Hastings to Wests for 2022 is the rumour I’ve read. He will be a loss but on the flip side hopefully that will encourage Smith to knuckle down and make the starting spot his own for 2022.

I don’t disagree he’s our best player and we’re better off with him than without him but if he did leave someone will step up to the plate. Whether that be Harry Smith or Jai Field. I hope he does stay, I have no desire for him to leave in 2022 either for that matter but ultimately he is going to go.



As for trophies - with or without Hastings I’d expect a serious challenge and some silverware this season. The squad is there for it and on paper is the best in the league IMO.

He’ll be huge this season and will hopefully leave on a third time lucky Grand Final win. I know Grimmy isn’t a fan of getting info from peoples social media but I was on Instagram before having a browse and Hastings put a picture of his good lady on saying he’ll see her soon. She isn’t allowed in to Australia, so it’s safe to say he’ll certainly be back to the club for 2021. I think he’s openly admitted he may well go home for 2022 and I recall reading an interview with his mam saying she expected him back home in 2022.

Don't let me stop you

I think he'll be gone after this year too. We need to make sure that Harry Smith doesn't spend most of the year sat in the stands so that we know whether he is ready to take over.

I don’t think Smith is the Hastings replacement I think it will either be Field or a recruit.



I know the roles of a 6 and 7 are similar these days but I think Hastings plays the more traditional 6 role. I see Smith very much in the more traditional 7 role.



I’d like to see Field and Smith get some game time together next year in anticipation of their roles in 2022 but not at the expense of an injury to Hastings or TL.

Only kidding pal, I’m with you on some scores. This was very open from Hastings and something you just see rather than go digging for and that sort of social media activity is stuff he’s clearly happy to share. Good to see that he’s ready to come back for this year and I expect him to have a huge year. I’m with you on Harry Smith as well. We need to get him enough minutes to be in a position to take the seven jersey next season. That could possibly mean a loan spell elsewhere if we’re struggling to fit him in.

Since June Hastings was going to Salford, then huddersfield followed by rugby union then back to the nrl. Its lazy e journalism as per normal. Just let the lad play rugby for gods sake. He hasn’t even caught a ball yet and hes being rumoured to be off at the end of the season.

His hearts never been in it at wigan lets be honest

Is it just because of covid or will he bin her off so he can go back yam

Yeah was made obvious in the play off semi when he tossed it off and didn’t make any tackles.

Are you joking? Smith isn't quite ready and Field, how many times have you seen him play?



He was one of our best and most consistent players last year.



Smith does deserve a good run and has great potential. He looked great in some games last year and lost/average in others. If he gets some opportunity this year and improves more then he could be in the starting 13 for 2022 but I cannot imagine him being anywhere near Hastings level yet.



Field could turn out to be amazing or could flopp. Nobody really knows yet.

Whilst I agree and see Hastings as more of the traditional 6 and the running half, there were many times last year he was first reciever and Tommy was second receiver.

On what basis are you making that statement? Would love some examples.



Most important is the way he performs for Wigan. He looks to have given 100% in every game he plays. The amount of carries and tackles for a halfback shows his heart is in it.

So would I mate.

I agree and I think he is desperate to win a trophy.

As rumoured, Burgess gone on medical grounds. Best all round most importantly for the welfare of the player. A few whisperings on here about a replacement but very hush hush till it was known what was happening with Burgess. Fingers crossed its a big minutes enforcer we need

Fair play to Rogues Gallery - he called this one three months ago.

And now we play the waiting game to see if any reinforcements come in. Not a clue who we'd even be targeting really.

Why do you think his heart isn't in it?

I'm hoping that if we bring another prop in, we're looking for a British one.



By far and away, the best props of the SL era have mostly been GB ones. Obviously there's been some very good imports, but it's also very hit and miss. For every Kylie Leuluai there's a Roy Asotasi.

He's being sarcastic.



"His heart isn't in it" is the usual line many put forward, but without any proof or examples - hence EG's response of "so would I".

Few potential interesting possible ramifications from a few things this week.



Most obviously we have long been rumoured to be recruiting a prop should salary cap measures allow.



Looking at the statement from the club reading between the lines I would say it looks likely there has been a financial agreement reached between Burgess and club. This figure I believe will count towards the cap, however that being said it is unlikely to be anywhere near the salary he would be drawing so we must clearly have some money now to play with.



The other more random development seems to be Hastings bulking up.



Whilst I fully expect him to play mostly in the halves next year and we know he has played 9 at times and it is a position Lam believes he can play just speculation on mu part but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the 13 role at times this year.

One down one to go

If we are trailing in a game and need to score points I’d expect to see something like this for the final 20 minutes



1.) French



6.)Field

7.) Tommy/Smith



9.) Powell



13.) Hastings

Is he bulking up? Where have you seen that?



Probably just gained weight from not playing rugby and on his jollies for over a month in Australia.