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I am optimistic about the signings. I appreciate that we've had big name signings that have been superb for us but there has been the likes of Vaeliki, Pongia, Withers, Davico, Moran, Bailey, Seuseu etc who've hardly set the world on fire and came with some reputation.

On the flip side, Carmont, Leuluai, Flower, M Smith, Green all turned out well and that's before I even mention how awful Pat was in his first year before the coaching changed. Same for Amos Roberts.

I do believe that a coach can see the potential in players although their immediate ability may not be so obvious.

Furthermore, playing in a competitive team makes such a difference. Clubb and Sarginson have certainly not been doing that.

josie andrews wrote:Exclusive: Warriors sign London’s Clubb

Warriors news
by Tom McCooey
EXCLUSIVE
Published on the
17 October
2013
09:11
Print this

LONDON Bronco Tony Clubb has confirmed he is heading to Wigan for 2014.

The move for the 26-year-old second rower or centre was reported weeks ago – along with the swoop for his team-mate Dan Sarginson – though there has been no comment from either party.

Now, Clubb has told the Evening Post he has signed a deal and can’t wait to begin work at his new club.

“It must be three to four weeks ago – just after the regular season finished,” he said.

“Wigan sells itself doesn’t it so it’s a no-brainer. If Wigan want to sign you then you go.

“With the situation down in London it was the best thing for me to go.”

Clubb asked for a release on the remaining year of his Broncos contract in the summer, and branded the situation at the club as ‘pathetic’ in August owing to speculation the club is on the brink of collapse – a situation which still sees no confirmed resolution.

And with offers on the table, Clubb felt it was the right time to leave the capital.

“There were a few offers but Wigan had just won the Challenge Cup – they are a great team, a winning team and it is going to be good moving up to Wigan,” he said.

He is also looking forward to a change in culture from being at a club which fails to draw huge interest in its local area,

“I can’t wait to play in the big games,” Clubb said.

“The derby games – we don’t get that here in London so and I’m looking forward to the atmosphere at Wigan.”

Clubb became the 10th player to score four tries in a match for England in the 36-10 Four Nations win against Papua New Guinea in 2010.

Meeting new colleagues is also something Clubb said he was looking forward to, and earmarked playing for Shaun Wane as something he is relishing, despite the coach’s tough reputation.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting with Shaun Wane, (His style is) not new to me, I had similar under Brian McDermott and I played for England so I’m hoping Shaun Wane can do that for me again at Wigan.”

Utility back Sarginson,20, is expected to be unveiled in the next few days, but was unavailable for comment.

With Wane telling the Wigan Observer this week he is not looking for a direct replacement for Pat Richards, heading back to Wests Tigers after an eight-year stay in Wigan, Sarginson could be on his way to the champions as a development prospect.

North Queensland Cowboys legend Matty Bowen will plug the gap left by Sam Tomkins for 12 months, giving young fullbacks Ryan

Hampshire and Lewis Tierney the opportunity to learn their trade from one of the great NRL No.1s before being expected to face Super League action on a regular basis.

Sarginson’s place in this year’s England Knights squad illustrates the Hemel-raised, Australian-born player’s potential.

The pair will become the fourth and fifth additions to Wigan’s 2014 Super League squad, offsetting the numerical loss of Richards, Tomkins, Chris Tuson and Lee Mossop.

The pack will be bolstered by the addition of Leigh’s Sam Hopkins and South Sydney Rabbitohs prop Ed Pettybourne, who English fans will catch a glimpse of in the upcoming World Cup thanks to the Kiwi’s addition to the USA squad.


http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... -1-6154723

The highlighted bit is what worries me. Surely Wane should have met the player before we decided to sign him. After all, it's not as if Clubb is thousands of miles away in Australia.

