Undoubtedly a good player but far too Wigan for us

Glad to hear that we don't seem interested

I'm glad we're not interested. I'd find it very hard to support Hock in a Saints shirt.

I think that probably says it all

Strangely enough, reading the Salfords fans comments - they don't want him.

The main reason people don't want him are more to do with re-activated rumours about other issues which quite rightly can't be discussed on here without a ban or a "Comment Removed".

Wdines seem firm favourites as the receptacle of Wigan's discards.

A season long loan at Widnes then off to Australia, apparently.

Not a shock , Wigoon dont want him but dont want him going to a team that might be a serious rival. Also top teams dont want a bad apple

Signing confirmed. I LOVE to say I told you so.......

www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

"Since I and Wigan are not prepared to allow Gareth to play for one of our major competitors, we have decided to retain his registration and to allow him to move on loan to Widnes, with whom we have an excellent relationship.

Hahaha by the way Wigan are going at the moment Widnes will be one of their major competitors

Is it me, or are Wigan looking a lot lot weaker than last season? Carmont, Finch, Lulu, Lima and Hock out and Green, Smith and Taylor in? They're going to do a Bradford in my opinion.

Nah, they have 4000 kids coming through who are better than EVERYONE AT Saints.

Wigan fans seem glad to be rid of him by all accounts. How times change!

As I said last week Salford didn't want him and

Whilst Wigan are looking weaker on paper compared to last season, I dont quite expect them to do a Bradford and go bust. They still have quality international players in Tomkins, Charnley, O'Loughlin, Mossop etc and think they will still be a top 4 team in 2013, although for first time in a while I would say our pack on paper looks far stronger than theirs at the moment

Wigan are looking in a bit of a mess now squad quality-wise all things considered and will only manage a top 4 finish next season because the rest of the league is so darned awful too, but they're still better off without the likes of him dragging them down. If (God forbid) I were a pie I'd be well pleased to see the back of the back-stabber if reports are to be believed of the way he deliberately forced Wigan into offloading him. I know there's no loyalty in professional team sport anymore etc. but after the way the club stood by him and supported him and revived his career this sucks on a whole different level.

They need a few more successful SL seasons before they can qualify to "doing a bradford".However if they have a succesful season after all the players who have left,then it could set them up for a few years .It will work wonders for team spirit

I suppose, I was referring to a Bradford-esque decline. Realistically their pack at it's strongest would be:
P. Lauaki
H. McIlorum
P. Mossop
SR. Hansen
SR. Farrell
LF. O'Loughlin
Then with the likes of Prescott, Tuson, Taylor, Dudson and Flower potentially coming off the bench. They look A LOT weaker for the losses of Lima and Hock, so much so that I wouldn't class that as the pack of a top 4 team. Ourselves, Warrington, Catalans, Hull, Huddersfield easily have better forwards. Hull KR's pack doesn't look too shabby this season either.

Wigan named seven props in their squad of 25. Five of them are 6'3" or above. Most around 17 stone. There are five players in the squad who are 6'5".
The props were very aggressive last season and only Lima has gone. Prescott is back, Mossop's in with Dudson, Taylor and Lauaki, Crosby too. I don't see any lack of aggression there.
Who will start at 12 don't know yet, maybe Farrell perhaps Hughes or Gelling. Gelling spent the off season training to play 2nd row.
Half backs are Green and Smith with Powell as reserve. Those half backs have pace and a kicking game which the team's half backs haven't had for some years.
As for the backs, four of the five are there.
Wigan have the best back three in SL with Sam Tomkins, Charnley and Richards. Carmont will be difficult to replace.

Wigan are being written down by almost everyone. Maybe they're right. A lot of experience has departed but some quite unknowns will be in the squad.
Saints should be better than last year, Wire's squad will need plenty rotation given the age of their most expeienced players.
I do think SL will have the same 1,2,3 as last year. It's in which order that's the interesting bit though.

Wigan are weaker no doubt, but they're squad is still going to be in the top 3. Such is the nature of SL at the minute.

While Wigan have got weaker, I think teams like Hull and Hull KR are stronger. Not saying they're top 3 teams, but the they're bridging the gap.

Just keep a look out for Greg Burke. He just may be the "bolter" at Wigan this season. This could be the ideal opportunity for him.

Indeed. At the moment we have a top 3 group of Wire, Wigan and Saints. After that there's Hull, Huddersfield, Leeds and Catalans who are pushing to be in the top group. The you've got the likes off Hull KR, Wakefield etc... who fight for the 8th spot to get in the playoffs.

I'm hoping with the seemingly large cash injection Salford will push into the top 8. It can only be good for Rugby League to have a strong team in the Manchester area, a very much untapped market when it comes to Rugby, whether that be league or union.

Veivers is quoted as saying they have 10 or 11 signings ready when the takeover is completed, so it all depends on the quality that is brought in.

can someone PM me the rumours about why hock has really quit / kicked out. im mega out the loop

Thanks

Tapped up by Dire if rumours are to be believed - He wants more money , the goons dont want to or cant pay him so he made waves hoping to force a move. Pretty plausible