Wire till i die?

I guess he died, but then again its enough to kill anyone

Warrington Guardian confirm Hiku is leaving. Smith and Hiku due in the press conference post match.

2018 Season
IN: Sitaleki Akauola (Penrith Panthers)
OUT: Rhys Evan (Leigh Centurions), Kurt Gidley (Retired), Andre Savelio (Brisbane Broncos), Brad Dwyer (Leeds Rhinos), Sam Wilde (Widnes Vikings), Peta Hiku (New Zealand Warriors).

Anyone still got their boots?

We wouldn't have won without him today... head and shoulders above everyone else on the field.

I can look see Pomeroy doing a "wheeler" (ie earning a new contract based on performances, despite never playing due to injury)

He's off because he's got family issues and wants to go home. No other reason. He knew what he was signing up for, as we were pretty much guaranteed to be in a 'second rate league' and 'fighting relegation' when he agreed to come over.

Plenty of other things to moan about and slag the club off about but Hiku wanting out isn't one of them as it's totally out of their control.

Something really doesn't sit right on this. Smacks of a cover up. Kind words to fans in exchange for no hassle release.

Sorry but nothing has changed since he's been here in terms of our or his own situation.

Very odd.

If it is family reasons then fair enough, being apart from family is hard for some people. But surely before you sign up for a couple of years on he other side of the world then before putting pen to paper wouldn't things like that be discussed?

I wouldn't just up and go and hope that my family follow.

Precisely. Not like he was a free agent looking for a club. Then I could understand.

No idea what his family issues are, and no real reason for it to be divulged.

However, I do wonder whether this is something that couldn't be sorted out during the close season, and its disappointing that it had to come out now.

Perhaps after the Sandow situation the club would rather make the break with the player now, rather than risk it again at the dawn of the new season.

It is odd.

In the WG he says he wants to be closer to his wife and son and extended family. Perfectly understandable. I presume they are in Australia when he played for Penrith as he mentions New Zealand is OK because "he has a daughter there". Auckland is 1,500 miles from Penrith.

I suspect the NZ Warriors came in with an offer based on his recent form triggering the clause and the family thing is what the club tell the plebs like us.

Not slagging anyone off. Stating the facts. He can cite family reasons and I don't dispute their truth. It's fair enough. But even if that weren't the case my OP would be good enough reason anyway.

In any event, our club seem to be poor with their media strategy. In every case it's always after the horse has bolted and we know the details from our antipodean press in advance.

Watched him today for the first time.
Seemed to have a bit of fizz about him
Can only improve the NZ Warriors

So with Hiku going, thats a centre needed seeing as he replaced Evans there. Still think we would be better served putting Ratch there and buying a top full back but then again we need half a new team for next year so anything can happen

Huh?
How many fbs are there better than Ratchford whilst you could make a list as long a Pinnochio's nose of how many centres there are better than him!!

I'd say most other fullbacks in the league are better than Ratchford in that position. He can catch a ball, but his positional play in defence is awful. (and yes I did play at fullback). We have shipped in 30 and 40 points in the last two games, that should give some indication. I agree with the previous poster, Ratchford would be far better utilised in centre or halves.

Do people just post on here to have a pop or to wind rubber Duckie up, he is spot on with his comments about huki. Would will miss him more than we would miss ratchford

He's not even the best Fullback at Warrington

Yes lets hope the new coach wants a full back who doesn't ponce about ambling from a poor position or thinking he's cool with one handed carries and actively (and shamefully) avoiding one on one tackles. He needs to move away from FB asap - he's a liabilty there.

You just described Sam tomkins

Thanks Hatfield.

Re Ratchford.
He is indeed the most talented player in our team. Is he the ideal fullback?...perhaps not, but the point is...you put your best player in a position where they can get there hands on the ball....centre isn't one of those.

RD, I seem to remember conversations we've had when you've been adamant Ratch has to play at 6 as you want your best players with their hands on the ball - I always argued Full Back gave him that opportunity, you always disagreed!!

I still believe 6 to be the best position for Ratchford to be more specific, but if playing fb as a pivot will put him in a position to get his hands on the the ball, then I relent...!
However I hate his one hand ball carries that heightens a knock on off his own knee than he gets from a forced error.