Wigan Confirm Finch to Leave

[CherryPie]

http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.as...218&type=1

Wigan Warriors today announce that Brett Finch will leave the Club at the end of the 2012 Super League season after completing his 2-year contract.

Finch, who has been outstanding for Wigan this year in leading them to the top of the Super League, is keen to pursue his options Down Under for next year and his life after Rugby League.

He joined the Warriors in 2011 from Australian side Melbourne Storm and, after being forced to miss the start of the season with a neck injury, Brett flourished at Stand Off helping the Club to a first Challenge Cup since 2002. So far in his Wigan career he has made 47 appearances scoring 13 tries.

Brett commented:

"The Wigan club has been fantastic to me and I felt that it was important to sort out my future now so that everyone knew the situation and so that the Club could start to make other plans. There are a number of options back home that I find attractive and my life after footy needs to be given consideration. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in England and to play for a Club like Wigan has been a dream. The fans have treated me so well and I will be eternally grateful to them for making me feel so welcome. I want to finish this season strongly as I am part of a special team and feel that we have every chance of winning more trophies."

Head Coach, Shaun Wane said:

"It has been a pleasure to coach Brett this season and he has contributed greatly in making my first year as a Head Coach so enjoyable. I know his character and he will be trying his very best for Wigan until the last second of this season. Although I am sad that he has chosen to move on, I understand completely his reasons for doing so."

Rugby General Manager, Kris Radlinski added:

"We tried our very best to keep Brett as he is so important to us, both on and off the field. We offered Brett the contract that he wanted but in the end his desire to return home and plan for his life after the game were too strong. He is a tremendous character and it has been a honour having him represent our Club."

Wigan Owner, Ian Lenagan, said:

"Brett Finch has delivered everything and more that we signed him for. The Wigan club has done all it could to persuade Brett to stay longer but he is right to be making plans for himself for his final career years and for his role thereafter. He will be remembered as a special Wigan player in a special team - and even more so if we pick up more silverware before he leaves."

[jools]

No surprise there then.

[CherryPie]

It's been known for a while but the club always take their time in confirming news. I mean it took over a month for them to officially announce Amos Roberts' retirement.

I would expect Matty Smith to sign for Wigan pretty soon but then it gets more interesting. Wigan are rumoured to have put in a big offer for Jamie Soward while there are options currently at the club, with Russell perhaps getting the fullback role with Tomkins moving back into the halves or possibly Sam Powell or Joe Mellor being brought through to partner Smith.

[Cheese]

big big loss, but as stated it wasnt a surprise and gives time to find a replacement.

[Ryan H 23]

Massive blow this news. But unfortunately that's the problem you have when signing Aussies and kiwis, eventually they will want to return home.

Can't fault the guy he's been brilliant this year.

It's a bit worrying though that we will have to bed in a brand new half back pairing which takes time.

Season of transition next season i think with carmont retiring, leuluai and Lima leaving aswell.

[Farmduck]

It's good for the League though. In the old, pre-salary cap days when players were nailed on to clubs at birth, a club could build a 10-year dynasty which, while it was good for them, made it difficult for lower clubs to recruit players and be competitive. The cycle now seems to be down to about 5 years - 2 or 3 years to build your team, 2 or 3 years to collect silverware, then retirements and better offers from other clubs split up the team and you start again.

At least Wigan have enough youngsters to keep them as regular finals contenders while they build back up.

[The Swede]

A great player and a great loss. Is he finishing or is he hoping to land an NRL deal?

As for your future halves, I've heard you've got Smith, but are still looking for the next number six. Whether that be Mellor, Powell or indeed Tomkins, I don't know, but I wouldn't shift Tomkins from fullback.

[LeedsBarmyArmy]

Massive loss for you guys!

You just need a decent 6 to play with Smith

I rate Smith, i think he will be a decent signing for you guys

[CherryPie]

At the moment there are so many names being thrown around that it's hard to know which rumours have any truth to them, but it does seem Ian Lenegan is trying hard to sign a player to play at 6 while Shaun Wane seems to be suggesting the player is going to come from within the club.

Chase's name has been mentioned, which is an unpopular choice among Wigan fans but there's no doubting that Chase is a very good player. His style of play is probably the biggest issue. The key word for Wigan is structure and Chase would have to be reined in a little bit but he'd still be a decent signing.

Ben Roberts has also been mentioned which really would be a let down. He's hardly the sort of signing that would excite the fans and I would hope that the days of taking a punt on unwanted overseas players were a thing of the past.

The options from within the club would be to play Mellor at 6, which isn't a convincing solution. With Mellor it's still a case of 'if' he fully rediscovers his past ability rather than when. He still doesn't look comfortable running the ball which used to be his biggest strength. His pass selection seems pretty poor right now. One positive is his attacking kicking game; his accuracy with cross field kicks is incredibly good.

There's also Sam Powell who is highly rated but still out injured with a broken leg. He's never had any experience higher than under 20's level except for one friendly against Hull KR. That injury has set back his development a bit and he might not be able to go out on loan at this stage with most teams having settled squads.
He's primarily an organising scrum half like Smith though and Wigan might want a different sort of player to compliment him but both Finch and Leuluai play a playmaking role right now so perhaps that's a better fit with the current systems. When England Academy beat the AIS in 2010 Powell and O'Brien (Wire) were outstanding in the halves, while Powell was last years under 20's play of the year so he's got promise.

One option that I think needs to be discounted right away if moving Sam Tomkins to 6 and playing Matty Russell at fullback. It's something that a lot of Wigan fans have been suggesting but Russell isn't good enough right now and is a long way off being good enough too.

[westy_warrior]

i wouldnt like to see sam moved to 6, he his devastating at the minute because he has that freedom to come into the line out wide, to put the pessure of playmaking onto his shoulders and put him in the middle of the park wouldnt do him any favours.