You make it sound as if it's better not to have him.

He can also play centre. Very well.

Hugely impressed up to now.

He's a big aggressive lad and looks to have some good ball skills as well. It's been very impressive to see an 18 year kid who's pretty raw when it comes to league handle the step up like he has.

Another great young talent but there are going to be issues around how we possibly keep hold of all of them under the SC rules.

13 of the 17 last night were brought through our system plus the others that didn't feature or are out on loan, it is going to be difficult to keep them when other clubs with poor youth systems come calling offering more money.

The salary crap only applies to the highest paid 25 players at a club.
Doubt he or many of the teenagers we have will be in that group.
Looks very good for his age and experience (or lack of).

I think he's gonna be a star. From all of the young lads I've seen feature this season him and Jack Hughes look great prospects with Crosby not far behind. Ship Lauaki and Flower out soon and put these lads in instead!

Players start to count on the cap as they start to play qualifying games (SL and CC games). The cap is for the top 25 earners in the 1st team squad. There is a small amount of money to pay younger players as they make débuts but I am pretty sure once they have qualifying games under their belt they start to use up that part of the cap.

You can't for example just play a load of teenagers week in, week out for free as far as the cap goes.

The point is as they get first team exposure other clubs will want to offer them more money than they are on here so they will be in other clubs top 25 earners thus the temptation to move is stronger.
I also agree with DaveO's interpretation but am not 100% sure how it works, but the reality is as they get more first team experience the more other clubs notice them and the more offers could potentially come in.

Correct. There is what's called a "second tier cap" of £75k, for players outside the top 25, which covers anyone who's played in a relevant match that season.

I believe, though, that permission (in advance) to exceed that £75k can be applied for, to cover injuries, for example.

There is now no salary cap limit for players outside the 25 who have not played for the first team.

I thought Rhodri looked more confident and a lot more comfortable in his second appearance for us.

I really like Hughes though. Whilst he didn't have a standout game last night, he's been the best backrower on the pitch in the previous two Wigan games.

Hughes has got himself ahead of Tuson in the pecking order in my opinion but I don't think Wane will ever drop Tuson. Hughes just seems to have more about him. He runs excellent lines, he's got good handling skills, he's a good solid tackler and can provide cover in the backs which is useful.

The good thing about the back row forwards coming through is that they are versatile. Hughes can play centre, Lloyd can play loose forward or centre, while I'm sure Connor Farrell has played centre, stand off, hooker and loose forward.

I'd imagine that Rhodri would trigger a 'New Talent Pool Players Allowance' under the cap too. (He's about as clear cut an example of who the exemption applies to that I can think of). If he does qualify for this allowance, his salary cap value this season will be nil and reduced by 50% next season regardless of how many first team games he plays.

He's played RL before, for the S. Wales Scorpions, before moving to Crusaders. In any case, I think he's still too young to qualify - as I remember the "new talent" rule, it's restricted to 19-23 year olds.

That seem stupid but typical of the RFL

Was really impressed with him last night and Wigan are reaping the rewards for scouting in Wales.

Been saying it for years, if clubs looked in Wales & France, they would find more future stars than an unheard of Aussie. Also the French & Welsh national teams will improve.

Looks a fantastic prospect.

Not too worried about the number of second rowers we have. If he develops to his full potential I suspect we are going to have to find somewhere to play this lad and anyway I'd like to see Gaz Hock move to prop at some point, I can see him playing the kind of powerful, ball-handling prop forward role that Andy Farrell did in his last year at Wigan, which would free up a spot for Lloyd.

Forgot to say that he looks in tremendous shape. I suspect he has a very low body fat percentage.

It's nonsense, but these are the complete muppets who brought us the SC, licensing and the 20/20 and 20/25 rules.

A few people have said that to me.

Personally I think he is an out and out back rower. I just don't think he is suited to become a prop.

Maybe I will be proven wrong.

I could see Hansen moving up to prop in a couple of years more so then Hock. Gaz is just too dangerous on the edge to think about moving him anytime soon.

Rubbish Wigan. Relying on overseas players as usual.

so is there anything to stop a team signing a player for next season and whacking him on big money as a retainer? the wage wouldnt count as he hasnt played for the first team?

Agreed !

I do think that any of the younger players coming into the team will do very well as there seems a real, air of confidence about the place that is encouraging the younger players to give it a real dig when they get there chance without fear of being completely shunned for making errors, within reason of course !

It would count if that big money put him in the top 25 earners. Being in the top 25 still counts even if they don't play. Even if, say, Fielden never plays this season, he still counts on the cap (though there are allowances made for any insurance cover, I believe).

If - and it's a big if (although a lot more likely now under the current regime) all the young lads fulfill their potential, what would the ideal pack be in 3 years? The pressure on places will be intense and someone will be squeezed out.

Props Dudson Flower Prescott Mossop Spencer Crosby Burke (all will still be young)
Back row Hock Hansen Lockers Farrell Tuson Hughes Lloyd

Presumably there's more behind this lot.

Yeah. All 4 of them :lol