I'd stay till I was about 25 if I were Burgess. Build up a career and a reputation and then go and test myself in the NRL when I was coming in to my pomp and could command top dollar.

We'll see how it goes.

He won't leave for a few years - I'm confident of that.

Other than Chris Ashton under the previous regime, I can't think of another breakout star who left only a year or so after his debut. All of the NRL rumours come and go but isn't it only Tomkins and Mossop who've gone? And that was after a good few years apiece. Even if someone like Josh Charnley leaves, he's given us five years.

Wigan aren't daft enough these days not to enter into negotiations early but more importantly the players aren't that daft to leave an environment that is perfect for their development so early.

Shame on you sir, a Wigan supporter frequenting St Helens is just not on, especially in the week before a Wigan match v Saints.



I am now going to Google Hardshaw Shopping Arcade to see if they do discounts for Wigan fans, if they do I may be there myself tomorrow.

Well, actually I live in St Helens or to be more precise a part of that borough that was annexed in the 1970s. Although I was born in sight of where I now live I come from good Wigan stock and as a matter of fact my grandfather is listed on the Wigan heritage players roll of honour. Now I know that Wigan has far superior shopping facilities and being in possession of a free bus pass it costs me nothing to go there, but for convenience it often pays me to hold my nose and turn west rather than north.

St.Helens must be damn awful in that case.

St Helens is terrible in the centre. Full of Charity, Pound and second hand shops with little else. It desperately needs some investment.

a tad like the rugby team then.

Yeah, no money spent on our club in recent times. I wish our chairman would stop selling all our best players for big cash and running a big transfer fee surplus that appears to disappear into paying for our rented stadium . . . . ; )

Ahhhh, it's derby week again! : )

Eh up they've signed a player for a fee(nominal) finally

In fairness you've only just paid off the cladding.

In comparison we've only paid fees for Matty Smith, Blake Green, Tony Clubb, Scott Taylor, John Bateman, Iain Thornley and Joel Tomkins over the past few seasons.

In fairness we do sell some players as well but then we do actually have players other teams want

i am sure there are others amongst us that see how happy he is at wigan, having not yet completed a full season with us in the first team and also earning a well deserved call up to the national squad. that's an awesome season and is down to not only his performances on the field, but also to the club and most noticeably SW et al.

i can see nothing other than him representing wigan for at least the current term of his contract with us. he's taken his chance when given and owes a lot to the club and i don't think he is the type of person to jump ship so soon in his career to money-grab.

first try on Saturday wouldn't go amiss either please joe too, considering i have a tenner on you!

Which probably cumulatively added up to about a third of what came in for the Tomkins bros?

Actually, that is sheer guesswork, would be interesting to know what the net cash inflow was after that little lot - anyone know?

On topic - really hope JB stays in RL and in SL, he is sheer class and the best wing prospect in the country by a country mile.

So just because Sam hasn't been an instant hit the entire NRL will not explore the possibility of signing another back from Wigan? They consider each player on an individual basis.

Hopefully Joe will realise how hopeless a coach McNamara is after seeing him first hand being in the England squad. Assistant or not I would hope he wouldn't go anywhere near a club where McNamara's involved.

Sam was Man of Steel and is the best player of his generation. So yes, they will think twice. No one has gone for Ryan Hall who many claim as the best in the world.

I think that NRL teams don't need British backs.

Just read the supplement in the Observer. Burgess was asked about the rumours and basically said he doesn't bother with any contract talks and just leaves it all to his agent. No denial then but I presume all options are open at the moment.

Who is Burgess agent.

Andy Clarke

Let's hope he doesn't share one with Russell Crowe

I'd be surprised if Joe left just yet after watching the Warriors down under programme. He had an interview in which he mentioned his mother mithering over him, he's still really young and I imagine he'll spend atleast another year or two at Wigan atleast.

joe has still a lot to learn and I hope he learns it at WIGAN.The lads got talent and when it comes along you have to nurture it.At the end of the day it boils down to LOYALTYorCASH!!!

Daryl Clark's comments were interesting last night when he said he has an ambition to go to the NRL but not quite yet. He wants to establish himself here then go over and test himself. He's got a four year deal at Wire which I'd imagine he will see out and then go. He'll be 25 by then which is perfect IMO.

Joe Burgess would be wise to follow a similar path. The issue he may face if he goes over too soon is him being seen as a reserve grader with potential and his chance may never come along. He should go as a high earning full international with 5 or 6 years of first team at the back of him.

All this talk about young Joe makes me have to ask, how good could Joe be.
When you look at wingers of the recent past some have been good at finishing and also have good pace but can be rubbish under the high ball and their defence can be a bit off as well.
Some may not have the greatest pace and can defend fairly well and others can make a break, go head down and make it look as if supporting players do not exist.

Joe though as young has he is seems comfortable with every thing he does, he has pace, is good under the high ball and his defence is coming on considering the amount of time he has spent in the first team.
In my eyes what has impressed me the most is his awareness of what is going on when he makes the break, most young players with his pace would go for glory most of the time but Joe always seams to take the correct option.

All this makes me say that I could see Joe developing into a top winger, centre or fullback in the future, such is the potential he shows.

I remember him winning the game for us v Saints at U16's level. Wigan were leading comfortably but then got Josh Rooney sin binned for interfering with a 20 metre tap.
Saints scored a couple of quick tries and were back in the game.

Andre Savellio broke down the middle of the pitch for Saints and looked certain to score. Burgess came from nowhere with a tremendous tackle and Savellio lost the ball.
It was his game awareness that stuck in my mind and then I watched him progress through the academy. Him Williams and Hampshire were outstanding despite playing against older lads.
I'd love him to stay at Wigan, he's a Wigan lad and a perfect fit for our team.

However, what does he do if he has offers from Aus?

Wigan cannot and should not break their wage structure, it'll cause lots of problems further down the line.

I just hope common sense (on both sides) prevails.

If I were Wigan I'd be offering a three plus one year deal
Year 1 £x
Year 2 (£year 1 +20%)
Year 3 (£Year 2 +20%)

There would have to be caveats regarding appearances, tries etc but I'm sure these things could be worked out.

I remember this game at Ince. A cracker which Wigan one by a couple of points.

Savelio had an overlap and went on his own. I think this was because he scored tries for fun and his size enabled him to brush off most would be tacklers. Definitely saved the game for Wigan on this occasion.

What happened to Rooney? He's a talented lad

I think it was attitude rather than ability. Plus he could lose his temper and concentration easily if he was niggled, Callum Wright suffers in the same way as did Tommy Coyle a few years back.