Warriors departures: It's unfair to blame players
In a week bookended by derbies against St Helens and Warrington, we’ve had one other game and two players confirm they are leaving.
Not exactly a peaceful Easter week, then.
Let’s not pretend it isn’t disappointing for Wigan to lose two England internationals.
But...
But...
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Hide AdIt’s unfair to blame players for wanting to get more from their short careers, whether that’s in terms of experiences, challenges or money.
Many others have done the same. Many of those have returned.
Josh Charnley and Sarginson have both given good service to the club, particularly the former, who has scored tries for fun and become a real crowd-pleaser.
In a week when we mark 20 years of Super League, he was a contender for one of the wing places in my fictitious ‘Wigan dream team of the last two decades’, just behind Pat Richards and Brett Dallas.
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Hide AdPersonally, I think his talents will be wasted in union, but good luck to him. I’d love nothing more than to see another Wiganer (I know, he’s from Chorley, but I’m still claiming him) in the England side.
The silver-lining to Sarginson’s move to the Gold Coast is, of course, he is staying in rugby league and it’s hard not to envisage the England team becoming stronger with more of our players in the NRL.
But as I’ve said before, I tend not to stress about player departures. Recent history has taught me not to.
Some fans were up in arms when Pat Richards chose to leave but, had he not done, Joe Burgess would never have had a chance to come through. And if he hadn’t left last year, Dom Manfredi may be kicking his heels on the sidelines.
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Hide AdWigan already have another starting centre, in the shape of Oliver Gildart, who is on a long-term deal.
And the combination of academy-graduates - and one or two new recruits - should, hopefully, unearth a new wing star for next year.