If that is true then not being able to retain O'Carroll for this reason is not very good.

Before his injury he looked the more natural prop than Prescott. He ran the ball in harder and straighter and never took a backward step. That is no slight on Prescott because he as come on leaps and bounds this season but that is just how it was back then IMO. Pre-injury of the two I'd have said O'Carroll was the brighter prospect. There is no doubt in my mind that while the injury didn't end his RL career it has ended his Wigan one and I think that is a mistake by the club. Coley is leaving next season and it is not yet clear that Hock will fit into the the way the team plays or where he will play. We also have Mossop who seemingly has a bit of a problem with his shoulder which has gone at least twice.

I was looking forward next season to see O'Carroll challenge for a place in the front row and I reckon he was more than capable of doing so. So this idea he would be 6th choice is not right IMO because in theory players are picked on form and he is easily good enough to give Prescott a run for his money.

Replacing O'Barrell with Lauaki is stupid. Unless his injury has had an involvement.

If indeed we have done. By all accounts we've signed 2 props from Crusaders so I really can't imagine we've signed Lauaki as well. 3 props? nah.

Always tried hard, but ultimately I think we have better options a head of him and it's no surprise he'd want to see more first team action.

I am already feeling sorry for Wane. Coley, Hoffman (he is better than Hock IMO) and O'Carroll out. Lauaki in plus Thomas (?) and possibly other Crusader rejects? It's like when Millward could only sign the likes of Jordan James and that other forward player who's name I forget.

Botham and Jonkers

Will it be his problem?

Lauaki was signed quite a while ago I think.

Tbh I fear for next year. Good luck to freddy though. No doubt he will do well.

Sweet!

I am certainly looking forward to seeing how some fans justify signing him and I await the inevitable ridicule of DaveO when he has the audacity to even suggest for a moment that he is a poor signing.

Would have rather kept Cross than sign Luauki, bad bit of business there IMO.

Hame could actually be a really good signing if you play him as a wide second rower and get some aggression back into him, he's just become a pudding since Silverwood spoke to him everytime he made a tackle at HKR away last season.

Some coaches can change a players attitude, Melbourne had some very average forwards (off past performances at other clubs) yet they ended up minor premiers in the NRL and when you consider that they lost their best players to the Origin games that was some achievement.

I will always judge players after I have seen them play at the club. Having the best fitness/conditioner in SL can only improve any player that comes to Wigan.

I don't think his attitude or fitness is a problem. Quite simply, his playing ability is not good enough for us, especially as he is pretty much a replacement for Coley.