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

[Gerrumonside ref]

Which is the greatest Wigan side of the modern era?

1994 Wigan or 2024 Wigan?

Discuss below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cx2k104zn57o

[Gerrumonside ref]

Having watched the 1994 vintage close up and in person as a Saints fan, I’m tempted to take the nostalgic view that they are the better of the two - interested to hear the Wigan fans views though or other rival fans who can remember both?

[Gerrumonside ref]

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."

[M j M]

I appreciate that 1994 is still considered the modern era

[Gerrumonside ref]

1 minute ago, M j M said:

I appreciate that 1994 is still considered the modern era

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

[Damien]

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.

[M j M]

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".

[Whippet13]

I'd put them on par, but if Wigan go and do it all again in 2025 then that ranks them as top for me.

[Dunbar]

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

[The Future is League]

I think the Current Wugan side could hold its own in the NRL. I'm saying could win it, but IMO certainly hold their own.

I think the 1994 team could have held their own in the Australia competition.

[arcticchris]

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.

[Futtocks]

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

[gingerjon]

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.

[Dunbar]

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.

[Damien]

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.

[WN83]

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. 

[Damien]

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 

[arcticchris]

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.

[arcticchris]

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

[Trojan]

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

[Hopie]

1994 wouldn't fit under any sort of salary cap so they were most valuable, the spending on that kind of team changed the sport so not that great overall.

[Human Punk]

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.

[ricky]

In 94, how many other teams were FT?

[Liverpool Rover]

The 1994 team with todays fitness and conditioning would do well in todays game. They wouldn’t be as dominant as even todays League 1 defences are possibly better organised than defences back then.

[Wigan Riversider]

Slightly off topic, granted 100% totally...

Wigan 1987 v Manly

And

Wigan v St Helens Challenge Cup Final 1989 were equally as good as 1994/ 2024.