2025 Transfer Tracker

[dkw]

Will his wages count for very little on the cap, I expect that's part of the reason behind the signing. He more likely will be cover, unless Wigan have injuries in that position? 

[Click]

8 minutes ago, dkw said:

Will his wages count for very little on the cap, I expect that's part of the reason behind the signing. He more likely will be cover, unless Wigan have injuries in that position? 

Not sure on the contract situation, but they've got Miski and Marshall as their first choice and they don't tend to get many injuries I don't think. 

They've also got Sambou joining for next season.

[dkw]

8 minutes ago, Click said:

Not sure on the contract situation, but they've got Miski and Marshall as their first choice and they don't tend to get many injuries I don't think. 

They've also got Sambou joining for next season.

This signing is just until the end of this season isn't it, they have Eckersley as cover but maybe wing is a problem position.

[EagleEyePie]

Miski is due an operation in the next few weeks. The club have been putting it off and were probably targeting a specific period in the sesason for him to have it that allows him to play in this run of big games.

I guess Wade will be competition with Douglas while Miski is out. I can't say I'm expecting much from him given his age and lack of RL experience. I hope he doesn't just get chucked in ahead of Douglas though. Jacob has done well when given the opportunity.

[Futtocks]

It seems that Wade is still considered dangerously quick so if he can adapt to RL's extra demands over RU, he'd be a pace upgrade on Miski while the latter's recuperating.

If he really is fast, then him, French and Field could be quite a handful.

As for his age, he spent a fair amount of his three-year NFL career as a bench player for the practice squad, so if he's looked after himself the wear and tear may not be too bad. Wigan's fitness and conditioning team are up there with the best in the league, so let's see.

[The Future is League]

It's only to the end of the season and he's signed as cover.

[minch]

1 hour ago, Futtocks said:

It seems that Wade is still considered dangerously quick so if he can adapt to RL's extra demands over RU, he'd be a pace upgrade on Miski while the latter's recuperating.

If he really is fast, then him, French and Field could be quite a handful.

As for his age, he spent a fair amount of his three-year NFL career as a bench player for the practice squad, so if he's looked after himself the wear and tear may not be too bad. Wigan's fitness and conditioning team are up there with the best in the league, so let's see.

I hope he's ready to get smashed bringing the ball off his own line.

[OriginalMrC]

Christian Wade was the best winger in the Premiership for a number of years. Should have been picked far more for England. I always thought he'd make a very good RL winger and although his age is against him I think he'll do OK. 

Edited April 18 by OriginalMrC

[V02]

5 hours ago, dkw said:

Will his wages count for very little on the cap, I expect that's part of the reason behind the signing. He more likely will be cover, unless Wigan have injuries in that position? 

Talent transfer so 0 cap cost this year. 50% next year if he was to extend.

[Whippet13]

Suprised to see Wade is currently 3rd on the RU Premiership try list, with a month to go.

He has scored 7 tries, the 2 joint top scorers each have......8.

By rah rah standards it seems he is a quite a try scoring machine.

[Hopie]

26 minutes ago, Whippet13 said:

Suprised to see Wade is currently 3rd on the RU Premiership try list, with a month to go.

He has scored 7 tries, the 2 joint top scorers each have......8.

By rah rah standards it seems he is a quite a try scoring machine.

He scored two hat tricks meaning he scored in 3 out of the 10 games he played, what a game...

[David Dockhouse Host]

On 16/04/2025 at 12:45, Worzel said:

I think you're taking the wrong lesson from Hull KR: We have hugely increased investment in the youth system in the last 4 years, and built far better ties with local community pathways, even to the extent of building them the only 3G pitch in East Hull right next to our stadium. But it takes a long time to come to fruition, so we're buying players in the meantime. I don't think there's anything wrong with that if you can afford it.

