We've just had that with Matty Sarsfield, and Johnny Molloy.

Both are back row forwards (and very promising ones), but in front of them are Joel Tomkins, Hansen, O'Loughlin, Mossop, Hoffman, Farrell and Tuson.
Add to that Hock, and the two England U18's of Bridge and Hughes.

Add to which Wigan did make him an offer, he just chose to take the Hudds one which is fair enough.

But despite that you have signed 3 overseas players to go with the 4/5 you already have(not sure who Hansen reps for?) with probably your first choice halves of deacon and finch. Finch will be 30 half way into the season if he's played by then and deacon Will be 32 in a few weeks!

For all those kids you are producing you still have a few old timers, plodders and big pay day Aussies and kiwis about?

And that sgtwilko, is what us lot in Wigan call 'strength in depth'.

I never stated that you did.

Because Leeds and Saints have dominated for so long. I said Wire/Wigan taking over the mantle would be a good thing. As a Wire fan I think that this is a fair hope.

Because those 3 overseas players replaced Feka, Riddell, Bailey + Phelps, that's one less overseas player.

Hansen was born here, played his entire rugby career here, and represented England at junior levels, why on earth do people keep mentioning him!


Roberts
Richards
Carmont
Lima
Hoffman
Finch

+ Leuluai but he is exempt (without the use of any loopholes). So 6 really, and out of those i'd say there is only Carmont (who is still quality) that aren't top overseas players.

I agree that it'd be nice if Wire could pick up trophies on a regular basis, but if we and Wigan were to take over and dominate, a la Leeds/Saints, then it'd become as tedious as those pair ever was.

Just for a few years then?

Quote ="inside_man"Because those 3 overseas players replaced Feka, Riddell, Bailey + Phelps, that's one less overseas player. =#0040FFHansen was born here, played his entire rugby career here, and represented England at junior levels, why on earth do people keep mentioning him! Roberts Richards Carmont Lima Hoffman Finch + Leuluai but he is exempt (without the use of any loopholes). So 6 really, and out of those i'd say there is only Carmont (who is still quality) that aren't top overseas players.'" =#0000FFPlace of Birth - Auckland (New Zealand) www.wiganwarriors.com/WPlayerP.aspx?id=11 You aren't usually wrong. Disappointing. additionally, "At the end of the year he represented Samoa in the games against New Zealand and Tonga. " PLus " a one off test for the Kiwis in 2006 [size=150before confirming his allegiance to Samoa[/size." fair reason and i highlighted the important bit. next you'll be telling me pat Richards is Irish

Quote ="inside_man"Because those 3 overseas players replaced Feka, Riddell, Bailey + Phelps, that's one less overseas player. =#0040FFHansen was born here, played his entire rugby career here, and represented England at junior levels, why on earth do people keep mentioning him! Roberts Richards Carmont Lima Hoffman Finch + Leuluai but he is exempt (without the use of any loopholes). So 6 really, and out of those i'd say there is only Carmont (who is still quality) that aren't top overseas players.'" =#0000FFPlace of Birth - Auckland (New Zealand) www.wiganwarriors.com/WPlayerP.aspx?id=11 You aren't usually wrong. Disappointing. additionally, "At the end of the year he represented Samoa in the games against New Zealand and Tonga. " PLus " a one off test for the Kiwis in 2006 [size=150before confirming his allegiance to Samoa[/size." fair reason and i highlighted the important bit. next you'll be telling me pat Richards is Irish

So that's 7 over seas signings despite all those super duper kids! You do protest too much me thinks?

Fair do's mate I call that a false dawn.

I have no problems with the Pies being confident they had an excellent season last time and have recruited well this year.......... To be honest i feel confident that we can retain again the Challenge cup as we know how to do it..



It could go two ways with Wigan they could carry on where they left off last year and finish top again.
Or their new imports could take time to settle pick up a few injuries and possibly have a slightly tough time..
You also have teams raising their game for the champions and they're there to be shot at...

Anyway despite what that other Wigan fan said BOTH teams have strength in depth with cover for every position..Its gonna be a great season i can't wait....

Finch will be 30 at the end of August, hardly half way through the season, but after JJB turns 30.
For a Leeds fan to bring age into it is laughable, as the have NINE players who will be 30 or over by the end of the season, including their new overseas prop Ben Cross who is 32.

didn't our under 20's finish top of the league last season?

Then didnt wigan go on and play amos roberts, paleasina etc in the under 20's play offs?

Similar to what Utd do in the Carling cup, play their kids who get them to the final then sh*t on their effort by playing the full squad to take the glory.

Yes Wire finished top

No, Roberts and Feka didn't play in the U20's play off.

That's funny.... i remember the wigan under 20's team coming to play us at the HJ with roberts, paleasina and some others in it...... must have been a dream.

Apologies Roberts did play v Wire in the semi but Feka didn't.
Neither of them played in the final, that's what I was thinking of.

Rogues, do you have a life at home during the season? From what I can gather, when you're not at the DW, you're at Orrell watching the U20's and U18's. What a good life.

I do have a life thanks, but there a few of us who try to get to the U18 and U20 games at Orrell on a Saturday afternoon. We normally meet up for a beer and then go to game.

As you say it's a good life, and gives me a rest from being nagged by her indoors.

It's got nothing to do with who I support or Wigan v Leeds in players ages. Despite all your great youth you singed a 29(30 in august) halfback. from your 4 halfbacks tomkin, tommy , deacon and finch only 1 is young and English. I don't understand why a club with so much young talent needs 7 overseas players. A few of which are Late 20's/30 plus?

Buderus/Cross/Delaney/Hauraki/Lauititi/Leuluai/Webb makes 7 too, does it not?

Yes it does but it's a comment about Wigan it has nothing to do with Leeds. I'm not saying look at my club? I'm not comparing. If did I would point out that the Leeds academy isn't that strong we are finding a few good kids coming through but not tons. Rogues points out that the pies youth set up is all Conquering, but still the imports come.

5 of the pies arguable best backline are imports and gleesons not club trained. It's only through injury and rotation or a serious lack of form can you see the others playing

Tomkins
Roberts
Carmont
Gleeson
Richards
Finch
Tommy

wigan have the best kids around, but still fill the team with imports