Wigan Sign Halfback Cade Cust from Manly

[Scubby]

3 minutes ago, DavidM said:

Probably so ,  but I’d take Cust if I had a choice . I’ve never been a big Pearce fan tbh , and he has had a fair bit of wear n year in recent times 

I think it shows the intent by Catalans and their perception of wanting to be a big club.

It is not just about on the field, when Pearce arrives no doubt he will headline a business/sponsors lunch with a big screen highlights reel of him lift the NRL trophy, playing State of Origin etc. This is exactly what Wigan used to do back when they wanted to be a big club. 

[Exiled Wiganer]

12 minutes ago, Scubby said:

I think it shows the intent by Catalans and their perception of wanting to be a big club.

It is not just about on the field, when Pearce arrives no doubt he will headline a business/sponsors lunch with a big screen highlights reel of him lift the NRL trophy, playing State of Origin etc. This is exactly what Wigan used to do back when they wanted to be a big club. 

There is no need for that level of snide. There is plenty of aspiration. They spend millions on developing players, and in the community, though, when they could be putting all their cash into marquee contracts. I think it is misplaced to prioritise that sort of work to the extent we do, but that’s the way they want to go. Catalans’ recruitment strategy and priorities appear to take entirely the opposite approach, which is a shame for promoting the French national team. 

[Scubby]

16 minutes ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

There is no need for that level of snide. There is plenty of aspiration. They spend millions on developing players, and in the community, though, when they could be putting all their cash into marquee contracts. I think it is misplaced to prioritise that sort of work to the extent we do, but that’s the way they want to go. Catalans’ recruitment strategy and priorities appear to take entirely the opposite approach, which is a shame for promoting the French national team. 

I'm sure you have been following Catalans youth and development pathways closely to justify that. I think it was 5-7 French developed players debuted for Catalans in 2021. What they also understand is that you have to capture the imagination of fans and commercial partners to drive up crowds and revenues.

Wigan have one of the best youth development pathways in the UK - if not the best. Congrats to them!

A big club, however, looks after both ends or it is not a big club. I have no axe to grind with Wigan but it is pretty obvious that the club is on a bit of a downward curve in terms of crowds, performance and commercialisation. Having a lot of its top talent drip away to the NRL (Burgess, Tomkins, Sutton, Mossop, Bateman, Sarginson, Gildart, Williams etc.) and then resigning most of them - which has largely proved a disaster - is not a good look for a big club.

I suggested last year that they make a play for Shaun Johnson and got a mixed reaction. Imagine him arriving in the UK now at Wigan with his highlights reel, media profile and personality. That is what gets fans excited. 

[RugbyLeagueGeek]

44 minutes ago, Scubby said:

I suggested last year that they make a play for Shaun Johnson and got a mixed reaction. Imagine him arriving in the UK now at Wigan with his highlights reel, media profile and personality. That is what gets fans excited. 

Agreed. Even if it was just for a year. Meninga only played a year for Saints, but they were talking about him for years afterwards.

[Harry Stottle]

5 hours ago, Davo5 said:

He was hardly surplus to requirements H,that’s why Newcastle took several weeks to grant him the early release from his contract he requested.

Question Dav, would he get a stint or was he wanted at any another NRL club?

I actually appreciate his play - apart from his kicking game - he doesn't leave much out on the field at the end of a game.

[Davo5]

2 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

Question Dav, would he get a stint or was he wanted at any another NRL club?

I actually appreciate his play - apart from his kicking game - he doesn't leave much out on the field at the end of a game.

He was wanted at Newcastle,as for other clubs there are worse halfbacks than Pearce running around in the NRL.

[Harry Stottle]

1 minute ago, Davo5 said:

He was wanted at Newcastle,as for other clubs there are worse halfbacks than Pearce running around in the NRL.

Is there, that is not a sarcastic jibe, in your opinion who does not come up to his level presently of first choice 7's?

