Pretty obvious Tom manage to screw this negotiaton up, although in the press it will be the usual fluff stories about been delighted etc.

Putting that aside, good signing for Leeds and apparently a bargain. Decent player who occasionally has splurges of explosive rugby that is fantastic to watch.

So there is nothing of any sane reason to suggest Leeds were his 3rd choice?

He told Hull end of last season he would be leaving at the end of his contract. That was when it started that Leeds wanted him.

He was offered a contract by Cronulla, and at the point of agreeing to it, he was allowed to speak to others and Leeds made an offer. That has been confirmed by Leeds and the player.

He took the option of thinking it over and speaking to people. Confirmed by the player.

He decided to take the Leeds offer and decline the Cronulla offer. Confirmed by hte player and the club.

Never did he go back asking Hull to come back with an offer, the contract offer from Cronulla was not withdrawn.

So the facts are that nowhere was he left with no choice but Leeds.

Given Leeds salary structure, as a full England international presumably he'll be on a bit more than Jones-Bishop?

So that's an extra bit of salary cap that could have gone on areas of much greater need, spent on an upgrade at winger.

What happened contract wise with Duckworth? Looked tidy the few times I've seen him play, and is too old for the U19s next season IIRC. Hopefully he's not being released and can be found somewhere on loan/dual-reg next year.

Money aside, Briscoe is a much better player now than Duckworth may become.
I think this a great signing for us. We have lacked, since Bai's departure, a winger who can regularly take the ball up early in the tackle count in defensive positions, break tackles thereby creating attacking momentum.
Briscoe does that.
I hope we can keep BJB too but won't lose any sleep if he goes.
If that happens that would give Duckworth his chance.

Wins, lots of penalties too.

Why is it always assumed that people would rather move to Australia than stay in this country? It makes me curious having turned down the chance to relocate to the other side of the world more than once. I'm sure it's a lovely lifestyle, but it isn't for everyone.

Reading his interview in the YEP led me to think he agrees with you.

& if you had the choice between living in Wigan or Leeds, which would you choose?
& I know, having lived near both for more years than I care to remember.

As it stands Duckworth is signed up for next year AG so i'd expect a dual reg/loan deal to be sorted for him.

But it's not just the players choice. If he has a wife/GF and/or kids then he has to think about the effects on them. What if his partner has a career or family reasons to stay in the UK?

Good signing. We might not need and English international winger for 2014 but we'd regret not signing him if/when Hall and/or Watkins leave at the end of next season. No reason to believe BJB will have to make way in my opinion

BJB is the obvious choice to move on. After a pretty average season, his career at leeds appears to hit a plateau, and I think the lad would benefit from a move.

Of course, knowing that what we need is a hooker, and another couple of forwards, I wouldn't be too surprised at BMD moving Hall into the pack, and keeping Briscoe and BJB on the wings!

Quality signing though.

He'll need to spend the first two weeks or pre-season learning how to catch a pass from his centre after playing outside the Yeaman all this time.

Very nice

Why? Do we really need Briscoe, who is BMc going to leave out to play him? IMO BJB has been better than RH this year, but I would not swap either for Briscoe and surely we have cover for injuries in the U19's

RH in the pack is not such a bad idea, he is slower this year and forgotten how to catch a high ball!