Allow me to clarify seems as people insist on putting a magnifying glass over the comings and goings at Wigan.
This season only Mark Riddell, Amos Roberts and Cameron Phelps count on the quota. Thomas Leuluai and Harrison Hansen have never counted on any quota because they were here from an early age (Hansen was here from 18, Leuluai at Harlequins whilst 20).
George Carmont, Pat Richards, Feka Paleaasina and Phil Bailey would have counted on the Non-Federation trained limit, but a number of Clubs in the last few months of 2008 used the we do not have enough overseas slots available reason for not renewing certain players contracts and at least one legal case was threatened based upon constraint of a player's ability to earn a living.
To avoid the delays of an expensive potential legal challenge and to be scrupulously fair to players, it was decided by the ESL/RFL -with the unanimous votes of the 12 Super League clubs - to extend Federation Trained status to any players who had committed their future to Super League before the new Regulations were implemented. Since 50% of such current players are 30+ and unlikely to play many further years in Super League, the majority of these exemptions will work their way out quickly.
George Carmont, Pat Richards and Feka Paleaasina therefore become Federation Trained immediately and Phil Bailey at the end of 2009. Unlike most other clubs, Wigan has 3 out of 4 re-categorised Non-Federation players of a young age.
Most of the above has come from Ian Lenagan. So don't doubt the source. I also quote something he posted on our forum a couple of years ago:
Speaks volumes, doesn't it?
To make way for these three signings, Wigan are releasing/released/believed to be letting go of Feka Paleaasina (Castleford + 1 other Yorkshire club), Phil Bailey (retire), Mark Riddell (gone home family reasons) and Cameron Phelps. George Carmont is believed to want to stay for another year and from then we look to see how Darrell Goulding, Josh Charnley, Stefan Marsh and possibly Karl Pryce get on to fill that vacant centre spot.
Wigan prior to these three signings only had 1 player that counted on the overseas quota - Amos Roberts. Now with Ryan Hoffman, 26 (current Australian international with 4 caps to his name, 5 SOO games and 3 City Origin reps to his name), Jeff Lima, 28 (New Zealand international with 6 caps to his name) and Brett Finch, 27 (3 SOO reps to his name) now make up our four quota players for 2011. You are allowed five players on the quota and so Wigan could in theory bring in another overseas player. However, Mike MaGuire has said, in an interview on our official website, that we are looking at what we have here in the vast amount of homegrown talent before looking to overseas. Reaffirming our policy of bringing on our own homegrown talent such as Sam Tomkins (five-year deal last year) and Lee Mossop (five-year deal this year).
Wigan aren't relocating Sam Tomkins. Brett Finch is being brought over to partner Sam Tomkins in the halves with Amos Roberts to slot in at fullback. Thomas Leuluai will move into his International position at hooker in replacement of the departing Mark Riddell.
Wigan have long needed an organising scrum half with a good kicking game. Hence the signing of Paul Deacon as a short-term fill with a coaching job at the end of the year. We have now fulfilled that requirement of an organising scrum half with a formidable kicking game in Brett Finch. Finch is also being brought over to accelerate the development of Joe Mellor, an up and coming scrum half who was MOTM in Wigan's victory of Saints' U20's final last season (who I bet you have never heard of). I dare say that Finch will also pass on a few tips to Sam Tomkins. After all the bloke has played over 250 NRL games with a career spanning 12 years.
I have been at school with Iain Thornley since I was 12. The lad is a fantastic athlete (set records on sports day etc) and is a very talented player. He showed so much potential when he signed for Wigan in the U18's and U20's and did look like becoming the next great Wigan players and the next great England centre. However, his development has stalled greatly, partly due to the fact he decided to go to St.John Rigby College and finish his A-levels, whilst also partly due to the fact he didn't develop the footwork and skills required to beat bigger opponents. Earlier in his playing days - the article mentions he is six-foot four - he could just steam roll over his opponents. Now that he is being matched with players who are at a similar size his development has stalled. Now Sale have been interested in Thornley since he signed for Wigan. They have wined and dined his family etc etc. Wigan did offer him a contract (and a good one too!) but he turned it down. The offer from Sale is staggering for a player who has never played professionally. I believe part of the deal is that his University fees are being paid. As an 18-year-old, who has been to the same school/College as he has, the amount he is being offered is enough to turn me to Union and I detest the sport.
That article is very misleading and is typical of some of the dross and bile the media spout about Wigan RL. Ian Lenagan in his quotes to the press has tried to mention that we are committed to bringing through our homegrown talent and pointed out the long-term deals for Sam Tomkins, Joel Tomkins and Lee Mossop, as well as 11 out of our 17 being either Wigan born or Wigan trained when we played Warrington. All of this has duly been ignored. I think the main worry is that Wigan are becoming that team to be feared again and people can't quite swallow it. I look forward to see our boys thump some of these sides next season, whilst opposition fans can only spew out the same tosh about imports and the salary cap.
