Re: When Wrench returns... : Sat May 13, 2023 10:08 pm  

Awesome to read, yeah another game or 2 in the reserves to make sure he gets some fitness before being considered i think. Left centre as well so clearly being earmarked there.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Sat May 13, 2023 10:32 pm  

Neither ratchford or matautia are the future but wrench may well be. He needs to play this season and regularly too. He'll have to wait for his chance and make it very hard to leave him out. At the minute Powell is doing a good job of picking the team on merit, no favourites but reward for the lads who are performing (he hasnt had enough credit for this really). If wrench plays well, he'll be kept in the matchday squad.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Sun May 14, 2023 11:32 am  

I'm not getting too concerned about who drops out if Wrench proves he is up to it. He has never had a lengthy spell at centre. Plenty of injuries crop up & Ratchford & and Mat'autia have played OK in various positions.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Sun May 14, 2023 4:33 pm  

fez1 wrote:

Do tell!

84-12(?) at home to Bradford, end of 2001 season. I think DVDV's last run of games. I think most of team were at Nikau's leaving party getting plastered until a few hours before the game. I was in the US at the time, and couldn't get home because 9/11 happened. In fact 9/11 is probably the reason no one remembers that game, as it sort of overshadowed the controversy.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Mon May 15, 2023 3:21 pm  

Next reserve game is Leigh away on the 27th my choice would be play him in that.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Wed May 17, 2023 1:18 pm  

karetaker wrote:

Next reserve game is Leigh away on the 27th my choice would be play him in that.

Seems this game is cancelled now. Powell as said on WG site that he now considers him in mix for selection and will start considering when we back to League after the cup game.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Wed May 17, 2023 1:53 pm  

That's because it is cheaper for Leigh to cancel these fixtures and pay the fine than run a reserve side. I hope Leigh get this sorted and quickly - the amount of players they're signing they've no excuse.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Wed May 17, 2023 4:33 pm  

Putting Wrench in without another hit up in the reserves is a big call - particularly if it's as a replacement for the current centres.
He could put him on the bench or the wing I suppose.
Still, it's a big call for DP to make.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Wed May 17, 2023 5:10 pm  

fez1 wrote:

Putting Wrench in without another hit up in the reserves is a big call - particularly if it's as a replacement for the current centres.
He could put him on the bench or the wing I suppose.
Still, it's a big call for DP to make.

With reserve fixtures being cancelled and saying he would not send him out loan kinda leaves him little options.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Thu May 18, 2023 6:46 am  

ratticusfinch wrote:

That's because it is cheaper for Leigh to cancel these fixtures and pay the fine than run a reserve side. I hope Leigh get this sorted and quickly - the amount of players they're signing they've no excuse.

I am as frustrated as you regarding the Reserve games but Leigh don`t have an Academy team because the RFL refused them permission to join the Academy League, playing other Super League Clubs` Academy Teams.

The Reserve League is just a farce team, with teams (Including Wire) packing their reserve teams with Academy players, with just the odd squad player, or as in Wrench`s case, players returning from an injury.

The fact that Leigh don`t have an Academy team, makes it difficult for Leigh to do this, and I assume that they must be using some amateur players to fulfil their Reserve fixtures?

The whole concept of the Reserve League needs reviewing.