Maybe Hastings has really enjoyed the last month or two at Salford and realised that whilst it's a small club it can be a fun place to be if they're competing. He obviously has a good relationship with their fans and may have stood in the middle of the DW twice over the last 3 weeks and thought 'this isn't for me'.
The visual problem Wigan have is that their ground is too big for them, and anything below 15,000 makes it look like the place is empty. That must be demoralising for players, and it must also resonate with opposition players as well. The lure of the Wigan brand, the history and the pay packet is all well and good, but this isn't Wigan in 1990 playing in front a packed Central Park, or even Wigan in 2010 playing infront of 15-16k at the JJB/DW. This is now a really dull Wigan side playing infront of an apathetic 11-12k in a ground that looks empty most weeks. Some players want a bit more than that given the options available to them.
A very balanced set of comments, I’d like to add that he may be thinking he’s less likely to be at Wembley or Old Trafford again if he goes to Wigan. I read that his ultimate aim isn’t to have another crack at NRL (and his preference would be the Roosters where his dad played and he supported as a fan, who’ve also just retired Cronk......)
He’s clearly matured and only 23 years old. He probably thought going to Wigan would put him in the shop window in Australia but a GF appearance and Man Of Steel has surely done that ahead of schedule at little ol’ Salford......
Can't stop the spirits when they need you.
This life is more than just a read through.
Can't stop the spirits when they need you.
This life is more than just a read through.
When he was on the SL podcast a couple of weeks ago he was quite open that he was going to do 12 months at Wigan and hope that an NRL side came in for him. I know you can't read too much into these things, and he may just have been trying to be respectful to Salford, but he didn't exactly sound excited about moving there.
I'm not sure about international, but I'm pretty sure he would still be available for SOO. In the main I think it is, in which state you have played most of your senior rugby. In Hastings case it would be NSW. I once read through the eligibility for SOO and it's a bit like War and Peace.
Has he actually signed for the dark side or is this another Edwards type situation?
A move to Wigan won't do his career any good. He's a guy that needs to be kept on the straight and narrow and the culture at that club means that's a tough ask.
If he does manage to keep his head down and down well, he'll be off after a year anyway. Can't see it behind that beaten pack and I'm not sure George 'eye gouge' Burgess will add much more.