Dupree seems in far better nick this season and I think we will see Hill take a big step forward. Hill looks like he is being groomed for the 13 shirt.josie andrews wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2025 8:07 pmLiam Byrne is going to Wire next season. There is a thread covering this topicPieman13 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2025 7:04 pm Agree, were still good to go again this season. Hirst & Chan can cover Isa who was likely 4th choice SR.
Assess who's not doing the business over the season, then maybe do a mid season signing or leave it for 2026. It's a nice position to be in having a quota spot free if some top player becomes available.
For me, only Keighran & Miski have question marks over them for 2026 (In terms of upgrading).
Also maybe a prop upgrade to support Thompson & Havard, if Dupree, Hill & Mago aren't performing. (Byrne looks like he's off 2026)
Willie Isa
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Charriots Offiah
- Posts: 5107
- Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:14 pm
Re: Willie Isa
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josie andrews
- Posts: 38423
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
- Location: Wigan
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Re: Willie Isa
Wigan Warriors coach on ‘fantastic’ Willie Isa with replacement admission made
Wigan Warriors coach Sean O’Loughlin has spoken about the impact Willie Isa had at the club with a recruitment admission made following his retirement.
Isa called time on his impressive career in January with the 36-year-old’s decision coming as somewhat of a shock given that he had recently signed a one-year deal to play on in 2025.
He had not played for the club since April when he suffered a horror ankle fracture and dislocation in the Challenge Cup tie against Castleford, something that led to a lengthy rehab with plans made for the veteran to return to the field soon.
However, that opportunity didn’t come with Isa confirming his retirement prior to the Warriors’ friendly against Leeds Rhinos – bringing an end to his time with Wigan, whom he joined in 2016.
Wigan were led in that game by assistant coach Sean O’Loughlin and he spoke post-match about the impact the New Zealand-born forward had during his 200+ appearances at the club.
“He’s just a very good bloke,” O’Loughlin stated.
“He’s been a fantastic player for us. He’s brilliant on the field but he’s massive for the culture of the club and the standards.”
Isa started his career with Penrith Panthers but made the move to England in 2011, featuring for Castleford Tigers and Widnes Vikings before making the switch to Wigan Warriors.
During his time with the club, he helped them win all there was to win but O’Loughlin was keen to state his off-field impact as being just as, if not more, important than his on-field efforts.
He explained: “You obviously want to be a great team on the pitch but you want to be known as a great club as well, he ticks both sides of that for us.
“He drives standards very highly, he is a moral compass for the club almost and for the team, he drives a lot of things that they do well.
“All the boys look up to him, he’s going to be missed but on the other side they’re buzzing for him that he’s found something that he wants to do and go test himself in another field.”
As for his on-field impact, O’Loughlin labelled Isa as a “pleasure to play with” noting:”He was just a non-nonsense player. Give him the ball and he’ll run hard and he was probably one of the best defensive back-rowers I’ve played with. He’s quick, he moves well and he’s someone who taught that really well.”
Whilst Wigan have one of the deepest and strongest forward packs in Super League, his exit does leave the Warriors with both cap space and an overseas quota spot meaning there is scope for recruitment.
When asked, O’Loughlin confirmed that he expects head coach Matt Peet and CEO Kris Radlinski to be ‘weighing up opportunities’, something that will excite Wigan fans.
“I don’t know the answer to that at this time,” O’Loughlin responded when asked about a replacement.
“It’s probably one for Matty (Peet) and Rads (Kris Radlinski), they speak regularly about who is coming in and going out but if something opens up then I’m sure they’ll be weighing up opportunities.”
https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/wigan-wa ... de-101210/
Wigan Warriors coach Sean O’Loughlin has spoken about the impact Willie Isa had at the club with a recruitment admission made following his retirement.
Isa called time on his impressive career in January with the 36-year-old’s decision coming as somewhat of a shock given that he had recently signed a one-year deal to play on in 2025.
He had not played for the club since April when he suffered a horror ankle fracture and dislocation in the Challenge Cup tie against Castleford, something that led to a lengthy rehab with plans made for the veteran to return to the field soon.
However, that opportunity didn’t come with Isa confirming his retirement prior to the Warriors’ friendly against Leeds Rhinos – bringing an end to his time with Wigan, whom he joined in 2016.
Wigan were led in that game by assistant coach Sean O’Loughlin and he spoke post-match about the impact the New Zealand-born forward had during his 200+ appearances at the club.
“He’s just a very good bloke,” O’Loughlin stated.
“He’s been a fantastic player for us. He’s brilliant on the field but he’s massive for the culture of the club and the standards.”
Isa started his career with Penrith Panthers but made the move to England in 2011, featuring for Castleford Tigers and Widnes Vikings before making the switch to Wigan Warriors.
During his time with the club, he helped them win all there was to win but O’Loughlin was keen to state his off-field impact as being just as, if not more, important than his on-field efforts.
He explained: “You obviously want to be a great team on the pitch but you want to be known as a great club as well, he ticks both sides of that for us.
“He drives standards very highly, he is a moral compass for the club almost and for the team, he drives a lot of things that they do well.
“All the boys look up to him, he’s going to be missed but on the other side they’re buzzing for him that he’s found something that he wants to do and go test himself in another field.”
As for his on-field impact, O’Loughlin labelled Isa as a “pleasure to play with” noting:”He was just a non-nonsense player. Give him the ball and he’ll run hard and he was probably one of the best defensive back-rowers I’ve played with. He’s quick, he moves well and he’s someone who taught that really well.”
Whilst Wigan have one of the deepest and strongest forward packs in Super League, his exit does leave the Warriors with both cap space and an overseas quota spot meaning there is scope for recruitment.
When asked, O’Loughlin confirmed that he expects head coach Matt Peet and CEO Kris Radlinski to be ‘weighing up opportunities’, something that will excite Wigan fans.
“I don’t know the answer to that at this time,” O’Loughlin responded when asked about a replacement.
“It’s probably one for Matty (Peet) and Rads (Kris Radlinski), they speak regularly about who is coming in and going out but if something opens up then I’m sure they’ll be weighing up opportunities.”
https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/wigan-wa ... de-101210/
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
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southportcdm
- Posts: 1312
- Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2013 5:05 pm
Re: Willie Isa
Just seen that Willie has a job as a player support and development officer at Chelsea football club. I'm sure he'll excel. well done to him.