I think the lesson from the long-term high performing clubs, which I'd describe as Wigan, St Helens and Leeds, is that investment in youth is absolutely the best strategy. It gives you a huge salary cap advantage. That's why Rovers are spending so much time and effort on it, because it's the only way to be a Top Four club on a sustainable basis. You might get a few good seasons with expensive, experienced players. Being able to do that on a long-term basis is impossible, because the salary cap precludes it. 

I think all clubs realise the advantages of bringing their own youth through but there's a major challenge that's rarely overcome 

At 13/14 years old the clubs offer a scholarship place to the youth (I realise you and others probably know this) If a player has 5 club offers they get to chose. The best youth players are well known to all clubs so scouting in such a small pool is relatively easy.

As such, the best youth players get multiple offers and 99% of the time select the top 3 or 4 clubs, Wigan, Saints, Leeds....

It essentially gives the best clubs first draft each year.

This gives those teams the best chance of converting youth into SL players.

So whilst it's easy to say clubs should invest on youth, the lower clubs who get the 7th/8th draft won't be working with the best talent. All the coaching and money won't change that fact and means they struggle to convert into SL players and often buy X Saints, Wigan , Leeds youth that they simply cannot find space for in their own squads. 

So there's a huge advantage as those that come through are not fully put onto the cap leaving more money for recruits and imports.

Whilst the reduced cap makes perfect sense on the surface I'm not sure it's actually serving it's purpose, it's a double advantage 

Edited April 20 by David Dockhouse Host

[Worzel]

3 hours ago, David Dockhouse Host said:

I think all clubs realise the advantages of bringing their own youth through but there's a major challenge that's rarely overcome 

At 13/14 years old the clubs offer a scholarship place to the youth (I realise you and others probably know this) If a player has 5 club offers they get to chose. The best youth players are well known to all clubs so scouting in such a small pool is relatively easy.

As such, the best youth players get multiple offers and 99% of the time select the top 3 or 4 clubs, Wigan, Saints, Leeds....

It essentially gives the best clubs first draft each year.

This gives those teams the best chance of converting youth into SL players.

So whilst it's easy to say clubs should invest on youth, the lower clubs who get the 7th/8th draft won't be working with the best talent. All the coaching and money won't change that fact and means they struggle to convert into SL players and often buy X Saints, Wigan , Leeds youth that they simply cannot find space for in their own squads. 

So there's a huge advantage as those that come through are not fully put onto the cap leaving more money for recruits and imports.

Whilst the reduced cap makes perfect sense on the surface I'm not sure it's actually serving it's purpose, it's a double advantage 

Yes you’re probably right in Lancashire and West Yorkshire. In the city of Hull however no kid is going to pick any club outside of Hull, because of the distances.

This is why Hull FC’s exclusive membership of Super League for 11 years gave them a huge advantage, the whole city’s pathways fed into that club, and why it is taking Hull KR time to reverse that long-standing advantage. But reverse it we are. Hull FC and their fans convinced themselves that they were somehow “better” at youth development, and Rovers were somehow poor at it or not interested in it. But the reality was they were playing cards with a loaded deck, just as you’ve described, and now they no longer have that advantage things will soon be different. 

That’s good for our sport, because Hull can be a bigger nursery for talent and more kids will get access to more opportunities with two genuinely elite pathways. For a sport where participation growth and expanding elite pathways is a strategic priority, that can only be a good thing. 

[Futtocks]

Apparently Chris Ashton's happy to see Wade switch codes, as the latter was threatening his Premiership try-scoring record.

[jacksy]

7 hours ago, Worzel said:

Yes you’re probably right in Lancashire and West Yorkshire. In the city of Hull however no kid is going to pick any club outside of Hull, because of the distances.

This is why Hull FC’s exclusive membership of Super League for 11 years gave them a huge advantage, the whole city’s pathways fed into that club, and why it is taking Hull KR time to reverse that long-standing advantage. But reverse it we are. Hull FC and their fans convinced themselves that they were somehow “better” at youth development, and Rovers were somehow poor at it or not interested in it. But the reality was they were playing cards with a loaded deck, just as you’ve described, and now they no longer have that advantage things will soon be different. 

