Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:44 am  

Sutton would cap a really good window. Depends on his salary expectations but I would say Leeds probably have more cap space than Wigan and Warrington and at least as much as Saints. I would say it depends on the space available on the non fed trained marquee position and what salary we are paying Ackers. If it is similar to Myler and we had room to keep Myler we have scope to bring Sutton in on 100k plus non fed marquee.
Assume Wigan 3 marquees are Farrell Thompson and French.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:46 am  

I have it on good authority that we have signed Lee Kershaw.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:51 am  

Catalans have plenty of cap space to sign Sutton.
And yes Eden has signed for Halifax that`s why I was suggesting I`m surprised we weren`t interested in him.
But Kershaw hopefully will be a good signing and despite what he looks like he`s still only young!

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 11:02 am  

We should 100% be going for Sutton.
Cats will be the main challenger I expect.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 11:10 am  

Kershaw would be a significant upgrade on Olpherts assuming that's the play here. If we can get Sutton or Burgess in (probably a big if given their SL options are probably us or Catalans) then that would cap a brilliant transfer window. There must be money left given Myler's recent and somewhat unexpected departure.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 12:14 pm  

Not sure what happened with Sutton in the NRL. He was going really well and all of a sudden Canberra went off him and they clearly weren't keen on him at Canterbury either. He was always dead set on going to Australia right from the off at Wigan so it would likely be a reluctant decision to move to a SL club.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 12:47 pm  

So we replace Olpherts with Kershaw, that gives us a better player and potentially a little more cap too, perhaps.

I imagine if we offload Olpherts we will have to part-fund it.

It does look like we are trying to create cap space for someone else. Sutton would be more likely than Burgess IMO.

Or maybe Wilson still from Hudds.

Looks very much like a couple of signings still to be made; cracking off-season recruitment in theory.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:37 pm  

Like others, I have no idea if Boyce can adapt to RL, but apparently (from a mate within RU) he's a very talented player, was on the cusp of international selection a cpl years ago and is a very good athlete.

Good luck to him!

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:54 pm  

FGB wrote:

Like others, I have no idea if Boyce can adapt to RL, but apparently (from a mate within RU) he's a very talented player, was on the cusp of international selection a cpl years ago and is a very good athlete.

Good luck to him!

It looks like he came through the Yorkshire Carnegie system originally etc. You're no mug if you've played prop for Bath and Harlequins, and he isn't that old really either.

As others have said it's the specific skill set and the cardio needs in RL but who knows. I'm still expecting +1 prop incoming before season begins, maybe he's a candidate if we don't pull off another signing who knows.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Nov 14, 2023 2:55 pm  

The top union props are built for scrummaging and not much else.

If he hasnt made it to the top as a union prop, it may be that his body is more suited to league, rather than scrums.

My main concern for him would be the vast change in cardio fitness needed. Increase in carries, tackles and getting back 10m in the defensive line will be a big change for him.

But theres no harm in giving him a chance.