Four Warriors named in 2024 Dream Team

[Blackpool_Pie]

For the sake of balance:

As the top team it's understandable that we think we have a case for 13 players in the Dream Team. Realistically it's never going to happen, and we did have the biggest contingent.

As Wigan fans we watch our team more often and more intently that we watch others, so, even without conscious bias, we're going to lean towards Wigan. For example, I don't see why Matty Lees is in, other than that someone may have said "You can't have a Dream Team with no Saints player in"! But I have to admit that I've not seen him anywhere near as much as I've seen our men.

Another example is Junior. I'm a massive fan of his, and would gladly put a few quid in a hat towards keeping him away from the NRL. But - and I'll be misunderstood and shot down in flames for this - there's an argument that says Dream Team selection is for performances over the whole season. Junior was clearly still learning his trade in the first half of this season. He's been fantastic throughout for a 19/20 year old, and is now the real deal, but a neutral observer could easily have gone for a more experienced player on the basis of performances through the whole season.

Spot on

[morley pie eater]

For the sake of balance:

As the top team it's understandable that we think we have a case for 13 players in the Dream Team. Realistically it's never going to happen, and we did have the biggest contingent.

As Wigan fans we watch our team more often and more intently that we watch others, so, even without conscious bias, we're going to lean towards Wigan. For example, I don't see why Matty Lees is in, other than that someone may have said "You can't have a Dream Team with no Saints player in"! But I have to admit that I've not seen him anywhere near as much as I've seen our men.

Another example is Junior. I'm a massive fan of his, and would gladly put a few quid in a hat towards keeping him away from the NRL. But - and I'll be misunderstood and shot down in flames for this - there's an argument that says Dream Team selection is for performances over the whole season. Junior was clearly still learning his trade in the first half of this season. He's been fantastic throughout for a 19/20 year old, and is now the real deal, but a neutral observer could easily have gone for a more experienced player on the basis of performances through the whole season.

Spot on

Why thank you, kind sir. I expected a bit of flak tbh.

I do think that the panel selecting the team are probably told, or decide, not to have too many from one side. It would be hard to argue with a team with 5 from Wigan and 4 each from Rovers and Wire, or even an all Lancashire team plus Money Lewis, but they'd get plenty flak from other fans. They may even have a ceiling of 4 from any one team. This is not a criticism, I can understand the thinking behind it.

It's also hard to compare an individual playing in a winning side with someone good in a team of journeymen. As has been said, it's much easier for Sneyd, for example, to win MoS than for a Wigan player to win it. The opposite may possibly be true for the Dream Team, as it's hard to maintain individual standards in a team that gets trounced every week.

I guess a big part of the purpose of this is to get fans talking. If so, it's working well.

[widdenoldboy]

Mulhern can count himself very unlucky, or has he been injured some of the season?

[the pieman]

Mulhern can count himself very unlucky, or has he been injured some of the season?

i think thats why there arent more Leigh players in the team as Mulhern, Amone, Ipape and Asiata have all been out injured for spells, hence the poor start, but equally impressive end to the season with 10 out of 12 wins

[moto748]

I think you could certainly make a case for Ipape being one of the best 9s in the comp, along with O'Neill and Walker.

[josie andrews]

Junior Nsemba admits ‘surprise’ to Dream Team selection and talks Matt Peet’s influence

A Super League Dream Team call-up may have come as a surprise to a modest Junior Nsemba, but it certainly didn’t shock any Super League supporters following the back-rower’s stunning breakthrough campaign.

The Wigan academy product is the youngest member of this year’s Dream Team at 20-years-old, named alongside team-mates Luke Thompson, Liam Marshall and Jake Wardle with the Warriors leading the way with more inclusions than any other club.

Given his first chance of the season from the bench against London Broncos in round four, Nsemba went on to make a back-row spot his own following a long-term injury to veteran Willie Isa.

He has enjoyed a total of 22 appearances across the 2024 Super League campaign, crossing for seven tries - including his first competition four-pointer in the 40-12 win over Leigh Leopards in April – and has played a huge part in Wigan’s League Leaders’ Shield triumph, winning the title back-to-back for the first time ever.

“I was actually in church when I found out. Sam Eseh came over to me and congratulated me,” Nsemba said of his Dream Team selection.

“I go to the same church as Sam, Patrick Mago has been there too. It’s amazing. Everything I do is through God. I went to church praying for a good season at the start, and I feel like that has happened.

“I was pretty shocked, surprised and excited to be recognised. This means that I’ve got to keep a standard for myself as well as the Wigan team now."

The Wigan St Judes amateur rose through the youth ranks at the Warriors, coached by now first-team boss Matt Peet in the academy, with Nsemba making his senior bow in 2022 against Hull KR.

And the talented youngster has shared his admiration for the ‘family man’ head coach, who has led the Warriors to six titles in just three years in charge.

“I’ve been with Matty since I was young and through the scholarship,” Nsemba added.

“He’s guided me all the way, and he’s pretty close to my parents. He’s a family man, and I appreciate how close he is with my parents.

“I’m a big family man as well and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me.”

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ce-4795373

[josie andrews]

two 7's shoe horned in without a number 6, just shows how they've tried to justify both Sneyd and Lewis being in the running for the MoS

Field, French and O'Neill have all had spells out injured, so probably miss out on that alone, but probably not far off being included

Same with Matty Lees for St Helens! Couldn’t leave out a Saints player!