Yes people tend to ignore that second string Aussies are in general on a par with the majority of our SL players

Let's not forget that Chris Hill was also a second string Englishman... Players with potential need to be given the chance. If Wakeman signs I believe he will be out best signing for a long time. I've seen him play live and he was by far the best player on the pitch.

Totally agree, I hope we sign him.

Fijian players don't count as overseas either...I can't remember the rule but it's a commonwealth thing

Correct, people who dismiss players from the lower leagues are snobs or fools.

Guess who's CV this is

1999–2001 Wakefield U19's
2002–2003 Dewsbury
2003–2004 York
2005–2006 Hull
2006–2007 Castleford
2008–2010 Wakefield Trinity
2010– Huddersfield

He was 24 before he got his SL break then dropped down again before finally cementing his reputation. Not bad for a "championship" player and only a mere English one at that.

Take it Meast would dismiss Davis Fifita on the same grounds?

Yeah we had some good luck with championship players over the years, I'd not dismiss any so quick

Who knows when we'll unearth a new Wally Gibson...

The best signing Fartown have made in a long time.

Australian championship probably better standard than our SL!

that fiji team in the last world cup had some top players in it already playing for top nrl teams so wouldnt be that easy to get any of those!

the giants went into the 2016 season disaster with a squad of 28

4 were rookies who never made an appearance , so thats more like starting with 24, way too skinny for sl.


for 2017 as it stands now we have a squad of 28

5 rookies that havent made a sl debut yet, expect mamo, wakeman and maybe one more to come so we would go in with maybe 31 this time round which is abit better!

no way can we start 2017 with the small squad we had in 2016

they do count as non federation trained though.
Rapira
Hinchcliffe
Symonds
Classed as overseas (we are allowed 5 max) and they are also classed as non federation trained
Taai
Ikahihifo
Classed as non-fed trained.
This wakeman fella would also be classed as non-fed trained - we are allowed 7 in total so that would leave one more space

Im not happy with going down that route TBH. Our best season in recent years was when we had a bunch of British players - mostly Yorkshire born.
Always a risk those from warmer climes will get "homesick" just like sandow and segeyaro too.
We have KR some stick for their non British lineup and we look to be doing down the same route- didn't help KR any did it.....

It's a fair point... And there is definitely a higher risk involved with overseas signings. But, let's be honest, the depth of quality just isn't available in the U.K. And without taking a risk you don't unearth players such as Gene, Brad Drew, Faiumu etc etc... In Wakeman's case, he will be pretty gutted to have not played NRL. He's been the leading prop in the NSW comp for a while now. So, he definitely has a point to prove and isn't coming over here as part of a nice 'retirement package'. The guy really does have everything to become a top SL prop.

Not bad on keyboard either

I'd like to keep Huby as well as Wakeman unless we are going to bring another prop in but which English props are available??? If Wakefield are desperate for Huby then do a swap for Mason Caton-Brown or Jowitt.

The Mamo saga is dragging on now with Newcastle if they want Wardle early then just do the trade as Mamo is keen to come this way.

A Hooker would then be nice but will have to be English as our overseas quotas will be full then.

If Mamo can't come get a Overseas hooker and look to bring Mamo in next year.

I would sign Ross Peltier back from Bradford and give him a crack at Super League. Big man with a good attitude and could still be a good prop at 24 years old.

Mamo pulled out of the deal i was told, Wardle is going there next season and will be part of our squad so those saying hes leaving he isnt.