Pretty much exactly how I see it.



I'd still much rather have kept Sam if I'm being honest, but for one reason or another that's not possible, so realistically this was the sensible replacement.



Clearly drinking in the last chance saloon at a club of our stature. Hopefully he'll see it as the opportunity it is, in a way that Hock didn't.

Forget the popcorn we might be ordering Sunday lunches for delivery. This is going to be fun.

I've already been told on the banter page that we're a morally bankrupt club and that the Sts/Barba situation is "different".

As far as I know, Hardaker has not murdered anyone. Do I agree with his actions? No. Hopefully he realises that chances are running out and will repay the club. If I could say something to his face it would be, welcome to the club and I hope that you have a great career here and don't be a pri*k.

Or in Zak's case, a third chance.

2013 World Cup - Hardaker trashes his room and has to leave



2016 Leeds threatened with relegation - Hardaker demands a transfer



2017 Cas make the Grand Final, another World Cup - Hardaker gets caught with drugs in his system



Aside from the morality aspect, this guy has a long track record of going missing when you most need him. This isn't a second chance, he's way past that. I'd rather have a committed, less talented player, like Escare and spend the money elsewhere. Has it been confirmed whether he is marquee?

At least and that was my concern but our hand has been forced a little (or at least it was forced) by the Tomkins exit.



He’s a daft lad and that comes across in his interview with Carney. He’s not the brightest but he is a fabulous talent and he knows it. I think his cockiness has got him in to scrapes previously because he just thinks he can do what he wants and get away with it but there’s no place to hide from the drug testers.



We won’t know if he’s learned his lesson for a very long time, if ever so we keep our fingers crossed and hopefully he can do what Barba has done and make people forget the mistakes by playing some top class rugby.

Superb signing, expecting nothing but bitterness from the Tomkins disciples

Good signing for Wigan and think he will know its last chance saloon so wouldn’t be surprised if he kept his nose clean for the duration of his contract. However the timing of the announcement is pretty poor just before magic weekend. Imagine there will be a few Cas fans outraged at this mixed with booze and in stadium with Wigan and Leeds fans and other intoxicated fans could spell trouble. For me could have waited until next week to do this.

Be like the Alamo. Bring it on

You mean like a Car Rental place?

I love that we got arguably Rugby League's best journalist to have a proper Frost/Nixon interview with our new, controversial signing - typical Wigan. But, Hardaker comes across as right idiot. He came across as genuine and his sentiments as heartfelt, but part of me expects him to mess something up when it comes to the crunch again.



He's talented enough that he's worth the chance though and presumably a relative bargain too. Can't wait to see him at Wigan.