Off the Record: Rugby League Rumour and Gossip #35
Abdull determined
Jordan Abdull has been shifted off to Featherstone on loan to get some game-time. There is talk that he will be leaving Hull FC at the end of this season. But we hear the young stand-off is determined to fight for his place at the KC Stadium, and doesn’t want to depart. Abdull is a local Hull lad and is committed to his hometown club. A shake-up in the halves department is on at the Black & Whites with Leon Pryce tipped for a Bradford return in 2017. Watch this space.
Souths slump
South Sydney are in the middle of a terrible run and pressure is mounting at Redfern. Many are pointing to the loss of players such as Isaac Luke and Dylan Walker as why their results have been this year, but we have been told otherwise. One of the main reason for the slump is coach Michael Maguire and his hardline methods, after he got rid of motivational speaker Bradley Charles Stubbs. Stubbs is a master mentor and motivation guru, and he guided Maguire during the Rabbitohs’ title run in 2014. Stubbs has worked with the likes of rugby union coach Eddie Jones in the past, but now Maguire has dispensed with Stubbs’ services and gone it alone. ‘Madge’ is struggling without the advice of his ‘coach whisperer’.
Home Burgess?
Luke Burgess is moving closer to a return home with his chances of seeing more NRL action at Manly severely limited. We’ve been told the oldest Burgess brother is looking at a 2017 Super League return, though it could ever come sooner, with a couple of clubs interested right now. Salford, Huddersfield and Hull KR could all do with the experienced front-rower with the famous surname.
Rumour mill Rangi
The speculation is flying thick and fast when it comes to Rangi Chase and Leigh. We’ve been told a number a reasons for his sudden departure from the club – from depression being the reason to the halfback allegedly involved in a stoush with a recently arrived teammate. Whatever the reason, it’s not good news for Leigh who have another sticky situation to deal with. There’s been plenty this season with Paul Rolwey and Ryan Brierley. And if it is mental health reasons, then we hope Chase gets the help he needs.
Western move for Tamou?
Word comes to us that North Queensland big bopper James Tamou may end up at Penrith next season. The NSW and Kangaroos prop is off-contract at the Cowboys, and his wife is pushing for a Sydney-return. North Queensland’s salary cap is creaking, especially with the retention of Lachlan Coote, so Tamou can earn plenty more with a move south. The Panthers have plenty of cap space with Gus Gould’s purge in previous seasons.
Northen Gee
As we told you recently Workington were bringing a Salford player on loan, and that was Matty Gee. Now Town want to sign the Red Devils youngster permanently. Discussions are taking place for Gee to head north on a permanent basis this season.
Parra spending spreads
Still on Parramatta and its cap crisis that has shaken the NRL. The Eels’ over-spending and promise of third party deals has had fair reaching consequences, not just down under. A source tells us that there’s a few players in Super League who might also be chasing their money promised by Parra. Wigan’s Lee Mossop is one, Warrington’s Chris Sandow is another, while there’s plenty of other ex-Eels dotted around the UK. Ken Sio and Mitch Allgood at Hull KR are just two currently plying their trade in Super League. It’s clear that Parramatta needs a complete cleanout at board and administrative level.