Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #101
Still life in the old dog yet
Fuifui Moimoi has been touting himself around Championship clubs to get him back in rugby league following his unsavoury episode with Toronto Wolfpack. Workington are believed to have made the former Kiwi international an offer, while several others are also considering it. The 38-year-old is currently playing rugby union for Bradford and Bingley rugby union.
Super League game in New York off for now
Plans for a Super League game to be taken on the road to New York have hit a road block, for this season at least. Salford’s game against Catalans had been lined up, but organisers have baulked at the Red Devils’ demands for £100k in return for sacrificing their home fixture – especially in light of the financial strife reported by the local press this week.
Another meeting on structure
Championship clubs are set to meet again on Thursday to discuss the ongoing structure debate. A four-man committee for the Championship is being voted on which will then sit on the Super League board meetings as the Championship representative while a decision is made.
Alberts to acclimatise in North Wales?
Papua New Guinean pair Wellington and Stanton Albert could be given a chance to acclimatise to the UK weather with a loan deal at North Wales Crusaders. Wellington appeared briefly in Widnes’ opening two games against Catalans and Castleford, with the Vikings struggling for bodies in the front row. With no reserve team in place, they need a platform to get up to speed and Widnes’ recently announced partnership with Crusaders could see them sent there.
Parachute payment plan problems
It’s not been a good start to the season for Leigh, who have re-built practically their entire squad following relegation from Super League. There has already been a lot said about their parachute payment, which was in theory designed to stop them having to release players (think about their mortgages, I hear you cry). While generally the clubs were happy to agree to it, a few are less than happy at the fact the extra money has been used to recruit new players rather than retain existing ones, especially as Leigh beat a couple of Super League teams to signings in the off-season.
Heard anything on the grapevine? Let us know in the comments below.