Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #102
We have got a couple of juicy bits of gossip this week.
Bateman thinking about NRL move
Wigan star John Bateman is weighing up his options ahead of next year. The 24-year-old has been a key player for the Warriors in the last couple of years and has attracted interest from a host of NRL clubs, including Cronulla Sharks, Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights. Bateman is allowed to leave Wigan at the end of the season for an NRL side but it is believed that he is also willing to listen to what Wigan have to offer.
Salford set to offer Ormsby a deal
It is only a matter of days before former Warrington and Huddersfield winger Gene Ormsby signs a deal with Salford Red Devils. The 25-year-old has been on trial with the Super League club for a couple of weeks now and has impressed coach Ian Watson in training. It is understood that they are currently negotiating a deal.
Cunningham tipped to take over at Leigh
Neil Jukes resigned as head coach of Leigh Centurions on Monday following their poor start to life back in the Betfred Championship. Kieron Purtill has taken over as caretaker coach while Leigh search for Jukes’ successor, with Paul Anderson staying on as assistant. Centurions head of rugby Keiron Cunningham is tipped to become the next head coach of the club, having previously coached St Helens in Super League.
Hearn closer to getting involved with Rugby League
Rugby Football League chief executive Ralph Rimmer met up with well-known sports promoter Eddie Hearn in London earlier this week. Rimmer said he was enthused by what Hearn had to say and it is understood that Hearn would relish the challenge of taking on Rugby League. Hearn certainly seems to be the man who the majority of fans want to see in charge, too.
Sky is the limit
It would seem the only way the Super League big boys can enforce change before the end of the 2021 TV deal is to persuade Sky to re-negotiate now. That would be a huge risk in the current climate, but with the Championship and League 1 clubs sticking together and digging their heals in, that may be the only option. Given Eddie Hearn’s relationship with Sky, could his involvement be a factor in the whole discussion?
Wigan interest in Hardaker hots up
It’s been well-documented that Wigan Warriors are interested in bringing former Man of Steel Zak Hardaker to the club. The 26-year-old has recently been released by Castleford Tigers after failing a drugs test last year. He has been suspended since September 2017 and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) have not yet adjudicated on his case. Warriors boss Shaun Wane recently admitted that ‘Wigan would always be open to signing players of Zak’s calibre’. Don’t be surprised to see the England star in a Cherry and White strip in the future.
Do you think any of the rumours will actually happen? Let us know in the comments below.