Im sure those on redvee where adament he was signing for them next year [size=50(if I read it correctly)[/size. And we are the delusional ones

We were in for him big time. Offered to pay the development fee but they refused to sell. He's also really close to the new coach so I guess thats why he's definitely staying this season. I'm surprised with the NRL move (if true, doesn't seem confirmed as yet) and disappointed as he's a very good winger with bags of potential

Too many people who should know better keep saying what a good thing it is, and that includes some high-profile ex-players.

They talk as if the fact it will improve the international team is the only thing that matters, seemingly unaware that without a healthy, fully professional home competition we won't even be in the international game, or not at any meaningful level.

Besides, I'm not even sure that it does improve these lads as international players.

Before Budgie went off on his ill-advised adventure, he was a shoe-in for the England team and had what looked like a guaranteed international future. Since he returned, he's been average at best. The same could be said of John Bateman. A stormtrooper for Wigan, England and Canberra, but it was questionable whether the JB who came back should even have been in that World Cup. And let's not get started on the Dan Sarginsons of this world.

I don't know whether we can do anything serious to prevent them going, but we're going to have a try a lot harder than we are at present.

Good luck to the lad. I just hope he doesn’t end up like Budgie. Still a cracking player but really did seem to effect him going and coming back. Hopefully Wakefield have got a big fee for him and can invest it back in to the squad and the stadium redevelopment. They’ve done a cracking job developing him.

Similar to Gildart - I'm not sure he has the physical presence to make it as an NRL outside back. Not yet at least. That said, you can hardly argue with a 20 year old wanting to swap Wakefield for Sydney.

Thought he was out of contract at end of season

Having seen him in the preseason games he has really matured physically over the offseason.

I’m not saying he is up to NRL standard yet but he’s probably only going to get one crack at it and if after 2 years if it hasn’t worked he will still have SL clubs queuing up to sign him.

I agree he's likely to only get one crack at it - once he or anyone goes there you have to succeed. Incredibly unlikely to go back to SL after a failed stint and then get another offer down the line. If he were to reject this offer though at 20 years old and develop 2-3 more years in SL there would likely be more NRL offers down the line when he's a better player and has a better chance at making it.

Dom Young did well but he is a freakish athlete. Harry Rushton didn't make it and is now back in SL. We'll have to see how KPP, Murphy and Pryce go in 2024. I believe Bailey Hodgson will also get a chance in the first team with Newcastle at the start of the year.

I remember you mentioning that Stu. Money talks mate, players outside the main squad are now getting paid £85k in the NRL. As sure as day follows night more players will follow. Don’t be surprised if a few of the Saints younger brigade are encouraged to emigrate, especially if they perform well in the WCC. The truth of the matter is that SL is the equivalent of the Championship in football.

They are getting nothing, he is off contract at the end of the season.

Fully agree. Wouldn't be surprised to see at least 1 if not more of the likes of Welsby, Dodd, Knowles and Lees moving at the end of their current deals and then further down the line, the likes of Harry Robertson who we have (he's 16) who looks an absolute superstar

As you say if any of them play particularly well in the WCC it will only increase their marketability

Seeing as the NRL is supposedly the be all and end all, serious question - how many UK players have returned from the NRL a better player that the one that left the UK (or even as good as). I'm not including players from pre-SL that went across in the off season like Hanley, Andy Gregory... Etc.

The only one I can think of is Adrian Morley.

From Wigan, the vast majority have been poor (maybe Tommy L excluded).