That’s good for our sport, because Hull can be a bigger nursery for talent and more kids will get access to more opportunities with two genuinely elite pathways. For a sport where participation growth and expanding elite pathways is a strategic priority, that can only be a good thing. 

Both have been terrible for a long time at youth development.

Its not n fc or kr thing. Its not been a recent thing.

It's not a sl or championship thing.

They have both been lazy and useless.

They are as bad as each other.

The kids have been there they just haven't worked hard enough on their development 

Wigan, Saints and Leeds don't have the same problems.

Edited April 20 by jacksy

[Worzel]

2 minutes ago, jacksy said:

Both have been terrible for a long time at youth development.

Its not n fc or kr thing. Its not been a recent thing.

It's no a sl or championship thing.

They have both been lazy and useless.

They are as bad as each other.

I can’t speak for Hull, but clearly they have brought some good talent through over the years.

However I can speak for Rovers: I know some people with a kid in the KR system, and they tell me it is brilliant now. They looked at both options and said Rovers was now far better resourced. Our Academy team, which is mainly full of first years, have just beaten both Wigan and Hull away and this years Scholarship squad also looks good. 

I’m confident that with the new 3G pitch integrating us better with pathway clubs, and the forthcoming development hub with 3 full size pitches alongside Craven Park and a refurbed Waudby Centre, we’ll be able to attract really good talent. The club is certainly throwing resources at it. It just needs more time. 

[SUPERSTUD]

12 hours ago, jacksy said:

Both have been terrible for a long time at youth development.

Its not n fc or kr thing. Its not been a recent thing.

It's not a sl or championship thing.

They have both been lazy and useless.

They are as bad as each other.

The kids have been there they just haven't worked hard enough on their development 

Wigan, Saints and Leeds don't have the same problems.

Great post. Absolutely bang on the money. The garbage failed City of Hull youth merger based at the university would have no doubt been infested with infighting and nepotism. Wilson et all. Various Hull based players ended up at places like Castleford and preferred to travel in order to avoid it. Wilson at Cas now ironically making a mess of that too. 

 

[Tommygilf]

23 hours ago, David Dockhouse Host said:

I think all clubs realise the advantages of bringing their own youth through but there's a major challenge that's rarely overcome 

At 13/14 years old the clubs offer a scholarship place to the youth (I realise you and others probably know this) If a player has 5 club offers they get to chose. The best youth players are well known to all clubs so scouting in such a small pool is relatively easy.

As such, the best youth players get multiple offers and 99% of the time select the top 3 or 4 clubs, Wigan, Saints, Leeds....

It essentially gives the best clubs first draft each year.

This gives those teams the best chance of converting youth into SL players.

So whilst it's easy to say clubs should invest on youth, the lower clubs who get the 7th/8th draft won't be working with the best talent. All the coaching and money won't change that fact and means they struggle to convert into SL players and often buy X Saints, Wigan , Leeds youth that they simply cannot find space for in their own squads. 

So there's a huge advantage as those that come through are not fully put onto the cap leaving more money for recruits and imports.

Whilst the reduced cap makes perfect sense on the surface I'm not sure it's actually serving it's purpose, it's a double advantage 

That's all very true, though I would add, and I don't think this is made anywhere near enough of as a selling point, at Clubs like Wakey and Cas the chances of actually seeing the first team can be much higher than at Leeds, Wigan etc.

Those big clubs will use 40 players to produce 1 first teamer. Likewise for a decade at least at Leeds if you were a half back or stand off, your path to the first team was essentially blocked. At Wakey and Cas perhaps the route isn't so likely to be rigid. 

[David Dockhouse Host]

6 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

That's all very true, though I would add, and I don't think this is made anywhere near enough of as a selling point, at Clubs like Wakey and Cas the chances of actually seeing the first team can be much higher than at Leeds, Wigan etc.

