wire are now in the position we were in last year.
no one realistically expected our new players to step up quite as well as they did - but it happened. we have learned to compensate the loss of a player by building new strengths in different areas. I'm sure wire will do the same, but whether they can do it in a single season - only time will tell.
when you lose a superstar, the mistake is to try and replace them like-for-like. the secret of succession is to re-evaluate and build on the strengths that you have rather than those you have lost.

I was defending HH (yet again) not making fun. We had to defend HH for weeks after the final, it was just a tackle, however the Blake Green incident was cold and calculated. I will miss Briers I thought the way Stains treated him was shocking and disgraceful. He then established himself a long decent career at the Wires, that takes some doing. I am a big Ratchford fan I think he will have a shout at MOS next year he just keeps getting better, I know its immaterial now but he should have been selected for England he is international class. The HH tackle was unfortunate

Quite right. I'd be amazed if Moran doesn't sign a replacement

I disagree I think he is class and he kicks goals what more does a team want?

I think Briers will be biggest loss.

Wire are loosing their General who controlled the full team, and the ref. Very hard to replace.

My first thought when I heard this news was "phew". And that s a compliment.

Big loss for European RL.

This only leaves one pantomime villain to boo next season.

Bye bye weasel face

Last year a lot thought that we would be having a fallow year.
Having a system where we have to build for the future and produce our own talent will mean that we fans have to expect good and bad years. I would prefer it that way than simply always buying up ready made replacements. It adds to the anticipation and is ultimately good for the game. When we can buy quality I like to think that we will be nurturing their ability.
A well organised club will take change in their stride and be looking to the future. At the moment Wigan seem to have an interesting mix of home grown, superstars and projects. Both Clubb, Sarginson, Bateman el al could really surprise us with the right coaching and some of the young lads will be superstars. My real worry is getting a league structure that allows us to keep/fully develop our talent rather than just fighting for the crumbs with the rest.

I dont know why but this post made me smile!

They will both be missed, no question about that but for my money Lee Briers will be missed by Warrington more than we will miss Sam. I accept what Wire fans say about Briers not playing a fair bit last year but think he was always there for the more important games, Myler just doesn't have the guile of Briers from what I have seen of him and with regard to Sam I felt last year that the better teams had sussed out how to stop him from being as effective as he had been in the past and being as he wanted to go then maybe it was the right time. I am firmly of the same opinion as Bilko on this one and believe that Pat is the player we will miss the most. There was a thread about Pat a short time back where some fans thought he wouldn't be missed because he maybe isn't as fast as he once was but it's not all about his speed as he is still no slow coach but we will miss his kicking, his positional sense and his all round reliability. He has always been the quiet man in the background and often deserved man of the match more than the eventual recipient. Always surprised me that some youngster isn't spending the majority of his training time perfecting his kicking skills cos he would probably then be a shoe in for the first team

Woh, hold on. This experienced NRL fullback could be a complete flop over here (if he was as good as you hope he is, he wouldn't be coming over to play in an inferior comp.). This question is a no-brainer. Briers has been past his sell-by date for a while, whereas Tomkins is in his prime. His move to the NRL will show the world just how good he is and I wish him all the best. The town of Wigan will weep rivers of tears over this move (be honest and stop trying to put a ridiculous positive spin on the transfer).

You are nasty, karma

One player is young in his career has left for more money but as his brother left to RU for same thing you can't blame them as they won every trophy RL had to offer and you can't take that away. Lee Briers is a different kettle of fish completely he has stuck with Warrington for 16years. Been annoying to opposition fans but loved by the wire. Forced to leave and retire from game due to injury not leave for money you can't compare the two. Lee Briers will be missed more and not just for his playing but his personality on the field.

I won't miss his personality, hunchback or pendulous chest, personally.

Another wonderful post from one of the 'single figure IQ' poster brigade. Life in your house must be hilarious to watch - a series of grunts and head scratches as you try to work out how to open the front door, can of beans etc. Perhaps you could do a reality TV series

Back to topic - I think both will be big losses although Wigan have shown they can replace 'stars' with players who, on paper, are not their equivalent. that bodes well for Wigan replacing Sam. In terms of replacing Briers, this is a more difficult one in terms of finding someone with the ability to do something 'out of the box' to make the difference in really close games against top teams. Time will tell whether that is available in-house in the way Wigan have replaced people recently or whether an external replacement is needed. I hope its the former.