viewtopic.php?f=28&t=500681 Do we get concerned, as they've bolstered their pack at the "business end of the season" or do we widdle in our pants with laughter, as they sign the biggest disappointment I've seen in years. The games I've seen him play this season, make Warren Stevens seem like the cornerstone of an Australian pack, in comparison. My money's on the latter

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=500681 Do we get concerned, as they've bolstered their pack at the "business end of the season" or do we widdle in our pants with laughter, as they sign the biggest disappointment I've seen in years. The games I've seen him play this season, make Warren Stevens seem like the cornerstone of an Australian pack, in comparison. My money's on the latter

I hope he plays in the CCQF anyway. He's that bad even Leeds don't want him.

He's a decent player and his departure from Leeds was very strange given their forwards are so lame. They've got Leuleuai making 35 metres a game and Peacock struggling to make 75.

I don't understand how Wigan do it. They've already added Hock this season and must be using every penny of the cap and every possible loophole to fit them all in. I'd love to know how he fits into the quota as well as I think he makes it 9. They have Finch, Hoffman, Lima, Roberts, Cross. That's 5, all surely non-fed trained. Then they've also got Richards, Leuleuai, Carmont and Hansen. No matter what the RFL do, the Goons always manage to slime their way around the rules.

<puts tin hat on>

I think we deffo need more wire / wigan argument threads... There aren't nearly enough.

wow, just wait till they get stuart F back as well.

I get the feeling that his face just didn't fit at Leeds, wasn't he signed before McDermott arrived? I think I'd trust Maguires judgement far more than McDermotts and wouldn't be surprised if he looks a completely different class at wigan compared to Leeds (which admittedly wouldn't be difficult).

All non-quota.

Not English (or Irish ), but don't count on the quota.

We let Bailey, Riddell and Phelps go last year, and only replaced them with 2 Aussies (Finch and Hoffman), meaning we had 1 space left for a Quota player.

And given Gleeson's wages that we no longer pay, I can't see Cross and Hock (neither exactly in a good bargaining position) combined earning more than he did.

he was signed early oct and mclennan left about 2 weeks later, brian would've been joining the coaching staff around then as asst.

Cross is a grub, he'll fit in fine at Wigan. Lots of aggression, intimidation and squaring up to players etc.

It'll be mighty embarassing for Hetherington if he's a success there.

My understanding is that you are allowed 5 non-fed signed after 2008 are you not?

So I'd imagine Roberts, Finch, Hoffman, Lima and Cross make up the non-fed quota. Carmont, Richards and Tommy all signed before 2008.

Then of that 8, I'd guess maybe Carmont/Richards/Tommy don't count as "quota" for some reason or other, making it 5 non-fed and 5 quota?

I'll be glad when these pre-2008 contracts all expire so that the quota is 5 and 5 only (preferably less) for everyone.

Carmont has a Samoan passport, so doesn't that make some stupid reason why he doesn't count on that one?

I agree, there's far too much ambiguity about it all. Set a limit of how many players a club can have that don't have a British passport and have done with it.

Tends to suggest they think Hock can't cut it after his return from being a dirty drug user.

Although it doesn't really, what with Hock being a 2nd rower and all. That's where he played his first game back, he only played prop last week due to us having no other props.

I think it's good news for Wigan actually. Hardly imagine Maguire would sign him until the end of the season unless he saw plenty of value. People think just because he bizarrely fell down the pecking order at Leeds (who this season are total gash with a gash coach) that he's no good.

Trust me, he is. He may give penalties away but the best forwards do. Look at the likes of aggression in forwards like Gallen, Watmough etc. I'd have them in my squad in an absolute heartbeat. Our very own Benny Westwood is similar.