Me too mate but to be honest I don't think I'd be surprised. As I said above, if NZ want him and were prepared to pay, and SW wanted to go, I think IL would let it happen.

I WOULD be surprised, because I can't see how a mid-season departure would benefit Wigan at all, no matter how much money they paid us (especially as the guy who was being prep'd as heir apparent - Iestyn Harris - has clearly been deemed surplus to needs).

Unless some kind of masterplan is about to be unrolled - and it would need to be something astonishing, like the unexpected overnight return of Michael Maguire! - to lose a coach so integral to his team's success at such short notice could easily demolish our season; and let's bear in mind this is a season in which there is a chance of relegation - so it might not just be a matter of failing to win a trophy.

At the very least, I'd expect us to make SW see out this year. If he wants his big chance in the NRL, fine ... when he's finished his contract with us. In the meantime New Zealand Warriors can lump it. Their needs are not more important than ours.

In fact, I'm getting heartily sick of hearing about this 'relationship' between Wigan and New Zealand Warriors. It only seems to come from the mouths of NZW fans casting their eye over yet more of our assets ... or from Dean Bell, who (a bit like Andy Farrell in RU), appears to be exploiting every last scrap of his Wigan RL heritage to justify his current existence. Any of these guys ever thought about getting a proper job?

I cannot reiterate enough how little I care about New Zealand Warriors. We've seen nothing from them at all in return for Sam, despite hearing that we would get some good youngsters. They are clearly not our friends and allies. If they want Wane, they should be made to wait until his business at Wigan is done, just like anyone else would.

Unfortunately tho quick buck Ian will let wane go if he wants to

I would love to disagree with you on this but past evidence is definitely on your side

conspiracy theorists could suggest that the timing of Harris going is because
a) they didnt want him there to be promoted once Wane goes
b) start of a clear out to bring in a new team
remember Nobby went from Salford following a Win in the CC. How strange was that timing ?

Wane knows Lenagan is a soft touch, if he wants to go he only needs to ask and IL will open the door for him. I know it hasn't happened yet and possiby won't happen at all, but is it any wonder a lot of fans are disheartened with the club at the moment. If he does go mid-season we are basically funked.

Charnley is another, we KNOW it's only a matter of time. A bit of continuity would be nice.

Brian Noble could be available if required.

I'd send my season ticket back if that happened.

Why would Wane leave Wigan to go to NZ Warriors.

Its not exactly a 'step up' in club size is it.

Maybe Brisbane Broncos, Canterbury Bulldogs or someone but not NZ Warriors.

Even Wire have won more in their history than the Warriors!

You would seriously have to question IL's motives should he let SW leave mid season. Can't see it happening but then again...this is Wigan we're talking about, we've hardly managed to keep the vultures away these last few years.

I think it is pretty well nailed on that Waney will join the NZ Warriors, but hopefully he will see out his contract here.
If he were to go, I could see Daryl Powell becoming a target for Wigan.

NZ have announced their assistant will be in charge for the rest of the 2014 season. It must be odds on for Wane/Brown to be going next season

I'd be disappointed to see SW go at the end of the season, but much less so than if he suddenly went now. At least that would give us time to fill his shoes properly.

I don't think you can hold a man's ambition back indefinitely, but it would be absurdly self-damaging to let him go mid-season.

Did Waney ever sign a new deal or is it still at the verbally agreed stage like it was in pre season?

www.nrl.com/wane-bookies-favouri ... fault.aspx Looking to gain momentum 'Online betting agency sportsbet.com.au has released an early market on who will be named the New Zealand club’s next permanent coach, installing current Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane as a short priced $1.50 favourite to take on the mantle'.

www.nrl.com/wane-bookies-favouri ... fault.aspx Looking to gain momentum 'Online betting agency sportsbet.com.au has released an early market on who will be named the New Zealand club’s next permanent coach, installing current Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane as a short priced $1.50 favourite to take on the mantle'.

It's about time that we severed out ties with NZ warriors as it's blatantly obvious that we get nothing out of it. I'm sick to death of my club being used as an NRL feeder club. Come on Rads and Ian Leneghan grow a pair and stop this continuous haemorrhaging of player & coach

These ties we see announce every few seasons with whatever club is the latest RU or NRL side to nick one of our players are all just part of the PR spin trying to soften the blow IMO.

Why on earth would we take young players from NZW on some sort of loan which was, I think, the suggestion? Unless they are under 19 they would be in the same boat as Gelling and if they are under 19 why would we want to be playing and training them up them instead of our own young talent who are itching to get first team games?

I have never understood the logic behind this because I don't think there is any hence my view it is just PR BS.

Rumour was the players wanted to play to a less structured game plan which is supposedly why Elliott the boot. Not sure going for Wane would give them that option.
He obviously wants to go over there at some point and I believe he wants to coach England/GB too. In which order that happens remains to be seen...

Nathan Brown was asked if he'd like the job and has rules himself out saying he's happy where he is and that the timing isn't right for him.

Shaun Wane was asked if he'd like the job and answered "no comment".

Doesn't fill me with confidence.

To be fair, he says a bit more than that
[urlhttp://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/9256015/wane-and-brown-dismiss-nrl-job[/url

Ahh very good. The WEP post tried to get a comment off him before that conference I think and we're met with 'no comment'.

I have no issue with Wane going there at some point but the timing isn't right for us. We've lost too many experienced players to now let our coach walk out the door.

Listening to eric Watson earlier today it seems they were already planning on McFadden taking over in 2015 so just made it happen earlier than planned.

The way he was talking I'd suggest wane is staying in wigan.

Wane is going nowhere fellas. On that sky sports link he more or less says he has unfinished business with the cherry and whites. He'll be with us for a while yet.

Agreed, it's beyond time we (& SL in general) stopped being feeders for the NRL/Twickenham, but as far as NZ Warriors are concerned, it's looking more & more like a car-crash every day [urlhttp://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/warriors[/url. I'd question the sanity of anyone wanting that job at the moment

I think the World Club Challenge defeat hit Wane (and guys like Radlinski) pretty hard. He obviously wants another crack at the Aussies and probably fancies the England/GB job too...