Those big clubs will use 40 players to produce 1 first teamer. Likewise for a decade at least at Leeds if you were a half back or stand off, your path to the first team was essentially blocked. At Wakey and Cas perhaps the route isn't so likely to be rigid. 

That's true, but difficult for a 13/14 year old to see that.

It's also a little bit like Oxford and Cambridge, having a top team on your CV for your development years carries some credibility later on as you've come through a highly regarded system.

[Curly perm]

7 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

That's all very true, though I would add, and I don't think this is made anywhere near enough of as a selling point, at Clubs like Wakey and Cas the chances of actually seeing the first team can be much higher than at Leeds, Wigan etc.

Those big clubs will use 40 players to produce 1 first teamer. Likewise for a decade at least at Leeds if you were a half back or stand off, your path to the first team was essentially blocked. At Wakey and Cas perhaps the route isn't so likely to be rigid. 

Totally agree but hoping with the investment and future outlook at Wakey, that might change. Huddersfield look after their young players and seem to provide more opportunities - I know of a couple of very good lads who chose Hudds recently over the likes of Warrington and Leeds. 

Only a few of Leeds’ 2022 Academy Grand Final winning team have made first team debuts and a lot have left. I’m sure it’s the same for other top Academy sides. 

Hopefully it’s changing and lads/parents can see it. It’s got to be better for overall player development in the game to have the best players spread across teams and not, for example, the best four players in a position at one club.  

[up the robins]

1 hour ago, Curly perm said:

Totally agree but hoping with the investment and future outlook at Wakey, that might change. Huddersfield look after their young players and seem to provide more opportunities - I know of a couple of very good lads who chose Hudds recently over the likes of Warrington and Leeds. 

Only a few of Leeds’ 2022 Academy Grand Final winning team have made first team debuts and a lot have left. I’m sure it’s the same for other top Academy sides. 

Hopefully it’s changing and lads/parents can see it. It’s got to be better for overall player development in the game to have the best players spread across teams and not, for example, the best four players in a position at one club.  

What's needed more than anything for the development of new talent is a mandatory 2nd team competition so that youngsters and fringe player's are getting meaningful game time.

[David Dockhouse Host]

10 hours ago, up the robins said:

What's needed more than anything for the development of new talent is a mandatory 2nd team competition so that youngsters and fringe player's are getting meaningful game time.

We have the reserves league but it seems to have evolved into a hybrid of academy and young prospects.

Therefore many SL teams will loan/duel reg their more advanced players to championship and L1 teams instead.

I have often wanted RL to consider and combined 3rd tier/reserves league. Obviously would need some figuring out but years ago the 'A team' league had teams such as Hemel Hempstead in them.

[up the robins]

1 hour ago, David Dockhouse Host said:

We have the reserves league but it seems to have evolved into a hybrid of academy and young prospects.

Therefore many SL teams will loan/duel reg their more advanced players to championship and L1 teams instead.

I have often wanted RL to consider and combined 3rd tier/reserves league. Obviously would need some figuring out but years ago the 'A team' league had teams such as Hemel Hempstead in them.

The reserves league at the moment is not mandatory and teams go weeks without any games, hence the reason why player's are loaned out instead.

A reserves league where all super league clubs where forced to enter would provide a much better platform for youngsters to get first team recognition, training with the first team and developed with the game structure the parent club want. 

Being loaned out can be quite disruptive and players may be coached different to what the parent club wish.

[phiggins]

24 minutes ago, up the robins said:

The reserves league at the moment is not mandatory and teams go weeks without any games, hence the reason why player's are loaned out instead.

A reserves league where all super league clubs where forced to enter would provide a much better platform for youngsters to get first team recognition, training with the first team and developed with the game structure the parent club want. 

Being loaned out can be quite disruptive and players may be coached different to what the parent club wish.

All Super League clubs are forced to enter aren't they?

[Barley Mow]

3 minutes ago, phiggins said:

All Super League clubs are forced to enter aren't they?

That's my understanding.

And fixtures are every other week, alternating with academy matches (with there being a lot of crossover in players between the two competitions).