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Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 2:57 am
by josie andrews
Wigan duo Chris Hankinson and Romain Navarette have been linked with a move to London Broncos.

The Championship outfit, which has a full-time squad, are thought to want them on board for 2021.

Both are under contract with Wigan but may move on to secure regular first-team action. Centre Hankinson, 27, played just three matches for Wigan last season.

But since signing from Swinton in 2018 he has proved himself at Super League level, and is an excellent goal-kicker.

If he does leave Wigan, it is unclear whether it would be permanently or on loan. He is behind first-choice centres Zak Hardaker and Oliver Gildart, while Wigan also have Jake Bibby and youngster Sam Halsall in their squad.

Frenchman Navarette spent last season on loan at Wakefield. He has not been given a squad number at Wigan next season - a clear indication his future lies elsewhere.

The ex-Catalans prop, 26, won a Grand Final with the Warriors in ‘18 but slipped down the pecking order the following year.

There is no reserve league next year, and the option of dual-registration – week-to-week loans – has been shelved due to Covid-19 precautions.

For that reason, other players on the fringes may depart – either permanently or on loan. They may include halfback Jake Shorrocks and prop Mitch Clarke.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... os-3073133

Re: Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:23 am
by Levrier
Good luck to them. I imagine that Hank would love to get some game time. He has been overlooked unfortunately.

Re: Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 6:03 pm
by Tricky Dicky1
Levrier wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:23 am Good luck to them. I imagine that Hank would love to get some game time. He has been overlooked unfortunately.
He is understudy to Zak at right centre. Zak has an outstanding year and hence why Hank played only 3 games.

Re: Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:45 pm
by fozzieskem
Very clear that Wigan are going to go with a smaller squad this time round so no room for those not considered first team have to be moved on ASAP

Re: Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:53 pm
by nathan_rugby
Tricky Dicky1 wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 6:03 pm
Levrier wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:23 am Good luck to them. I imagine that Hank would love to get some game time. He has been overlooked unfortunately.
He is understudy to Zak at right centre. Zak has an outstanding year and hence why Hank played only 3 games.
Haha Hankinson is not an understudy to Hardaker.

He’s a back up that isn’t good enough. As deemed by two coaches.

Re: Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 9:03 am
by CheshireWarrior
nathan_rugby wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:53 pm
Tricky Dicky1 wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 6:03 pm
Levrier wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:23 am Good luck to them. I imagine that Hank would love to get some game time. He has been overlooked unfortunately.
He is understudy to Zak at right centre. Zak has an outstanding year and hence why Hank played only 3 games.
Haha Hankinson is not an understudy to Hardaker.

He’s a back up that isn’t good enough. As deemed by two coaches.
Agreed! Can't understand why fans are aggrieved that Hankinson is overlooked.

Re: Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 10:44 am
by Levrier
My issue was that we brought in another player who offered no more in that centre position and who did not have the ability to kick goals. Ok Hankinson is no winger but that was not an issue at the time. I agree that neither of them offer what we have at present at centre but it always seemed a bit arbitrary that Hankinson did not get more game time when it was a toss up between Bibby and him. It is a shame that at the time we signed Hank Leigh were letting several other players go who went on to have much more impact in SuperLeague. I always get the feeling that we missed the boat.

Re: Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 10:56 am
by nathan_rugby
Levrier wrote: Sun Dec 20, 2020 10:44 am My issue was that we brought in another player who offered no more in that centre position and who did not have the ability to kick goals. Ok Hankinson is no winger but that was not an issue at the time. I agree that neither of them offer what we have at present at centre but it always seemed a bit arbitrary that Hankinson did not get more game time when it was a toss up between Bibby and him. It is a shame that at the time we signed Hank Leigh were letting several other players go who went on to have much more impact in SuperLeague. I always get the feeling that we missed the boat.
Two coaches in a row have chosen not to play Hankinson at either centre or second row. That says enough for me.

Re: Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 11:12 am
by fozzieskem
CheshireWarrior wrote: Sun Dec 20, 2020 9:03 am
nathan_rugby wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:53 pm
Tricky Dicky1 wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 6:03 pm

He is understudy to Zak at right centre. Zak has an outstanding year and hence why Hank played only 3 games.
Haha Hankinson is not an understudy to Hardaker.

He’s a back up that isn’t good enough. As deemed by two coaches.
Agreed! Can't understand why fans are aggrieved that Hankinson is overlooked.
I can only put it down to them loving an underdog

Re: Wigan Warriors duo linked with London Broncos

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 11:56 am
by No straw damn us
Levrier wrote: Sun Dec 20, 2020 10:44 am My issue was that we brought in another player who offered no more in that centre position and who did not have the ability to kick goals. Ok Hankinson is no winger but that was not an issue at the time. I agree that neither of them offer what we have at present at centre but it always seemed a bit arbitrary that Hankinson did not get more game time when it was a toss up between Bibby and him. It is a shame that at the time we signed Hank Leigh were letting several other players go who went on to have much more impact in SuperLeague. I always get the feeling that we missed the boat.
Which players from Leigh were those?