KOOCH wrote:I've had my pop at Shaun Wane over the past couple of months thinking that just because I have been watching rugby longer than he's been on the planet I should know more than him.Well if the silverware in our showcase does not say ow't about his coaching skills then what the hell will. I've questioned his selection of players, his signings,and at times him as a person.But the fact that he produced the silverware that I along with others doubted he would do. It kind of tells me it's time we accept that perhaps he along with IL and the other coaching staff do in fact know more about the kind of players they are bringing into the club and maybe just maybe we don't.Of course we will get the odd mistaken signing that's par for the course.Or are we going to start doubting the talent of every player? Remember how many people jumped on here stating that Brett Finch was crap etc etc.And look how he turned out!Of course we are all entitled to make known our views as regards signings but don't be so quick to judge a player until we have seen him play in our colours or you will surely end up with the same egg on your faces as I did after asking for Shaun Wane to make way for a proper coach.

Can't argue with any of that Kooch, although Josie might exhort you to use more paragraphs!

You can't have a better season than we've had. There are only 2 trophies and we got em!

Maybe its time we sat back and enjoyed the ride. Gave some respect to our coach and chairman who would appear to be on the right track. Stop moaning about having money in the bank as though being on the verge of administration is the only way forward!

Basically, time to stop crying before we are hurt!

Kittwazzer wrote:

KOOCH wrote:I've had my pop at Shaun Wane over the past couple of months thinking that just because I have been watching rugby longer than he's been on the planet I should know more than him.Well if the silverware in our showcase does not say ow't about his coaching skills then what the hell will. I've questioned his selection of players, his signings,and at times him as a person.But the fact that he produced the silverware that I along with others doubted he would do. It kind of tells me it's time we accept that perhaps he along with IL and the other coaching staff do in fact know more about the kind of players they are bringing into the club and maybe just maybe we don't.Of course we will get the odd mistaken signing that's par for the course.Or are we going to start doubting the talent of every player? Remember how many people jumped on here stating that Brett Finch was crap etc etc.And look how he turned out!Of course we are all entitled to make known our views as regards signings but don't be so quick to judge a player until we have seen him play in our colours or you will surely end up with the same egg on your faces as I did after asking for Shaun Wane to make way for a proper coach.

Can't argue with any of that Kooch, although Josie might exhort you to use more paragraphs!

You can't have a better season than we've had. There are only 2 trophies and we got em!

Maybe its time we sat back and enjoyed the ride. Gave some respect to our coach and chairman who would appear to be on the right track. Stop moaning about having money in the bank as though being on the verge of administration is the only way forward!

Basically, time to stop crying before we are hurt!

You have all ready quite eloquently pointed out that the Wire have signed Kevin Penny, Anthony England and now Matty Russell. For an ageing side needing a new core of quality players, those signing are more "in hope" than fully established internationals you would have thought they would have signed.

The only signing of note for them is Asotasi but we could say the same of Bowen. I am sure clubs have cut back on recruitment and expenditure until Sl sponsorship and other long term strategies and details have been sorted

Whelley Warrior wrote: Why sign expensive stars when many less expensive players may be just as good, especially if they are being signed as short term signings while our own youngsters gain more experience in our large squad system.

For the same reason we have always signed expensive stars for as long as I have been watching the game. Because they are are stars, add excitement and because they bring a touch of class to the side that is usually a pleasure to watch. Which is of course what it is all supposed to be about.

I am not sure why you imply they have to be short term signings either though that said it makes no odds how long a club signs a player for these days if they want away, class players or not as both Clubb and Sam illustrate.

The days of our game signing expensive players from down under and also from Union, especially Wales has gone and time some face that fact.

Which is why I posted what I did.

Kiwiseddon wrote:I am optimistic about the signings. I appreciate that we've had big name signings that have been superb for us but there has been the likes of Vaeliki, Pongia, Withers, Davico, Moran, Bailey, Seuseu etc who've hardly set the world on fire and came with some reputation.

Davico was a good player who tore his pectoral muscle (in a friendly I think) so never played for us competitively so you are big a bit disingenuous using him as an example. That kind of thing could happen to any player tomorrow. I also don't think any of them you mention were what you would call star names as we already knew the likes of Pongia, Withers and Seuseu were at the end of their careers. I for one was not happy with the Withers signing as I thought he was past it and I think I was proved right. Bailey was not a "name" either.

On the flip side, Carmont, Leuluai, Flower, M Smith, Green all turned out well and that's before I even mention how awful Pat was in his first year before the coaching changed. Same for Amos Roberts.

