Did zak start training yesterday? I for one hope he has sorted himself out and I'm looking forward to seeing him in a cherry and white shirt!

He was on the community blitz pictures last night down at Hindley rugby club so it looks like he’s on board.

I was thinking more Mr Bean in the motion simulator...

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/ ... JFc8G8Lxks Read this interview in the Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/ ... JFc8G8Lxks Read this interview in the Guardian.

Still not convinced. How many times has he said everything in this piece then go on to proove all the nay-sayers were right again afterall? I've no doubt he will be a star on the park & he could well be one of the standout players of the year. But if, [iand only if[/i, he keeps his nose clean, his head down & stops being the bigotted -artist & coke-head thug he's constantly illustrated himself to be will i even acknowledge he should be on our books at all.

Actually, I rate what Rads has to say on the subject, if the quotes are accurate. It might seem the club had at least one eye on the level of approbrium coming from fans on the matter.

I hope I'm wrong, but you just get the feeling it's when rather than if something happens

I'm looking forward to seeing him play to be honest ! He's a cracking player

Poop-stirrers from other clubs, not to mention Zak's own actions, have certain worked to create serious doubt in our minds before this lad has even laced a boot for us.

That could be a good thing, though. For two reasons.

1. We seem to be in a state of mind at present where we're going into a new season having signed no-one of consequence, and yet in ZH we actually have a world-beater in our ranks. So we could all be in for a very pleasant surprise.

2. While the Saints fans (if no-one else!) were gobsmacked when Ben Barba's famous unreliability surfaced just as the business end of the season approached (and cost them dear), at least if it happens with Zak, we Wigan cynics won't be surprised.

Yup. Time will tell. From what Clubby says on the main site, if competition for places really is as high as he says, what odds will there be for Hardaker to throw a hissy fit or go on one, if he's dropped for a couple of games?

The things I took from the interview were ; he's moved to Wigan, and on his day off he was in doing extra kicking practice.
Both of those are positives.

I'm not sure he'll be a starter any time soon. Don't see how he could have got to the required level of fitness in such a short time.

Lam seemed to suggest he’ll be our first choice kicker a few weeks back, so I’m expecting to see him in the starting line up away at St Helens tbh. I think since then we’ve signed Sammut but as things stand it’s him who I can see having to work his way in to the side (maybe from the bench).

All guesswork I suppose. I’m looking forward to watching Hardaker play because we all know how good he can be. In a weird way the recent incident of him drink driving has made me a little less nervous that he’ll mess up in the short term. I think even Hardaker will keep his head down for a spell now and the season starting will help keep him occupied. If he can continue to remain trouble free in the long term is the bigger question and the one I have major doubts on but I keep my fingers crossed he can.