I can’t see it, he’s not retired and very much seems to be seeing it as a year out to try and get sorted and then weight up a comeback for 2022. It seems to be a case of the club and him coming to an agreement that allows him to get an operation and spend many months of rehabilitation away from the squad and probably back home in Australia before assessing the situation well down the track.

He probably had two options-

1-get his full salary from Wigan, have the op, stay in England, face criticism for not being fit for the whole of 2021 and do his rehab here in the cold.

or

2-take a percentage of his salary as a lump sum, get the op and head back to Oz to be around his family and try and get his body in to a position where he can consider a comeback next year.

Looking at the lives people are leading in Oz at the minute, I can see why option 2 would be a winner!!

He might also get a train and play type deal in Aus. That's if the op is successful of course. It wouldn't surprise me to see him on a low wage at South's again.

The most positive part of the story is the talk with the RU guy. Hopefully GB is as lucky. It's just a shame he didn't do it 12+ months earlier.

I hope he does play again but I just can't see it. I feel sorry for the lad, at 28 years of age he should be in his prime but unfortunately he is entering the unknown. I wish him well.

There’s some proper horrible comments online. Some “fans” ought to be absolutely ashamed of themselves.

Yeah, Hastings has called them out on Twitter.

Watching the interview on Wigan TV you can see George is totally gutted and heaps praise on the Wigan club for all that they are doing for him .Reading between the lines he is only taking a year out and may be back playing with us or any other side.

Yeah he looks distraught but at the same time relieved. Ultimately for the good of his long term health he’s made the right choice and you’ve got to give him credit for making that choice too. He was under absolutely no obligation to walk away. He could have stayed on his big salary whilst sat on the sidelines for a year, or more. It’s very, very commendable what he did and he deserves respect from fans.

Saw that. Good on him too, I’m disgusted at some of our ‘fans’

Probably why Hastings is going home next season. Doesn’t want to be involved in a toxic environment

But was happy to stay this year?

Must try harder stephy

Most of the comments have been made by non Wigan fans.

Stephanie of Parr had probably made 1,500 of them under his many accounts.

god help the new Saints players if they ever take a look at your forum! talk about a cesspit