Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #92
There is plenty of gossip as usual this week from Sydney, to New York, to Salford.
SALFORD EYE NAKUBUWAI
Salford Red Devils are interested in signing Gold Coast Titans starlet Ben Nakubuwai for next season and are believed to have been impressed with his performances for Fiji at the World Cup.
The 21-year-old has only played two NRL games so far and a few Super League clubs have been alerted of his availability, but Salford are the favourites to sign the prop forward.
SMITH SET FOR NRL RETURN
Former Super League coach Brian Smith is set for a return to the NRL with the New Zealand Warriors in 2018 after a five-year absence.
He spent time in 2015 and 2016 with Wakefield Trinity in Super League and is considering taking on a coaching co-ordinator position at the Warriors.
NEW YORK WANT FIJI FACES
The proposed New York-based team want to make Fiji’s head coach Mick Potter as their boss as well as making Jarryd Hayne the poster boy for their entry into the world of Rugby League.
But they won’t make contact with either of them until the Bati have finished their World Cup campaign, purely out of respect to Fiji. Hayne is in the last year of his contract with Gold Coast Titans and is free to speak to other clubs and Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels are thought to be interested in the 29-year-old.
The New York outfit have applied to join the RFL from 2019 onwards. Hayne could stay at the Titans next term and then move over to America for the following season.
WALMSLEY WANTS TO STAY AT ST HELENS
Alex Walmsley has caught the eye of the likes of Newcastle Knights, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra while playing for England at the World Cup.
But the 27-year-old, who has recently become a father, is understood to want to stay at Saints and push for a contract extension at the Super League club rather than moving to the NRL.
WARRINGTON PULL AWAY FROM CHARNLEY DEAL
Mitch Brown’s recent arrival at Warrington Wolves has cooled speculation surrounding Josh Charnley’s rumoured move to the club from Rugby Union side Sale Sharks.
Former Wigan Warriors star Charnley has been linked with a return to the 13-man code and Warrington were favourites to sign the winger. However, it has been reported that the club were unwilling to agree to the 26-year-old’s financial requirements.
PEARCE NOT COMING TO SUPER LEAGUE
Speculation grew last week over Sydney Roosters star Mitchell Pearce coming to Super League but we understand that the move will definitely not be happening.
The 28-year-old has only ever been at the Roosters, playing nearly 250 games. However, Manly Sea Eagles are the hot favourites to sign the New South Wales half-back.
What do you think of the rumours? Let us know in the comments below.