I don't think it's anything to do with that. I do think that we have screwed up recruitment and left ourselves in a position where we either took him for another year or had no backup halfback.

Not sure I would agree with that - at least Tommy takes it to the line and creates some space for the outside backs. Smith has a better short kicking game in fairness.

Neither do I. Agree it looks like a panic reaction to a lack of planning and/or application on the recruitment front.

Harry Smiths 14 try assists to Tommy's zero goes some way to saying he's more creative.

Peet was asked about recruitment in his interview on Wigan TV and said they get offered lots of players but they’re not the right characters a lot of the time. It sounds like they’re still looking for a player or two but aren’t holding their breath.

Smith has more direct involvement in tries compared to Leuluai - i.e. try assist - but I agree it is only one metric. Leuluai has never really been a halfback for me, he was always a better hooker.

Did i miss the announcement where Wigan have said that we wont be signing a half back?

Very true. It looks difficult now with the quota but you never know what could happen. I’ve not given up hope, simply because we desperately need one for my money.

You need to start reading between the lines

Or there is a signing in the pipeline ready to be announced in the coming weeks?

When IL said that there was money for a half back and 73k was Tommys money included in the final total as Tommy then did not say either way he was going or staying?Is there still money for a half back???

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... t-21773863 Quote When asked where Wigan are still looking to strengthen, Lenagan said: "We'd like to have another six in, a stand-off. We're still looking, and we have that space reserved in the salary cap. And you never know, there are always other opportunities which come around.'"

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... t-21773863 Quote When asked where Wigan are still looking to strengthen, Lenagan said: "We'd like to have another six in, a stand-off. We're still looking, and we have that space reserved in the salary cap. And you never know, there are always other opportunities which come around.'"

Tough to see who it can be with the quota but good to hear it’s still on the table, even after Leuluai has signed back on.

Bloody rubbish Wigan

Was Tommy's money already accounted for IL stilll looking for a no 6 according to interview in MEN.

Is there enough money left to tempt Benji for one more year?

[urlhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/06/emotional-benji-marshall-confirms-retirement-from-nrl[/url

You would think they had been in talks for a while and didn't just agree to sign him this week.

Either way, I doubt he is on £250k ish (marquee 150k plus 73k) so we should have some wiggle room.

I'm confused why you are panicking about this. You have both French and Hardaker who cannot both play FB. Its clear that's where Zaks heart is and what better incentive for him to behave himself than offer him the No 1 spot and play French in the halves, after all that's why you signed him......

Clarke is apparently on his way out but we've re-signed Tommy and brought 2 NRL players in. I think that's all 7 quota spots filled.

Isa
Tommy
Mago
Ellis
Miski
Field
French

Well, that's just urinated on my pomme frites then, hasn't it?

What home grown half back could we potentially be looking at?

4 that have been mentioned either with links or wishful thinking are:

Gale- cracking on, will be on big bucks and still has a year to run on his contract at Leeds, Hetherington also says he’s staying.
Trueman- I believe he is going Warrington next year? Is still under contract this year so would command a fee.
Abdull- Not long ago signed a new long term deal so again would command a few
Mellor- Extended his deal with Leigh for next year

Is there any in the championship we might take a punt on? We really look short of any viable options and have mismanaged our overseas quota. The only other option I can think of is Hampshire but he’s never really played stand off his whole senior career.

French has played hardly any games at stand off, and wasn't that convincing when he did play there to be honest. I think we just signed him as a talented player and thought we would decide what to do with him once we got him. That's what they said at the time anyway and seems to be how it has panned out.

Maybe coke-head Cam Munster will be available?

Next step down under will be a bonus for taking it. Didn’t I read recently the young fullback at NZ Warriors got a two week ban?

Barba got caught twice and did about a month on the sidelines. It’s an absolute embarrassment to the game over there. Guys like Hock and Hardaker were born in the wrong country.

Yeah, it's crazy, isn't it?

You'll be referring to 'whizz-kid' Reece Walsh!



The NZW are bleating, cos he got a two-match ban, and Munster and co only got one-match bans! Unbelievable.