How do you fit all the halves/hookers in at Wigan? : Sun Apr 19, 2015 10:16 am  

How do you fit them all in?

1. S.Tomkins
6. Williams
7. Smith
9. McIlorum

14. Powell

That leaves:

L.Tomkins
Hampshire
Bowen

I'm sure Hampshire will leave, as he is too good to leave out of the squad week in week out.

Re: How do you fit all the halves/hookers in at Wigan? : Sun Apr 19, 2015 10:43 am  

From squad info on website Hampshire's contract ends this season. If that info is correct, why hasn't he been signed upto a long term contract already? I'm sure at the fans forum, earlier this year, Radders said they were talking to him about a new contract. Hope he re-signs but the longer we wait for news the less optimistic I feel.

: Sun Apr 19, 2015 10:45 am  

I don't see Wigan every week as a wire fan but I would go

1. Tomkins

6. Hampshire
7. Smith

9. Mcilorum

13. Oloughlin

14. Williams

Bowen will leave anyway, Logan isn't good enough and it's just unfortunate for Powell.

Re: : Sun Apr 19, 2015 12:23 pm  

i hate pies wrote:

I don't see Wigan every week as a wire fan but I would go

1. Tomkins

6. Hampshire
7. Smith

9. Mcilorum

13. Oloughlin

14. Williams

Bowen will leave anyway, Logan isn't good enough and it's just unfortunate for Powell.

And that's probably what 90% of Wiganers would pick but I can't see it.

I think we'll see Bowen and Hampshire leave at the end if the season but I'd be happy to let Bowen go and also let Powell go for the good of his career. Sam Powell would be a starting half at many clubs and he needs to play on a regular basis.

Re: How do you fit all the halves/hookers in at Wigan? : Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:39 pm  

Last week I saw a post from either Rogues or Father Ted that said Hampshire was signed up till 2016 with an option of another year. This surprised me as everyone else seems to think his contract expires at the end of 2015. There used to be something on Bilko's site with all the players and their contract details, but I couldn't find that when I looked.
So, Rogues, Ted and Bilko, can we please have some clarification on this issue.
Thank you

Re: How do you fit all the halves/hookers in at Wigan? : Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:54 pm  

2016 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/20041431

2016 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/20041431

Re: How do you fit all the halves/hookers in at Wigan? : Sun Apr 19, 2015 2:30 pm  

Powell and Logan are an issue both are at a stage in their career where they need to be playing but probably won't get near the team. I would think both need to move on for the good of their careers.

Williams and Hampshire could be our halves for years to come and need to be protected in this move. Both must have concerns about game time next year.

The biggest issue is managing Smith, long term we need Williams and Rocky at 6 and 7 I would sacrifice Smith, all be it reluctantly and probably yo the determent short term of the team, to ensure we don't lose one of that pair.

Re: How do you fit all the halves/hookers in at Wigan? : Sun Apr 19, 2015 3:13 pm  

Wigg'n wrote: 2016 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/20041431 It says 2016 for Burgess though also so it's tough to say.

Wigg'n wrote: 2016 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/20041431 It says 2016 for Burgess though also so it's tough to say.

Re: How do you fit all the halves/hookers in at Wigan? : Sun Apr 19, 2015 3:44 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

It says 2016 for Burgess though also so it's tough to say.

That's an interesting article and one would think that both Burgess and Rocky would be signed up till the end of 2016. It was dated 22nd October 2012 and it says they have been given 4 year contracts. Can the BBC relied on to be accurate, though?!
I also agree with Jonh that we should make every effort to get both Williams and Rocky tied up on long term deals and playing together in the halves. George is more of a 7 than 6, so if that means Smith having to be moved to bench 9 or even leave, so be it.

Re: How do you fit all the halves/hookers in at Wigan? : Sun Apr 19, 2015 3:51 pm  

Smith is far more important then he's being given credit for IMO. He's a leader, his kicking game is far better then any of our other halves and he's our goal kicker. Take him out of the side and there's some issues there IMO that a partnership of Hampshire and Williams won't fix in the short term.

I'd be loathed to see Hampshire or Williams walk out the door but the same goes for Smith. I'd let all three of Bowen, Powell and Logan Tomkins go before any of the three mentioned above.