Hampshire

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

Smith's kicking game was much better this week as well, and that was down to the pack dominating the forward battle. Makes a massive difference.

It does make a difference but it shouldn't! Players in the NRL, irrespective of whether their pack is on top or not, tend to be more accurate with their kicking game. They seem to have a better technique or they kick earlier in the tackle count if needed (Smith did so at Wembley last year and we dominated the game).

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

The injury is not as bad as first feared. The shoulder came out and went back in.

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

Went off early tonight, holding his arm. Hopefully nothing too serious but it looked a bit worrying.

And why he wasn't in the original 17 I don't know.

We have no stand off with green out, but so far we've had Williams and smith there, both scrum halves.

He'll end up at Saints ripping us apart .....

Wigan are still negotiating a new contract with Rocky.

[GBH]

The injury is not as bad as first feared. The shoulder came out and went back in.

Thats good news I hope hes back soon so he gets a chance to play more.

[Panchitta Marra]

Went off early tonight, holding his arm. Hopefully nothing too serious but it looked a bit worrying.

And why he wasn't in the original 17 I don't know.

We have no stand off with green out, but so far we've had Williams and smith there, both scrum halves.

He'll end up at Saints ripping us apart .....

There's little difference between stand off and scrum half at Wigan. We don't play traditional first and second receivers, which is why you'll never see Matty Smith delivering the final pass down the left hand side. Both halves are expected to be good in all aspects of the game and we just play split halves.

With that in mind it's simply been a case of picking the two young halves who are the most robust and capable of coping with the physical aspects of the game.

Is think there is a big difference between the playing styles of the Wigan halves when you compare how George Williams plays there compared to Ryan Hampshire and Sam Powell.
I think had Sam Powell played at Stand off in the challenge cup game we would have done much better with his passing choice selection compared to Georges.

[Wiganer Ted]

Glad Hampshire is not too badly injured.
Also good that the club are negotiating a new deal with him now seeing as he's over two years remaining on his current contract.