States that Hoch as signed a five year contract to keep other parties away Ausies ect

www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/8 ... Wigan.html

www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/8 ... Wigan.html

beat me to it matty, As IL says pure speculation .

I thought this was not allowed but i think if it is then it is a wise move.

I honestly think the ban could prove to be the best thing that happened to the career of Hock and his contribution to the Wigan club.

I predict he will go on to become the outstanding Prop in Super League.

I'm inclined to believe it TBH.
He's no doubt a talented player and that would be tempting for quite a few SL clubs.
As most teams are now looking for signings for next season it would make sense for Wigan to snap him back up.

Quote ="jonh"I thought this was not allowed but i think if it is then it is a wise move. I honestly think the ban could prove to be the best thing that happened to the career of Hock and his contribution to the Wigan club. I predict he will go on to become the outstanding Prop in Super League.'" It must be okay, as Matt Stevens has signed for Saracens whilst still serving his two year ban for the same drug. www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... s-ban.html

Quote ="jonh"I thought this was not allowed but i think if it is then it is a wise move. I honestly think the ban could prove to be the best thing that happened to the career of Hock and his contribution to the Wigan club. I predict he will go on to become the outstanding Prop in Super League.'" It must be okay, as Matt Stevens has signed for Saracens whilst still serving his two year ban for the same drug. www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... s-ban.html

Much as I'm inclined to take anything in the NOTW with a very large salt mine, it's good news, if true.

Like others, I was under the impression he couldn't sign with anyone, but the Saracens article seems to disprove that.

A number of reasons lead me to beieve that this is true. First and foremost the club has been going through a process of restructuring in terms of the salary cap. This will probably lead to the loss of Feka, for example. Hock's drug ban is an idel opportunity to keep one of our best players on more realistic terms.

Secondally Hock was very keen to make amends to the club in the aftermath of his ban. Not only does this serve to make the above easier, but it provides us with a player hungry to prove himself before and after his ban is complete.

Should his new deal contain suitable caveats with regards to his behaviour and maybe regular testing, this could be a fantastic move by the club no matter what the moral naysayers say.

I said all this a week or two ago but of course everyone knows better

It's a done deal legal or not and he's looking mean atm with the training he's getting

I dont condone what he's done one bit but i put the club first and he will play a massive part next season

our pack is already pretty great, forgot all about Hock! great news

100%?

Hock for me can give us the impact that Feka brings and the offloads but he also has the stamina and mobility to really be a top 60 minute Prop.

Its a frightening prospect for other teams.

Hock comes in as prop is a what Wigan have been looking for. An aggressive prop who can off load. Madge has a lot of work to do though to keep him straight.

Can wait to see him again with a shirt on.

Can't wait either, top class player.

He's got 2 years to make up for
If his attitude is right, it should be great to see him back!

Slotting back into an improved Wigan team will make it easier than if we were still a mid-table side. I predict he would be a success on the field, as long as he has full control of his actions off it!

When we look at the improvement MM & the coaching team have made to the squad, imagine how good Hock could be if he improved by the same extent.

Just think what a boost it will be to the squad adding a new signing to the team at this time of year. It will be a big boost to the second half of the year next season

How old is Hock going to be when he comes back

27

I still don't get the concept of rewarding a player who got banned for two years for doing drugs with a five year deal.

Dave

Personally, I'll believe it when I see it.

I can understand the advantage to Wigan of having a fit and raring to go Gareth Hock back in the team. But after what's happened, I would expect them to proceed with caution.

I don't think he's being rewarded, he's being given a second chance. He's going to have to prove himself time and time again that he's worthy of such a deal.

I'm sure the contract will have all kinds of clause's in it to protect the club and to encourage Hock to perform consistently well on and off the field.

A five year deal is one hell of a second chance.

It's not the giving him a contract that bothers me so much (though I'd be concerned if it were at the expense of any player not out of contract) but the idea of a [ufive year[/u deal off the back of a two years drug ban.

Five year deals are given out to players like Sam T and Mossop but I find it odd a five year deal would be given to a 27 year old who had been out of the game for two years and like it or not the fact he was out due to being banned for drugs will raise eyebrows if he indeed gets a five year deal.

If Wigan had to enter a bidding war to get the services of a player half way through a two year ban I just find this all a bit bizarre. (The article implies the five years was required to see off three year offers from elsewhere).

Dave

Even though this is all pure speculation at the momment i do agree that a 5 year deal seems extra ordinary considering the circumstance.

However as we all know IL is a shrewd operator when it comes to clauses in players contracts.

Perhaps it is a rolling 1 year deal with the clubs approval for subsiquent renewals totaling 5 years?

I doubt very much that it would be a bog standard agreement?