Anthony Minichiello, done deal

It was the mention of a recruitment trip to Australia prior to Radlinski going to NZ that I found interesting.

OK fair enough I thought you meant the paragraph I looked at.

This has really aggravated me. Sam tweeted about there being 'lots of rumour on here' but won't confirm or deny any of it.
The fans just want some honesty.
Nobody would begrudge him working in the NRL, regardless of how it might affect Wigan. The club will replace him, and carry on.
Why can't we just be told if it's either a done deal or it isn't?
If Sam gets this wrong, and treats the fans as morons, he could well damage his reputation in the same way that Chris Ashton did, and would not be welcomed back.

What business is it of ours what he is currently doing in regards to his employment? He doesn't have to answer to us. We have no god given right to know his dealings with either Wigan or NZ Warriors. If and when a decision is made, it will be announced. I for one won't feel like a 'moron' if the deal is done in June but not announced until, say, September. You know, to keep focus on the season at hand, rather than on Sam leaving.

Lesser clubs ...... Get you, do you mean clubs that haven't cheated to avoid relegation, or clubs that still own their own ground but struggle along instead of lodging at some girls soccer ground ?

It's this sort of attitude of yours that has got the game into the state that we find it in.

Shame about Sam going though , always a pleasure to watch apart from twice a season of course

If he goes, it is because he wants to better himself like anyone else in life and the only thing a club can do is get the best deal for him before he becomes a free agent and the club gets nothing.

Time some people face the fact that there is now far more money in the NRL and RU and got used to the situation and stopped getting paranoid about it.

Sam will be a big loss but the club will carry on as they always have done in the past by finding good players and having a good team.

You never know, they might even find one better than Sam.

Please read Cadoo's post on the rumours(?) thread. He encapsulates the situation very well.

They are fishing them out of the Dougy and T'cut as we speak!!

Satisfied.

Sam will go so we need to move on. We've got a couple of youngsters who could replace Tomkins in time but they're not ready 'yet' for that sort of pressure. The old 'over the hill Aussie' line will get thrown at us but we need some experienced heads about the place anyway.

I'd rather have Sam but that's not going to be possible and I can't think of any realistic options I'd rather have then Minichello.

Personally, id prefer Inglis

Agreed. Whether any import settles is a risk but he should be able to drop straight in and to a job.

+1.
I've watched him closely this season and he has been outstanding. On a one or two year deal he could provide invaluable experience to the side and be a great mentor to the likes of Tierney and Hampshire.