Hock leaving will weaken Wigan in one obvious sense, but they deserve congratulating for the stance they've taken. Assuming what Lenaghan has said is true, and who am I to doubt him, they've taken the only course of action open to them. They're better off without him.

As for widnes, he instantly improves their team massively and parodixically to Wigan being better off without, they are much better with him. It's a no brainer and should certainly help sell some "Stronghold" memberships of whatever silly name they've given to their season tickets this year.

Do widnes have the players/halves to get decent use out of hock though?

I find this whole episode highly amusing

I think the giraffe will back him up well, he always seemed to back up Robinson well.

Does seem like it's a stop gap year though before going to Oz

Whilst we can only dream, I think that you are right Mr Bears and that Wigan will be in the mix.

I don't think that your halves are half as bad as being made out on here, Smith has played well against us previously in poor sides Losing a disruptive penalty machine like Hock might just do you some good whilst he can conjur up some eye catching moments would i want him in a Wire jersey/ No thanks not for me

Yet Hock only gave away two more penalties than Ben Westood and made three hundred metres more with the ball.

Maybe, but Benny is better looking.........

How many more games did he play?
Widnes already have a few penalty machines in both the backs and forwards. I also think that Hock might realise very quickly that the quality of player at Widnes is somewhat lacking compared to what is at Wigan. Poor move for a player aged 29 who should now be at the top of his game.
For what it's worth I think Hock's behaviour has been disgraceful (again). Wigan give him another chance and he throws it back in their face.

England International and goes out on loan ???

Was this Wigans choice or Hock's?

Either way it seems bizarre to go from a table top side to a team of no-hopers.

The difference here is that we share our yards around, all you have proved here is that you were overly reliant on him to get you up the pitch.... which makes this departure even more painful for your weakened / depleted/lightweight pack.

Really?
Westwood would have been down in 7th place at Wigan just ahead of Liam Farrell. In fact Wigans top 16 meters makers all made more than their Wire counterparts

Not without decent centres or half backs they won't be !