[del capo]

7 hours ago, Harry Stottle said:

Mitchell Pierce 32 year old scrum half and son of the legendary Wayne Pierce, done his time in the NRL but now surplus to requirement in that comp awash with good, very good and potentially rising stars in his position, our lack in the Northern Hemisphere of producing quality half backs of any numbers means we will always be obliged to allow Antipodean player's of a certain age an extention to their carrears, in any position.

How about instead of restricting the number of clubs running Academies the RFL threw the doors open and allowed any club that wishes to introduce young players to the pro game the opportunity to do so instead of just pampering to a chosen few, and another 3 who but for arguing and complaining would have also been refused to run an academy.

Ever heard of crop rotation or sustainable farming ?

[del capo]

Just now, del capo said:

Ever heard of crop rotation or sustainable farming ?

And what happens if you ignore the lessons of it ?  -  you starve..............

[Lowdesert]

Can someone quantify the weakness that’s supposed to be in Pearce’s kicking game?  Barring last year, I thought he had a very good kicking game?

[Davo5]

2 minutes ago, Lowdesert said:

Can someone quantify the weakness that’s supposed to be in Pearce’s kicking game?  Barring last year, I thought he had a very good kicking game?

Always felt his short attacking kicks were average and he sometimes overdid the high,aimless bomb.

[Lowdesert]

35 minutes ago, Davo5 said:

Always felt his short attacking kicks were average and he sometimes overdid the high,aimless bomb.

Both of those could depend on the quality of the chase then Dave and his protection, pre kick, in some instances.  

 

[Davo5]

12 hours ago, Lowdesert said:

Both of those could depend on the quality of the chase then Dave and his protection, pre kick, in some instances.  

 

Playing the majority of his career at a pretty successful Roosters,I doubt kick chase was a problem.

[Saint Toppy]

On 14/11/2021 at 07:00, JohnM said:

 

Ha ha ha jealous of what - the fact Wigan have signed a half back who gets an occasional game as a back-up hooker at Manly 

Signing NRL players these days is akin to your weekly supermarket shop. Most clubs buy from the manistream like Tesco & Asda. Wire & Catalans like to shop at Waitrose though only in the bargain bin where the products are past their 'sell by' date. These days Wigan seem to have chosen to only shop at Aldi & Lidl.

[Saint Toppy]

20 hours ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

There is no need for that level of snide. There is plenty of aspiration. They spend millions on developing players, and in the community, though, when they could be putting all their cash into marquee contracts. I think it is misplaced to prioritise that sort of work to the extent we do, but that’s the way they want to go. Catalans’ recruitment strategy and priorities appear to take entirely the opposite approach, which is a shame for promoting the French national team. 

As amusing as it is Wigan Signing players like Cust these days EW has a fair point. Wigan, along with probably Saints & Leeds are the only SL clubs who regularly bring through young players and give them a shot at playing 1st teams. Catalans are probably one of the worst, instead continually trying to buy success.

No coincidence Saints, Wigan & Leeds are the 3 most successful SL clubs having the 3 most successful academy set-ups.

[JohnM]

59 minutes ago, Saint Toppy said:

Ha ha ha jealous of what - the fact Wigan have signed a half back who gets an occasional game as a back-up hooker at Manly 

Signing NRL players these days is akin to your weekly supermarket shop. Most clubs buy from the manistream like Tesco & Asda. Wire & Catalans like to shop at Waitrose though only in the bargain bin where the products are past their 'sell by' date. These days Wigan seem to have chosen to only shop at Aldi & Lidl.

The nature of that reply only goes to prove my point.

[JohnM]

54 minutes ago, Saint Toppy said:

As amusing as it is Wigan Signing players like Cust these days EW has a fair point. Wigan, along with probably Saints & Leeds are the only SL clubs who regularly bring through young players and give them a shot at playing 1st teams. Catalans are probably one of the worst, instead continually trying to buy success.

No coincidence Saints, Wigan & Leeds are the 3 most successful SL clubs having the 3 most successful academy set-ups.

