I'm sure that would be something Wane would consider, he'll do whatever he believes is best for the club going forward.
I don't think Wigan's youth development can be questioned at the moment, and perhaps the pivot positions need to be filled with more experienced players with so much youth throughout the team.

Sometimes you just have to give a young player a chance, like Warrington are doing with Gareth O'Brien...rather than go for the tried and tested from the NRL. Its no different than the coach - who would have known how good Shaun Wane would be if he hadn't been given a chance with no head coach experience behind him?

I agree. This is one of those occasions where it is worth giving that bit extra to a player who is clearly one of the best in the league. IL has to just bite the bullet and realise if we want the best at this club you do have to pay for it sometimes and you can't have such players on the cheap.

Hmm... so the way to go to beat the aussies is to pinch talented backs that other clubs have developed ???
No No No. Warrington (all SL teams) should develop their own and add to the pool of talent. that is the way to do it.

As for us - well I am sure that Wane will promote is they are good enough (just as happened with Sam). However, the current crop aren't quite good enough and the crop below that are a little too young. An old head will do for another 2 seasons until we see if a junior emerges to take a place by right.

Completely different situations.

Wane was well known to the club as a coach and had worked with Madge for two seasons. This was the point I made at the time when we didn't know who our new coach was to be. I wanted him as coach for the continuity and was quite fearful if we went for some Aussie coach he would want to change everything.

As to the half back role as Tommy is also leaving it is inconceivable in my opinion we promote two juniors so we need to sign someone with experience if the worst comes to the worst and Finch does go.

Widdop and Russell are completely different players IMO. Russell is more of a ball running FB whereas Widdop played as an extra pivot type player, basically just a 6 who joins the attacking line late and was therefore very much suited to a move to stand off. Sam plays both these roles from FB which is why I don't want to see him shifted back in to the halves.