by Relegation-threatened Wigan have sacked Australian scrum-half Dennis Moran
to make way for the arrival of ***ager Michael Dobson.
Dobson, who played his last match for Catalans Dragons at Widnes last
Sunday, joins the bottom-of-the-table Warriors to the end of the season and
goes straight into their squad for Saturday's engage Super League derby with
St Helens at the JJB Stadium.
Dobson, who celebrates his 20th birthday on Monday, takes Wigan's overseas
spot from Moran, who has been released.
"This a great opportunity," said Dobson, a Canberra Raiders reserve who
scored 79 points in 12 matches for the Catalans as a short-term replacement
for Stacey Jones.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Super League with Catalans Dragons and
this is a chance for me to continue playing first team football.
"I am really looking forward to playing my part in helping the Warriors move
up the Super League table."
Wigan coach Brian Noble said: "Michael is a welcome addition to our squad.
He is a a good playmaker who is also a more than useful goalkicker.
"He has really impressed for the Dragons in the absence of Stacey Jones and
we are delighted he is joining us."
Although Dobson has yet to play first grade in Australia, he qualified for a
work permit on the back of his three-month stint with the Perpignan club.
Castleford made a move for the player but the intervention of former Wigan
favourite David Furner, now assistant coach at Canberra, helped Wigan clinch
the signing.
Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay said: "We are of course pleased to have
obtained the services of Michael Dobson and we have had great support from
Canberra, and in particular our old friend David Furner who wanted to help
his old club.
"We must also thank Dennis Moran for his time spent at the club.
"Dennis has always tried his best for Wigan and we know that he is
disappointed that for some reason he was unable to reproduce the terrific
form he showed when he was at London Broncos and Super League's top
tryscorer for two consecutive seasons.
"We wish Dennis the best of luck as we know he wants to continue playing
rugby league in England."
Castleford coach Terry Matterson said: "I spent a lot of time with Michael
last week in an attempt to bring him to the club but he has made a decision
to go elsewhere and we have to respect his choice."
The Tigers, still on the look-out for a scrum-half following the loss of
veteran Brad Davis through injury, may now be tempted to move in for the
29-year-old Moran, who has a wealth of experience with Parramatta, London
Broncos and Wigan