Re: England vs Samoa : Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:00 am  

Looks like the press has had access to Nsemba this week which I would say pretty much guarantees he will be involved.

Even more confident when the content is about his Grand Final “concussion” and the fact he wants to make his debut on Saturday. I’d say he’s nailed on for a bench spot.

Re: England vs Samoa : Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:25 am  

Stu M wrote:

It's a balancing act though. It's not like football with numerous friendlies throughout the year against decent sides. If he doesn't give players a chance how does he give them international experience and how does he assess how they cope against good teams?

Playing France is a waste of time as would playing an All Stars team. These opportunities don't come up much.

I agree but realistically I don't think there is a need to see 2 or 3 players in action who didn't play on Sunday. Nsemba is a yes and maybe Marshall and Danny Walker but Chris Hill and Ben Currie I'm not so sure. That leaves Morgan Smithies, who I'm a huge fan of but he looks to be third in the pecking order at loose forward and if that's the case, I'd rather Morgan Knowles get a game starting and let him play 80 minutes. I've mentioned before, we don't need two loose forwards on the bench, so he is a victim of the depth we have in that position for me.

It would leave us along the lines of-

Welsby
Young Newman Farnworth Marshall
Williams Smith
Thompson Walker Lees
Bateman Pearce-Paul Radley

Subs-T Burgess Havard Nsemba Lewis

That feels a decent balance of having a look at a couple of players but still naming a side to win the game.

Re: England vs Samoa : Wed Oct 30, 2024 3:40 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I agree but realistically I don't think there is a need to see 2 or 3 players in action who didn't play on Sunday. Nsemba is a yes and maybe Marshall and Danny Walker but Chris Hill and Ben Currie I'm not so sure. That leaves Morgan Smithies, who I'm a huge fan of but he looks to be third in the pecking order at loose forward and if that's the case, I'd rather Morgan Knowles get a game starting and let him play 80 minutes. I've mentioned before, we don't need two loose forwards on the bench, so he is a victim of the depth we have in that position for me.

It would leave us along the lines of-

Welsby
Young Newman Farnworth Marshall
Williams Smith
Thompson Walker Lees
Bateman Pearce-Paul Radley

Subs-T Burgess Havard Nsemba Lewis

That feels a decent balance of having a look at a couple of players but still naming a side to win the game.

That bench feels a lot stronger and more impactful than the one we had in the 1st test too

Re: England vs Samoa : Wed Oct 30, 2024 4:59 pm  

Reading between the lines of what is being released in the media I’m guessing Marshall & Nsemba will definitely play on Saturday.

Given they have already stated Thompson will play I look forward to the Wane only picks Wigan players comments all over social media.

Re: England vs Samoa : Thu Oct 31, 2024 6:08 am  

jonh wrote:

Reading between the lines of what is being released in the media I’m guessing Marshall & Nsemba will definitely play on Saturday.

Given they have already stated Thompson will play I look forward to the Wane only picks Wigan players comments all over social media.

Form Prop
Form second row (young player of the year)
Form winger (top try scorer)

It is without doubt some (the daft ones) will say Wane only picks Wigan players

Re: England vs Samoa : Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:23 am  

Jason65 wrote:

Form Prop
Form second row (young player of the year)
Form winger (top try scorer)

It is without doubt some (the daft ones) will say Wane only picks Wigan players

When I discuss Englands strongest team, I feel slightly biased when I say we need Thompson in, Nsemba in and if fit, we'd obviously have Wardle in but it's just not is it? They're the best prop and centre in Superleague and Nsemba is a sensation. Maybe calling for Marshall could be seen as slightly biased but in fairness I wouldn't pick him in our best 17 but if they do want to look at a back up option, get him in there. Come the Ashes, I'd pick Brad O'Neill in a heartbeat if he comes back well from his injury.

There is a huge amount of links to Wigan in Englands 17 but I think similar would be picked by Wane or any other coach.

Re: England vs Samoa : Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:38 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

When I discuss Englands strongest team, I feel slightly biased when I say we need Thompson in, Nsemba in and if fit, we'd obviously have Wardle in but it's just not is it? They're the best prop and centre in Superleague and Nsemba is a sensation. Maybe calling for Marshall could be seen as slightly biased but in fairness I wouldn't pick him in our best 17 but if they do want to look at a back up option, get him in there. Come the Ashes, I'd pick Brad O'Neill in a heartbeat if he comes back well from his injury.

There is a huge amount of links to Wigan in Englands 17 but I think similar would be picked by Wane or any other coach.

I’ve no issues with any of those. It’s not Wigan bias, it’s the best players in those positions. I’d personally prefer Ashton but wouldn’t lose sleep if Marshall was selected. He wouldn’t let anyone down.

I genuinely think Nsemba has the potential to be the best back rower in the world.

Re: England vs Samoa : Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:50 am  

Stu M wrote:

I’ve no issues with any of those. It’s not Wigan bias, it’s the best players in those positions. I’d personally prefer Ashton but wouldn’t lose sleep if Marshall was selected. He wouldn’t let anyone down.

I genuinely think Nsemba has the potential to be the best back rower in the world.

Ashton is a better player than Marshall IMO. I thought he was superb last Sunday and deserves his spot. If they want to take a look at a back up option, then throw Marshall in and as ever, he'll do a great job. I don't remember us being so blessed on the wings for a very long time because had Tom Johnstone been fully fit towards the back end of the season, he'd likely have been in the squad and pushed Marshall down to 4th choice, which is a great position to be in.

Re: England vs Samoa : Thu Oct 31, 2024 11:01 am  

jonh wrote:

Reading between the lines of what is being released in the media I’m guessing Marshall & Nsemba will definitely play on Saturday.

Given they have already stated Thompson will play I look forward to the Wane only picks Wigan players comments all over social media.

Yet it wasn't all over the media that there were literally twice as many Saints players than Wigan on Sunday, despite them having a poor season as a club. Strange that. Could it be that he's just picking who he thinks the best available players are? Surely not?

Re: England vs Samoa : Thu Oct 31, 2024 11:22 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

Yet it wasn't all over the media that there were literally twice as many Saints players than Wigan on Sunday, despite them having a poor season as a club. Strange that. Could it be that he's just picking who he thinks the best available players are? Surely not?

Add to that, Smith and Havard never played for Wigan under Wanes coaching.