If this theory is true then it's just a complate disgrace, players come and go all the time, just because he is leaving doesnt mean we should rest him for the none important games. I pay to see our best available 17. I want to see Sam play for Wigan as many times possible, we had a good chance of winning all three available trophies this year, something no other team has ever done. Now the team confidence looks shot to bits and I wouldn't back us to win any. If we need to get Hampshire experience to replace Sam why not bring him on off the bench? Why not look elsewhere for a short term replacement until Hampshire is ready?

The club have handled this situation in completely the wrong way from start to finish.

But at the beginning of the season Sam wasn't going anywhere. What's Wane supposed to do? Pick Hampshire in every other game just in case someone makes an offer for Sam? Give the bloke a break. Look at the players we have lost from last year. Carmont, Leuluai, Finch, Prescott, Hock, and Lima. Add to that Fielden and Roberts (okay they didn't play much). That is a lot of quality and experience. I can honestly say imo we have done better than i expected.

RE: Minicello (sp) I think he has recently signed a new contract with the roosters, even if he isn't guaranteed a start... Apologies if i'm mistaken

Wasnt Wane quoted at the start of the season saying he is preparing for the future when Tomkins does leave? I might be wrong but im pretty sure there was an article on Sky or something similar.

Three trophies in the one season something no team has ever done. What about 2006 ?

I dont think they have offered him one yet but you're right about not guaranteed a start or he has to play on the wing if he wants to stay at the Roosters. They are going to offer him one by the looks of things.

Minichello is staying at the Roosters, poster above has a bit of a record regarding false rumours (sorry mate but it's true)

Anyone who thinks Sam is picking and choosing when he plays wants their head looking at IMO. Do they not think that if he refused to play, IL would keep hold of his contract for the next 2 years and loan him to Widnes? Whether he's not playing due to Wane, or the injuries/illnesses they told us about, or a single injury they aren't telling us about, is another matter. He was named in the 19on Wednesday though and I know for fact his kit was laid out in the locker room today, so I'm fairly confident he was supposed to play. Most likely it was a minor thing that he would normally play on with but they didn't want to risk it pre Wembley

I know he is mate, ive just posted that he is and ive been posting it for a few weeks that he is haha

I'm forced to agree. I've supported the club and Wane in resting players, but even I feel they are pushing the bounds of plausibility, and with it they risk fans feeling disrespected by dishonesty.

The club should worry about next year, NEXT YEAR! If that means we get off to a slow start in the 2014 season, so be it. We have got Tomkins now and he should be playing in every available game, fitness permitting.

Why the f*** the club would try bedding in a new FB at the business end of the season I do not know (that's if it's true). It's just going to aggravate the paying fans.

As I post that, Sam will definitely play in France next week, as will Lockers and Smith.

He would have wept last if he had seen that performance.

Or 2003

This! In fact I thought it was obvious and everyone understood this to be the case. Seemingly not. Hampshire has been the one positive to come out of recent games against Saints, HKR and Hudds. Granted he's had a couple of errors in each game, but that's what he's being played for: to get that experience. I'd actually be happy for him to play on including the "big" games.

Whilst I would broadly agree and have posted very similar recently, there is a balancing act which Wane risks getting wrong (may already have got wrong, in fact). He has to balance this year's progress with next year's prospects. What's the point in sacrificing a trophy in 2013 so that we have a better chance of success in 2014? It doesn't make sense.

The other balancing act is knowing how much BS the fans are prepared to swallow. Most people accept that it's good sense to rest important players for big games and will happily swallow the lines about 24 hr bugs when we are playing Widnes et al. But when those big games come and another line is served up the fans start to feel that the club is acting unscrupulously.

I talked to a few different Wigan fans last night and a couple said they have heard he is nursing an injury and they are worried about him ( suggestion was a/ Hamstring or B/ Knee.

Concerned about his fitness for the rest of the season i think.

Which is a pity a great player to watch and and a really good advocate for the sport his schools section on Boots n all showed him in a really positive light.

so we have had a 24 hour bug,followed by a back spasm.next week whats the betting,i will go with an ingrowing big toenail.

I am going with Lost Passport Syndrome.

New Zealand flu !

Weil's Disease

As he is supposedly a "Warrington fan" it's more likely to be Vile's Disease

I think if he's fit he should be playing. No resting or testing out other players.

We're going to struggle to win anything without him next year. Might as well make the most of him while he's here.

SW - enough is enough, full strength team from here on in.

Lets get a bit of momentum for the CC and try and hot the play offs with some decent form.

Lets put the FB problem away till next year, we can bed someone in early doors and use the off season too

Sudden allergy to onions and garlic, coupled with a phobia of Snails and Frogs (legs)?
(It's amazing what a touch of food poisoning can do to someone )

I agree with others, it has to be a Full Stength squad every week from now on.
Otherwise, we go from a potential of 3 trophies (we're now down to 2), to winning nowt, and after the start we had to the season, thats unforgiveable.