Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:47 am  

jonh wrote:

Would be a great replacement for George. Really rate him and still got his best years ahead of him.

I was under the impression he had signed long term for Wests and am surprised he is being forced out due to the cap.

I was the same. Was surprised to hear Gus Gould etc discussing how Wests are willing to let him speak to other clubs. Hopefully IL will be investigating as we speak.
Lawrence is also a fantastic centre IMO, however I can't see him coming to SL anytime soon.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:13 pm  

He strikes me as a player that would really go well in SL, not a superstar but a great work ethic and attitude, good pace hands and footwork and excellent defence. Would be the perfect player to step straight into Carmonts shoes.

I would love one of the top names to come over but realistically I think he would be an excellent signing, anything better than him would be a real bonus.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:29 pm  

jonh wrote:

He strikes me as a player that would really go well in SL, not a superstar but a great work ethic and attitude, good pace hands and footwork and excellent defence. Would be the perfect player to step straight into Carmonts shoes.

I would love one of the top names to come over but realistically I think he would be an excellent signing, anything better than him would be a real bonus.

Totally agree. Would be the ideal signing at this stage. I hope he's on IL radar. Currently, apart from King, I have no idea where the signing is coming from.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Sat Jun 04, 2011 5:53 am  

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... Wigan.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... Wigan.html

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:24 am  

Catalancs wrote:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/article-1394142/EXCLUSIVE-Sculthorpe-ready-cross-divide-join-Wigan.html

In his guise as a Saint I couldn't stand the bloke but in his capacity as a RL player I've got a lot of respect for Scully, IMO he has a lot to give the team. I suppose that if there is any foundation in the rumour it is a decision that hasn't been taken lightly and that a lot of thought has been put into it.

If you look at Lowes who left Bradford to go to Warrington and is now at Leeds, I don't think there is necessarily room for sentiment in RL nowadays when you're trying to earn a living and at the end of the day Scully is from Oldham and played for Warrington as well.

I'd rather have the best set up possible at Wigan next season and if Sculthorpe is part of that then so be it! IL hasn't let us down so far!

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:58 pm  

Stefan Ratchford scored a hat-trick yesterday. Apparently he has racked up 10 tries for the season, but SLstats reckon he's on 7 (perhaps it hasn't updated). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 501244.stm Looking at his stats compared to George Carmont: http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 He comes up very well considering how good George is, the difference in the two sides and the serious age gap between them. At 22, with the right conditioning (preferably he could bulk up in the off-season) would he not be worth signing next season? Two year deal to see how this lad progresses? He's capable of playing right across the backline, but seems to be moulding into a capable centre. With Karl Pryce set to join Gleeson, Carmont and Deacon leaving Wigan he could just bolster our strength in depth so our backline isn't depleted. We have shown the patience to see how players develop - like Karl Pryce for example. Why not give it a shot with Ratchford? Other clubs are doing it - Hull FC have just signed a young English halfback from Leigh. A trend I think will continue with clubs taking a chance in developing young English talent. I realise some people may argue that we're a club that doesn't need to, but are we? When should this club not be investing in young English talent? It doesn't always have to come from our academy and it wont all come from our academy either. We're heading into a period where English talent will be at the fulcrum of every single club with it becoming increasingly difficult to bring overseas players over with the NRL salary cap rising and the quota coming down. With a serious lack of options to recruit a centre/halfback next year - Ratchford could prove to be a very shrewd signing.

Stefan Ratchford scored a hat-trick yesterday. Apparently he has racked up 10 tries for the season, but SLstats reckon he's on 7 (perhaps it hasn't updated). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 501244.stm Looking at his stats compared to George Carmont: http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 He comes up very well considering how good George is, the difference in the two sides and the serious age gap between them. At 22, with the right conditioning (preferably he could bulk up in the off-season) would he not be worth signing next season? Two year deal to see how this lad progresses? He's capable of playing right across the backline, but seems to be moulding into a capable centre. With Karl Pryce set to join Gleeson, Carmont and Deacon leaving Wigan he could just bolster our strength in depth so our backline isn't depleted. We have shown the patience to see how players develop - like Karl Pryce for example. Why not give it a shot with Ratchford? Other clubs are doing it - Hull FC have just signed a young English halfback from Leigh. A trend I think will continue with clubs taking a chance in developing young English talent. I realise some people may argue that we're a club that doesn't need to, but are we? When should this club not be investing in young English talent? It doesn't always have to come from our academy and it wont all come from our academy either. We're heading into a period where English talent will be at the fulcrum of every single club with it becoming increasingly difficult to bring overseas players over with the NRL salary cap rising and the quota coming down. With a serious lack of options to recruit a centre/halfback next year - Ratchford could prove to be a very shrewd signing.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:01 pm  

