Maybe they misheard when he said he was off to the 'Cold Coast'.

Well he has definately gone by the looks of ithttp://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/gold-coast-titans-snare-english-fullback-matthew-russell-close-to-signing-albert-kelly/story-fn2mcuj6-1226487461007rl

A great opportunity for him and I certainly cant blame him.

So you're actually writing off a 19 yr old lad who clearly had enough potential that both Wigan and GCT are very interested in? Who's to say he won't in years to come develop into an outstanding FB or possibly a winger? Clearly GCT and Wigan see something in him which you don't. How can you say running straight is more suited to SL level than elusive running? What? Both players can be elusive and run straight when called for!
Just because he has quick feet doesn't mean he's another Shaun Ainscough.

IMO using any talent 18/19 is a loss, given time he could have proved to be an asset to the club.

Not writing him off at all. I was arguing that his potential didn't automatically mean he should always start at the fullback for the under 20's and didn't automatically make him the best choice as understudy to Sam Tomkins this year. In other words Murphy earned his place ahead of Russell in the pecking order and that having lots of potential doesn't necessarily mean someone is going to be a great player. I think he'll be a top player when he fixes up parts of his game and that could take 1 year, 2 years or something like 5 years. It's inevitable that arguing the merits of one player by comparison with another might come across as writing that player off but I've always said Russell has much more potential.
I also think his game will develop far more down under than it ever would in this country.

I dont think you was writing him off either but what i do have to say is you seem to rate Murphy more where as if you turned up to all of last seasons 20's games and all of this seasons 20's games you would know that Murphy didn't earn his place he was moved to full back by default because Russell was called to Super League however what i think you mean is that he impressed once at fullback, however my opinion on this has always been the same form is temporary where as class and experience are both permenant, Murphy should never have been selected to play against leeds and we all saw why, that should have been Matty Russel pulling on the shirt, and people are still scratching their heads as to why hes left for the gold coast! Do the math, and from the result would you stick around???

But he can't have left for the Gold Coast, I thought the rumour was garbage?

You're right to correct that point, I mean he did enough to keep his place rather than he earned his place as it was by Russell going out on loan that Murphy got his chance. However Murphy managed to keep his place through some very good performances which is why he was named under 20's player of the year (Admittedly Rhodri Lloyd was robbed of that award as he was the best by far).
As for who I rate more, I simply rate Murphy's defensive ability higher right now, Russell's attacking ability higher (albeit there are still improvements that will undoubtedly come) and in terms of potential well Russell has a lot more potential.

I disagree that Russell should have been selected ahead of Murphy against Leeds as all signs pointed to a close game where defence would be important and as I said above Murphy would come out top in that department.

I'd also say it's having Sam Tomkins at fullback that is the number one reason why Russell would look elsewhere to develop his career. That and the fact that you'd have to be mad not to jump at the opportunity to go to Australia and play rugby in a place where it's taken very seriously and where the best coaches and the best competition is.

Good luck to the lad, fantastic opportunity. His opportunities at Wigan would have been limited again next year and he'll be better off playing reserve grade down under than he is over here.

Good Luck to Matty he'll love the Gold Coast and he'll have another Wiganer to show him around Shaun Wane's daughter works for the Titans, so he'll be in good company.

wait a minute, not its not

Shame, best of luck to him though.