Great player and great personality. It will be a shame to see him go but what a fantastic player he has been for us and I'm sure he will be amazing back in his homeland. He has achieved so much, all three domestic trophies, a World Cup, a few Tri-Nations and who can forget his Harry Sunderland man of the match performance in the Grand Final. A brilliant player and a top lad, Good luck Tommy.

Not really a moan, more a point of note - in the last 2 weeks we've read of the Joel transfer officially on the Saracens website first, and then this deal on the NRL site. Don't know what resources we put into updating our website, but it seems a bit off the pace.

I gave up on the official site sometime last year it's absolutely useless. This site is now my first port of call to catch up with all the news

Even more reason to blood Mellor and Powell as much as possible this season. I'm sure were gonna see a lot of rotation of the squad anyway. But with this news today, the more game time Mellor and Powell receive under the tutelage of Leuluai and Finch the better.

Sorry to see this, one of my favourite players from our SL era. Great professional and I've never seen a more hard-hitting scrum half in the tackle.

Big loss.

Best of luck to him, been a great asset to the club.

I would actually argue that it may be better off if Finch leaves at the same time. Maybe we should do what Saints have done and throw in a young halfback pairing who can develop an understanding with each other over a long period of time.

If you look at Leeds and St Helens, that's the pattern for long term success, stability in key positions.

Thanks a lot Tommy, you've been fantastic, make it a great last year.

As for replacements, I'd like to see a top class SH with micky mac and Logan being the two hookers.

sad to see him go as we will be left with micky mac and an inexperienced youngster in the hooking role, IL better sort this out as early as possible or 2013 will be a total disaster, specially if Finch also departs as well,

They didn't do that. Lomax was gradually introduced into the first team with 7 appearances (2009), 14 appearances (2010) and 24 appearances (2011). Powell started this season

Finch and TL will play the majority of games for us this season and so we need Finch to stick around so we can do that same as Saints and have one, not two young half backs for at least a season.

A magnificent servant to the club and certainly one of the best during the SL era.

Quality player.

Expected this to happen to be honest. Fully deserves a crack at the NRL, really pleased for him.

Just hope he goes out and wins us some more silverware first.

Feels like our team is falling apart.

Deacon, Joel, Coley, O'Carroll, Davies have left. Lealuai and Carmont leaving next season. Finch + Lima will probably do another year or two. Sam will probably leave in 3 years. And then there's the prospect of Richards leaving or retiring in a few years.

Although we've got some very exciting lads coming through with a lot of potential the above potentially departing is quite de-moralising.

Sums up how I feel also. It's inevitable when you have players and coaches from abroad. Throw in a couple of retirements and our coach going and it's hardly surprising it feel a little demoralising. However now looking forward to who we get to replace them and more of our youngsters given a chance under Wane

I will always remember his hit on fasivalu.... one of the best ever.

Shame he's off, he was fabulous in 75% of his games since he signed in 2007, but the other 25% he was posted missing... Fast as hell over 10 yards, any further and he's slower than Feka

Big ego for sure, but could back it up (most of the time)

Give us 100% every game next season Tommy please

oh, and that Hit on Faasavalu was immense

All the best