Frano Botica wasn't a kicker either, before he came to Wigan. He said he had to find another 'string to his bow', as the half back line at that time was awesome.

Would be devastating if we lost his services IMO.

A multi talented player who's clearly well respected amongst his peers - he's certainly well worth a 2-3 year extension. You know any accepted contract won't contain silly money with Lenagan in charge.



He can kick, finish, take high balls with ease, is solid in defence and works hard for the team. Whilst the comment of wigan_knight is a large exaggeration, it would be daft not to keep him on if he wanted to stay.

Richards is the best athlete at the club. He doesn't have the acceleration, agility or top speed of Roberts, but Roberts doesn't have Richards' size or leaping ability. He's a freak of nature really.



As for a new contract. Yes, if it fits into the wage structure. I wouldn't break the bank for him.

He's tall and he can jump? Is that what constitutes a freak of nature?

He's huge (both tall and muscular), quick and agile. He just doesn't have Roberts' level of speed/agility. He outruns plenty of wingers.

If you can find me a player who'll score 30 odd tries and will kick 120 odd goals. If you can find me another winger with both those abilities .then i'll admit my words were over the top.



I wouldn't swap him for any winger in the game.But thats just my opinion.

Spot on imo.



I have always put the 'Love In' down to the fact that he is well respected amongst our female supporters, my gf especially





Great winger who's goal kicking is a great asset but would we fall apart without him? i don't think so.

I think the club should wait until Richards has made his comeback before offering him a new deal. Any new deal is likely to see him pick up a large amount of money and it makes no sense to offer a long term deal or an expensive one to a player who's out with a serious injury.

You only have to look at David Vaealiki to see what an Achilles injury can do to a player. There's no guarantees that Pat will be back to his best when he returns, and there's no guarantees that he'll be able to keep himself injury free and avoid the frequent injury troubles that players often face when they've been out for a reasonably long time.

His injury could well affect his game. He might not be the fastest winger so losing pace isn't too bad, but it can also affect his ability to make those leaps into the air which is arguably the most dangerous part of his game.



As a player I think he's talented enough that he could fill in other positions as well as wing if necessary. He's capable at fullback and would still be even if he comes back and isn't quite the same player as before. There is also the possibility of him playing centre. Before anyone brings up the terrible time he had in that position in his first season he's evolved as a player since then and he had some very good games at centre in the NRL which is where the idea of playing him there came about.

Not that I'm suggesting it should be done, just that Pat has the ability to play a big part for the club and could be versatile enough to keep his place or at least be a valuable part of the team even if he loses pace or any other of his outstanding abilities as a winger, but I think the club need to assess his recovery and return to first team action before deciding on a new contract.

I think under Lenagan, the days of "highest player at the club " are pretty much gone. One of the things he originally stated as an aim, and has since achieved, is to bring more parity to the wage structure - hence how we can now sign up all those youngsters on long-term deals. The players he inherited on relatively high wages have all either been renegotiated or released.



I suspect now the main first-teamers are all on broadly similar salaries.

And mine.

I must say, I'm shocked at the some-what negative reaction to keeping Pat for another 2-3years.



I think he's a superb asset to Wigan and would be sorely missed if he left. I understand wingers are replaceable but even still, show me a winger that scores that many tries and kicks that many goals and I'll start to agree that 2-3years isn't necessary. Think of the games this season that have been won with his boot!