91Èȱ¬

Ryan Hoffman has joined Wigan from Melbourne

91Èȱ¬ colleague Phil Kinsella spoke to Hoffman this week and found an Australian international already clued up on Wigan's bright young things currently tearing the British game apart. The second rower did admit, though, that the chance to work with Maguire again was the major reason for moving to England.

"I'm leaving Melbourne a two-time Premiership winner and a and Australian player," said Hoffman, who could no doubt have remained in the if he had wanted to. "These are great memories but I'm looking forward to the honour of playing for Wigan. This is something I have always wanted to do."

Rewind a few years and you would probably smirk at a top Aussie speaking of the "honour" of playing for the once mighty . With , and latterly dominating the British game, the closest the Warriors have been to making waves came in 2006, when arrived with his magic wand from the Bulls to save the club from the humiliation of relegation. Four years on and those foundations Noble laid are being built upon by the likes of the Tomkins brothers, under Maguire's watchful eye.

"Madge [Maguire] being at Wigan was the big factor," says the 26-year-old Hoffman. "There was interest from other Super League clubs but I was never going to entertain those until I spoke to Madge. When he called me to say how excited he was and how much he thought I could contribute to the likes of the Tomkins brothers, I started to look forward to coming over."

Hoffman is already doing his homework. "I've watched Wigan at every opportunity this season," he said. "I saw the Warrington game between what was clearly the best two teams in the competition."

And he is relishing pitting his wits against the best of British. "I really like the Super League," he added. "The Aussie game can be seen as slower and more technical, so I love the way players in England back their abilities and aren't afraid to throw the ball around. There's tough competitors like [Stuart] and [Adrian] so you know you're going get a fair whack There is a great mix of flair and toughness, and I see that as a way of making me a better player."

believes Wigan fans are going to love what they see from the Melbourne trio. "I have never seen a bloke train harder than Lima," he says. "He is always in the gym doing extras which is why he can play so many minutes for such a big bloke. Finch's greatest attribute is his ability to stay cool under pressure. That comes with experience. As for me, well I just hate losing, I can't stand it. That is why I'm joining Wigan. The whole town expects success and that brings out your best football."

Hoffman's big sell is certain to get the Wigan fans on side. And the following remarks will further endear him to the Warriors faithful. "I read that Leeds-Bradford is an airport and that Wigan-St Helens is a rivalry. It's one I can't wait for," said Hoffman. "Wigan-Saints is the game you want to play in and I can't wait for my first one."

Trouble flares between Hull FC and Hull KR players during the Super League match at the KC Stadium

Wigan's seemingly runaway ride at the top of Super League was checked by an awesome Warrington performance last week. There was double reason to celebrate for Wolves centre . He jetted off to Spain after the game and proposed to his girlfriend. I am pleased to report she said 'yes' - proof that even through a series of horrendous haircuts this year, you can't keep a good man down.

My favourite story of the week, though, was the peroxide spat between Hull KR forward and Hull FC coach after thanks to a brilliant late try-saver from on .

Rovers duo Fox and Newton had played the game with bleached blond barnets, prompting Agar to label the pair "cocky" for doing so and hinting that such behaviour had inspired his own side to turn their rivals over. Newton hit back this week, contacting local paper the Hull Daily Mail to launch his own broadside at Agar.

"What Peter Fox and I do is own our business," said Newton, adding that the new look was a result of a team forfeit. "It has nothing to do with being cocky. Maybe Richard Agar is jealous because he can't do that with the hair he has. If his team-talks before a game as big as the derby are about the colour of a player's hair in the opposition, then he has big problems. Maybe I'll paint my fingernails to really get at him next time."

Now that would be something.