Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 04, 2014 8:09 pm  

Larne Patrick to Wigan with Jack Hughes going the other way?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 04, 2014 9:55 pm  

Not sure Huddersfield would be happy with that swap.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 04, 2014 9:57 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

Not sure Huddersfield would be happy with that swap.

Why would they be? Jack Hughes is average at best.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 05, 2014 7:55 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

Why would they be? Jack Hughes is average at best.

Agreed, it's happened though assuming Taylor goes we will have the following from April onwards

8 Clubb
9 McIlorum
10 Flower
11 Tomkins
12 Farrell
13 O'Loughlin

14 Tautai/Pettybourne
15 Williams/Powell
16 Patrick/Crosby
17 Bateman

That's a bloody good pack for SL level in my book.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 05, 2014 8:09 am  

Grimmy wrote:

Agreed, it's happened though assuming Taylor goes we will have the following from April onwards

8 Clubb
9 McIlorum
10 Flower
11 Tomkins
12 Farrell
13 O'Loughlin

14 Tautai/Pettybourne
15 Williams/Powell
16 Patrick/Crosby
17 Bateman

That's a bloody good pack for SL level in my book.

It is. The only one I would question at the minute is Tomkins. He's done nothing since he's been back and his inclusion in the England side is a joke. Also, will Williams or Powell not be required to play 6?

The Patrick deal is a good bit of business by Wigan. They are getting a much better player than the one they're letting go. I've said for a couple of years that Hughes won't last at Wigan. Too many brain farts.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 05, 2014 8:56 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

It is. The only one I would question at the minute is Tomkins. He's done nothing since he's been back and his inclusion in the England side is a joke. Also, will Williams or Powell not be required to play

I have to disagree with that.

JT was injured this time last year on England duty and didn't play again until August of this year.

He was never going to be at the races so he's done incredibly well to get to where he is.

There's not that many SL backrow players I'd swap him for. Looking at other players hovering around the England side Ablett, Ferris, Bateman etc he's easily in thier bracket even though he's still finding his feet.

After that there's clear dayldaylight between him and JJB, Harrison and Wilkin.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 05, 2014 9:09 am  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I have to disagree with that.

JT was injured this time last year on England duty and didn't play again until August of this year.

He was never going to be at the races so he's done incredibly well to get to where he is.

There's not that many SL backrow players I'd swap him for. Looking at other players hovering around the England side Ablett, Ferris, Bateman etc he's easily in thier bracket even though he's still finding his feet.

After that there's clear dayldaylight between him and JJB, Harrison and Wilkin.

Based on his performances since returning the League, I would have Ablett, Farrell, Harrison, Ferres, Westwood, Whitehead and Bateman comfortably in front of Tomkins. Based on the last couple of months of the season, McCarthy-Scarsbrook would also be in front of him.

I'm not saying he's a bad player, far from it, just that there are question marks over him as his form has been a bit underwhelming that's all.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 05, 2014 10:28 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

It is. The only one I would question at the minute is Tomkins. He's done nothing since he's been back and his inclusion in the England side is a joke. Also, will Williams or Powell not be required to play 6?

The Patrick deal is a good bit of business by Wigan. They are getting a much better player than the one they're letting go. I've said for a couple of years that Hughes won't last at Wigan. Too many brain farts.

I don't think JT has played to well since his return to league and 100% agree he should never have been picked for England but coming back to league from union is hard to do if we look at past history.

Just look how poor a top top player like Harris was and he never got back to anywhere near as good as he was.

However, I think he's done ok based on just coming back, not having any per season and basically getting up to speed with super league. In fact I think he's done better than most have in the short time he's been back and I think he will be a big player for Wigan again next year with the experience of the play offs, grand final, the four nations and a good pre season.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 05, 2014 10:39 am  

St pete wrote:

In fact I think he's done better than most have in the short time he's been back and I think he will be a big player for Wigan again next year with the experience of the play offs, grand final, the four nations and a good pre season.

I don't agree with that bit. His performances since coming back were disappointing.

He needs to be much much better next season to warrant international selection. Based on 2014 form there are about 10 English second rowers in front of him.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 05, 2014 10:40 am  

St pete wrote:

I don't think JT has played to well since his return to league and 100% agree he should never have been picked for England but coming back to league from union is hard to do if we look at past history.

Just look how poor a top top player like Harris was and he never got back to anywhere near as good as he was.

However, I think he's done ok based on just coming back, not having any per season and basically getting up to speed with super league. In fact I think he's done better than most have in the short time he's been back and I think he will be a big player for Wigan again next year with the experience of the play offs, grand final, the four nations and a good pre season.

I think that's a very fair summary.

I'd like to add that Joel is a leader. He captained Wigan many times under Madge. He has also got a lot of experience of big game Rugby League and Union, which may be another reason he was wanted by England.