Richie was quality for Leeds then took the opportunity to play in Oz was looking good then had a serious injury that stopped him short, his confidence was shot and Wigan didn't help it.

He came to Wire because (rightly or wrongly) felt unloved at Wigan, he came to us and yes, had the occasional brainfart but I've seen the greatest players do that (remember Kiwis win v OZ, Billy Slater)
He was integral to our success (whether Wigan like to admit that or not) and had 2 great seasons with us and helped improve the confidence of all those around him.
Tony Smith's paid to win games and when he realised Hodgson was available couldn't pass up that opportunity, he wanted Richie to stay as he was well thought of at Warrington.
Richie wasn't forced out, he's an honest lad who just wants to play rugby.



Wrong, he was 'demoted' simply because Brett is a better player than him, if Wigan signed Billy Slater do you honestly think Tomkins would get the No.1 shirt? Of course he wouldn't, that's not a slight on Sam like it wasn't a slight on Richie but the sheer fact is unless you're the No.1 player in the world in your chosen position then there's always the risk of someone else coming in and taking your place.

I think what irks the Wigan fans is Mathers was, in the main, a very good player for us and Wigan fans need to 'get over it'

Leave the lad alone, he doesn't play for you any more.

Bloody Hell Wigan fans

Where would have Mathers have played had he stayed at Warrington this year?

A. We wouldn't look to replace Sam at fullback.
B. If we did, he would still be a key player in the starting 13.

You replaced Mathers at fullback because he wasn't deemed good enough.

Why is that so hard to accept

I do.

I also rember Andy Farrell, Danny Tickle, Joe Lydon, Eric Ashton, George Fairburn, Laurie Gilfedder, Punchy Griffiths, Colin Tyrer, and of course Pat Richards. I'm not quite old enough to remember Jim Sullivan.

None of them were signed for their goal kicking, so what's your point?

He'd probably get the No.6 shirt back instead. He'd be in our 13 somehow

Sam is a bad example, he's not a specialised anything yet, Mathers is just a fullback and yes he would have been an understudy had he stayed.

A. It's an example, don't take me so literally, plus in this hypothetical world you're telling me you wouldn't have Billy Slater over Tomkins if the situation arose?

B. Because he plays more than one position, if he was just a fullback (which Mather is) and nothing else would Sam be happy on the bench? No, and IF in this hypothetical world which i speak of Sam wasn't playing week in week out then he'd want to leave.

The reason for the hypotheticals is to counter your point of 'deemed not good ENOUGH' which like i said previous is unless you are No.1 in the world then everyone carries that label, you make it sound as though 'deemed not good enough' is a failure on his part and that Warrington deemed him rubbish and surplus to needs when it simply isn't true.

IF Mathers had another string under his bow (Stand off or Wing) he would still be here now.

Warrington treated Richie with the respect he deserved and he politely declined what was offered him and went to a club in which he was their No.1

Mathers was an International stand off for England Academy and played therea few times for Wigan U20's so yes he did have another string to his bow.

Let'e be honest, for all his back slapping, enthusiasm and high fives he is a very average player.

Academy stand off and professional stand off are 2 completely different things Rouges and you the avid academy watcher should be only to well aware of this.

I played rugby with Jon Clarke at primary school and saw him play stand off, it means bugger all.

Played standoff for the first team too, when Barrett was injured, IIRC.

And the fact that he couldn't displace Josh Veivers at fullback for the reserves should also tell you something.

How many FULL TIME Stand offs you know in SL that can displace Lee Briers?

What's that got to do with anything?

I just don't get why you can't grasp that Tony Smith didn't think Mathers was good enough to be the first choice fullback at Warrington, so he signed Hodgson.

Jesus.

I can grasp that, it's just the insinuation that TS got rid because he thinks he's gash.

Well, gasher than Hodgson at least.

This is just foolishness.

Mathers is, at best, an extremely average player, who is not good enough for either the current Wigan or Warrington teams.

Surely, this communal attempt to save face by so many Wire fans (regarding the transfer-deal that took him from Wigan to Wire) is not blinding ALL of you to that reality?

And saying that he was gash at Wigan because Wigan didn't help his confidence (whereas good old Warrington did) is completely laughable. It's not only an attempt to endorse the nonsensical myth that Wire got the better end of the Gleeson/Mathers deal, but it's trying to add a moral dimension to it.

You bought a pup and sold him on. Good grief, everyone but you lot can see it.

Of course he is gash, I mean if you sign a player to replace someone, it means you dont think their up to standard.

Its not hard to understand this.

Richard Mathers was the first full back Wire have had that was utilised as an additional half back, joining the attacking line late as an extra pivot and creating the extra man for many tries. FACT

It was something totally new to Warrington and brought us immediate success. FACT

to my mind there was one player that did that better and that was Brett Hodgson plus he was an exceptional Goalkicker plus he was available. FACT

Wigan Fans profess to know the ins and outs of our Full backs but they couldnt even name our fullback before Mathers.....

Your Rafa Benitez and I claim my £5.

You havent had an out and out FB in years who was good until Hodgson but I do remember Hicks and Grose playing there for you, and Reardon at a push, but before that Lee Penny was you number 1 I remember - But we cant forget Darryl Cardiss though

I like a bit of banter and all but i don't give a stuff about the c*ck measuring Gleeson/Mathers stuff that's posted on here. I'm not trying to justify who got the better deal, i think on paper most neutrals would say Wigan but most Wire won't, not because we hate Wigan or blind loyalty but for the simple fact he actually played well and improved our side and Gleeson was on the slide and didn't want to be here.

Don't forget on a side note Mathers left on good terms whereas Gleeson didn't.

Sometimes players just suit one team and not another, Wigan fans seem to struggle with the fact that Wire fans rated him when he played for us and Wigan fans never did.

Mathers is like the fat bird you dated at school and then eventually dump her because you got sick of the mickey taking by all your friends, she then loses weight looks absolutely stunning and then dates the one person you hate the most.

Wow cant believe this is still going on again. Mathers will do well at Cas, but then again that is his level. An average Super League team.

Give them a year or so, and Cas will be an above average team.

Send him to some no hoper club, like Leeds.

Not Bad,
Hicks was an out and out Winger who played once or twice at Fullback. Grose was actually a centre, who had one good year at fullback, Reardon we thought was going to be a proper fullback for us but he was hopeless under high balls and really his only strength was kick returns, he then got injured and we got rid, and Mathers was our first proper competent full back.(yes competent)

go and Ask Salford Fans if Luke Patten is error free...he wasnt in the NRL and isnt for Salford......many full backs arent.
Even Big Sam made a couple of fumbles live on Sky Tv last time out for you lot....if you like your fullback and you think his good outweighs the bad then your going to let them go arent you.

you didnt like Mathers thats fair enough but to try and tell us he was gash for us is wrong.

Surely if we are going back as far as Lee Penny to name a better full back than Mathers its not hard to see why Wire Fans are inclined to think He did a good job.

He did a good job got two winners medals and has moved on.........nowt else to see here....

Didnt Ricky Bibey win two challenge cup medals?

Didn't Leuluai win a world cup?

No I dont think Kylie has ever played for New Zealand.

Your point being?