Off the Record Rugby League Rumour #76

Ray Mour

Gossip, intrigue and secrets from the big wide world of rugby league.

Naughty Chase
The big news story yesterday was details that Rangi Chase had been dropped by Castleford after a club investigation. Word comes to us that Chase was allegedly involved in an assault at a taxi rank in Pontefract on Saturday night. The Kiwi allegedly tried to jump the queue and then had an altercation with another man who protested this. This victim has gone to the police to report it, and speculation is that CEO Steve Gill has apologised to the man who was assaulted. Rumours are circulating that Chase has been sacked, but that is not the case, not yet anyway.

Struggle street
Who was the Championside side that recently struggled to put out a 17 for one of its matches? This club has not had a good start to the season and is heavily involved in dual reg. Looks set to be a long, hard season for this side.

Off and away
Who was the Super League player who was so digusted with his teammates at the end of last year that he didn’t turn up for Mad Monday? Apparently he was angry with his poor-performing side and went straight on a holiday with his family to Dubai, skipping his team’s end of season party.

Morro online
Dewsbury coach Glenn Morrison got involved in a bit of a slanging match online this week with Paul Delaney. Delaney launched into Morrison, stating the coach should “Take some responsibility you buy the players and you pick the team”. Morrison responded soon after with a comment slating Delaney’s son Brad in reply, before quickly deleting his own comment. But not before many saw what the Australian had posted.

Off and away
Staying with Glenn Morrison and rumours are rife that the coach could be headed out of his Dewsbury job to join Gloucester. Apart from Bradford, the Rams are at the bottom of the Championship with four straight losses. The 40-year old has been in charge at Dewsbury for four seasons, since taking over in September 2012.

Duges direction
Could Josh Dugan be headed to rugby union in 2018? The St George Illawarra fullback/centre is off contract and is not pleased with the reduced offer the Dragons have made him. The former Canberra Raider is on big dollars at the joint-venture. A NSW and Kangaroos rep, Dugan is considering a swap to the other code and the rich playing fields of France.

Manly moves
Is Gold Coast centre Nathan Davis about to sign for Manly? We hear Davis has been given permission to talk to rival clubs and is set to join the Sea Eagles. The outside back was an Australian Schoolboy in 2013 and made his NRL debut for the Titans last year. He can play on the wing and at fullback as well as in the centres.

Walker quits
We’ve been tipped off that Sir Rodney Walker, the chairman of the Wakefield and District Community Stadium Trust, recently resigned from his post. Walker was chairman of Wakefield Trinity between 1986 and 1993. Plans for the revamp of Belle Vue have been in the pipeline for eight years but sadly nothing has happened. The stadium remains as dilapidated as ever. What impact Walker’s departure has on the future for Belle Vue remains to be seen.