Had a quick read through this thread and can't see anyone addressing the obvious problem - English teams going from an English winter to play a game in summer in Australia. Even the well acclimatised NRL sides are pretty careful about playing at that time of year.
An average day at that time of year would be in the high 20s Celsius, and if you are really unlucky, it could be 40 degrees.
edit - the average temp in Wollongong in Feb. is 25.7c - the record high is 41.7c.

The players are excited, as am I. You’d like to think the price of a season ticket wouldn’t rise too much but either way I don’t think you can argue with value for money when you compare it to the likes of football.

Quote: muttywhitedog "Income: £1.5m per season from TV deal. £2 m from 10,000 Season Ticket sales. £1m from match-day ticket sales. A percentage of away ticket sales Prize money. Total Here for all to see. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/comp ... ng-history

Quote: muttywhitedog "Income: £1.5m per season from TV deal. £2 m from 10,000 Season Ticket sales. £1m from match-day ticket sales. A percentage of away ticket sales Prize money. Total Here for all to see. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/comp ... ng-history

Have a word with yourself. I'm not convinced by this one idea, but IL has been absolutely brilliant for our club on and off the pitch.

What a miserable lot we all eh?

Honestly a bunch of curmudgeonly farts.

IL try's to raise our profile and he's then accused of profiteering.

And whoop de do we have one less home game. It's not the end of the world FFS

We very very nearly booked to go last night (family of four). Found the flights, searching hotels...etc.
The only stumbling block was the timing, eldest lad will be in his final year and studying for his GCSE's. With him being obsessed with all things Wigan RL related (aren't we all at fifteen?) I decided that it should be his decision alone on whether we all go or not.

Had I been asked at that age I wouldn't have hesitated, get me on that flight!! But he has far more common sense than I ever had/will have and decided that his studying was far more important.

On one hand slightly gutted, on the other proud dad! There will be other times no doubt!

Nice to see that the Hull fans seem very positive about the game, and why should they not be? They will take as many to Australia as they would bring to the DW and they do not have to miss a home game, win win.

I agree 100% with this.

My little one starts school in September and that's put paid to us going as a family. I'd take her out for a few days but to get to both games I'd be looking at taking her out for the best part of a couple of weeks.

I put the feelers out for going on my own but the missus weren't having it!!

Women

In fairness though it's probably strengthened my hand for another trip to Catalans. I can't trot out the old 'I couldn't go to Sydney so I'm going to Catalan' line.

Admirable, but I seriously can't remember any potential employer ever asking to see my GCSE results.

So why are we doing it? Well the club have answered a few questions

It sounds like there's a decent financial reward on offer, an opportunity to raise our profile through increased media exposure and all the Wigan players are clearly thrilled at the opportunity to go over and test themselves. Opportunities like this makes the club an attractive proposition to any potential future signings and whilst it puts our players in a shop window, it can also sway some of them in to staying here if the club is to provide chances like this for them. If I was a young player or a more experienced lad with an opportunity to sign for Wigan or another club and I was torn before things like this, I certainly wouldn't be now!!

And everyone's getting a cheaper season ticket...winner!!

Except those who would prefer the normal number of home games. If you read it carefully you will realise the finance on offer only covers the cost of the trip "Sponsorship is already secured for the trip...". The sponsorship from sydney.com is for the trip and in return Wigan have that logo on the shirt for the rest of this season and all of the next. Syndey.com haver got a very good deal there. The rest of the blurb about long term benefits is all about [ipotential[/i deals and I have no idea why it puts in the front of the queue for players who are interested in coming to the UK (of which there are very few who are any good anyway). There is nothing concrete here and just as with Millwall, why the club needs to go looking for revenue (which we all know it needs to generate) in far flung places, this time 12,000 miles away and just who in Oz will want to fling cash Wigan's way is a mystery. It may be the biggest rugby league market in the world but the NRL have it taped.

I don't really know how to reply to be honest. Sometimes the club just can't win. How the same people constantly criticising the style of play, entertainment value and coaching methods can then complain they'll miss out on one extra game is beyond me! It should surely be celebrated if it saves the boredom of 80 mins and knocks a few quid off a season ticket.

Each to their own but honestly if I had that many issues with anything and everything involving Wigan Rugby League club I think I'd turn it in.