cadoo wrote: Stefan Ratchford scored a hat-trick yesterday. Apparently he has racked up 10 tries for the season, but SLstats reckon he's on 7 (perhaps it hasn't updated). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 501244.stm Looking at his stats compared to George Carmont: http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 He comes up very well considering how good George is, the difference in the two sides and the serious age gap between them. At 22, with the right conditioning (preferably he could bulk up in the off-season) would he not be worth signing next season? Two year deal to see how this lad progresses? He's capable of playing right across the backline, but seems to be moulding into a capable centre. With Karl Pryce set to join Gleeson, Carmont and Deacon leaving Wigan he could just bolster our strength in depth so our backline isn't depleted. We have shown the patience to see how players develop - like Karl Pryce for example. Why not give it a shot with Ratchford? Other clubs are doing it - Hull FC have just signed a young English halfback from Leigh. A trend I think will continue with clubs taking a chance in developing young English talent. I realise some people may argue that we're a club that doesn't need to, but are we? When should this club not be investing in young English talent? It doesn't always have to come from our academy and it wont all come from our academy either. We're heading into a period where English talent will be at the fulcrum of every single club with it becoming increasingly difficult to bring overseas players over with the NRL salary cap rising and the quota coming down. With a serious lack of options to recruit a centre/halfback next year - Ratchford could prove to be a very shrewd signing. Hes a decent attacking player but his stats for errors, penalties and missed tackles are worrying.

cadoo wrote: Stefan Ratchford scored a hat-trick yesterday. Apparently he has racked up 10 tries for the season, but SLstats reckon he's on 7 (perhaps it hasn't updated). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 501244.stm Looking at his stats compared to George Carmont: http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 He comes up very well considering how good George is, the difference in the two sides and the serious age gap between them. At 22, with the right conditioning (preferably he could bulk up in the off-season) would he not be worth signing next season? Two year deal to see how this lad progresses? He's capable of playing right across the backline, but seems to be moulding into a capable centre. With Karl Pryce set to join Gleeson, Carmont and Deacon leaving Wigan he could just bolster our strength in depth so our backline isn't depleted. We have shown the patience to see how players develop - like Karl Pryce for example. Why not give it a shot with Ratchford? Other clubs are doing it - Hull FC have just signed a young English halfback from Leigh. A trend I think will continue with clubs taking a chance in developing young English talent. I realise some people may argue that we're a club that doesn't need to, but are we? When should this club not be investing in young English talent? It doesn't always have to come from our academy and it wont all come from our academy either. We're heading into a period where English talent will be at the fulcrum of every single club with it becoming increasingly difficult to bring overseas players over with the NRL salary cap rising and the quota coming down. With a serious lack of options to recruit a centre/halfback next year - Ratchford could prove to be a very shrewd signing. Hes a decent attacking player but his stats for errors, penalties and missed tackles are worrying.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:33 pm  

cadoo wrote: Stefan Ratchford scored a hat-trick yesterday. Apparently he has racked up 10 tries for the season, but SLstats reckon he's on 7 (perhaps it hasn't updated). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 501244.stm Looking at his stats compared to George Carmont: http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 He comes up very well considering how good George is, the difference in the two sides and the serious age gap between them. At 22, with the right conditioning (preferably he could bulk up in the off-season) would he not be worth signing next season? Two year deal to see how this lad progresses? He's capable of playing right across the backline, but seems to be moulding into a capable centre. With Karl Pryce set to join Gleeson, Carmont and Deacon leaving Wigan he could just bolster our strength in depth so our backline isn't depleted. We have shown the patience to see how players develop - like Karl Pryce for example. Why not give it a shot with Ratchford? Other clubs are doing it - Hull FC have just signed a young English halfback from Leigh. A trend I think will continue with clubs taking a chance in developing young English talent. I realise some people may argue that we're a club that doesn't need to, but are we? When should this club not be investing in young English talent? It doesn't always have to come from our academy and it wont all come from our academy either. We're heading into a period where English talent will be at the fulcrum of every single club with it becoming increasingly difficult to bring overseas players over with the NRL salary cap rising and the quota coming down. With a serious lack of options to recruit a centre/halfback next year - Ratchford could prove to be a very shrewd signing. Look at Charnleys stats compared to joel monaghan, stats are very misleading IMO. Saying that though, I do think Ratchford has potential. I would be pleased if we signed him but each way I wouldnt be that bothered if he signed for St Helens or Warrington.

