Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 4:29 pm  

Eastbourne Warrior wrote:

Is Brough a possibilty? There are 'strong rumours' on the Hudds board that he will be on his way somewhere. We could certainly use his kicking game.

Heard off a friend of mine (ex Wigan shareholder of over 40 years) that he was told by a Wigan Bookie that Brough is a very distinct possibility.

He said that when Scott Dureau signed a new contract with Catalan, Wigan immediately switched their attention over to Brough.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 4:49 pm  

Just had someone tell me 'some prop who played for Queensland' is in his way.
Don't know the NRL myself.
Any possible names?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 4:56 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Paul Clough and Andrew Dixon out of contract at Saints. Worth an interest?

Have also heard Lee Gaskell is on the radar too. If Brett Fitch does go back home who knows. Nathan Brown is rumoured to be taking Danny Brough with him and moving Lance Houiah as a back up hooker with James Roby. The young lad from Saints could be on his way.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 5:02 pm  

the-Bowtun-Warrior wrote:

Just had someone tell me 'some prop who played for Queensland' is in his way.
Don't know the NRL myself.
Any possible names?

If you are talking about a no nonsense forward who played for Queensland on wednesday it could be South Sydneys David Taylor. The guy is a big unit and has an influence when he plays. He is out of contract in 2013 too. Maybe a link with the Lima deal?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 5:53 pm  

Taylor has signed for the gold coast.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 6:06 pm  

P-J wrote:

Widnes need more help than Brown, they're loving awful.

He won't be the only signing. I've heard Danny Tickle mentioned, but whoever they bring in they'll still struggle with Betts and Cullen at the helm.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 7:29 pm  

IF we sign Soward we are looking at a very strong team for next year. He is a fantastic player who has an excellent kicking game, great awareness and speed. Partner him with Sam or Finch and we're onto a winner.

I probably stand alone with this, but if Soward signs I'm not too concerned about Finch leaving. If Finch is trying to hold the club to ransom for a big final contract for me he can go.

Russell is coming along leaps and bounds and is only 18. If he continues as he is at Hull, I can see him being good enough to be our starting 1 with Sam at to 6 to partner Soward.

If we are going to spend on the cap I'd sooner it be on excellent UK stars, Briscoe comes to mind.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 8:23 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Russell is coming along leaps and bounds and is only 18. If he continues as he is at Hull, I can see him being good enough to be our starting 1 with Sam at to 6 to partner Soward.

If we are going to spend on the cap I'd sooner it be on excellent UK stars, Briscoe comes to mind.

I posted it on the previous page but i complete agree with your comments on Sam moving to HB and only spending cash on quality British players.

We find ourselves in the unique and unfortunate position of being in the market needing not one but two HB's for next season (*If Finch leaves of course*)

I've only really heard the names of Soward, Brough, Gaskell, Chase and Brown mentioned as possible recruits for us. Out of those 5 Sam is already a better HB than Gaskell, Chase and Brown and they'd signify a significant step down in class from Finch as well. Soward and Brough would be good players but won't be signing for peanuts. Signing Brough would also require a transfer fee which makes me a little wary due to his age.

I'd rather we brought Soward in partner him with Sam. We can then look at our FB options.

I said on a previous thread that quality FB's are a lot easier to come across than Quality HB's.

In the NRL alone you've got the top tier of FB's like Slater, Stewart, Boyd and Duggan and then you've got loads of other quality players who'd light SL up like Hayne, Barba, Hoffman, Locke, Bowen, Gidley etc

For some reason the NRL and SL seem to produce a lot more star FB's than they do HB's. If we are in with a shout of signing a SOO quality player like Soward who's to say we couldn't try for a top FB as well?

If the club doesn't want to go down the NRL route there are also options in SL. We've got Russell who is doing really well at Hull FC and showing a bucket load of promise. There is Eden at Hudds who looks like he could be fine player. I'd be much more comfortable paying a fee for him rather than Brough.

If the club stuck with Matty Russell but thought he wasn't quite ready we could even at a push sign a veteran like Webb or Patten for a season and manage one of theirs and Russell's game time to suit us. You've seen it happen at Wire with Hudds and if as long as it brings Russell on i'd be more than happy for it to happen.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 8:29 pm  

Ukuma Ta'ai is out of contract in Auckland but it's not second rowers we need. He's an exciting player to watch but I'd expect another NRL club to pick him up.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat May 26, 2012 8:54 pm  

If finch leaves we need 2 halfbacks a Centre and a prop for next season. The Jamie Soward rumour just wont shift will it. Hope its true.