www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18456244 Nothing we didn't know about already. Don't know why we don't just announce it. EDIT - Apologies, just seen the link in the rumours thread.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18456244 Nothing we didn't know about already. Don't know why we don't just announce it. EDIT - Apologies, just seen the link in the rumours thread.

HES FOOKIN SHITE.... WHAT A POOR SIGNING .. GOD HELP YOU NEXT YEAR IF YOU NEED HIM TO TURN A GAME ....

i bet he turns out to be a better player than your judgment of players.

Probably the worst attempt at trolling I've seen on these boards for some time.

Back on topic, I think this signing very much depends on who you pair with him. Smith has been signed for a couple of weeks and with Veivers making that statement it'll probably be announced soon.

You're currently in a bidding war with Leeds and to a lesser extent Warrington over Rangi Chase. If you get his signature, which is looking very likely at the minute, he could go very will with Smith. It would allow Smith to run the organisation, distribution and kicking of the team whilst Chase can use his off the cuff style to trouble defences.

Along with Tomkins coming in as 3rd receiver it could trouble a lot of defences.

Most definitely. The problem will come if you can't get an 'attacking' stand off. If you end up with a stand off with who has a similar style to Smith it will help defences target Tomkins. Although an option there would be to bring Tomkins to 6 and Russell to 1.

Meanwhile we've got Wellens. Yay.

Look on the bright side, you're geting cladding too!

At least they can be miserable in comfort.

What, cladding on Wellens, wont that slow him down...............................oh, wait a minute.

If i was stains i wouldnt clad the stadium, let the wind blow through to help push slug along

Technically this year we don't have an attacking stand off either. Leuluai takes defences on less this season than ever before and is playing a more traditional playmaking role just like Finch is on the left. Of course Finch has been cutting through defences quite a bit this year but that's simply because having Tomkins on his outside distracts defenders and leaves a big hole for Finch to run through because players expect him to pass it.

If Wigan sign a stand off whose biggest strength is his running game then it will actually be a big difference to what we have at the moment. Two playmakers would be more or less the same.

That's very true but you have to factor in the quality of the play makers. Both Finch and Leuluai are of a much higher standard than Smith and can create the gaps without the need of the extra threat. Whilst Smith is a decent player I think he'll need other threats around him to create the opportunities for Tomkins and your new 6.

In terms of quality there is no question that Smith and Chase would be lower quality than our current halves, unless they improve significantly under the Wigan coaching set up (which is possible).

Having said that, you are wrong about Tomkins to a degree, while of course any player, no matter how talented, benefits from top class players making opportunities for him, it's going too far to say we will "need" other threats to give Tomkins opportunities. Tomkins would be a dangerous player in a backline of Wellenses.

He's Sam Tomkins, he does what he wants.

I agree, Tomkins doesn't 'need' other threats in order to create his own opportunities, that is evident. It certainly does help though. If a defence can actively target Tomkins it will help shut him down a little and minimise the threat, the Australians have shown that superbly.

We have other threats, the main one being a grunting 'all knees, elbows and tattoos' Gareth Hock running through the gap.

Whilst it's true Hock provides a threat, it isn't really relevant to the discussion about halves?

It was in answer to this.

What other threat's around Smith did you mean "to create opportunities for Tomkins and the 'new 6' "?

Wigan are a team choc full of threats, Hock / Lockers / Hansen / Farrell / Gelling / Carmont / Charnley...I could go on!

Smith will go okay as opposition teams can't pinpoint just one or two dangers in the Wigan team, giving him plenty options and free time. We do need to be smart with regards to his halfback partner, if it does end up being Chase the chances of increased silverwear will continue.

True, but there is a massive difference between Australian defences and those in SL.

Spot on. I am happy with the signing of Smith, he's not a world beater but he does the basics well and is a team player.

Fair enough, I probably wasn't clear in my expressions. I was talking about the 6, 7 and 9 exclusively but I can't argue with anything you have posted, although I wouldn't count Hansen as a threat he's more of an extremely solid player for me.

I'd also file Gelling with Meli under the 'pudding' category at this moment in time.

Hansen knows how to hit a gap, even of he isn't picked out as much he's still a runner that has to be picked up, which obviously sucks defenders in, which of course makes a half backs job much easier. I'd say that's a threat to the defending team.

But Chase wont fit into the Wigan systems. His style wont fit with Wigan. He's greedy. He never passes. He's a bad influence. He's been anonymous this year. He's Dennis Moran MKII. He's overrated. He beat Sam Tomkins to Man of Steel. He plays for England but he's not even English. He turned his back on New Zealand. His name is Rangi. He plays for Castleford. He prefers to be a big fish in a small pond. He'll never make it at Wigan. I just don't like him. There are many halfbacks who are better in this league. What about Joe Mellor? What about Danny Brough? Michael Dobson had a good game last week. Sean O'Loughlin could move to six. Let's stick Matty Russell at six. Ian Millward might have corrupted Chase and if he signs it will be a plot for Agent Millward to try to complete the job he started in 2006! Get the kids in!

You could say exactly the same about Wilkin, he's absolutely magnificent at running lines. I'd hardly consider him a threat though.

You can't just consider any player a threat because they run at gaps.

And Shaun Wane knows this. And he knows that opposition players know this.
That's why every once in a while hansen will actually take possession of the ball when hitting the gap leaving the opposition wrong footed as they are moving across and holding back and waiting for Sam / Lockers to take the ball.

Meanwhile...yet another try to Wigan.