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SJ wrote:

Wintergreen wrote:The "Pre NZ" Sam was a once in a generation player. Someone worth the entrance fee alone to see.

The "Post NZ" Sam was an average player who, because of his exceptional talent, could occasionally play very well.

In terms of on the field rugby ability in 2018, Hardaker is streets ahead of Sam.

In terms of "thick as two short planks, been given more chances than most, can he really turn things around"?

That's the bit that worries me.

yes that's how I saw it. Why does a club like ours need to take such a risk?

First Try Tickle wrote:

SJ wrote:

Wintergreen wrote:The "Pre NZ" Sam was a once in a generation player. Someone worth the entrance fee alone to see.

The "Post NZ" Sam was an average player who, because of his exceptional talent, could occasionally play very well.

In terms of on the field rugby ability in 2018, Hardaker is streets ahead of Sam.

In terms of "thick as two short planks, been given more chances than most, can he really turn things around"?

That's the bit that worries me.

yes that's how I saw it. Why does a club like ours need to take such a risk?

Because before his ban he was the best player in this country by a mile, and if he can get this form back he will be fantastic under an attack minded coach.

And if we didn't take the risk, then another team would have. Both Saints and Wire were in need of a full back and their fans would have been happy with Zak.

I hear what you say FTT. But on the evidence of his antics to date to take him on inthe fear another team would recruit him and. he could become a reformed character is a risk I wouldn't have made. Perhaps that's why I'm not in the RL business If I was faced with a decision like that to make. Just hope the club have made the right decision and the lad shines

Exiled Wiganer wrote:Yeah, you never see Billy Slater, TVS or Tedesco run the ball. By all means argue that he could kick, point and pass well, but how anyone watching the game at the top level could conclude that good full backs don’t run the ball beggars belief. Though if Sam’s dad posts on here, I can understand the family loyalty.

If he had agreed to play for us at 7, then I think it would have been better for us and for Sam himself. Indeed, that was where Bennett saw him against the Kiwis.

Wintergreen wrote:The "Pre NZ" Sam was a once in a generation player. Someone worth the entrance fee alone to see.

The "Post NZ" Sam was an average player who, because of his exceptional talent, could occasionally play very well.

In terms of on the field rugby ability in 2018, Hardaker is streets ahead of Sam.

In terms of "thick as two short planks, been given more chances than most, can he really turn things around"?

That's the bit that worries me.

wall_of_voodoo wrote:I think their would be a palpable difference from a player on the pitch being under the influence of drugs as opposed to one being pissed out of his skull.

Still if you want to make the connection.......

It will be very interesting to see if the Catalans wingers are so generous next season in doing all Sam's donkey work from full back. Yes. The game changes as do rules. However if a full back has neither the inclination nor ability to run the ball from defence then the reliance of the wingers is enormous. If they can't (or wont) do his job for him then Sam will be a spectacular flop - end of discussion!

TBH I can see him playing in the halves next season with Gigot full back

TrueBlueWarrior wrote:

Exiled Wiganer wrote:Yeah, you never see Billy Slater, TVS or Tedesco run the ball. By all means argue that he could kick, point and pass well, but how anyone watching the game at the top level could conclude that good full backs don’t run the ball beggars belief. Though if Sam’s dad posts on here, I can understand the family loyalty.

If he had agreed to play for us at 7, then I think it would have been better for us and for Sam himself. Indeed, that was where Bennett saw him against the Kiwis.

So are you suggesting Sam is soft? Or do you think after his injuries and the fact we had 2 very strong running wingers it was common sense to use the wingers when possible so Sam could then use his energy more wisely to I don’t know................maybe help us win another GF?

You don’t have to be a family member to understand simple logic that WORKED!!

fozzieskem wrote:

wall_of_voodoo wrote:I think their would be a palpable difference from a player on the pitch being under the influence of drugs as opposed to one being pissed out of his skull.

Still if you want to make the connection.......

It will be very interesting to see if the Catalans wingers are so generous next season in doing all Sam's donkey work from full back. Yes. The game changes as do rules. However if a full back has neither the inclination nor ability to run the ball from defence then the reliance of the wingers is enormous. If they can't (or wont) do his job for him then Sam will be a spectacular flop - end of discussion!

TBH I can see him playing in the halves next season with Gigot full back

While I was reading your post I was just thinking I bet Sam plays in the halves next time out,Gigot was in fine fettle once he got going.

moto748 wrote:So before his ban he was the best player in the country by a mile, but he patently wasn't good enough for the NRL? To take a name at random, Joe Burgess did better than that!