www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... Wigan.html I know its a paper, and so should probably take with a pinch of salt, but seriously shocked to even hear this rumour! He's been a lot more a success than I ever expected since coming from kick and clap but surely is not someone we should be looking at and I cant see anywhere he would fit in?

www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... Wigan.html I know its a paper, and so should probably take with a pinch of salt, but seriously shocked to even hear this rumour! He's been a lot more a success than I ever expected since coming from kick and clap but surely is not someone we should be looking at and I cant see anywhere he would fit in?

maybe we need a water carrier

Why not? Would be good cover and experience for a position we need!

I would take him in our squad without question. The guy is a model proffesional IMO and would have a lot to offer in our camp. Not exactly thrilled about him being on the field though. Would be fantastic publicity if we did sign him though.

We have better players though, we just don't need him.

Commercially brilliant the bloke is about to be at the centre of a major film with A list celebrities, our profile will go through the roof.

From a playing point of view, bit of a joke, but the profile potential far outweighs the playing side of things.

Finally he is a proven massive leader which you can never have too many of.

Id rather play Stefan Marsh all season next year TBH, i cant understand this at all. If this is true im very disappointed.

From a profile POV yes get the point but even though hes far exceeded my expectations of him as a player and is no doubt a great leader and model professional, I think it is a waste of the salary cap as we have a number of better players at the club.

The only way I would be happy with the signing is that if we were looking at bringing him in a coaching capacity.

What? The only reason the Crusaders went for him was for PR reasons i.e. he was a Welsh international RU player. He knows less about how to play or coach the game of RL than anyone who posts on these boards.

But he is a proven leader who commercially is about to go global. I also think he has done very well since he came to league. Looking at the big picture, whoever he plays for when the film comes out will benefit, and being having our junior players being around a Lions captain will do them no harm.

Personally thus far best signing we have been linked with to date.

Made up statement of the day.

He has spent 2 years playing at the top level of the sport. More than any person on these boards has done. Despite RU and RL being very different, you do need many of the same attributes to succeed, that is why players CAN do well in both codes.

The first statement couldn't be more true though. I would sign him just for PR reasons, his profile could go through the roof internationally with this film being produced. Clearly a huge celeb in Wales and very popular in the press about him coming out.

He could also teach our players a lot, he is a born leader and has had many experiences on the rugby field. He knows how to handle the big occasion and how to overcome adversity.

Well if you can't spot the obvious sarcasm .....

However I do not believe he has any coaching credentials of any worth to the club.....



But unless we play him, how do we benefit from any of that? And why would we put him any where near next seasons likely starting 17?



Oh come off it. We have plenty of senior pros at the club and Ian Roberts he is not.

Him just being at the club would bring publicity. Who knows, he might offer something on the field. I don't know. He has looked good for crusaders this year.

Yes we do but none with the experience he has had. He adds something extra.

I agree he wouldn't be my choice of coach but I think it would be a great move if Wigan were to sign him.

When the Crusaders signed him I thought it was a smart move for them. I live in Chester and my son has played RU v Wrexham several times and so I have seen the effect having an SL club has had on the area and even in the RU club I have seen young lads walking about with Crusaders merchandise. So given the area and the game the Crusaders signing him was a great move IMO despite the fact he was clearly not going to set the game on fire on the pitch.

But that was the Crusaders. I don't give a stuff what film he going to be in because if [iwe[/i sign him we have to play him (as I simply do not believe he has any coaching credentials we want). And would we really compromise the team for some PR? Because that is what it would boil down to IMO.

I am not one of those who thinks the ultimate aim is to have a team of all Wigan lads and I think it is essential we do sign top players from outside the club such as the Barrett's, Hoffman's and Finches of this world. Every now and again we may sign a lower profile player like Carmont who turns out to be top quality (Sam Panapa MkII is Carmont IMO) but I can't see how Thomas fits in with any of this.

I don't see why this should be true if it is then its the Harris factor thats involved (though I see it as just pure BS from The Sun), Harris obviously speaks highly of him as a leader and although it raised a few eyebrows at first perhaps its a Ben Cross type of signing mainly the experience is the main reason, However the rumoured signings aren't exactly going to fill the (Wane as Coach) doubters heads with confidence Lauaki & Thomas doesn't exactly excite you quite like the signings of Finch, Lima & Hoffman but i'm happy we've signed/signing Dudson.

He was a very good union player . I an afraid he cant play League for toffee. He is a defensive liability , even Carl Pryce ran a few past him . He was a terrific PR signing for the Crusaders but that's all . Check the Crusaders Boards to see what the fans in the know think about him .

Regards , EW

What about Richie Mathers?

To say that I'd be very disappointed if we signed a 37 year old who's played just 28 games of rugby league would be a huge understatement.

I don't care how much of a leader he is. I don't care if he's a cross between Churchill and Patton. No, no and no!

He probably has the same agent and PR as harris ............ both using the wigan fame and success to 'up' their own profile and possible employment situation.
Both wrong on so many fronts. IL shouldn't have to come out and deny these connections being fed to the sun by their agents, but in these two cases i feel he should.

Has anyone thought it may be in a assistant coaching capacity

We spoke to him at the Crusaders/Quins game a few weeks back, and asked him if he had anything lined up. He said yes, but would wouldn't divulge, simply telling us to "Watch this space!".

I think you are massively over stating the knowledge of the average poster on these here forums.

Would provide good cover at a postion you're weak in.

would rather play marsh or goulding at centre if joel or george gets injured, for me taking Thomas to play at centre is a backward step for us, we need to develope young talent to play there or if we do contract a new player at least someone who will be available to play for 3 years to help nuture our young players

The more and more I think about this the more ridiculous it seems, this guy would get absolutely tortured on here after playing one game for Wigan because he simply isnt good enough.

Surely as Challenge Cup holders, current league leaders shield holders and Super League Champions with the best support in the UK game, we should be able to attract someone better than that