The deal with Pongia

[Willow]

One match and he's off to England...
He was supposed to be there while Bailey and Ryles had Origin committments. But he plays one match of NRL and discovers that he's past it.
Thats good. We've got Stapes and Tandy anyway.

Pongia going to Wigan next week

Quentin Pongia the New Zealand Test Prop is joining Wigan for the remainder of the season.
Wigan Chairman Maurice Lindsay said, "Quentin is looking to finish his career in England and we were asked by his Manager Frank Endacott if Quentin could train and play with us for the remainder of the season. It will put him in the shop window should he wish to try for a British club next year and will give us some forward cover for the remainder of the season."
Frank Endacott said, "Quentin is reaching the end of his career but he is still fit and actually played for the Sydney St.George club last week. I am sure he will help the development of the young forwards at Wigan and I was pleased to be involved with my old club again."
Wigan Head Coach Stuart Raper commented, “Quentin will be great for us for the remaining matches this year and will be great cover as we enter a tough end to the season."
Quentin is set to arrive in England early next week and could be involved in next Friday's home Tetley's Super League clash against the Castleford Tigers.

from www.leagueunlimited.com

 

[Willow]

In fairness to Quentin.. the deal was open to negotiation and he the club most likely came to an agreement. Given the form of some the younger forwards, it quite possible that Pongia would have ended up in the reserves anyway.

 

[CanadianSteve]

Where did he play most of his career? Where was he earlier in the season, was he playing for someone else?

I thought ESL teams were cutting back on the number of imported players? Will he make more money at Wigan?

Sorry I don't know anything about this guy, but I'm interested in the workings of player movements.

 

[Willow]

Details about Pongia's arrival is here.

 

[Willow]

Pongia will play this weekend
St George-Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust says prop Quentin Pongia will play against South Sydney tomorrow. Pongia has walked out on the NRL club less than a fortnight after making his Australian comeback to join English rugby league club Wigan.
However, Doust says the former New Zealand captain will play tomorrow at WIN Stadium before flying to England on Sunday to take up a short-term deal with the Super League club.
The former Raiders and Warriors enforcer, who turns 33 next month, could play against Castleford next Friday night, Wigan says.
www.leagueunlimited.com