The days of Wigan RL blowing massive amounts of money on 'Big Name' Aussies is over. If we get Mark Gasnier it will be on a deal that suits BOTH parties. And for that reason Mark will never pull on the Cherry and White.

I agree and i much prefer our new approach to signing players, our last attempt to sign this player ended in disaster.

Sadly, I'm inclined to think that this is true.

I'm not sure that even Mike Maguire would be a massive draw for someone like Gasnier.

I've no doubt that IL would be prepared to pay good wages for quality, but the salary cap etc really prevents the kind of mega-buck settlements that Gasnier has previously indicated would interest him.

I don't think coming to the NW of England would be a problem for Gas if the money was right, but I don't think that what he considers right would even come close to fitting into Wigan's wage structure.

Quote ="Catalancs"This has started from a rumour about a rumour on the Catalans board. So far we've got that Adam Mogg is heading back to Australia in a couple of weeks. Rumoured to be due to family problems. Catalans are in early taks with a British half back 'who wants away from his current club' and the rumours seem to be suggesting it could be Danny Brough! The only other name I can think of that fits the bill is Paul Cooke.'" www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... alans.html

Quote ="Catalancs"This has started from a rumour about a rumour on the Catalans board. So far we've got that Adam Mogg is heading back to Australia in a couple of weeks. Rumoured to be due to family problems. Catalans are in early taks with a British half back 'who wants away from his current club' and the rumours seem to be suggesting it could be Danny Brough! The only other name I can think of that fits the bill is Paul Cooke.'" www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... alans.html

So does that mean we will never see true world class talent at Wigan again?

A lot of people want us to sign Bailey next season do they think he'll be on peanuts. What happens when Sam gets to the age of 26-27 and is looking for Faz or Radders type money? Do we let him go?

It’s a fact of life that 99% of the time big talents cost big bucks & I’d argue that sooner or later every top team needs one world class player not only to provide that extra bit of magic in a match but to keep drawing the crowds as well.

Good players can get you to finals and they can also win you some big games but sometimes you need that bit of something extra special a top player can give you. Does anyone think Radders wasn’t worth his massive salary after the Murreyfield game? I’m sure not many Saints fans will say Sculthorpe wasn’t worth the money after he won his 2nd MOS award. What about the difference Peacock made at Leeds?

Gasnier may not be worth it if he’s only looking for a one year deal I agree but if at 28 he’s looking for a 3 year deal on big bucks we should snatch his hands off.

Again signing Gasnier, imo, would give us a backline to match the best in the world and could very well be the best backline in the world as well. IMO you can’t put a price on that.

Had we somebody coming through the ranks to replace Carmont then I'd say no but in my opinion we have nobody who is ready or upto the standard to play at regular Super League level, so why not take Gasnier on as a replacement for Carmont? He can play 5/8th too, a very good player.

Yes, we have a new, strict (hopefully) overseas signing policy, but Mark Gasnier ticks are the required boxes IMO. Awesome player, good age, international & represetative honours and experience of captaincy.

Pretty much so yes.

When the RFL "changed their minds" (!!) about their real reasons for introducing the CC, they effectively decided that they would prefer to see "closer" games with average players, rather than all stars in one or more teams.


Personally I love watching talent on the RL field. I would have Gasnier in a heartbeat. (Then again I would scrap the CC).

SO let me get this straight.

His wife is homesick and wants to return to france so Gasnier signs for a french rugby union club and its all about the money?

Still bitter than Mo went to aus to sign Gasnier and came back with Vailiki are we?

What's a Vailiki?

An absolute non-starter due to Gasnier's mindset and Lenagan's financial policy.

Also, Gasnier's a right centre so couldn't replace Carmont. I know he's good enough to adapt but I do think familarity with the side of the pitch you play on makes a big difference.

When Gasnier went to France they weren't married. Unless I'm mistaken they got married a month or so ago.
His the fiance, now wife, Claudine Bonnechere is AUSTRALIAN. She is from the northern beaches of Newport, Sydney so where this idea of her being homesick comes from I've no idea.

Sorry mate, but what the f*** are you talking about?

This thread is about the likelihood (or not) of Wigan making an offer for Gasnier. Thus far, it's all been pretty straightforward and level-headed, and then an idiot like you comes along and tries to score some silly, juvenile points.

Maurice and Vaeliki don't even come into this discussion.

PS: In case you weren't aware, his wife is as much an Aussie as she is a Frenchie.

Anybody who thinks Gasnier went to French Rugby Union for any other reason the money is not playing with a full deck. The money on offer over there is the only reason guys like Gasnier, SBW, Rooney(Luke not Wayne) etc signed up with French clubs and it's also the reason why even English Union players(who are very well paid anyway) such as Wilkinson, Haskell and now Sackey have gone to play in France.

We'd have some job on to try and convince a guy who's being paid a fortune(i'd guess around £400,000 per season) in France to move over here on anything less then 200k per season which under Lenagan seems way out of reach.

I can still dream of seeing a modern day great in the Cherry and White though.

Bingo!

She's more Australian than French. Born, raised and lived the majority of her life there. Her parents are French.

As for codarmysaint, the majority of his posts away from the Saints board have been about rugby union, Latics and anti-Wigan. Draw your own conclusions.

=#8040FFI think he's actually on just under 200 so a clever Chief exec who knows how to find loopholes in the cap (most teams will be doing it) could easily sign him. (Actually does anyone know if getting the player a house/doing their shopping for them like in the NRL counts against the cap?)

The noises coming out of Australia seem to suggest he's homesick and is looking to head back down under. The Melbourne Rebels rugby union club are hoping to sign him.

Indeed, would be a epic signing for Superleague.

Warrington Bound along with SBW and just enough left over on the cap to try and entice Brough into signing

And might just tempt Andrew Johns out of retirement then they might be just up to the limit of the S Cap

Gasnier has more baggage than hes worth. Do we really want a money grabbing like him upsetting our team spirit? If we sign anyone it should be on our terms and he should be eager to play for the mighty Wigan RLFC, this numpty has took the once and i hope it doesnt happen again. Catalans are welcome to him.

Normally I'd agree with those sentiments, but I think in Gasnier's case you'd have to make an exception. The guy is such a talent, and with Carmont probably set to retire at the end of this season, he would be an ideal option for us.

I would hope that, at the very least, we'd make enquiries. The reality however, is that I couldn't see it working financially. I agree with others, you have to pay big money to get big stars. But if you haven't got room under the cap, there isn't much you can do.

I would take him in an instant ability wise but im still not sure about his motivation and desire etc. I would love to hear MM's thoughts on him.

Which is where I would hope IL is focusing on striking the fine balance between giving our young players better longer term deals (which is something I fully support) and still ensuring that the appropiate salary space is available for a few "must have" players of the likes of Barrett & Gasnier, I would hope those days havent gone at the expense of giving us a couple more Darrell Gouldings in the squad.