I'm not quite sure where this perception of Livett's versatility comes from. He's a second row or centre (and a rank average one at that) who could maybe fill in at half-back in an emergency - nothing more. Would you want him at full-back, wing, or prop? Even a half-back emergency would be better filled by Ratchford, Powell or Currie. It's a definite 'no' for me.

Yes, good summary I think. Im wondering if perhaps we might have brought him back on a low wage as a useful back up ? this assumes that the rumour is true in the first place of course.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/hu ... interested

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/hu ... interested

So reading that he is likely leaving the Giants because he will be down the pecking order. So why would he be any further up the order here. Would rather spend the money on finishing painting the stadium.

He's about Widnes level IMO

I endorse the views some posters have said about Livett, but from my admittedly limited viewing of Dan Russell, I rate Livett as a superior player player to Russell.

Hope I am proved wrong, but Russell seems to be a complete waste as an Overseas Quota Player signing.

I agree from what limited screen time i've seen of him. So i'm hoping Burgess will be able to click him in to gear, but he's gonna have a very short time to get him going as he still hasn't arrived yet.
But i'll give him time to see what he can do, as he could be a diamond in the rough

Livett is a known quantity at least but it shows how miserable the transfer market is if we are considering re-signing him and have used an overseas quote on Russell.

The Livett rumour has been quashed by the club, according to Matt Turner from the WG.

Well that’s my Christmas sorted

It seems like it is a moot point based on the Turner tweet.

But sometimes you just need a basic white t-shirt, not a new tuxedo. If we brought in Livett to add to our depth, we could do a lot worse than someone who is from and lives in the town and knows the club.

Seen that. Strange how Livett's dad is still going around telling people he's signing. Bizarre.

I wonder if, say, Wigan would sign him on that basis if he was from Wigan and lived in Wigan?

Also isn't our 'strawberry blonde' quota full?

So your saying I'm still within a shout of getting a game for us

Russell has arrived and was in training today. We'll have to wait and see whether he warrants the quota place he's got. I really hope he does. Maybe Burgess and his coaching team have seen something in his game that will work really well in the British game.

I'm glad you raised that example because yes they would. They signed Ryan Hampshire and he played about 12 games in 2023 and 2024. Not a standout signing but someone who clearly did a job for a few games, fit in easily because he was there previously, and all without breaking the bank.

They also did the same with Iain Thornley. Easy to forget what other clubs do.

Yeah, there's a fair few players who have done really well over here, that couldn't get games in the NRL. So i'm hoping he'll be well suited to our game, we'll have 2 big tall second rowers causing havoc on the edges hopefully

Sorry I should have been clearer. Would Wigan sign Harvey Livett if he was from Wigan and lived in Wigan?

Ryan Hampshire was from Wakefield.

You know that wasn't the point but well done for doubling down. The fact that Livett knows the town means he is a much lesser risk than an equivalent quality player who has to move home or country. Just like Ryan Hampshire - incidentally, one of those 'Wigan youngsters' who is actually from West Yorkshire.

Other clubs that win grand finals?

I don't care if someone is from or knows the town. He could have lived on Fletcher Street as a kid or played on Orford Park with his mates every weekend. The question should be, is the player good enough? In this case, he absolutely isn't. If we start signing players on a nostalgic/geographical basis over ability then we really are screwed.

I can see how it was ambiguous. My point was "would Wigan sign someone of the track record and quality of Livett because they lived in Wigan and played for Wigan before".

But OK fair enough. You think Livett would be a reasonable signing and I don't. We just differ in opinion which is all what the board is about



I think it speaks volumes about the recruitment market though if this was even under consideration.

This.

IIRC The recruitment since the DoR and new go forward reads as follows

IN
Yates
Bateman (loan)
Oli Leyland
Dan Russell
Alfie Johnson

OUT
Matty Nicholson
John Bateman (loan)
Gil Dudson
Josh Drinkwater
Matty Russell
Joe Bullock
Wesley Bruines