Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:37 am  

Finch is off to the storm apparently .... Gareth widdop anyone?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:47 am  

DaveO wrote:

It's a step down by a large degree in every position you highlight with far too much experience and skill out of the door to be replaced by untried young players (4 and 6) or pretty average squad players (7 and 14). The rest of the league will be vary happy if that is the way we line up next year.

Just out of interest, Dave, do any of these dire predictions you make ever come true?

For some reason, you've been skeptical about Ian Lenagan ever since he took over, and yet he's gone on to win us three trophies and yet again we're top of the league and into another CC semi-final. You spoke with grave concern about the losses of Mickey Higham and Shaun Ainscough, and neither of them have been missed by anyone at all. You warned about the folly of not signing anyone for 2010, and not replacing Nobby straight away etc, and then look what happened. You were desperately unhappy about this year's signings, and look where we are now.

I'd say lighten up, but if the current administration at Wigan hasn't convinced you by now that they're actually pretty good at running a rugby club, then I suspect they never will.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:58 am  

DaveO wrote:It's a step down by a large degree in every position you highlight with far too much experience and skill out of the door to be replaced by untried young players (4 and 6) or pretty average squad players (7 and 14). The rest of the league will be vary happy if that is the way we line up next year.


If you loook around at the other "top" teams DaveO, would you rather be in our position or theirs. I'm sorry if this means you now have to worry about other clubs as well...

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 8:34 am  

Blake Furguson is off contract with the Raiders I think, would like to see him replace George, although in truth not sure we will see anymore outside backs brought in.

We must look as a priority now at a Prop and a half. I do not think an NRL half is a realistic proposition, hope IFL proves me wrong and does recruit Soward, there in no point bringing over an also ran and top halves are worth a pretty penny in Australia.

Assuming the above is the case I could live with Chase even though I do not particularly like it, as long as we can sign a proven centre from overseas such as Furguson or Pommeroy and an enforcing Prop to replace Lima, such as Moi Moi or Asotasi.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 8:56 am  

zero tackle is a good website to keep up with the NRL info/rumours.wes naiqama?? doubt hed get a visa though and hes a good kicker so would back up richards which is whats needed at the moment.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:13 am  

Tricky Dicky wrote:

Finch is off to the storm apparently .... Gareth widdop anyone?

i would happily take him, of what ive seen of him this year although that's not too much he seems good and would fit in with IL's idea of a full British side? if that's correct?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:42 am  

JonnyDunn wrote:

i would happily take him, of what ive seen of him this year although that's not too much he seems good and would fit in with IL's idea of a full British side? if that's correct?

Thing is, why would Widdop want to move from living in Melbourne, to the North of England?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:49 am  

shambawangy wrote:

Thing is, why would Widdop want to move from living in Melbourne, to the North of England?

That's where the theory falls down. In fact, it makes it a complete non-starter.

Widdop has achieved a rare thing - he's an Englishman who's atchieved star status in the NRL. If he came back over here, even if only for a year or two, anything he achieved would be dismissed by the Aussies as irrelevant - once he got back to the NRL he'd have to start all over again.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:54 am  

Even if Wigan had the option to sign any half from a rival SL club to replace Finch next year, I honestly wouldn't know who to pick. The quality in that position in this country is woeful. The more I think about it the more I realize what a tough job Lenegan and Wane have on their hands.

As spoken about before on this thread. It shows the importance of having British players in your key positions if you want continued success at the top. The departure of one or two key antipodean's has the potential throw the whole side out of kilter.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:57 am  

Richie Fa'aoso is out of contract, wouldn't mind him or McKendry.