Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 2:57 pm  

Chase would be a fantastic signing, one of only a few real standout players in the league imo.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:25 pm  

So the rumoured ins are

Thomas
Dudson
Flower
Chase
Lauaki

Dudson and Flower could be great additions, both young with great potential, they will provide great cover outside the 4 frontline props which will more than likely be fielden, lima, prescott,mossop with dudson, flower and crosby in reserve I think we can be comfortable in that position.

Lauaki, according to the hull fans would have been brilliant if used correctly, I'm guessing Hock/Farrell will be starting second rower next year so his impact from the bench could be key, we need to get him fitter and I would have farrell or tuson over him every day of the week until he proves himself worthy of the jersey.

Thomas is a strange one but could replace the experience needed in a team which we will lose with the retirements of coley and deacs (if he retires) it will be great to have an ex lions captain around the team and if free, will provide cover to a position where we are not very strong!

Rangi Chase would be possibly the signing of all signings and I feel him and finchy would really feed off each other, he clearly has the xfactor about him and with him and sam both in our team I wouldnt like to face wigan!

A squad of

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Josh Charnley
3. Joel Tomkins
4. George Carmont
5. Pat Richards
6. Rangi Chase
7. Brett Finch
8. Lee Mossop
9. Tommy Leuluai
10. Jeff Lima
11. Gareth Hock
12. Harrison Hansen
13. Sean O'Loughlin

14. Paul Prescott
15. Stuart Fielden
16. Mike McIllorum
17. Liam Farrell

with cover of

18. Gill Dudson
19. Ben Flower
20. Chris Tuson
21. Gareth Thomas
22. Stefan Marsh
23. Darrell Goulding
24. Amos Roberts
25. Epihame Lauaki (sp?)
26. Joe Mellor
27. Jack Hughes
28. Ryan King
29. Matty Russell
30. Dom Crosby
31. Logan Tomkins

would lead to me being pretty happy with our post season work and would lead us challenging for the major honours next season.

At the end of the day you don't replace the likes of Ryan Hoffman, you try and compensate them leaving with our abundance of cover in the second row I would feel pretty happy.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:46 pm  

Chase is not a rumour just wishful thinking.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:52 pm  

Cupid Stunt wrote:

Chase is not a rumour just wishful thinking.

I'm inclined to agree, doesn't make the idea of it any less exciting though!

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:29 pm  

Dave26 wrote:

I'm inclined to agree, doesn't make the idea of it any less exciting though!

Saying that, theres loads of rumours flying about on Twitter now that we have signed Chase.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:43 pm  

Cupid Stunt wrote:

Saying that, theres loads of rumours flying about on Twitter now that we have signed Chase.

Today, three completely unconnected people have told me Chase has signed for Wigan.

I'm still treating it as a rumour thats got out of hand but there you go.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:11 pm  

Rangi Chase has genuine pace at halfback, which is something we lack. His agility, footwork and evasion makes him another threat with ball in hand. Paul Deacon just doesn't have any of those qualities anymore.

Rangi Chase has 102 tackle busts - Paul Deacon has 7.
Rangi Chase has made 14 clean breaks - Paul Deacon has made 2.
Rangi Chase has made 2808 meters - Paul Deacon has made 495.

There is no doubt the lad is a fabulous talent, but I have a few concerns. There's only six players in the league who have missed more tackles than Rangi Chase. His defence and ball retention would have to improve considerably. He's been disciplined by his club and has a suspended sentence hanging over him I believe so his professionalism and attitude would have to change. All of these problems I am confident the Wigan setup can help him achieve.

The biggest worry would be another Moran. He's a big fish in a small pond. Castleford are utter crap. His off the cuff, make it up as you go along rugby is the complete opposite to our methodical plays. If he is to sign, Wigan can't ask him to let all that go. He wont be the same player. We would have to find some middle ground in that regards.

No doubt though the lad is quality though and I would be very pleased if we signed him. A halfback with some pace, acceleration and evasiveness who can take the line on would be an improvement on Paul Deacon. It wouldn't block Joe Mellor's progress, he should be groomed to be Finch's replacement the year after.

The idea of Rangi Chase and Sam Tomkins running around with Thomas Leuluai and Brett Finch organising things must be an ominous thought for the rest of the league.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:14 pm  

Newton-Le-willows-Warrior wrote:

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Josh Charnley
3. Joel Tomkins
4. George Carmont
5. Pat Richards
6. Rangi Chase
7. Brett Finch
8. Lee Mossop
9. Tommy Leuluai
10. Jeff Lima
11. Gareth Hock
12. Harrison Hansen
13. Sean O'Loughlin

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:59 pm  

If the Chase rumour is true then the spine of our team would be awesome.

1 Sam Tomkins
6 Rangi Chase
7 Brett Finch,
13 Sean O'Loughlin
9 Thomas Leuluai.

Real talent, skill and pace there. Hope the rumour is true!

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:17 pm  

Chase would be an awesome signing but it's a pipedream. Every big side and some of the small ones like Warrington have been linked with this lad but rumour is he's extended his stay with Cas for a further 2 years.

Still it's a nice thought to think of him at Wigan and I don't think we could be labeled boring with guys like him, Sam and Leuluai running around and Hock coming back into that pack on a regular basis.