cadoo wrote: Stefan Ratchford scored a hat-trick yesterday. Apparently he has racked up 10 tries for the season, but SLstats reckon he's on 7 (perhaps it hasn't updated). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 501244.stm Looking at his stats compared to George Carmont: http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 He comes up very well considering how good George is, the difference in the two sides and the serious age gap between them. At 22, with the right conditioning (preferably he could bulk up in the off-season) would he not be worth signing next season? Two year deal to see how this lad progresses? He's capable of playing right across the backline, but seems to be moulding into a capable centre. With Karl Pryce set to join Gleeson, Carmont and Deacon leaving Wigan he could just bolster our strength in depth so our backline isn't depleted. We have shown the patience to see how players develop - like Karl Pryce for example. Why not give it a shot with Ratchford? Other clubs are doing it - Hull FC have just signed a young English halfback from Leigh. A trend I think will continue with clubs taking a chance in developing young English talent. I realise some people may argue that we're a club that doesn't need to, but are we? When should this club not be investing in young English talent? It doesn't always have to come from our academy and it wont all come from our academy either. We're heading into a period where English talent will be at the fulcrum of every single club with it becoming increasingly difficult to bring overseas players over with the NRL salary cap rising and the quota coming down. With a serious lack of options to recruit a centre/halfback next year - Ratchford could prove to be a very shrewd signing. Look at Charnleys stats compared to joel monaghan, stats are very misleading IMO. Saying that though, I do think Ratchford has potential. I would be pleased if we signed him but each way I wouldnt be that bothered if he signed for St Helens or Warrington.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:03 pm  

cadoo wrote: Stefan Ratchford scored a hat-trick yesterday. Apparently he has racked up 10 tries for the season, but SLstats reckon he's on 7 (perhaps it hasn't updated). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 501244.stm Looking at his stats compared to George Carmont: http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 He comes up very well considering how good George is, the difference in the two sides and the serious age gap between them. At 22, with the right conditioning (preferably he could bulk up in the off-season) would he not be worth signing next season? Two year deal to see how this lad progresses? He's capable of playing right across the backline, but seems to be moulding into a capable centre. With Karl Pryce set to join Gleeson, Carmont and Deacon leaving Wigan he could just bolster our strength in depth so our backline isn't depleted. We have shown the patience to see how players develop - like Karl Pryce for example. Why not give it a shot with Ratchford? Other clubs are doing it - Hull FC have just signed a young English halfback from Leigh. A trend I think will continue with clubs taking a chance in developing young English talent. I realise some people may argue that we're a club that doesn't need to, but are we? When should this club not be investing in young English talent? It doesn't always have to come from our academy and it wont all come from our academy either. We're heading into a period where English talent will be at the fulcrum of every single club with it becoming increasingly difficult to bring overseas players over with the NRL salary cap rising and the quota coming down. With a serious lack of options to recruit a centre/halfback next year - Ratchford could prove to be a very shrewd signing. I currently don't see a better option and I love the fact he can play anywhere in the backline.

cadoo wrote: Stefan Ratchford scored a hat-trick yesterday. Apparently he has racked up 10 tries for the season, but SLstats reckon he's on 7 (perhaps it hasn't updated). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 501244.stm Looking at his stats compared to George Carmont: http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 He comes up very well considering how good George is, the difference in the two sides and the serious age gap between them. At 22, with the right conditioning (preferably he could bulk up in the off-season) would he not be worth signing next season? Two year deal to see how this lad progresses? He's capable of playing right across the backline, but seems to be moulding into a capable centre. With Karl Pryce set to join Gleeson, Carmont and Deacon leaving Wigan he could just bolster our strength in depth so our backline isn't depleted. We have shown the patience to see how players develop - like Karl Pryce for example. Why not give it a shot with Ratchford? Other clubs are doing it - Hull FC have just signed a young English halfback from Leigh. A trend I think will continue with clubs taking a chance in developing young English talent. I realise some people may argue that we're a club that doesn't need to, but are we? When should this club not be investing in young English talent? It doesn't always have to come from our academy and it wont all come from our academy either. We're heading into a period where English talent will be at the fulcrum of every single club with it becoming increasingly difficult to bring overseas players over with the NRL salary cap rising and the quota coming down. With a serious lack of options to recruit a centre/halfback next year - Ratchford could prove to be a very shrewd signing. I currently don't see a better option and I love the fact he can play anywhere in the backline.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:40 pm  

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/rabbitohs-keen-to-sign-fien-20110604-1fm4s.html "The Sun-Herald can reveal that incoming Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire had initially sounded out his Wigan playmaker, Thomas Leuluai, to replace Chris Sandow next year. Leuluai is keen to return to the NRL for the first time since 2004 and sought permission to leave the Warriors before his contract expired. However, the Super League powerhouse wasn't prepared to grant him an early release." This is not good from Madge if true.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/rabbitohs-keen-to-sign-fien-20110604-1fm4s.html "The Sun-Herald can reveal that incoming Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire had initially sounded out his Wigan playmaker, Thomas Leuluai, to replace Chris Sandow next year. Leuluai is keen to return to the NRL for the first time since 2004 and sought permission to leave the Warriors before his contract expired. However, the Super League powerhouse wasn't prepared to grant him an early release." This is not good from Madge if true.