Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Apr 12, 2024 7:43 am  

nathan_rugby wrote:

Wane comes across as a bit of a home bird and I cannot see him taking a job that would require him to relocate.

Hasn't he talked about wanting to coach in the NRL before?

I think he would coach away from home, but only for the correct job opportunity and that is definitely not the Hull job

You would like to think he would be very comfortable in his current role at Wigan & England though, i can't say i am worried about him leaving and i would imagine he is well off the NRL radar unless he has some impressive wins vs. Australia as England coach.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Apr 12, 2024 11:26 pm  

jonh wrote:

Reading these comments I’m getting flashbacks to the posts from when we signed Isa.

Lack of size and pedigree and nobody was overly excited, some were bemused and none of us really saw where he fit in positionally.

I’m comfortable with him and his place in the squad at the moment.

He needs a bit of time and an opportunity to find his place.

I think it’s more people questioning him being a prop and maybe he’s better suited as a back rower due to his lack of size? Seems to have a great attitude and and a likeable bloke and in a salary capped sport you can’t have a squad full of stars so I’m happy to see where he goes but I feel he’s way too small to be a prop forward, although happy to be proven wrong.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Apr 13, 2024 5:55 am  

CobraCraig wrote:

I think it’s more people questioning him being a prop and maybe he’s better suited as a back rower due to his lack of size? Seems to have a great attitude and and a likeable bloke and in a salary capped sport you can’t have a squad full of stars so I’m happy to see where he goes but I feel he’s way too small to be a prop forward, although happy to be proven wrong.

I’m sure we had conversations about where Isa would play too, centre, second row or in most cases, including mine, nowhere near the first team. Glad Willie proved me wrong and to be honest he’s become one of my favorite Wigan players.

I am aware now that clubs tend to look at certain elements as being very important when looking to sign players often valued more than their current ability.

Character, athletic potential, attitude, coachability etc are placed high up as priorities particularly with project type signings. The view is that good coaches should be able to over time bring out the end result player.

I’m thinking he scores very highly in these supporting attributes which is why we moved for him and we are backing our system to produce a top quality utility forward covering all positions in the pack with the exception of 9.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Apr 13, 2024 9:16 am  

I’ve been happy with Chan, discipline aside. We’ve got enough size elsewhere to have a smaller guy, who is full of energy and aggression. He makes ground easy enough with the ball from what I’ve seen.

The energy he brings just around training can’t be underestimated. He seems a real character, very popular and just the sort of lad who will have a smile on his face. This squad seem like brilliant lads, who are really professional and they’re a great team but I would say there is a place for one or two characters.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Apr 13, 2024 9:30 am  

We've had loads of lads who were apparently "undersized" when they 1st game through. I remember people saying it about Hansen, Lockers and Hock.

Give the lad sometime.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Apr 13, 2024 11:19 am  

Bateman has carved out a tip class career by being undersized, as have many others .I guess it very much depends on the individual. Whilst my gut instinct still favours back row I am more than happy to see how it pans out. I mentioned previously from having spoken to him a couple of times that he has a very infectious character. I can imagine he brings plenty to the squad and is good to have around whatever his role.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Apr 13, 2024 6:00 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

Bateman has carved out a tip class career by being undersized, as have many others .I guess it very much depends on the individual. Whilst my gut instinct still favours back row I am more than happy to see how it pans out. I mentioned previously from having spoken to him a couple of times that he has a very infectious character. I can imagine he brings plenty to the squad and is good to have around whatever his role.

Early signs but Chan seems to punch above his weight similar to what Bateman does. Just needs to make a position his own. Really think him, Walters and Nsemba would make a monstrous 2nd row rotation if they stay and reach their potential

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 14, 2024 6:31 am  

sergeant pepper wrote:

We've had loads of lads who were apparently "undersized" when they 1st game through. I remember people saying it about Hansen, Lockers and Hock.

Give the lad sometime.

Those came through into the team as kids, Chan is nearly 24.
I’m not writing him off, I’m just pointing out he is massively undersized for a prop and could be more suited to playing in the second row.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 14, 2024 6:39 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

Bateman has carved out a tip class career by being undersized, as have many others .I guess it very much depends on the individual. Whilst my gut instinct still favours back row I am more than happy to see how it pans out. I mentioned previously from having spoken to him a couple of times that he has a very infectious character. I can imagine he brings plenty to the squad and is good to have around whatever his role.

I always thought it was a bit of a myth Bateman being undersized, remember being at Orrell for the family fun day a few years back and I’d say outside of Greenwood he probably looked one of the biggest bloke there, he’s tall and broad shouldered, think his frame maybe made him look smaller than he was on tele as he’s not got bulging muscles. From all accounts he’s freakishly strong too (seems that way on the pitch) which if is the case there is no need to try and add more muscle, Chan himself runs in really hard and fast which will offset some of the lack of size, I just think he could be more suited to playing second row.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 14, 2024 9:59 am  

CobraCraig wrote:

I always thought it was a bit of a myth Bateman being undersized, remember being at Orrell for the family fun day a few years back and I’d say outside of Greenwood he probably looked one of the biggest bloke there, he’s tall and broad shouldered, think his frame maybe made him look smaller than he was on tele as he’s not got bulging muscles. From all accounts he’s freakishly strong too (seems that way on the pitch) which if is the case there is no need to try and add more muscle, Chan himself runs in really hard and fast which will offset some of the lack of size, I just think he could be more suited to playing second row.

He's 6 foot and just over 15 stone according to Wiki so smaller than Chan and not big, even for a second row. He is, by all accounts, really strong which is borne out by how he is on the field, as you say. I agree Chan looks more suited to the back row and could use his undoubted strong running to better effect there imo. More than happy to see how he goes at prop though if that's his favoured position but he does need to sort his discipline. I love his enthusiasm but it has a tendency at this stage to overspill into avoidable penalties.