Off the Record: Rugby League Rumour and Gossip #38
Langtree ban
Marwan Koukash is not a popular fellow at Langtree Park. We’ve been told the colorful Salford supremo is banned from the director’s boss after a previous run-in with St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus. We guess Saints won’t be joining Koukash’s breakaway charge.
Sio to Penrith?
One of our Aussie moles tells us that Penrith are keen on Hull KR winger Ken Sio. The former Parra flyer has one season left on his three-year deal with the Robins. But that may not stop the Panthers prying him away from East Yorkshire. We’re also told Penrith are also after Manly back-rower Tom Symonds.
Smith buys pad
Word comes to us that Warrington coach Tony Smith has recently purchased an apartment near Media City in Manchester. The Aussie coach, who lives in Huddersfield, comuits from Yorkshire to the Halliwell Jones Stadium. This pad gives him a nice base much nearer to Warrington.
Starling in the sights
The grapevine tells us that Josh Starling may not be happy at Manly and could want out. Could a switch to Super League be on the cards? Starling’s manager has been in the UK recently and the prop is a decent player. He’s played 54 NRL games and at 26 years of age, would be a handy pick up for an English club.
Widnes target
Word on the street is that the Vikings are after a new signing to bolster their roster for the rest of the season. Their target is apparently a player who’s currently in the NSW Cup squad for the New Zealand Warriors.
Furner to Headingley?
Some speculation getting around the traps has been North Queensland assistant David Furner in line to replace Brian McDermott at Leeds. Furner of course has a Rhinos link, having played for the club in 2003-2004 and won the 2004 grand final. The Aussie also has a decent coaching pedigree after coaching Canberra for five years and serving as an assitant with the Cowboys and under Tim Sheens with the Kangaroos.
Rumour round-up
The worst-kept rumour in Super League is David Fifita to Wakefield. The signing has been reported on heavily with the Cronulla forward photographed in a Costa Coffee in Wakey. Confirmation is surely only days away. Tony Williams has also been linked to a Super League move, while Luke Gale is reportedly attracting interest from Leeds and Hull KR. Greg Eden is another been lined up for a transfer back to Super League, with Hull KR believed to be keen, although his former Nathan Brown at the Newcastle Knights is also an interested party.