The usual "conspiracy" theories! LOL

Of course. But you must be able to see that it needs clarification? We've got the RFL's website running an article stating Wigan have taken advantage of ammended salary cap rules for marquee players then Andy Wilson stating there are no rule changes.

Definitely needs clarification in some way.

It could just be that it's a combination of O'Loughlin getting 50k off his salary on the cap, wasn't there another kinda 50k off for home grown players after a certain number of time, as well as perhaps a new 50k for a side containing members of the England squad? That might be what is being classed as the new "marquee" clause type thing.

Either way, we've lost 4 big players, a couple of squad players, and so far have signed 3 squad players, it really isn't out of the realms of possibility that the "special dispensation" is only another £50k or so.

I hate to turn the discussion back on itself in a never ending circle, but if that is the case (And I'm not saying it's not) it doesn't tally with Tomkins being reported as the highest paid league player in the world or with Leneghan's statement that he could offer a player a deal that would beat any club in either code, when clearly he couldn't.

Add the £50K to Joels salary and then add Sams and it will be a tidy amount. Then consider Hoffman, Deacon, Coley, O'Carrol and Ben Davies have also left the club.
Anyway according to tonights Wigan Evening Post the "marquee player" amendment is due to be discussed by the Superleague clubs next week.

But Wigan have already been given permission to use it? Very suspect.

And on Sam's wages, fine, it could be possible. But what is your opinion of Leneghan's comments about beating any offer from any club in either code? Any meaning to that or just a complete lie wrapped up in positive PR for the fans benefit?

I can't remember the wording, but did he say beat any offer or just make a more attractive one? It just came across as a chairman trying to say that we will always be able to attract good players and shouldn't need to worry about RU as much as everyone is. But that's the way I took it, a bit of propaganda. I don't think he could seriously even consider trying to compete with the likes of French RU or whatever.

His wording was:



A 'more attractive package' to me means contract terms as opposed to spurious nonsense like the honour of playing for a club and stuff like that. Could also include intangibles like living in Wigan, the local women, the classy lifestyle in the area.

I think it is more likely to be saying what he thinks people want to hear to make them happy. Theres no way you can really get a current SOO and Aus test player to come over here whilst at the same time staying under the cap

Do you really think £300k is compensation enough for having to live with that though? I doubt it.

As I said if you add up Sams current wage plus the £50K allowance for O'Loughlin and Joels wage I expect that would put him on top or very near the top of the tree salary wise.

If the marquee player doesn't get approved then I guess only Dudson and Flower will be recruited. If it is agreed then I think there maybe one more signing.

BTW Roby and Ryan Hall were two other marquee players mentioned in the article.

There are also some other possible changes to the salary cap that I know of will also be discussed/debated next week.

You should be a politician Rogues. What is your view on Leneghan's comments that Wigan can offer more than anyone else? Propaganda to please the fans and nothing more? Or is there something drastic going on with the cap discussions?

Are these changes the ones I pm you about?

Ok so its gone from a change to the rules to a proposed change.

Maybe leneghan is hedging his bets. I have no doubt that if sam was on say 100k. Add to that 50k from head choppers wage. Then say 75k from hoffmiester and joel then you have 300k.

But lenaghan is hoping the RFL adopt his ideas therefore taking sams money off the cap allowing the purchase of some additional players. If it does not get retified then the promote goulding to centre

I'd actually have less problems if the RFL said they would pay wages off cap for england nationals. That way success is rewarded. But with injuries it may not hold some players as you would not be garuanteed the money each year.

I believe Shaun Wane is on the Rugby League programme on Radio Merseyside tonight so there may be questions asked on there. It should be worth listening to.

Problem with that is what you mentioned, you couldn't plan ahead as you might not be in the England team 12 months on.

The only way "England" players could be off cap is if they were centrally contracted, but that could only be justified if there were increased numbers of internationals which meant missing a large chunk of club games (i.e. RU, Cricket).

We don't want to go down the cricket road. The England players basically owned by the England cricket board and hardly play for their county.

Apologies, I misread the article. It appears that the meeting was actually held yesterday.

Wigan and RFL discussed it two weeks ago.

Yeah I know, RU is a bit more leniant but that's the way that I feel we'll have perhaps have to go to create more of an interest in the international game. But I suppose thats a discussion for another time/place.

This "exemption" scenario could work, but it would need for every team in the league to be an attractice proposition for players coming OOC. Take Widnes for example, if they finished around the playoffs next year, and (for example) Johnny Lomax was out of contract, if they were willing to name him as their exemption (and Saints couldn't match, Roby) then that would be talent spreading out over the league as they'd be able to make it worth it for him financially. Wouldn't happen at the minute though as outside the top 4 or 5 teams just aren't attractive propositions. Low attendances, poor stadium, poor team etc etc.

Quote ="St pete"Wigan and RFL discussed it two weeks ago.'" But I believe the full meeting of all clubs was yesterday. There maybe something on here tonight at 8 p.m. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bb ... merseyside It just depends when the Wane interview was done.

Quote ="St pete"Wigan and RFL discussed it two weeks ago.'" But I believe the full meeting of all clubs was yesterday. There maybe something on here tonight at 8 p.m. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bb ... merseyside It just depends when the Wane interview was done.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"But I believe the full meeting of all clubs was yesterday. There maybe something on here tonight at 8 p.m. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bb ... merseyside It just depends when the Wane interview was done.'" Was anything said?

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"But I believe the full meeting of all clubs was yesterday. There maybe something on here tonight at 8 p.m. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bb ... merseyside It just depends when the Wane interview was done.'" Was anything said?

Only some grunts by Wane which appeared to confirm the article on the RFL's site.

I confess I took more notice of the interview with McManus.

Quote ="St pete"Was anything said?'" Very interesting especially in relation to what I pm'd you earlier. 39 minutes in www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00l99h9

Quote ="St pete"Was anything said?'" Very interesting especially in relation to what I pm'd you earlier. 39 minutes in www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00l99h9

A bit more here. www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/1 ... um=twitter

A bit more here. www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/1 ... um=twitter