Wigan Warriors in Crisis?

[moto748]

This guy is definitely a Yorkshire man - his Twitter page sponsors Stanley Rangers in Wakefield and lets face it if they can't make something up to moan about then they'll moan for nothing!

There's not a lot of things a Yorkshireman will do for free, but...

[fozzieskem]

Props don't even look like props of old do they?

Opinion is just that opinion and the author is entitled to his.

[DaveO]

That's just it. Who would have? The players thesedays are so strong in comparision to those of yesteryear that most wingers of today would be able to physically dominate most props of yesteryear (especially those from 40 years ago!).

I really don't think so. McTigue being dominated by Budgie? OKay.....

More recently a front rower like Brian Case would scare the living daylights out of most of our team never mind the wingers.

The reality is that most sports are going through the same evolution, where physically the player who hits the gym, looks after himself is going to get an advantage over the rest. The resultant "arms race" get's us to where we are now. This is inevitable and there is absolutely nothing you can do about that.

That presupposes a number of things. While I accept there is increased size in backs that blurs the lines I doubt you will find the likes of Budgie or any of our other wingers thinking they are interchangeable with props. They can take the ball up occasionally but the implication there is little difference is still wide of the mark IMO. We still have the situation where players with genuine pace won't retain it if they play as a forward so saying if you trained them as one they are physically capable of assuming that role is totally academic.

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

That's just it. Who would have? The players thesedays are so strong in comparision to those of yesteryear that most wingers of today would be able to physically dominate most props of yesteryear (especially those from 40 years ago!).

I really don't think so. McTigue being dominated by Budgie? OKay.....

More recently a front rower like Brian Case would scare the living daylights out of most of our team never mind the wingers.

The reality is that most sports are going through the same evolution, where physically the player who hits the gym, looks after himself is going to get an advantage over the rest. The resultant "arms race" get's us to where we are now. This is inevitable and there is absolutely nothing you can do about that.

That presupposes a number of things. While I accept there is increased size in backs that blurs the lines I doubt you will find the likes of Budgie or any of our other wingers thinking they are interchangeable with props. They can take the ball up occasionally but the implication there is little difference is still wide of the mark IMO. We still have the situation where players with genuine pace won't retain it if they play as a forward so saying if you trained them as one they are physically capable of assuming that role is totally academic.

Josh Charnley is an example.

[DaveO]

That's just it. Who would have? The players thesedays are so strong in comparision to those of yesteryear that most wingers of today would be able to physically dominate most props of yesteryear (especially those from 40 years ago!).

I really don't think so. McTigue being dominated by Budgie? OKay.....

More recently a front rower like Brian Case would scare the living daylights out of most of our team never mind the wingers.

The reality is that most sports are going through the same evolution, where physically the player who hits the gym, looks after himself is going to get an advantage over the rest. The resultant "arms race" get's us to where we are now. This is inevitable and there is absolutely nothing you can do about that.

That presupposes a number of things. While I accept there is increased size in backs that blurs the lines I doubt you will find the likes of Budgie or any of our other wingers thinking they are interchangeable with props. They can take the ball up occasionally but the implication there is little difference is still wide of the mark IMO. We still have the situation where players with genuine pace won't retain it if they play as a forward so saying if you trained them as one they are physically capable of assuming that role is totally academic.

Josh Charnley is an example.

Of what? A player who'd run a mile from Brian Case? Then yes he would.

I am a great fan of Josh and thought the bad press he got here was well out of order but I think this "one size fits all rl player idea" is being taken a bit too far from reality.

[Wintergreen]

That's just it. Who would have? The players thesedays are so strong in comparision to those of yesteryear that most wingers of today would be able to physically dominate most props of yesteryear (especially those from 40 years ago!).

I really don't think so. McTigue being dominated by Budgie? OKay.....

More recently a front rower like Brian Case would scare the living daylights out of most of our team never mind the wingers.

The reality is that most sports are going through the same evolution, where physically the player who hits the gym, looks after himself is going to get an advantage over the rest. The resultant "arms race" get's us to where we are now. This is inevitable and there is absolutely nothing you can do about that.

That presupposes a number of things. While I accept there is increased size in backs that blurs the lines I doubt you will find the likes of Budgie or any of our other wingers thinking they are interchangeable with props. They can take the ball up occasionally but the implication there is little difference is still wide of the mark IMO. We still have the situation where players with genuine pace won't retain it if they play as a forward so saying if you trained them as one they are physically capable of assuming that role is totally academic.

You are missing the point Dave O.

I am not talking about wingers interchanging with props in the CURRENT game. I am talking about the increased size and strength of players in general versus those of previous era's.

So much so in fact, that, imo most (not all) wingers from today are stronger than most (not all) props from 40 years ago.

Take your example of McTigue. I never saw him play, but given the era he was playing in, how heavy was he? 13st? 14st?

I would be interested to hear if anyone had this information as I'm sure it would be quite interesting.

Can you imagaine a prop playing at that weight today? He would be picked up and thrown about like a rag doll.

Would McTigue be dominated by todays props? Of course he would. Would he be dominated by the likes of Ryan Hall or even Dom Manfredi? Well I would lay money on Hall and Manfredi being bigger and stronger than McTigue, so yes they would.

Same with Brian Case. A fantastic player who gave 100% all the time, BUT he would not be able to compete with the players today unless he worked on his size and strength.

Now of course players like Case and McTigue, with their talent and work ethic would likely be a success today, BUT, and here is the key point, they would be bigger and stronger.