Ok: 1994 or 2024?

[ancientnloyal]

Have a think - which season was better?

We won everything in 1994 and 2024… so what is it to be?

[ancientnloyal]

1994
WCC in Australia and arguably the greatest Wigan team ever assembled on a field.

[DaiJones]

Coincidentally just been discussing this and I think 1994 has to win as I think overall the standard of opposition was stronger and the squad we had was truly incredible even compared to the excellent one we have now. Have compared below to see who from 2024 would break into the 94 squad..

BACKS-Robinson, Offiah, Tuigamala, Edwards are no brainers over Miski, Marshall, Keighran and Smith but this is not a criticism of the the current quartet at all. Bevan gets in over Frano Botica at 6 which is a tribute to French because Frano was a very fine stand off in addition to his goal kicking. You can debate Wardle v Connolly but for all Wardle's genuine world class talent Connolly was at least his equal in pretty much every department and was also world class at full back. Field is faster and probably a better one on one tackler than Henry Paul was but it must be remembered that at this time Paul was one of the most exciting attacking talents in either hemisphere and first choice for his country in the World Cup so the 1994-95 version of Paul was better than 2024 Field, much as I love Jai.

1994 6 vs 2024 1

FORWARDS- Starting with the back row which is a clean sweep for 94: Sensational though Liam Farrell has been throughout his career, the 2024 version of him is a great man in his 'wise old sage era' whereas his cousin 1994/5 Andy Farrell is one of the all time greats and a monster talent, brilliant though Kaide Ellis has been in 2024, Phil Clarke was a better all round loose forward and one of the most highly rated back rowers in the world about to embark on an NRL career, Nsemba could well be one of the best second rows the game has ever seen but he is 6 months into a top career at the moment. At this point Denis Betts was in his mid 20s and firmly in the discussion for the best second row in the world. He had won Man of Steel, lance Todd Trophy and captained GB in a World Cup final. He scored 20 tries for Wigan in 1994-95. Up front is more nuanced. I think Luke Thompson gets in over Neil Cowie and despite 1994-95 being very much the annus mirabilis of Martin Hall's life (he scored 13 tries for Wigan) O'Neill gets in at hooker. There is a debate to had between Skerrett and Havard. Ethan is more athletic and disciplined but Kelvin was not just a bruiser, he could really play and bust holes in the best defences at test level. It should be a draw but I think I'll go with Kelvin. Sorry on that one.

1994 4 2024 2

SUBS

Mick Cassidy, Simon Haughton, Kris Radlinski, Paul Atcheson were the four players who played in either the 1994-5 Challenge Cup and Premiership Final games that I haven't mentioned so far which means it is much harder to measure against the 2024 leftovers from Wembley and Old Trafford. (Dupree, Mago, Byrne, Forber, Leeming, Cooper, Eckersley). The only real match ups there are Eckersley v Radlinski / Atcheson as Zach is at a similar stage of his career to those two. I'd say he is better than Atcheson and pretty close to how Rads was at this point but Kris was months away from being starting full back for England in the 95 World Cup and I'm not sure Zach is quite there. 1994/ 5 Cassidy is probably better than any of Byrne, Forber, Leeming, veteran stage Cooper, Dupree and Mago. Haughton was a teenager with size and pace who often made an impact coming off the bench he would be faster than any of Byrne, Dupree, Mago and Cooper but still at the green stage of his career so hard to judge really

[thegimble]

2024 in terms of achievement

All teams now are on a level playing field technically in Super League. If a cap was in place that 1994 side would not happen.

Broncos did not win the Grand Final that season they finished 5th on the ladder. Panthers finished 2nd due to Cleary's injury. They won their GF for the 4th time on the bounce. Pity we will not go them for a rematch.

I agree the 94 side is better team but would not have happened if a cap was in place. Today's side did something that cap was supposedly created to stop. 1 team total domination. And scary thought this side is here next season.

[Flash]

I'm not sure there is much milage in comparing teams from different eras. The circumstances surrounding the game in general were just too different. In terms of achievement I'd have to go for the 2024 version though for the reasons mentioned by thegimble above. To do what we have just done in a salary capped era is almost too ridiculous for words!

On a personal level it's also been the most enjoyable season. 2006 was fantastic for different reasons but this season has been a pleasure from start to finish.

Well done everyone at the club and us fans for playing our part too!

[josie andrews]

I'm not sure there is much milage in comparing teams from different eras. The circumstances surrounding the game in general were just too different. In terms of achievement I'd have to go for the 2024 version though for the reasons mentioned by thegimble above. To do what we have just done in a salary capped era is almost too ridiculous for words!

On a personal level it's also been the most enjoyable season. 2006 was fantastic for different reasons but this season has been a pleasure from start to finish.

Well done everyone at the club and us fans for playing our part too!

[Beryl O'Neill]

Has Steve Hampson been mentioned best full back I've ever seen in my opinion also in the eighties you could bring a player from overseas for just 1 or 2 matches to play in a special game St Helens if I remember right did it on a couple of occasions in Wembley finals can't recall exactly who.so you really can't compare teams of today with the Eighties and Nineties and no salary cap

[Firestarter]

Has Steve Hampson been mentioned best full back I've ever seen in my opinion also in the eighties you could bring a player from overseas for just 1 or 2 matches to play in a special game St Helens if I remember right did it on a couple of occasions in Wembley finals can't recall exactly who.so you really can't compare teams of today with the Eighties and Nineties and no salary cap

I remember michael oconner and paul vauten playing for saints in a final

[Stanfax]

And lost 27-0...

[Beryl O'Neill]

I remember that very well Connolly played for St Helens then iconic game.