Come on, he's been a big part of the Melbourne set up since 2005. He may not have experience as a head coach, but he has a great deal of experience in 1st team coaching, and his (now previous) boss (a guy mentored and brought on by Wayne Bennett) thinks he's more than ready to step up.

Any appointment is risky, but I don't [ipersonally[/i feel this one is any riskier than Justin Morgan at KR.

I agree but we must must must finish above 6th this year otherwise we will of gone backwards!

Finishing 6th or lower next year would be a huge step down from what we've done this season. We've proven again that we've got the players to mix it with the top teams when we play them, with some consitency the team is capable of a lofiter placing at the end of the season.

Like I said, I don't have any problem with him being appointed as Wigan head coach as he has been with the Storm and has got very good backing from his previous coaches, however I just hope fans don't get to carried away and end up being disappointed again after years of being promised so much. How many of us thought it was great when we signed Millward? I know I for one did as we all thought we was getting one over on the old enemy and it would bring the success back, then there was Nobby who is the most succesful coach in SL. I'm just trying not to get to carried away this time like many of us have previously with a coach who is yet unproven, that's all.

Putting Wane has his number 2 will prove to be the smartest move by the club.

He'll know which of the players who are going to be too old for the reserves are worth keeping and working with. He knows the club obviously inside out and I think him being there will help Magurie settle in to his role easier. I take it this means Wane will not be working witht he U20's next season?

That's fine mate, and I more than agree with you in saying we shouldn't get carried away, that's true of any appointment as you quite rightly pointed out with Millward.

Just pointing out the subtle difference between being unproven as a coach, and unproven as the head coach that's all

Correct and I agree with what you say, Wane can give him more info than anyone else could on the players!

Also Maguire was the coach for the backs at Melbourne and look how well they play! Wane can get the forwards running it in hard!

I doubt it. I think he'll assume the standard assistant role, and someone else will step up to the U20s.

How it should be run, a gradual step up form U18s, to reserves, to assistant to the head coach. No coincidence that some of the more constant teams over the years have followed the pattern of promoting from within.

That is a major factor in this aswell, we had 2 forwards in Noble and Veivers as 1 and 2. With an attacking coach and a forward coach we would have a very good mix. Let's hope that Radders gets the u20's coach then it would be pretty much ideal.

For the first time in a long time I am excited about being a Wigan fan, all due respect to Vivers and Foreshaw but the first duty of Maguire is to appoint a complete new backroom staff, although i understand Vivers was on his way out anyway?

The Chairmans interview is one which really excites me, i agree with everything he says, he seems to have handled this entire coaching situation with great skill and dignity.

BN was aware of the position he was in by the sounds of it a long time ago after the start of the season we had, despite what he has said.

I think IL has a great vision of the future and a great plan to get us there, i have to confess I had started to worry a little but I have to say I am over the moon and confident he is the right man for the job.

I cannot wait for the start of the 2010 season after the fairly low key last few years it cannot come soon enough.

Indeed, and if/when the likes of Farrell, Davies and others make the step upto first team having Wane there with them will no doubt help them as he's been there with them since the start and they have a massive amount of respect for him.

I wouldn't be surprised then to see Radlinski take over the U18s and the 18s coach? move upto the U20's.

He might be slighty unproven at head coach level in the NRL but our league is nowhere near as intensity as the Aussies, and I am sure Shaun Wane will let him know about some of our underperforming players.

Beware some of you, and you know who you are

Sorry but Vievers was a full back.

Off topic I know but come on!!!


Great skill and dignity?

Telling a coach the Friday before the Q/F that he was out (after a rule change on the Visa's by the sound of it)

Talking about how the contract was "dependent on results"

Effectively almost admitting that MM was his 2nd (or 3rd??) choice?

Dignity? Skill?

Well, that would be despite what IL said also if youre gonna chuck that one in

So he was, no idea why I had him down as a forward, should have known this anyway with Josh playing there,doh!

The coaching restructuring is exciting, as is the fact its 3 years, I was worried that it may be a rush job to get Wane into position, but there seems to be a long term view to it.

What is interesting is which 2 current superleague coaches did we consider Morgan & McDermott (given the fact he was referenced in the BBC interview as the next best British coach behind Noble) I reckon.

Maguire hopefully will have the entire squad fit by the start of 2010, hoping to see a slimline Feka and an enthuiastic Roberts!!

If he is as good as the aussie's say he is, he will know who the underachievers are before he come's over. Should be an interesting pre - season for some of our players.

Hang on ... he's only giving you 'his opinion'. So, as by your logic he can't possibly be wrong, what are you getting so excited about?

Indeed he is giving his opinion, and in return I am giving mine. That's fine,


Notice btw that I don't mention Jonh having a "hold" over anyone or accusing him of acting of trying to moblise fans to "vote with their feet", or indeed any random rubbish. I merely presented a counter argument.

You should try it sometime.

Can I just join minirogue and urge people not to get over excited. As it stands Saints Leeds and Wire IMO still have better squads than us going into 2010. We could have the best coach in the world but until we sort this side of things out don't expect anything too soon.

Given he's been part of the coaching set up that's reached four consecutive NRL Grand Finals yes. Easy choice.

That's because jonh doesn't talk about people as if they're on borrowed time, and how "they'd better do it in one season or else".

Still, if I've broken you of that foolish habit, I'll consider it a useful evening's work.

But FWIW, my latest 'opinion' is that you are furious about this appointment because all of a sudden it looks like your prophecies of doom were misplaced, and that your continued opposition to this move is now nothing more than a pose.

I'd say that we have a better squad (when we play to our full potential) than Huddersfield and they finished 3rd.

I want to see a season of consistent rugby played with enthusiasm and committment, that will in turn see results go our way and in time we will break into the Top 4, then (with astute recruiting) Top 2.

Don't talk nonsense!

I will be as delighted as anyone should MM turn out to be the next John Monie.