...then your common sense breaks through.

[M j M]

Special rule for Thomas Leuluai.

Wigan Warriors overseas quota explained as Tommy Leuluai given exemption

Quote

Though the current version of the rulings would see him classed as a quota player, it was decided Leuluai would not be judged on the new rulings and therefore Wigan did not need to get rid of a quota player in order to accommodate the arrival of Cust.

 

[JohnM]

It's NOT FAIR! 

[Davo5]

I’ve defended Cust as a good signing but Wigan fans worst fears have come true,Iain Thornley has officially signed,how anyone sees him as an answer to our problems at centre is beyond me,oh and Brazilian prop Ramon Silva signs from London,now that is shopping at Poundland.

[Jinking Jimmy]

5 hours ago, Davo5 said:

I’ve defended Cust as a good signing but Wigan fans worst fears have come true,Iain Thornley has officially signed,how anyone sees him as an answer to our problems at centre is beyond me,oh and Brazilian prop Ramon Silva signs from London,now that is shopping at Poundland.

In 2012 St.Helens signed Alex Walmsley, a 22 year old prop, with Championship but no Super League experience, from Batley. I think he’s done more than ok. I’m not saying Silva, who only has Academy experience, will turn out to be anything near as good but let’s hope that somebody in the know has spotted some real potential.

 

[RugbyLeagueGeek]

3 minutes ago, Jinking Jimmy said:

In 2012 St.Helens signed Alex Walmsley, a 22 year old prop, with no Super League experience, from Batley. I think he’s done more than ok. I’m not saying Silva will turn out anything near as good but who knows.

 

All of Wigan's signings might prove to be really astute pieces of business - only time will tell. But in terms of creating excitement for the new season, they're all extremely underwhelming. There hasn't been any signings yet with any wow factor to get fans excited and help get more bums on seats. It reminds me of that year they unveiled Shem Tatupu and Doc Murray as their 'big' signings.

 

[Jinking Jimmy]

4 minutes ago, RugbyLeagueGeek said:

All of Wigan's signings might prove to be really astute pieces of business - only time will tell. But in terms of creating excitement for the new season, they're all extremely underwhelming. There hasn't been any signings yet with any wow factor to get fans excited and help get more bums on seats. It reminds me of that year they unveiled Shem Tatupu and Doc Murray as their 'big' signings.

 

I accept what you say about the wow factor but I don’t think anybody else could be that bad!

[WN83]

5 hours ago, Davo5 said:

I’ve defended Cust as a good signing but Wigan fans worst fears have come true,Iain Thornley has officially signed,how anyone sees him as an answer to our problems at centre is beyond me,oh and Brazilian prop Ramon Silva signs from London,now that is shopping at Poundland.

The lads the same age as Kai Pearce Paul and comes from the same club. Was he shopping at Poundland as well?

If he was I hope we get a £20 note out and get down there. 

[WN83]

16 minutes ago, RugbyLeagueGeek said:

All of Wigan's signings might prove to be really astute pieces of business - only time will tell. But in terms of creating excitement for the new season, they're all extremely underwhelming. There hasn't been any signings yet with any wow factor to get fans excited and help get more bums on seats. It reminds me of that year they unveiled Shem Tatupu and Doc Murray as their 'big' signings.

 

I wouldn’t say underwhelming tbh. There’s an unknown quantity to them for sure, so they’re not going to make our floating fans rush out and buy season tickets in their droves but they do bring an intrigue and an excitement. I’ve read nothing but positive things about Cust in particular but also very good things about Kaide Ellis, Abbas Miski and Patrick Mago. As things stand we’ll have Jai Field and Bevan French back as well and both bring blistering pace. We know little about Field other than him being quick but we know French is an excitement machine and will get people on the edge of their seats.

 

People can do these signings down all they want but alongside the new coaching team, I’m pretty confident we’ll go ok. I’m absolutely certain it’ll be more exciting than last season.