Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 9:02 am  

just_browny wrote:

Whisper it quietly, but even the mighty Wigan rugby sometimes overhype a youngster who doesn't end up cutting it.

Interested to know which of their young players Wigan have overhyped.

Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 9:38 am  

just_browny wrote:

Anyway, I've seen this Bunty Afoa from NZ Warriors is up for grabs. He has a name that I can imagine being uttered venomously in the Lower Angel after a poor game, but is he worth a punt? 28 years old and 150 NRL games.

According to the reliable Aaron Bower we're not in for him and it's between Saints and Castleford. Bizarre as he'd be a really good signing.

I'm worried that Burgess and Co think that we don't need another forward and we won't sign anyone else. We don't have a quota spot free for a start, do we?

Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 9:51 am  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

According to the reliable Aaron Bower we're not in for him and it's between Saints and Castleford. Bizarre as he'd be a really good signing.

I'm worried that Burgess and Co think that we don't need another forward and we won't sign anyone else. We don't have a quota spot free for a start, do we?

We don`t have Quota space for another overseas player unless we release one of our current ones.

Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 9:52 am  

Boss Hog wrote:

We don`t have Quota space for another overseas player unless we release one of our current ones.

I'd happily release Musgrove for Afoa. I'd even bin Tai off - I want Lindop to start next year. He looks a superstar.

Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 10:21 am  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

I'd happily release Musgrove for Afoa. I'd even bin Tai off - I want Lindop to start next year. He looks a superstar.

Couldn't agree more, I feel we are wasting our quota spots a little at the minute, Tai is steady and dependable, but is that adequate use of a quota spot? Maybe if Wrench hadn't done his knee again they would have backed King, Lindop, Wrench and Ratchford to be centres for next year. As it is they probably think Lindop is a year too young, Ratchford is a year too old and Wrench is a question mark due to injury.

Russell is a wait and see, but it seems a risk to me - I'm not sue he'll be first choice back row next year - again, is that good use of a quota spot?

Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 10:24 am  

Kind of hoping Abe will chuck us a bone and just say if we are actually in talks with anyone.

Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 10:27 am  

If we could replace Musgrove and sign a top back rower, we'll be in business next year.

Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 10:56 am  

Yeah i'd be very happy With Afoa, very happy indeed. But Yeah we don't have the room, Burgess won't offload his mate Musgrove so unless it's a new English prop that's wishful thinking.
I am curious who we might be looking at and in what position, for the spare money burning a hole in our pocket?

Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 11:07 am  

Or thane wrote:

Yeah i'd be very happy With Afoa, very happy indeed. But Yeah we don't have the room, Burgess won't offload his mate Musgrove so unless it's a new English prop that's wishful thinking.
I am curious who we might be looking at and in what position, for the spare money burning a hole in our pocket?

Spare money? we have just reported 1.7mill loss for this year? i would imagine we have seen the last of the big daft signings on mad money until at least the covid bailout has been paid back.

Re: Recruitment, rumours and links : Fri Nov 01, 2024 1:25 pm  

Velcro Boots wrote:

Spare money? we have just reported 1.7mill loss for this year? i would imagine we have seen the last of the big daft signings on mad money until at least the covid bailout has been paid back.

Depends how you define daft of course, Williams is probably the highest paid player in SL, and well deserved. We have spare cap space, whether the club decide to use it is obviously a different question.

Regardless of a £1.7m loss, such is the support of Moran & Middleton, I'd fully expect us to spend full cap, plus any dispensations, plus all marquee allowances next year and beyond - though the club and the sport as a whole needs to improve its finances of course.