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Best Wigan side of the modern era? 1994 vintage or class of 2024?


Which is the greatest modern Wigan side?  

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  1. 1. Greatest Wigan side of the modern era?



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Here’s Matt Peet’s own verdict:

Asked in his post-match news conference following Wigan's 9-2 Grand Final victory over Hull KR whether his side match up to the squad of 1994, Peet batted the question away.

"No, truthfully and honestly," he said. "It's nice to be asked and nice to be mentioned."

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I think it's hard to compare eras with the changes to the game.

1994 undoubtedly had more star, household names in the backs with Offiah, Robinson, Connolly etc. I think French, Wardle and Field would get a place in that backline though. I think 2024 has a far more dominant pack.

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10 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

We are old!  So it has to be done to feel relevant haha!

I remember walking out of Elland Road in November '94 thinking, "well I've got maybe 60 or 70 years still to go, we'll be sure to beat them at some point".

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For reference, here is the Wigan side that beat Brisbane Broncos in Australia in '94.

How many of the current Wigan team would get into that side.

The '94 back three of Connolly, Offiah and Robinson were all class, the current players dona great job but you couldn't honestly put them higher (I couldn't).

Same with the back row of the pack with Betts, Farrell and Clarke.  Again, 2024 Farrell, Nsemba and Ellis are very good but you have to go with '94.

Smith and French vs. Edwards and Botica.  That's an interesting one.  I think that is pretty even.  A lot will go with Edwards due to his longevity but I like the game management and off the cuff that Smith and French offer.

I think you could make an argument that the current front row is better and maybe Wardle in the centre.

But on the whole, the 1994 squad is better individually. 

But 2024 are better coached and play above the individual parts.

1. Gary Connolly

2. Jason Robinson

3. Sam Panapa

4. Barrie-Jon Mather

5. Martin Offiah

6. Frano Botica

7. Shaun Edwards (c)

8. Neil Cowie

9. Martin Dermott

10. Billy McGinty

11. Denis Betts

12. Andy Farrell

13. Phil Clarke

Subs:

14. Va'aiga Tuigamala

15. Martin Hall

16. Mick Cassidy

17. Paul Atcheson

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"The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby.

"If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris

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A composite team:

1. Field 2024

2. Robinson 1994

3. Connolly 1994

4. Tuigamala 1994

5. Offiah 1994

6. French 2024

7. Edwards 1994

8. Cowie 1994

9. Dermott 1994

10. Thompson 2024

11. Betts 1994

12. Farrell 1994

13. Clarke 1994

 

14. Wardle 2024

15. Nsemba 2024

16. Ellis 2024

17. Havard 2024

 

10-7 to the 1994 team with some positional switches that reflect their careers.

 

1994 bench balance is bizarre with a centre/wing, full back, second row and a hooker although fairly sure there were injuries in the front row.

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Edwards and French is a combination that could give opposing coaches nightmares!

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Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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I think the teams they are having to beat week in week out in England, and the manner of how they are beating them, puts this Wigan team ahead.

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Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett)

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1 hour ago, arcticchris said:

A composite team:

1. Field 2024

2. Robinson 1994

3. Connolly 1994

4. Tuigamala 1994

5. Offiah 1994

6. French 2024

7. Edwards 1994

8. Cowie 1994

9. Dermott 1994

10. Thompson 2024

11. Betts 1994

12. Farrell 1994

13. Clarke 1994

 

14. Wardle 2024

15. Nsemba 2024

16. Ellis 2024

17. Havard 2024

 

10-7 to the 1994 team with some positional switches that reflect their careers.

 

1994 bench balance is bizarre with a centre/wing, full back, second row and a hooker although fairly sure there were injuries in the front row.

I think that is fair.  The only change I would make is that Frano Botica is one of the best 17 players and so would be in the composite side - probably a bench spot.

"The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby.

