Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #93
There are quite a few Super League players attracting interest from NRL clubs this week.
CANBERRA WANT MCILORUM
Canberra Raiders are desperate to sign Wigan Warriors star Micky McIlorum for next season as they need a replacement for England hooker Josh Hodgson, who will miss the first half of the season with an ACL injury.
Hodgson’s current understudy, Kurt Baptiste, is wanted in Super League so it’s not certain that he will be there next year while third-choice hooker, Adam Clydsdale, announced his retirement last week.
The Raiders have made McIlorum their number one target and were impressed with how he played for Ireland at the World Cup. It will be interesting to see if this move comes off.
ADDY CATCHING THE EYE IN AUSTRALIA
Hull Kingston Rovers ace Danny Addy has caught the eyes of a number of clubs in the NRL and New South Wales Cup due to his impressive performances for Scotland at the World Cup.
In a recent interview with League Express, the 26-year-old said he would ‘love’ to play in Australia one day but insisted that he is more than happy at the Rovers. We don’t expect Addy to move but the interest is there.
WALMSLEY STILL THE HOT TOPIC IN NRL
In our Off the Record feature last week, we reported that Alex Walmsley is looking to stay at St Helens, with the club wanting to pin him down to a long-term contract.
But NRL clubs are continuing to show interest in the England prop. Newcastle Knights, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra are thought to be interested but it is unclear whether they have been in contact with Walmsley’s representatives or not.
KELLY SET TO SIGN NEW DEWSBURY DEAL
Dewsbury Rams are close to securing the coaching services of Neil Kelly in 2018 with a new and improved deal at the Championship club.
Kelly is currently out of contract at the Tetley’s Stadium and has also been rumoured with the vacant Bradford Bulls job but it is believed that Dewsbury are confident that he will stay at the club next season.
PARRAMATTA OFFER COACHING ROLE TO MAGUIRE
Former Wigan Warriors boss Michael Maguire is close to returning to Rugby League, with Parramatta Eels having reportedly offered him a deal to become an assistant coach at the club.
According to The Mole, Maguire applied but missed out on the New South Wales Blues job but is set to become Brad Arthur’s right-hand man at the Eels in 2018.
ROBERTS ATTRACTING AUSTRALIAN ATTENTION
A couple of NRL clubs are keen on bringing Huddersfield Giants back-rower Oliver Roberts to Australia for next year after being pleased with what they saw at the World Cup.
The 22-year-old was a stand-out performer for Ireland in the tournament and he has revealed to League Express that his agent had received enquiries as to when he is off contract in Super League.
But we believe that he will stay at the Giants for the 2018 campaign.
What do you think of the rumours? Let us know in the comments below.