far

We have a chance of matching the aussies in the pack this time with Lockers and Burgess.

The problem is in the backs. They are in a different galaxy.

Are you mad!

We clearly match them in the backs



Inglis, Folau, Thurston, pffft we will have Hall, Mcguire and Shenton



In the forwards we will have...

Morley
Peacock
Graham
Burgess
Lockers
Ellis
LMS
Carvell

We should play Morley and Burgess in the backrow and steam roll them with Lockers at 13. Get them all playing the ball quick and have Roby making huge yards up the middle and then as soon as we have some space spin it out side to our backs and tear them appart

the last part just is not going to happen.

Is that you Tony?

Were not that near

does anyone think that after the way we have seen him drop a ball out, that we shouldnt use him to do a "joe lydon" when we are on the opponents 40/35 on the last tackle?
i reckon he could slot it over fron just inside his own half, then get the ball back.


or should we forget that idea and carry on with a kick and then tackle em near their own line?

I think it would be worth a go on the first set in either half when they wont be expecting it.

If he misses then it will go dead as usual when we kick (although kicking was good last night) or it will go over and we get a point and the ball back.

There's a big difference between a simple drop out and trying to score a drop goal.
Lydon's drop goal at Maine Road was amazing, but ultimately a freak shot.
I'd hate to see a situation where players are going for drop goals in their own half. I think we should leave that to rugby union.

I think the point is that its worth a shot just for one set of six as the same would happen if it was missed affter a normal kick.

I said at the game last night that if Shenton is one of our best 2 centres then we've got huge problems.

He's got good footwork and decent pace but is far too lightweight and his handling looked poor last night. He isn't that far ahead of Goulding in ability terms which is a worry.

Gleeson and L Pryce would be my centres if Senior can't be tempted to have another crack.

One set of six is different from throughout the game.
Personally I'd much rather concentrate on getting up the field rather than setting up a 60 yard drop.

Our best two centre options would probably be Senior and Pryce for me. Minus Senior we've no real choice but to play Shenton.

I don't see how Gleeson deserves to be selected.

I have said for quite some time we should play Pryce at centre.

Gleeson would be last resort, maybe we should try to get Senior back or give Lee Smith a go.

Gleesons current form probably doesn't warrent it but we've got so few options he has to play imo.

He's done pretty well for GB/England in the past and was one of few players who could leave the world cup with his head held high.

Atkins would have stood a chance but has ruled himself out so he can have a wrist op.

Lee Smiths off to Union as soon as Leeds season is over.