Off the Record: Rugby League Rumour and Gossip #43
Flight down
Which club had three players kicked off a flight to France recently because they were drunk? We can’t tell you which club, but apparently it happened on the way to the continent for an away game, with several players getting rowdy after hitting the beers. Not a good look at all.
Trinity Sharks
Whispers have come to us that Wakefield could have another Cronulla Sharks player in their fold for 2017 – Chris Heighington. The former England international is out of contract at Cronulla and is considering a Super League swansong. Already at Belle Vue are ex-Sharks David Fifita, Anthony Tupou and Tinirau Arona. The 33-year old may enjoy seeing some familiar faces at Trinity.
Payment issues
Which Championship club failed to pay its players two weeks ago? The cash was missing in the players accounts when they went to check on the Monday. The news was hardly greeted with delight by the playing group.
Raiding Coyle
Word comes that Whitehaven boss James Coyle could be coaching Barrow Raiders next season. Coyle is in his second year of coaching after retiring at the end of 2015. Our source tells us that the 30-year old will be in charge of fellow Cumbrian side Barrow in 2017.
Leeds land Ormondroyd
Featherstone prop Jack Ormondroyd is on his way to Headingley in 2017. The big front-rower is 24 years old and has previously spent time playing in NSW. We understand the Rhinos will pay a fee to Fev for Ormondroyd, which is a welcome sight to the Championship side.
Available dinosaur
Who wants a T-Rex? Tony ‘T-Rex’ Williams is out of favour at Canterbury and set to leave the Bullodgs at the end of this year. While he blows hot and cold, Williams is only 27 and still has plenty to give. With three games for NSW and three for the Kangaroos, not to mention two NRL grand final wins with Manly under his belt, the big unit has a great pedigree and is a wrecking ball when he’s on his game. T-Rex could be a cult figure in the UK like Frank Pritchard if he could be enticed to Super League.