Re: 2003 : Sun Apr 12, 2020 10:14 am  

ChrisA wrote:

Craig Smith after a very average first season, was absolutely immense. I can't remeber many better during my time watching Wigan.

Danny Sculthorpe was one I was gutted about that never really made it. He was tough, but he had a great rugby brain.

I think bringing Pongia in mid season really helped Smith and brought out the best in him.

When those 2 played together the intensity really ramped up.

Re: 2003 : Sun Apr 12, 2020 5:43 pm  

To be fair to Craig Smith didn’t he have a fairly serious ankle injury just before he came to Wigan? Pretty sure he had to have it pinned and this effected his fitness.

Re: 2003 : Sun Apr 12, 2020 6:14 pm  

Couldn’t get over how good O’Connor was in that game. Played the full first half, game off for 5 mins in the second.

Immense, Tony Clubb should watch that

Re: 2003 : Sun Apr 12, 2020 6:27 pm  

He'd have to stop it every 10 mins for a break

Re: 2003 : Mon Apr 13, 2020 12:35 am  

Must admit, Tony Clubb has passed my mind a few times, watching these games.

Re: 2003 : Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:02 am  

moto748 wrote:

Must admit, Tony Clubb has passed my mind a few times, watching these games.

I'm sure a number of games have passed Clubb by as he was sat recovering from his 2 drives in 20 minutes.

Re: 2003 : Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:14 am  

I will always give credit to good players whether they play for Saints or not and Sculthorpe was a superb player, absolutely....but Farrell was easily the better player no doubt in my mind. When it came to the international stage i would have had Farrell in the second row and Scully at LF. Farrell in the second row was devastating.

Re: 2003 : Mon Apr 13, 2020 12:01 pm  

At their best there wasn't much to choose between Paul Scunthorpe and Farrell, and although he never won the golden boot award, I always thought Sculthorpe performed better for GB than Farrell. Injuries meant that Sculthorpe's prime was cut short which is probably why Farrell will always rank higher in these kinds of conversations, but at his best he's up there with best we've seen in this country.

Re: 2003 : Mon Apr 13, 2020 12:06 pm  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

At their best there wasn't much to choose between Paul Scunthorpe and Farrell, and although he never won the golden boot award, I always thought Sculthorpe performed better for GB than Farrell. Injuries meant that Sculthorpe's prime was cut short which is probably why Farrell will always rank higher in these kinds of conversations, but at his best he's up there with best we've seen in this country.

Farrell left Wigan at 29 Scully at 31, Farrell was better for me in all departments not taking away from Scully at all as he was one of the best in the world also at his peak.

Re: 2003 : Mon Apr 13, 2020 3:25 pm  

Farrell had literally everything (except blistering pace). Defence, step off the left or right, a fend, kicking out of hand and off a tee, offloading, leadership, passion, professionalism and he was a great man off the pitch.

Think it was the 2003 SF vs. Leeds where on one leg he was the best player on the pitch by a mile even with the likes of Rads, Sinfield, McGuire etc. playing.

It would have been a miracle if we had won the 2003 GF from 3rd against that Bradford team that is considered one of the best ever, but we weren't that far off. Even with Lockers and Robinson in the halves who I think were 19/20 years old. We got hammered with penalties and Deacon kicked us to death. Then Leon Pryce assaulted Carney to put him out of the game which was a clear red card but not even a penalty given.

Mike Gregory was an amazing coach.