James Maloney snubs NRL return

Catalans’ marquee-man James Maloney has rubbished speculation linking him with a return to the NRL.

Maloney, 34, signed for the Dragons on a two-year deal with a third-year option in the off-season and has scored 36 points in his four appearances so far, notably a match-winning performance in an away win at Hull FC.

Reports Down Under had linked him with a move to struggling Brisbane Broncos.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I’m living the dream over here.

“There’s nothing any club could do to get me back there. I’m as happy as Larry.

“I’m not sure where the talk has come from. It was also suggested the club may have been struggling, but we’ve actually been one of the luckier clubs over here because we’ve lost less than the NRL and other Super League teams with the French government [topping up] our contracts.”

Former Australia international Maloney made almost 250 appearances in the NRL for Melbourne, New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers before making the switch to Super League with his wife and four children.

His comments will no doubt please the French club’s president Bernard Guasch, who was quoted in the local press as saying he didn’t intend to part with the Australian.