Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC, Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants have all completed impressive business for 2024 but it feels like Wigan have led the way.
Not only did they sign Tyler Dupree effective immediately from Salford Red Devils who will stay next year, they have also drafted in Leeds star Sam Walters and Catalans Dragons forward Tiaki Chan.
His teammate Adam Keighran is Wigan bound as well as is former Leeds and Huddersfield hooker Kruise Leeming.
He will complete a radical revamp of the Wigan front row which raises questions about the future of Patrick Mago.
According to reports, he hasn’t been offered a deal and therefore a move to a Super League rival remains a likely possibility.
Mago is in his second season with Wigan after joining from South Sydney Rabbitohs following the 2021 season.
During that time he has helped the club lift a Challenge Cup final, a game during which he came off the bench, and he’s proved to be a key player during his second season.
He had started his NRL career in 2017 with North Queensland Cowboys before shifting to Brisbane and then the Bunnies, from whom Wigan recruited him.
With Matt Peet’s side down on forwards at times due to the season ending injury to Mike Cooper and spells on the sidelines for the likes of Liam Byrne, Brad Singleton and suspensions to Kaide Ellis, it’s meant that Mago has been key off the bench for the Warriors.
At 28 he isn’t necessarily an older statesman but he’s helped oversee young Ethan Havard and Junior Nsemba at times and the New Zealand born forward is a strong Super League forward.
He’s only racked up two tries during his time at the DW Stadium, one in each of his seasons, and he’s potentially in line to push past 25 appearances once again this season.
Wigan have already tied down Brad O’Neill and Ethan Havard for next year and beyond.
The Warriors could still choose to keep Mago who has found some improved form in the second half of the season after making a real splash at the start of the 2022 campaign.
