Powell's debut for Wigan was 2-3 months ahead of where he ideally would have made it.

Anybody grandstanding to beat him up over it needs to go outside and ask the first passing person to beat them up instead.

He was in he bookies this afternoon laughing at Sam Tomkins losing at the poker machines

I have crossed swords with DaveO many times in the past, but he is entitled to his view without the type of personal sniping that he is receiving.

Powell was introduced maybe 6-8 weeks sooner than ideally would have happened.

He didn't disgrace himself, but naturally the game was new to him, of course he will make mistakes (especially tactically, and in defence). However, it's not like he went into contact and dropped the ball (i.e. basic fundamantal mistakes).

I remember another ex RU player making his debut for us, a small winger called "Inga". He spent virtually the entire game glued to his wing irrespective of what was going on......and he didn't turn out to bad did he?

As for his "body condition". I suppose Feka was the ideal physique was he?

He did ok for us and I believe will be a strong signing for us next year.

You could tell he knew nothing about Rugby League.
Every time he played the ball he tapped the ball back with his foot. Every single time!!!! He must have done that more than the other 33 who played put together.

Watch Gelling every time he plays-the-ball. He does exactly the same. How many years has he been playing?

I don't disagree with any of this.

Just a thought: Is it possible that this is the same Andy Powell who won 23 caps for Wales and became a British Lion with a certain Sean Edwards as his coach?

If so - is it also possible that someone from Wigan canvassed Sean's opinion as to whether AP could make the transition?

Seems unlikely don't you think?

I doubt it, it's not the Wigan way.


And don't be too optimistic you'll be accused of being a happy clapper.

I've no idea how he will go, but IMO it's a risk worth taking.

Or we could have gone for Asotasi?

I am not sure what sort of opinion the ultra professional Mr Edwards would offer given Powell left Wasps "by mutual consent" after Powell was involved with a fight with football fans in a London pub. Powell also previously lost his place in the Welsh squad for driving a golf buggy up the M4 so I think Edwards is the last person for Powell to look to for a reference.

As FT said you could tell he knew nothing about the game. Now that may be because he was chucked in earlier than expected but I am sure Warrington won't have the same problem of having to teach Asotasi how to play the game.

Actually I'm not that optimistic about Powell. It's a big ask to learn a new game at his age. I just think that better qualified judges than me must have seen something in him to take the chance.

That's what gets me about this thread. A complete lack of humility. The - I'm right and everyone else is wrong - mentality, is either delusional or just sheer arrogance.

So let's reserve judgement until the bloke has had a fair crack. That would constitute more than 30 minutes of Rugby League!!!!!!

I wonder what sort of parents a lot these posters make? ("No son you were crap today you didn't play the ball properly and your physique is all wrong, now go and polish my laptop!"icon_wink.gif

You've got to be joking? So Andy Powell had a fight in a pub????

What's it like on top of your mountain. I bet it gets cold...and lonely?

No my point is that this fight ended his career at Wasps when Edwards was coach, not that he had a fight.

Powell also lost his place in the Wales side for being stupid off the field so my point was given Edwards was involved with both Wasps and Wales why, given both organisations did as they did, would Edwards recommend Powell or any opinion he gave at least not reflect this?

You asked if is was possible that someone from Wigan canvassed Sean's opinion and I am pointing out Powell has fallen out with both organisations Edwards has coached him with. That is all.

FWIW I was under the impression it was the Wigan fitness team who felt he was the most likely to adapt to RL given several other possible RU signings. But they weren't the ones making the decision to sign an RU player in the first place, just offering an opinion on which one was most suitable.

Disciplinary problems are hardly new to the game. Clubs take punts on players all the time. Why mention the golf buggy? It has no relevance to his ability to play RL. You say he lost his place for being "stupid". Do you want the players to take an IQ test now as well as having a RL physique? I asked whether Sean's opinion on whether AP could adapt to the game was sought. Who knows he might have said "He's a head the ball, but has got real ability". Maybe not. I brought that in because whoever did offer advice I'm sure that was given from someone suitably qualified to comment.

The same Edwards who was suspended and nearly fired from his job with Wales after a physical confrontation with one of his fellow coaches.

It's all about context.

It is and context applies to my point as well which is Edwards was a coach for both Wales and Wasps where Powell lost his place and job (it doesn't really get more serious than that) respectively due to disciplinary problems off the field. Therefore in that context it's not unreasonable to suggest if Edwards opinion was sought it might include comments on these things that occurred when he was Powell's coach.

Neither I nor the person who first suggested Edwards opinion may have been sought know if it was but I am not sure why pointing this out is such a big deal. Then again maybe I do!

I think IL has made a wonderful and astute signing... I'm really happy

You don't think driving a golf buggy down the M4 was stupid? The golf buggy incident was a reason why Cardiff let him leave as he had quote "lost his Way" after he did it. The golf buggy and the fight happened when Edwards was his coach at Wales and Wasps and had consequences for Powell as a player. So I mentioned it to suggest Edwards might at least qualify any recommendation. No driving a golf buggy up the M4 or fighting football fans doesn't say how well he will adapt to RL but it does reflect on the players professionalism which, if he was asked, is something I'd expect Edwards to mention.

Clubs do take punts on players but I don't see why we needed to employ a player who's career was cut short at two of his clubs as they were.

So you don't think any of the clubs should have took a punt on Bobb(ie)y Goulding?

Of course it was stupid. We could devote hours on this thread just to naming players who have done stupid things and it hasn't affected their ability.

But if we start moralising about who we employ on the basis of what they do when they are drunk, there'd be no one left on the staff. Powell's problem was that he got caught.

As others have said - he's worth a punt. That's all it is. If he's not up to it - no big deal.

You do seem a bit down on Sean Edwards. Is there anyone you do admire?

Is there an ignore function on here? This is a serious question, nearly every topic I open has the same person complaining, it's unbelievably tedious now...

Some ridiculous stuff on here...

I know many Wigan fans won't be old enough to remember RU converts being brought into the team, but please - Powell needs to be given more time! Even allowing for the much improved fitness regimes in RU, it is a very different game from the relentlessly aerobic challenge posed by RL.

Let's see how Powell gets on in a few months' time. He's a big unit and I'd be surprised if he doesn't end up doing more minutes per game than Feka and making a lot more impact. I don't expect him to be a worldbeater but his physical presence and big game experience offer something useful.

.

ChrisA: yes but you can't ignore mods

Very sensible post.

I'm sure any reasonable person would agree.