Blocked When a loan isn't a loan Probably the biggest story in Superleague this week has been Wigan’s decision to block on-loan player Gareth Hock from playing for Widnes against them in this weekends Round Eight encounter at the DW Stadium. A bitter war of words has broken out between Wigan and Widnes coaches, Wane and Betts, about a clause in Hock’s contract which blocks him from playing against the club who hold his registration. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Blocked When a loan isn't a loan Probably the biggest story in Superleague this week has been Wigan’s decision to block on-loan player Gareth Hock from playing for Widnes against them in this weekends Round Eight encounter at the DW Stadium. A bitter war of words has broken out between Wigan and Widnes coaches, Wane and Betts, about a clause in Hock’s contract which blocks him from playing against the club who hold his registration. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

It was announced as part of the deal in January...

Hardly breaking news to anyone (aside from Denis perhaps?)

they were happy to agree to it to get him on loan, no point moaning about it now.

He wouldn't be playing at the weekend anyway as he's banned.

Hardly a new thing. Happens all the time. Cant really see why they are making an issue of it to be honest.

NO HE ISNT.....he has served his 1 match ban

2 clubs try to build tension before a game to sell extra tickets shocker!!!

If they wanted to sell tickets they should let Hock play.

We knew about it beforehand. Don't think anyone is blowing their top exactly.

Move along. Nothing to see here.

OK, well he would've got sent off anyway

I'm a Wigan fan who would prefer that the Hock business could have been sorted out, and that he was playing for Wigan.

OK he is a dumbell.

But he is also the best attacking forward in the World at the moment.

There are rumours that the main issue is Hock does not get on with Sean Wane.

Again, my impression is that Wane is no intellectual at all, like Hock.

I would like Hock to play against Wigan for many reasons on Saturday.

But I would rather he didn't, as he could rip us to pieces.

Hock is a thorough low intelligence idiot, but we have had players like him since the year dot.

We have controlled them before !

Couldn't this have all been sorted out ?

No he isn't, majority of his offloads are terrible and he often drops the ball hes got hands like cows tits.

It was.......in January. To simplify....

Wigan....."Yes you can have Gareth on loan BUT he cant play against us"
Widnes..."OK"

See.... SORTED!

I actually cant believe all the whinging that has been going on around certain sections of the media/Widnes camp about it. They were told the terms of the loan. They agreed to them. Deal with it!

Where's the evidence that Shaun Wane is thick? He's big, used to be a forward and has a strong accent. That's about all people have to go on when they spout this.

On the the other hand, he took over a very young squad, that most said would have problems, and took them to the League Leader's Shield, playing attractive rugby. I reckon he might be a lot smarter than you think.

Let me guess. Denis is asked about it, he wishes Gareth were available, the press make a big deal about it, and now "Widnes are whingeing."

I'm fine with him not playing, most of the fans are, deal with that.

There are loans when players can not play in cup games, loans that last a month.....what is so unusual about this one

Isn't it just a standard clause for players going on loan?

TBH, this seems more like Betts trying to get his excuses in early

Why on earh will Denis need excuses? We're playing Wigan. We're the underdogs.

Seems very strange for Widnes or Betts to be upset about a standard loan clause that everybody knew about months ago. And seems very strange as to why this is even a story since its a standard loan clause that everybody knew about months ago.