While I don't disagree Richards is a talented player and from what I have seen very professional and seems a decent bloke. But is him getting a NRL gig on the wing a tribute to his tallent or exposing the big hype some people give the NRL?
Or a mix of the two

I think it is a tribute to his talent, esp. his versatility. He might be used as a full back, where the Wests Tigers don't have a talented contender. Plus he is a very good goal kicker which is a big plus.

Every Australian RL fan remembers his try in the 2005 Grand Final off the magical Benji Marshall run and reverse flick pass.

would Wigan let him go early? before the next cup round preferably.

Highly doubtful, but it depends on Richards' wishes I guess. No idea when schools start in Australia but it's probably September? If that's the case, his kids will miss a few weeks, no biggie.

He will see out this season I think. Does anyone know any different?

School starts in Australia in February. Australia is in the southern hemisphere. His kids are alright.

Injuries will beat the best out of the Burgess clan and maybe their egos too?

For years people have been calling for less imports, well this year for the first time in decades more players have gone from SL to the NRL than the other way around. The well is drying up. Lets see if the rfl/clubs have a strategy for how they are going to increase the jnr pool to ensure there is enough local talent coming through to replace these missing antipodeans. I suspect the quality of SL is going to dip quite a bit for the next few years.

i was staying at the same hotel as him and his family in Turkey last year. He has an Aussie wife and 2 young kids, i can see why he wants to take them to Aus before they develop a Wigan accent and end up on the dole

I am gutted about this.