Wigan sign Pettybourne from Wests

[League Express]

Wigan Warriors have confirmed the signing of Kiwi-born forward Eddy Pettybourne from NRL side Wests Tigers on a two-year contract for seasons 2014 and 2015.

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[HP Beans]

He has not had the best of seasons for the Tigers so far,but he will probably do well in Super League!

[Guest]

He has not had the best of seasons for the Tigers so far,but he will probably do well in Super League!

 

He has been injured hasn't he.

[Cake Tiger]

Baffling signing - would have thought Wigan could attract better players than Pettybourne. He's not bad but he's nothing special. 

[RidingPie]

I think in the current climate SLE clubs can only afford better signings if they are older (25 is a decent age for a forward), or have some problems.

We've lost so many players to NRL/RU over the last few years we definitely need a few new bodies in. Especially if Tomkins is leaving.

[boxhead]

Unfortunately he is a bench player that has not delivered on his expected potential.

[Futtocks]

He has his moments, but it seems an odd signing.

[Exiled Wiganer]

He only need sto be better than Tuson to be a step up. He'll go well and is a great age.

[Railway End]

Surprising signing this one.  Had a poor year at Souths last year and has been poor for the Tigers this year as well.  He runs hard but usually has a big mistake in most games and misses more than his fair share of tackles.

 

Why Wigan aren't looking to promote one of their juniors ahead of this signing is puzzling.  If they were looking to add experience and leadership with someone like Roy Asotasi I could understand but Pettybourne provides neither IMO.

[Railway End]

Wigan are a shining example of how to develop young players and feed them through to their first team.  My point here is that signing Pettybourne seems to be a signing from the NRL just for the sake of doing so.

[Gally]

Wigan are a shining example of how to develop young players and feed them through to their first team.  My point here is that signing Pettybourne seems to be a signing from the NRL just for the sake of doing so.

You could be right, I've not seen enough of him to really comment. From Wigan's point of view though, the last thing we need for next season is blooding another young prop.

 

Spencer, Crosby, Burke and Taylor have all been first teamers this season having had hardly any top level experience. Even Dudson and Flower are in their fairly early 20s and only in their second season at the club.

 

Outgoings are Prescott (27) and Mossop (24) leaving only Lauaki as a proven, experienced front rower. Even if Pettybourne isn't top class, the sort of pedigree you get playing for Souths could well complement this group of freakishly talented kids.

[Railway End]

You could be right, I've not seen enough of him to really comment. From Wigan's point of view though, the last thing we need for next season is blooding another young prop.

 

Spencer, Crosby, Burke and Taylor have all been first teamers this season having had hardly any top level experience. Even Dudson and Flower are in their fairly early 20s and only in their second season at the club.

 

Outgoings are Prescott (27) and Mossop (24) leaving only Lauaki as a proven, experienced front rower. Even if Pettybourne isn't top class, the sort of pedigree you get playing for Souths could well complement this group of freakishly talented kids.

 

All good points well made Gally.

 

I would consider Pettybourne a second rower rather than a prop though.  Sure, no doubt he would be willing to step up to the front row if asked but he is not the biggest forward around.

[Dave T]

As with all NRL signings its worth waiting to see how he goes. Some potentially great signings have turned out to be turkeys and some unknowns have been brilliant over here. The game here doesnt suit all nrl signings.

[Futtocks]

If Wane and Maguire are still in contact with each other (and EP was at Souths until recently) maybe Madge has seen something in him worth recommending to Wigan.