Pat was not awful for his first year. He got switched to the wing when Dallas was injured in his first season and found his form more or less right away. Dallas even said he was concerned he wouldn't get his place back to end his career on the pitch. At the end of the day Pat was an Aussie grand final winner who lived up to his reputation pretty quickly.

Roberts was signed as IL's "flying winger". Unfortunately he only "flew" for a couple of brief periods and spent most of the rest of his career here carrying a mis-diagnosed injury.

I do believe that a coach can see the potential in players although their immediate ability may not be so obvious.

Furthermore, playing in a competitive team makes such a difference. Clubb and Sarginson have certainly not been doing that.

Sargison is a young player with potential, but we have lots of those and as CPW points out we aren't lacking in Clubb's position. In both cases I am not sure why we need to add more of the same.

DaveO wrote:
Davico was a good player who tore his pectoral muscle (in a friendly I think) so never played for us competitively so you are big a bit disingenuous using him as an example. That kind of thing could happen to any player tomorrow.

It was a friendly at Salford

Nothing wrong with Pongia either!

Wigan Sign Sarginson and Clubb

Wigan Warriors announce the signing of Centre Dan Sarginson and Utility Forward Tony Clubb from London Broncos. Sarginson has agreed a Two-Year Contract for Seasons 2014 and 2015 with a further option for 2016 ,while Clubb has agreed terms for Four-Years for Seasons 2014,2015, 2016 and 2017.

Sarginson joins Wigan with his current contract with Broncos now at an end while Clubb still has one year remaining on his contract with London and Wigan have paid the Broncos an undisclosed fee for his services. Both players will join up with the Warriors in November for the start of pre-season training.

Dan is 20 years old and has become a regular in the London side since making his First Team debut in 2012 for the Broncos against Gateshead in the Challenge Cup and has gone on to make over 40 appearances for the Super League Club. Dan has also represented the England Under 18 side and tomorrow (Saturday) he is set to make his debut for England Knights in their game against Samoa at Salford City Stadium.

Tony is 26 years of age and has been a regular in the London side since making his First Team debut at the age of 18 in 2006 and has made over 150 appearances scoring 47 tries. Tony has also represented England on four occasions scoring 6 tries between 2008 and 2010.

Speaking about the signings, Chairman Ian Lenagan said;

"We are delighted to announce that both Dan and Tony will be joining us. Dan is a young player we rate highly and is an excellent prospect. Tony is also a player we have admired for some time and has been one of the stand out performers in the London side in recent seasons. The addition of Dan and Tony will add competition for places within our squad for 2014 onwards and I know both are really excited about the opportunity to play for Wigan Warriors."

Head Coach Shaun Wane commented;

"Dan is a young player with lots of potential. He has been playing consistently well in the Broncos team and we know he has the attributes to settle quickly into the Wigan Way. Tony meanwhile is everything I want in a forward, powerful and dynamic. He is hungry for success and possesses great leadership qualities which I am keen to tap in to. I am looking forward to working with both of them, they are great acquisitions to our squad."

Dan Sarginson added;

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me to join the biggest name in the competition and I am really looking forward to this new challenge in my career. I have had a great time with London and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in helping me to progress and improve me as a player. "

Tony Clubb commented;

"I want to take this opportunity to thank London for everything they have done for me, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with them and I have made many great friends. This though is a new exciting chapter of my life signing for Wigan and I couldn't be happier. I just can't wait to get started."

Dan Sarginson - Factfile

DOB: 26/05/1993
Age: 20
Born: Perth, Australia
Height: 185cm
Weight: 89kg
Position: Half Back

Tony Clubb - Factfile

DOB: 12/6/1987
Age: 26
Born: Gravesend
Height: 188cm
Weight: 105kg
Position: Utility Forward

http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

Sarginson was the best of a pretty sorry bunch at Broncos. Difficult to say about Clubb as he never seemed to want to play for them.
He may be Ok but he never really stood out in the way that a 26-year old should do to warrant a 4-year deal with a transfer fee at the start.

Give the club and him the benefit of the doubt. Flower has been a massive success and Dudson seems to have sorted his discipline out and should get even better so seemingly unpromising signings can work out well.