Jarrod Sammut.



We should pick certain non-Wigan players and vote for them en masse.

I've voted and didn't pick any Wigan players...



Hodgson

J Mon

King

Soliola

Meli

Chase

Sammut

Mason

Buderus

Leuluai (K)

Fa'alogo

Morrison

Faiumu



However, when I voted (bout 5 mins since) the most popular choices were:

B Hodge, Richards, J Mon, King, Carmont, Chase, Tommy, Buderus, Fitzgibbon, Mason, O'Meley, O'Donnell, Menzies.

You're speaking like this was never a problem for anyone before Wigan this year.



IIRC Leeds beat Cas with 7 players missing through international duty in 2008 and Saints had 6 of their 7 backing up to win 46-16 against Huddersfield the same weekend.



Players back up all the time after origin in Aus too.



I don't see the big deal really - if you have high profile international players, they're going to get called up for rep matches. If you don't want them to back up, don't make them (a la Leeds), if you do then play them (a la Saints).

Sure, but why not allow Wigan and Warrington (who are the only other team to probably have more than 4 players involved) to postpone their SL fixtures from that weekend? Why they plan international games and SL games on the same weekend is beyond me anyway!

If you have more than 4 out, I think you can postpone. Pretty sure that's been the rule previously.

Didn't Leeds postpone last season due to an international?

Remember something about it but not sure if they actually did??

Personally I'd rather have our better players in the higher quality, more intense matches, and have an excuse to bring in some younger players to see what they can do. If we postpone we just put a lot more pressure on ourselves closer to the time that actually matters.



It isn't like a single round in SL makes that much difference, we run a playoff system. Plus if another team is supposedly as good as us (in table position) it should be safe to guess they will be losing as many players as we are, hence put under the same pressure to show off their depth, and deserve their league position.



I'm all for this match.

That's not the case though! Leeds are likely to have just 3 players involved, while Wigan, Warrington and possibly Saints could have as many as 6 or 7 involved. That means 3 of the current top 6 at a distinct dis-advantage that weekend, compared to their nearest rivals. We are due to play Cas 2 days later, who are currently above us in the table, and are likely only to have 1 player involved.



I'd rather we postpone it, even if we have to play the re-arranged tie mid-week. At least that way, we can still pick our strongest side at the time. We could even play it in the week after a Challenge Cup tie - that way, we could give a few kids a change on the weekend, and play a first choice side mid week against Cas.

England are going to get smashed to bits imo

They did in '09.



I'd expect a couple to back up if we don't postpone the game, Sam, Joel and Lockers did when we walloped Wakey last year, although Lockers limped off after 10 mins.

IIRC this game isn't being classified as an international - that's why the Aussie clubs can hold onto their UK players. Some players back up a couple of days after State Of Origin games but granted the SOO games take place on a Wednesday. Then again. It'll test a lot of club's strength in depth. FWIW I really like the concept - shame it's being played up north tho!

The team at the moment looks like:



1. Brett Hodgson

2. Joel Monaghan

3. Matt King

4. George Carmont

5. Pat Richards

6. Rangi Chase

7. Thomas Leuluai

8. Mark O'Meley

9. Danny Buderus

10. Willie Mason

11. Luke O'Donnell

12. Clint Newton

13. Craig Fitzgibbon