You can still pay players over the cap amount without declaring them as the marquee. I'm guessing that's what we did, as the cap is just about big enough to do it.

For example with the old rules, you pay three players £250k. Register two on the cap (£150k counted) so have a total salary counted toward the cap at £550k instead of £750k.

re. Mata'utia
Centre is a position were players get really exposed & in particular right centre. If you look at the clubs, dear to our heart, Wire/Wigan/St Helens ... Mata'utia, King & Hurrell have all looked vulnerable & been criticised on their "fans" forums.
Mata'utia has been so valuable this year & he's had some good games at SR/LF/HB & we know he can play FB. There are not many who can do that. He would have got in our pack virtually every match this season if he hadn't been required elsewhere. He's good at tackling forwards, tough, with good hands.
Powell will probably not be thinking about Mata'utia as a first choice centre but may still want someone with his versatility about.

I agree up to a point with Matautia, when we 1st signed him I was a bit meh, but thought we get a centre solid in defence, but would help the team dynamic.

Defence wise he has been woefully last year (most were) but the element I didn't reckon on was how poor he was in attack as a centre. He very very rarely puts his winger in and there is no point having the speed we have in the back line if you are not going to pass the ball.

His best games for Warrington have been ironically when has hasn't been at centre.

I'm not against retaining him because he is an awesome guy and can provide cover at a number of positions but he should never be our 1st choice centre, but how many utility players can we have and how much in doing so does this prevent the development of our youngsters.

"His best games for Warrington have been ironically when has hasn't been at centre."
I think you are right. It is going to be very interesting where he plays this week.

King and particularly Hurrell post great numbers in attack that's why they are there. Batchelor covers so much for Hurrel defensively that it works.

Assuming he isn't considered a starting player I wouldn't have too much problem with another year from Mata'utia, it's a squad game and between Ratchford and Mata'utia we probably have every position covered bar prop (and I even think Mata'utia would go ok there too).

My only real concern would be Quota spots and are they taking a place from a younger player gaining experience?

Mata'utia isn't for me I'm afraid and I get the versatility, good bloke, if we can tempt him for one more year at a reduced rate thing. I'm sorry but I have been underwhelmed, particularly him playing at Centre from Day 1 and I had nothing against Powell bringing in who he thought were good characters.

I've no real reason to rant on such a beautiful morning, but there are times when he looks like he's retired already, never mind at season end or as some would have it the year following...and this Peanut moniker winds me up as IMO nicknames usually apply to folk that have done a bit and earned it. It's a status/acceptance thing as far as I'm concerned and he's achieved little in my book, he's not been here long enough for the longevity award, or done something heroic or game changing and Ok he might not have given that name to himself. .

Perhaps his other strong suit is reliability, I'm just not convinced that's sufficient, but hope he is enthused enough for the remainder of his time here to make me eat my words starting this weekend please Mr Peanut

Matautia underwhelmed to say the least his contract has been extended.

Blimey Rico ... how can you get wound up by a nickname. I've rarely seen nicknames linked to achievement & never known anyone give themselves one. I reckon it is used on the forum cos It's so hard to remember how you spell Mata'utia. Memorable nicknames from school were Spot, Frog & Titsy ... all ... linked to physical ailments.

Top post Uncle, you been looking in my head

It’s exactly what I was thinking. Joking aside though but if it’s even true I would be so disappointed. Every time you think yeh great now we getting somewhere these things happen hence me wanting to go see Dr Strange.

https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sp ... es-future/

https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sp ... es-future/