"If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris

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1 hour ago, arcticchris said:

A composite team:

1. Field 2024

2. Robinson 1994

3. Connolly 1994

4. Tuigamala 1994

5. Offiah 1994

6. French 2024

7. Edwards 1994

8. Cowie 1994

9. Dermott 1994

10. Thompson 2024

11. Betts 1994

12. Farrell 1994

13. Clarke 1994

 

14. Wardle 2024

15. Nsemba 2024

16. Ellis 2024

17. Havard 2024

 

10-7 to the 1994 team with some positional switches that reflect their careers.

 

1994 bench balance is bizarre with a centre/wing, full back, second row and a hooker although fairly sure there were injuries in the front row.

Tuigamala hardly played in that 1994 season and was off the pace really when he did play after his RU move, hence being in the bench in the WCC too, so that rules him out for me compared to Wardle.

I'd also have Ellis over Cowie with Mago on the bench instead as an impact forward.

Agree with the rest though.

Edited by Damien
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These sort of debates are always tough to judge. I tend to think the game in this country as a whole isn't at it's strongest point currently and that can make you wonder about just how good this Wigan side is but I then look through the side on paper and not only is it very good, with very few weaknesses but it's also pretty young and some players aren't at their peak yet. 

I don't think it's up there with the 1994 team really but it's clearly the best side knocking about at the moment and has every right to claim that it's Wigan's best ever Superleague side. There have been some good ones and some of the sides on paper around 1999-2001 looked absolutely stacked but didn't win anything. This lot are not just talented but they seem very mentally strong and full of belief that they can hold teams out and soak up anything that is thrown at them. I always think the period of Saints success played a big part in the learning this Wigan side has done. They forced Wigan to learn the art of sticking in games, remaining patient and taking your opportunities when they come because no side tried to suffocate you like that Saints side from 2019-2022 and in the early years of that we'd always buckle when playing against them. 

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I think this from the 1995 Challenge Cup final is more accurate of the team the article refers to and the 1994-1995 season. Think this one is stronger:

FB    1    Henry Paul
RW    2    Jason Robinson
RC    3    Va'aiga Tuigamala
LC    4    Gary Connolly
LW    5    Martin Offiah
SO    6    Frano Botica
SH    7    Shaun Edwards (c)
PR    8    Kelvin Skerrett
HK    9    Martin Hall
PR    10    Neil Cowie
SR    11    Denis Betts
SR    12    Mick Cassidy 
LF    13    Phil Clarke
Substitutions:
IC    14    Paul Atcheson    
IC    15    Andy Farrell 

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5 hours ago, Dunbar said:

I think that is fair.  The only change I would make is that Frano Botica is one of the best 17 players and so would be in the composite side - probably a bench spot.

That is certainly fair as he would bring his immaculate goal kicking along with versatility to plate in the halves or wing and full back. Definitely pushed Wardle hard for the utility/backline cover spot on the bench.

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4 hours ago, Damien said:

Tuigamala hardly played in that 1994 season and was off the pace really when he did play after his RU move, hence being in the bench in the WCC too, so that rules him out for me compared to Wardle.

I'd also have Ellis over Cowie with Mago on the bench instead as an impact forward.

Agree with the rest though.

To be fair I was thinking more about overall careers than just a season in isolation. Agree with your forward switch as being very valid as Ellis would definitely be a prop in the 90s when the trend at 13 was for an extra ball player.

Brad O’Neill would be very close to making it as well

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I think people are leaving out of their equations the threat of Bottica.  Sides would be very cautious taking liberties anywhere within kicking distance, he was lethal.   

I think Skerrett was very over rated compared to other props paying at the time  -  Kevin Ward say or Lee Crooks

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“Few thought him even a starter.There were many who thought themselves smarter. But he ended PM, CH and OM. An Earl and a Knight of the Garter.”

Clement Attlee.

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I've gone with the 1994 side. This current Wigan outfit looks a bit ordinary when French is missing, and I don't think you'd say the same of the 1994 side without, say, Edwards. They consistently looked streets ahead of the opposition, where the current side have managed to always be just a bit better. Having said that, the current competition is probably of a higher standard in general, so it's not exactly a fair comparison.

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