Disappointing bit of business, but good luck to Harrison, happy he's got a nice increase in Salary, he definitely deserves it.

But we're significantly weaker in the second row now. Not many can match H's work rate, intensity or tackling. We certainly don't have anybody right now who can fill his shoes in the same magnitude.

Gutted.

Strange move

Not really.

The current culture at Wigan is, everybody is for sale.

Sell him now or lose him end of next season for nothing. its a no brainer really

i really dont see what all the fuss is about. if anyone is to 'blame' its hansen for wanting to leave but should he be blamed for doing whats best for himself? no he shouldnt

What is stupid about letting a player leave after he asked to go. It would be more stupid to hold him against his will. He wanted to leave for his own reasons and we let him go for a fee. He would have moved to Salford at the end of 2014 for nothing. Good player and I am gutted he is going but no player is irreplaceable. 4 years is a big contract for him, I don't think he has 4 years left in him and he would be a fool not to take it up.

Seems that H had said he would be leaving at the end of next season anyway, so seems odd that some people ONCE AGAIN feel its the fault of the club. If he wants to go early, then get a fee, it would be foolish to act otherwise.

That said, I'm gutted to see him go, one of my favourite players and a hell of a nice guy too. As has been stated, he does the hard graft that people don't always notice, hard working and always dependable. Good luck H, and thanks.

We've let a 28 year old solid grafter with shattered wrists go one year early for a substantial fee, and we have Bateman, Hopkins, Clubb, Burke and Hughes all pushing for two back row spots, plus maybe Pettybourne too but I see him more as a prop. I would have liked to at least have H on board for the WCC but this is far from a stupid decision. The sky is always just about to fall in on these boards

You have forgotten Lloyd, Conor Farrell and Rob Lever.

Assuming you mean Farrell has 1 of the 2nd row spots then I guess they (Plus others) will be fighting for 1 spot not 2?
Plus maybe 1 Back row spot on the bench I still think it leaves us quite healthy in that spot?

I can already see the 2 camps split on their views on this.
My take, Good luck to him and I would never want to keep a player that wanted to be elsewhere, if that gives us cash to buy players and cap space to fit in players that do want to be here then in most cases I'm happy to go with that.

"H" deserves what's best for him if only for the amount of committment he's given to the club over the last 9 years or so.
He's stated he wanted to go, the club have arranged a deal that suits them "Long Term" and we seem to be investing in Good Youth prospects to replace the older stars.

Big loss IMO but after letting the disappointment settle I can see why it's been allowed to happen. Ian Lenagan makes decision based on business as well as rugby and that's what he's done here. The league is weak enough overall to continue to cope with the losses we keep suffering IMO but if that ever changed and we continued to shell players for a profit it may catch up with us.

His loss will be felt most in the WCC IMO. A tough ask keeps getting tougher.

Massive opportunity for Hopkins!

Having said that still plenty of competition for a back row spot next season.

Of course it is

One starting spot and one bench spot up for grabs (99% of the time it's two props, a back rower and either a ball player or another back rower on the bench I'm sure you'll agree). Farrell and Lockers at 12 and 13 of course

H is obviously happy with amount of trophies won in his career and is now off for a last big payday (most likely surpassing even his testimonial year).

We've had his best years, thanks for the effort!

Good luck to him.

How can you say with such certainty that we have had his best years? If he had stayed he was a definite starter for us every week next season which is not something you can say about any of the touted replacements. Why cant people just accept that despite the best efforts of the club to keep him, he was hell bent on leaving? It's the same with Grimmys "shattered wrist" comment. I suppose that if Lockers left it would be just the same with his shattered knee? He was a major part of the upcoming season who chose to leave and that's pretty much all there is to say.

Not really.

He's won everything in SL with Wigan.
He grew-up in Salford.
His Amateur RL was at Folly Lane.
His Dad was a Salford Legend.
His Dad always wanted him to play for Salford.
He always wanted to play for his hometown Club.
He secures himself the next 4 years.
Probably on a better payday.

What's strange about that?

[url=http://m.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-warriors/harrison-reveals-wrist-agony-1-5507838Hardly ungrounded[/url

This deal falls down to money and simply nothing else.

Wigan offered H a deal that they thought was acceptable and he's chosen to take a larger pay pack at the expense of his career.

You can see four years ahead? Lottery numbers please!

The reason above and beyond everything else is cash. He's basically written off a chance of winning anymore trophies (it will take at least 5 or 6 years to turn Salford in to a trophy challenging team) to earn more money and get long term security for his family.

You can't blame the guy to be fair.

Wigan were approached by Salford and they made an offer.
Hansen said he wanted to go for a four year deal to his hometown club.
If his head had been turned then it's no use trying to hold on and get the best out of him.
H has been terrific for us and a real grafter. I wish him all the best.
His replacement I think will be Clubb. He's 26 with something to prove after some rotten years at London. He will have to perform with all the competition around him.
Good Luck to "H" I hope it works out well for him and his family.

I don't blame him on a human level, he's got to do what he thinks is best for his family's long-term interests, I think everyone can agree on that.

He's effectively held the club to ransom though by saying he isn't sticking around, and if we don't agree to the offer he'll walk out on us and leave us high and dry in 12 months. For me, that's a poor way to leave a Club where he's enjoyed so much success.

A forward is probably at their peak in their late twenties in this day and age, he's probably got another 8 years in him, unless Wigan genuinely think they are replacing with equal or better it's baffling.

Maybe at Warrington!

His peak was the 2008 season IMO, would expect him to retire at the end of the contract he just signed. I just hope those wrists don't come back to haunt him later in the season. Crazy what players put themselves through for the club

bit of a strange one, Wigan lose a good player, Hansen loses his testamonial £££. yes he's getting a pay rise, but unless its a massive rise he could get that next year and have his tax free lump sum this year