If Leeds were willing to let Wigan have Walters early in exchange for Cust, I'd take it. Otherwise let him wait until next season.

https://www.totalrl.com/leeds-rhinos-ey ... playmaker/

https://www.totalrl.com/leeds-rhinos-ey ... playmaker/

Sounds like it's been given a no go according to the Wigan Today. Personally, I wouldn't have a huge issue with letting him go, if it gives him an opportunity to get fixed up longer term. I don't really have a preference for who covers the halves, between him and Hampshire and I would bring Powell in for Cust, to cover hooker, as and when he is ready (sounds like Hull FC in 2 weeks). I'd also probably rather use Shorrcks as a bench utility in the bigger games. I can understand why they would go safety first and look to keep him until the end of 2023 though.

A question: do we have the same rule as the NRL, where if a player has to leave the field as a result of foul play (like CNK this morning for the NZW), the 18th man is automatically made available?

No, it’s only if a team loses 3 players to HIA’s

Thanks, that's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. But the Aussie rule seems fair to me; if you put a guy out of the game through foul play, surely an extra sub isn't too much to ask?

I think so, although with the amount of diving in Superleague it could be abused.

Mago’s improved form is so annoying; just because he needs a deal.

He even found enough energy to argue a decision with the ref! Seems the worlds most laid back bloke and unfortunately it’s all too little, too late but he can be a good weapon for us throughout the rest of the season.

Should we keep Hampshire and/or Thornely?



IMO yes to Hampshire



Thornley I’d like to say yes to as well but he’s last 2 appearances Saints away Wakey away have been disasters. He’s been solid enough when he’s played bar them games though. I guess Eckersley will replace him though.



Two inexpensive veteran squad fillers are handy to have I reckon.



Not sure who’d be able to replace them and our squad would look thin without them.



We are also lacking experience as a whole in the squad.

I have to smile when I read comments on social media and the other forum saying we need to bin off Thornley and Hampshire and questioning why the hell we signed them. We signed as back up and funnily enough that means they ‘back up’ first choice players and therefore don’t play. They add a cheap safety net and mean we don’t only have 18/19 year old kids to back up and when we get one injury, one of those kids has a huge burden put on them.



Going forward in to 2024 though, I would agree that we should keep Hampshire but let Thornley go. Hampshire covers 1.2,5,6 and 7 but I think we need to move Eckersley and Douglas up a spot.

If Cust is leaving (which I think he will) then Hampshire is a must imo.

Thought Hampshire did well when he got a chance. I suppose it will depend on his options as well. If Fev came up, you could see them making a play for him.

I’m sure there are options in our favour for his contract so it’s up to us really.



For me he is an important squad player for next year and maybe the year after too.

Seen a rumour on Twitter saying Field is going Catalans and Croft is coming Wigan next year, don’t see that happening myself and for as much as it would make us more balanced i hope it’s not true.

We’d be a lot more balance that’s for sure.



1 French

6 Croft

7 Smith



Is a lot better then



1 Field

6 French

7 Smith



My worry would be keeping it together long term. I feel Field will stay over here for the rest of his career as he’s just build for SL and not the NRL. French as well I think will stay at Wigan for numerous years yet.



Given the shortage of halves in the NRL I can’t believe Croft hasn’t gone back already.

Just been reading that. I’m probably more comfortable with it than I thought I might be. French is settling a bit at six but it still feels like fullback is comfortably his best spot. I read a few responses saying Harry Smith and Croft are too similar but I don’t agree with that. I thought Croft was the best running half in the league last year and would actually offer a nice balance with Smith.



I still hope it’s not true because I think we can make it work with Field/French here and it would need to be a Croft like signing to lessen the blow but I can see why the club might like it.

I’ve had a feeling all year one of French/Field wouldn’t be here next year, and it pains me to say it but I do also think that we’d be better off cashing in on one of them rather than risk losing both at the end of 2024. And I would rather keep French than Field.

I don’t think we’ll lose them to Australia.



French will be 29 in 2025 when his contract is up. The NRL is stacked with fullbacks and he’s not the big ball carrying winger they like, especially at 29.



Field is even more built for SL and doesn’t have a role in the NRL.

The club seem to have found a formula to keep the overseas lads happy, letting them live in Manchester, where it seems like they spend a lot of time together. That, along with the fact French and Field don’t fit the physical profile of the types of backs NRL clubs want (as pointed out) gives me confidence we could have them long term (if we don’t flog one to Catalans).

Yeah, even if French really becomes a success at 6 his style will likely be too off the cuff for NRL clubs so even though they’re short of decent halves currently I don’t think they’d go for French.

What do you mean the club let them live in Manchester?



Surely it’s nothing to do with the club and they can’t dictate?

Pretty sure the club provide accommodation to the overseas players, so it would have something to do with the club from start to finish.

As far as I’m aware, the club has in the past (and other clubs have) had a rule where players need to live in the local area i.e the Wigan Borough, How you enforce that though, I’ve not a clue.

There’s no rule about living in the Borough, Hopoate for example lives in Orrell.



However the overseas players will have accommodation and cars provided, usually their wives get a sponsored car too. It may be that Wigan are just paying the rent for French and Field rather than their accommodation being club owned.