https://www.rugby-league.com/article/55 ... XYy5-3j67g Right decision all round IMO

https://www.rugby-league.com/article/55 ... XYy5-3j67g Right decision all round IMO

Hopefully he calls it a day and stops holding the team back

Lockers with a full off season could be real asset for 2020, we shall see!

Correct call. It sounds like he’s basically been told he’s not getting picked and he doesn’t deserve a spot but certainly wouldn’t turn it down. If we’re building for an Ashes series next year and a World Cup after that then now is the time to look at younger options.

His from this year nowhere near justifies selection. The above is pretty much spot on.

Chances he’ll give it a few days then announce retirement?

Think it will be the opposite.
Wouldn't surprise me the contract extension was subject to him retiring from internationals.
We will probably only have Gildart in the squad so a good opportunity for a proper pre season. I'm hoping Hastings doesn't get selected.

Bennett has done what Radlinski/Leneghan should do at Wigan... make the decision for him!

Sad, as it sounds like he was told thanks but no thanks.

Hopefully a good rest this winter should allow him to give it one last shot for Wigan next year.

It’s a great point about a proper pre season. I wouldn’t be annoyed if Gildart missed out and as you say maybe Hastings also but even if both are involved we should be able to get the vast majority of players in for the start of pre season in a few weeks. It’s a massive pre season for a few guys. I look at Hardaker, Burgess, Clubb, Bullock, Clark, Wells and a number of the young guys and they need to work so hard on various aspects of their fitness and conditioning to give them and us a chance of success.

Don't know how others interpret the comments from Bennett and Sinfield but to me it sounds like this is the end of his international career. I don't think the talks were about the forthcoming games. I think they were 'Thanks Sean, you have been brilliant but we have better younger options now, go and enjoy your final season' I don't think Lockers would be the type to just retire from club rugby without notice. I know him (well used to) reasonably well. He isn't big headed but after the service he has given to us i would think and hope that he says this is the last one so he can get a proper send off. We should roll with Smithies now and use Sean sparingly to cover for him. Let him get some coaching in this season and pass some of that experience on and then next season let him ease into the role.

Seems someone had to give him a nudge

A good pre season will make or break for a number of players, coach and back up staff. Saints have set the bar and we need to step up to the mark.
I'm quite excited about next year without any major expectations but with some reservations about Lam which hopefully he will eradicate.

I hope that 2020 is the year when Wells and Smith breakthrough.

SOL I believe wants one final year so with a full squad for pre season lets hope we send him off with some major improvements on this year.

O'loughlin has been a fantastic player for both Wigan and England/GB but the call to drop him from the GB tour was a correct call IMO

How long Wigan keep awarding him a contract is entirely up to them, but it's clear to see that his performances and minutes played are nowhere near what they were when he was the main man for you.

Sentiment often takes over when Legends of a club reach the very latter stages of their careers,I wouldn't be surprised if Lockers has a gentleman's agreement regarding when he's retiring as a player and that the club respect it

I’ve been saying it for a while now but I honestly feel the time has come for Lockers to start being phased out as Westwood at Wire was. Give the #13 shirt to Smithies. It’s time to build a new era at Wigan and Lockers, from a playing perspective, wont be a part of that.

Players don’t last forever. Lockers has been an ultimate professional and an integral part of Wigan Warriors for a long time but time moves on and changes are needed. This being one of them.