King probably has 3 options, stay at Warrington for the most money and likely end up being loaned out again (probably not to us as that would mean we couldn’t strike up a permanent deal which Warrington would want).
Wigan agree a deal for a long term contract on lower wages than he is on and potentially pay a small fee, although Warrington might just be happy to cut their losses and I imagine this is what Wigan will push for.
He goes to the highest bidder for a long term contract that is probably higher than what we will pay but lower than his Warrington deal.
For rugby reasons staying with us makes sense but financially it will likely be the worst option, a wildcard could be returning to Warrington if Powell isn’t there but unless they capitulate in the second half of the season I don’t see that, it seems like he’s being lauded by their fans for improving on last season but not taking into account it was under his supervision they ended up in a relegation fight.

On todays performance he doesn’t look much of a downgrade…

Especially if he plays every week and isn’t banned like Matautia

Heh! I thought just that! I was just going to say, at least Whitley stays on the pitch, giving him a chance to score tries!

I didnt think he was overly fast (or exceptional in any specific area) when he was with us last year.

Was waiting for that



Bad timing but I’ll stick to my guns. Anyone and everyone played well against that Wigan side yesterday. Whitley is an ok player, no more and no less. He’s not as good as Mautautia other than he’ll probably be available more.

But I don’t think Saints need him to be. Sironen and Batchelor will be Saints first choice backrowers no doubt and are arguably already. The problem Saints have is that they are both 80 minute players, but Mata’utia is too good to be left out of the side, so it seems to mess with our substitutions each week.

I imagine Whitley will come in and be competing with Bell and Wingfield for a bench spot each week whilst stepping up and covering any injuries which might occur. We don’t seem capable of developing backrowers (seems a real weak spot on our youth development) so have had to bring in some depth.

Whitley will presumably be on a smaller contract than Mata’utia too, and with the new marquee rules being announced, it’s possible (aka at the discretion of how much Coleman wants to spend) that it frees up space for some other major signings.

I just caught up with the King discussion and Jonh makes very valid points about King’s game. He is used to do the hard carries and he does it well, adding threat with an offload. But for me, that’s where his positives end. He’s not fast enough to go half the field and score, his passing isn’t great and he rarely passes anyway, but his biggest weakness is his decision making in defence. He’s awful at times and yesterday typified this point. Catalans exposed him time and time again and he looked bewildered.
If we keep him, his wages need to be realistic and we really need him to work on his defensive game. I won’t lose sleep if we replace him with Keighran.

I don’t disagree with any of that. I don’t think he’s a great player by any stretch but our links with him were presumably to be a starter and your signing of him will be as a bench player. I think we needed more than Whitley for the role and you don’t. He’s a downgrade on Mautautia as I said but you’re right, in that it’s not necessarily an issue for you. If we’d have gone Bateman, KPP and then on to Whitley as a starter, that’s a step backwards.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... y-27055708 Sounds like King is on his way back to Warrington so a new centre needed for next season. Eckersley is looking good but hasn't really played enough at the top level yet. Keighran from Catalans is a good shout. Only on a 1 year deal and can kick goals which would help take some pressure of Smith. Not sure who else is available...

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... y-27055708 Sounds like King is on his way back to Warrington so a new centre needed for next season. Eckersley is looking good but hasn't really played enough at the top level yet. Keighran from Catalans is a good shout. Only on a 1 year deal and can kick goals which would help take some pressure of Smith. Not sure who else is available...

Awkward for those Wire fans who gave him dogs abuse the other week!

King for Keighran will be ok by me, if it comes down to that.

Rather than paying large amounts I wonder if the club will bring in centre Zach Eckersley next season. He's doing rather well on loan at Widnes at the moment. His profile states he's 'a keen goalkicker too'. Could be worth his weight in gold, albeit he will only be about 20 years old. https://www.wiganwarriors.com/teams/fir ... -eckersley

Rather than paying large amounts I wonder if the club will bring in centre Zach Eckersley next season. He's doing rather well on loan at Widnes at the moment. His profile states he's 'a keen goalkicker too'. Could be worth his weight in gold, albeit he will only be about 20 years old. https://www.wiganwarriors.com/teams/fir ... -eckersley

He certainly seems to be going well but i feel it would be naive to go into next season with just Eckersley. We need some experience in the side.