Doesn't Powell's salary not count on the cap anyway because he's an RU convert? If Lauaki is still contracted, which he is, then his wages will still count. They'll only not count if he's signed by another club or retires.

HH used to do an awful amount of 'blocking up' the middle of the field.

Just like the Ian Potters and Mick Cassidys of old, they take a lot of replacing that hard graft. Most fans don't see them, they/we just miss them when not around.

sign another but younger union player, Matt banahan would be my choice massive winger and fast. Lauaki future lies away from wigan what ever that means so can't count on the cap. richards, hansen, mossop, lauaki , part of sams salary a big part of it anyway and didn't prescott still count on the cap last season or have i lost a season?

Disappointing bit of business, but good luck to Harrison, happy he's got a nice increase in Salary, he definitely deserves it.

But we're significantly weaker in the second row now. Not many can match H's work rate, intensity or tackling. We certainly don't have anybody right now who can fill his shoes in the same magnitude.

Gutted.

Strange move

Not really.

The current culture at Wigan is, everybody is for sale.

Sell him now or lose him end of next season for nothing. its a no brainer really

i really dont see what all the fuss is about. if anyone is to 'blame' its hansen for wanting to leave but should he be blamed for doing whats best for himself? no he shouldnt

What is stupid about letting a player leave after he asked to go. It would be more stupid to hold him against his will. He wanted to leave for his own reasons and we let him go for a fee. He would have moved to Salford at the end of 2014 for nothing. Good player and I am gutted he is going but no player is irreplaceable. 4 years is a big contract for him, I don't think he has 4 years left in him and he would be a fool not to take it up.

Seems that H had said he would be leaving at the end of next season anyway, so seems odd that some people ONCE AGAIN feel its the fault of the club. If he wants to go early, then get a fee, it would be foolish to act otherwise.

That said, I'm gutted to see him go, one of my favourite players and a hell of a nice guy too. As has been stated, he does the hard graft that people don't always notice, hard working and always dependable. Good luck H, and thanks.

We've let a 28 year old solid grafter with shattered wrists go one year early for a substantial fee, and we have Bateman, Hopkins, Clubb, Burke and Hughes all pushing for two back row spots, plus maybe Pettybourne too but I see him more as a prop. I would have liked to at least have H on board for the WCC but this is far from a stupid decision. The sky is always just about to fall in on these boards

Big loss IMO but after letting the disappointment settle I can see why it's been allowed to happen. Ian Lenagan makes decision based on business as well as rugby and that's what he's done here. The league is weak enough overall to continue to cope with the losses we keep suffering IMO but if that ever changed and we continued to shell players for a profit it may catch up with us.

His loss will be felt most in the WCC IMO. A tough ask keeps getting tougher.

Massive opportunity for Hopkins!

Having said that still plenty of competition for a back row spot next season.

Of course it is