Levrier wrote:
Wigan have a very talented young fullback called Mullen who came on a few weeks ago and was slotted into the dummy half role and first pivot as cover for Leuluai and then for Powell. He looked a natural who could be shaped into anyone of a number of roles. We also have a young lad called Harry Smith who could well be a future star but he will stil be a junior next season. In the meantime we will still have the Grand Final winning halves from this year. We need to be planning for what happens when TL hangs up his boots. As for this year we have plenty of cover at fullback even if Zak crashes and burns. I am more worried by the Bateman sized hole in our defence.
Defensively I’d back Isa and Farrell to get the job done but it’s just Batemans attitude and leadership which we’ll miss. He drives the standards across the team and never drops below a 7 on 10 performance (and they’re usually 8 or 9 on 10)and his effort rarely dipped below 100%. His metres in attack are going to be a huge miss also but the likes of Farrell again and Greenwood can churn them out. What none of our back rowers can do though is lead like Bateman through sheer determination and aggression.
