"SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:06 am  

Rugby League Mole sharing this interesting yet probably hyperbole statement.

Who does wanna come home when they're having a great time on their holidays!

Or is there something to this? Could what started off as a money making and marketing implementation turn into a nightmare with top players wanting out of Wigan?

Wonder who the players are?

At a 'guess'...

Bateman
Sutton
Williams
Gildart
Burgess
FPN?

Re: "SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:03 am  

I don’t have an issue with players leaving, the issue I have is with the quality of the replacements.

Re: "SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:29 am  

The names you quote would have to improve mightily to make it in the NRL - sheer size counts against some of them. If any of the did I go I would not fall over in shock if they lasted a season and then came back (a la Burgess has already).

The major worry be replacing the likes of Williams and Gildart - decent centres especially are not exactly plentiful, forwards I would worry less about replacing.

Re: "SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:39 am  

By defect I take it that it means play to such a high standard that NR L clubs make an offer. If the game against Hull was meant to be a shop window I am not sure who will be buying. I really cannot see any of our top players walking into a starting spot in Aus either because they already have similar players, or in Bateman's case being too small for his main position, or lacking Confidence like Williams. I think that a few of our players know that a clear out is comming, according to Wane. It might be just the spur that they need.

Re: "SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 11:27 am  

Levrier wrote:

By defect I take it that it means play to such a high standard that NR L clubs make an offer. If the game against Hull was meant to be a shop window I am not sure who will be buying. I really cannot see any of our top players walking into a starting spot in Aus either because they already have similar players, or in Bateman's case being too small for his main position, or lacking Confidence like Williams. I think that a few of our players know that a clear out is comming, according to Wane. It might be just the spur that they need.

I wonder whether we have reached a tipping point where NRL reserves earn more than some of our starters though. If the wages are similar, I can understand the appeal of going over as a reserve. You get the lifestyle, and the opportunity of a first team spot is there if you hit form. Then you can always return to SL if it doesn't work out.

I'd have a lot of respect for the RFL if they simply decided to increase the cap rather than putting it to the vote of self-interested chairmen.

Re: "SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 12:20 pm  

I think LSOW has nailed it...

I'm pretty sure Bateman has already agreed with the club for a release to join an NRL club for next season, so that is one down...George Williams & Joe Burgess personally make no denial on wanting to have a crack at the NRL and Dan Sarginson has admitted he eventually wants to give it another go.

Frank Paul and/or Ryan Sutton seem likely likely candidates for the last spot if all is to believed. I think if any of our players would be on any radar so to speak, it would be the likes of Tom Davies who IMO would be brilliant in the NRL.

Major factor that we all seem to forget is the NRL and Aussie clubs produce their own youngsters, and if they were to cherry pick our better players then the pot of talent is quite large across Super League...I can think of several outside of our club that would be appealing to any NRL team looking outside their own pool of talent.

I don't think we need to be overly concerned.

Re: "SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:14 pm  

Seen this on twitter looked like a bit of a joke/light hearted tweet?

Re: "SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 5:32 pm  

I’m sure there’s probably more then 6 who will be looking to go over the next few years. It’s better money and a great lifestyle. The club seems to be able to tempt them all back here (whether they should or not is another debate) when they do come back to England and unless our game starts to make more money and raises the salary cap we’ll have to deal with it.

We’re in a better spot then most clubs due to our academy production line. As long as we don’t lose a batch of 3 or 4 at the same time then we’ll be fine.

Re: "SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:24 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I’m sure there’s probably more then 6 who will be looking to go over the next few years. It’s better money and a great lifestyle. The club seems to be able to tempt them all back here (whether they should or not is another debate) when they do come back to England and unless our game starts to make more money and raises the salary cap we’ll have to deal with it.

We’re in a better spot then most clubs due to our academy production line. As long as we don’t lose a batch of 3 or 4 at the same time then we’ll be fine.

I agree. Well said. Hopefully, if possible, SL rugby league can seek the correct personnel to drive the sport forward developing the game making it a desirable/competitive platform for all rugby players.

Re: "SIX Wigan players looking to defect"-Moley : Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:27 pm  

hatty wrote:

I don’t have an issue with players leaving, the issue I have is with the quality of the replacements.

...and the amount other clubs give in lieu of their unexpired contracts.