Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:12 pm  

I've seen a couple of mentions of Partington. Personally, I hope not & think it would be a step back.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:59 pm  

cadoo wrote:

So what we saying - Morgan Smithies off to the NRL and Owen Farrell to Wigan as his replacement?

I love this forum. Surely not?

Great rumour, no doubt!
It would suggest that O. Farrell would take Smithies 13 shirt.
The shirt his father wore for so many seasons.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 12, 2023 9:43 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

Great rumour, no doubt!
It would suggest that O. Farrell would take Smithies 13 shirt.
The shirt his father wore for so many seasons.

It’s a brilliant, brilliant story.

Park how Owen Farrell would fair in league to one side, the drama of that transfer, the history in that surname, the almost poetic nature of it. It would be the biggest transfer in RL for this country for many many years.

Next year will mark 20 years since Andy Farrell left Wigan and Rugby League in the twilight of his career to move to Rugby Union. And now 20 years later his all conquering son, the lad from Wigan, returns to his boyhood club, his hometown to emulate his father and scratch that insatiable itch he has always had in his illustrious Rugby career - to fulfil the dream and step out onto the pitch as a Wigan RL player.

20 years later. A sight we thought we would never see… From the battle at Knowsley Road, to the broken nose at Leeds, from the trophies and the success. To the Grand Final of 98 to the Challenge Cup in 2002. A shirt, a number and a name synonymous with one another and steeped in Wigan legend…

Farrell 13 returns…

Good god our marketing team would have an absolute field day should it be true.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 12, 2023 10:00 pm  

As a Wigan signing it doesn't do it for me I'm afraid. Feels an unnecessary risk. Maybe even a vanity signing?

As a rugby league signing - great. It will get headlines and attract attention which is something the sport desperately needs.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 12, 2023 10:09 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

As a Wigan signing it doesn't do it for me I'm afraid. Feels an unnecessary risk. Maybe even a vanity signing?

As a rugby league signing - great. It will get headlines and attract attention which is something the sport desperately needs.

I agree. It would be great PR and an excellent signing commercially. It would be a huge risk on the field. He’s not played RL for about 20 years.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 13, 2023 7:26 am  

RL is in his DNA,am sure if it was to happen he will do ok.
PR wise doesnt get better than that,will put more bums on seats,will certainly put Wigan back at the top (where they belong) relegate Saints to just a throw away line (where they belong).

Dont forget Wigan are looking very strong even without OF,he wont make much difference on the playing front everywhere else massive just massive.Captain of the Kick & Clap brigade coming home brilliant.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 13, 2023 7:34 am  

The RU press would frame it that he was the reason that watching England RU is so mind numbingly dull and that he had been holding their game back

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:55 am  

Jason65 wrote:

RL is in his DNA,am sure if it was to happen he will do ok.
PR wise doesnt get better than that,will put more bums on seats,will certainly put Wigan back at the top (where they belong) relegate Saints to just a throw away line (where they belong).

Dont forget Wigan are looking very strong even without OF,he wont make much difference on the playing front everywhere else massive just massive.Captain of the Kick & Clap brigade coming home brilliant.

For the experience he bring alone will be massive to players and coaches.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 13, 2023 10:04 am  

The major downside as to why this move could or is being linked to happening though is due to the loss of Smithies.

I’m guessing Thompson will be first choice 13 even if he doesn’t wear the number should Farrell come but either way it will be a downgrade on Smithies and whilst you can’t fault the lad for going it’s frustrating he is leaving.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 13, 2023 10:18 am  

jonh wrote:

The major downside as to why this move could or is being linked to happening though is due to the loss of Smithies.

I’m guessing Thompson will be first choice 13 even if he doesn’t wear the number should Farrell come but either way it will be a downgrade on Smithies and whilst you can’t fault the lad for going it’s frustrating he is leaving.

Completely agree. He has been a key player for us last season and even more so this season. Its sad to see him leave, as i think he would be next in line to be captain when Farrell retires. Nothing is certain and we certainly can't be over confident, but with the signings we've made there is a window of opportunity where we could very successful over the next few seasons and its a shame that he wont be part of that.

As for Owen Farrell, I'm quite cautious about him coming. We've got a big pack already next season and i just hope it doesn't unsettle the squad because we're trying to fit an expensive union player into our side. I understand the sentiment and the magnitude of signing him but its one we should be cautious about.