[urlhttps://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/06/25/kruise-leeming-joins-wigan-from-2024/[/url

I’m happy with that, come from nowhere, hadn’t seen a single rumour of him coming.

Very happy with that. A quick attacking hooker. That must mean Powell is off. O'Neill wont be leaving surely. All of a sudden our hooking position looks very strong for the next 10 years with O'Neill and Forber emerging after him.

Finally a dynamic 9 who can cover the halves. The opposite of Cust really.

That is a bolt from the blue! I really like him as a player and that definitely looks to be the end for Sam Powell but I do worry about the limit it means for O’Neills minutes and chances for Forber. Ultimately you need to improve your side when the chance arises though and he does that. I just hope we’re keeping enough space back for the forwards we need.

Didnt see that coming!

Very pleased with this.

Will change up the 9 position at the club which has become a bit stale.

Very interesting to see what happens with Powell.

Would also expect this confirms the end of Custs time at the club.

Really has come from nowhere this one. Will await Dan on the other site with his I told you so comment.

He actually predicted this one before Leeming was born.

He can cover FB and wing also?

I’m sure we’ll run with him and O’Neil going forward interchanging.

Keep hold of Hampshire as well hopefully to cover.

I think Powell and Cust will go. Cust it’s a shame if he does go as he looked like he’d be a great player but since the injury hasn’t looked the same

When he's good he's excellent. He's quick out of dummy half, kicks well from deep out of dummy half, and is a good support player. However, his decision making is erratic, his defence for a hooker is poor, and his distribution isn't what you'd expect from a top 9. He's basically a better version of Brad Dwyer.

That's true about O'Neill and Forber, but I'm really happy that we've got someone for the here and now.

He said about this last season, true story

Mixed emotions on this one for me.

Love what Sam Powell has done for Wigan, not the most talented but has given absolutely everything for the club and played his heart out.

But ultimately this feels like an upgrade.

Interesting Powell has another year on his deal.

O’Neills best game for Wigan last week so hope he stays as the interchange hooker.

Forber has some fans on here too so hope he stays to compete for a spot.


4 years feels a long contract - maybe a risk.

Would like Leeds fans comments.

Don't tell the Warrington fans that. They have let Clark go to Saints and have signed Dwyer back as his replacement (apparently)

4 years is possibly a bit much, considering O'Neill should be established by then, but I can't complain with the deal. Wonder where Powell will end up now, Cas maybe?

Which is quite commical when you think about it

I’ve forgotten his name but Warrington already have a hooker who’s overtaken Clarke. Dwyer is just their interchange

Oh i agree but Dwyer is a downgrade on Clarke. I suppose it depends on the reasoning

He used to play bowls with Reg Leeming, the grandfather of Kruise and told him that one day his Grandson would play for Wigan Warriors (crazy thing is, we weren’t even called the Warriors in those days, so he predicted that as well).

Ps-I don’t know if Kruise actually has a grandad Reg

Danny Walker is the hooker I thin k may mean. Good lad but that missing the ptb in the C Cup game v us was a disaster for them. At times Walker seems like a younger version of Dwyer.

As for Leeming, could be a very good signing for us. A fast 9 who can cover other positions.

I wonder if Brad O’Neill might get chances at loose forward in time. We know Smithies signed with an Australian agent and that makes you think he may go at some point in the next couple of years. O’Neill played a really mixed role between 9 and 13 in the academy/reserves.

The 9/13 interchange looks like the way the game’s decided to go in the last few years like Radley, rather than the prop/13 battering ram. Good to see us catching up.

Something will have to give over and above Cust going.
We will have 4 hookers in the squad unless one of Powell, O’Neil or Forber are about to exit.

Matt Shaw has said the deal was sorted very quickly after looking likely Leeming was joining Catalans so explains why there has been no rumour/links. Reading on social media and Leeds fans aren’t too impressed with him both his on and off field performances but maybe a case of sour grapes.

maybe that will change when Powell is moved on