Off the Record: Rugby League Rumour and Gossip #49
London blow
Api Pewhairangi willl be ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured patella tendon. Pewhairangi is waiting on scans to confirm how long he will be out for, but we understand he won’t be back in 2016. It’s a shame as the Kiwi half has done well with the Broncos and has been a lively addition to their side. The Irish international will also miss Ireland‘s qualifiers for the 2017 World Cup, which kick off in October.
Movement at the station
Still in the capital and we understand that prop Mark Ioane won’t be heading to Bradford next year, as has been reported by other media. The front-rower is staying in London, but that doesn’t appear to be the case for Broncos forward Jack Bussey. We’ve been told though that Bussey could be on his way to join Paul Rowley’s revolution in Toronto. But London have landed Bradford’s Jay Pitts for 2017.
Sims to stay?
Ashton Sims has proved a popular figure at Warrington since he arrived in 2015. He signed a one-year contract extension last year, tieing him to the Wire until the end of 2017. But we’re hearing whispers that Sims may extend further for another season, for him to stay at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for the 2018 campaign as well. The Aussie prop is enjoying his time in Cheshire.
Wakey swoop
Mason Caton-Brown has been snapped up by Wakefield for next season. One of our operatives informs us that the winger, who is off-contract at Salford, will be definitely running around Belle Vue in 2017 with the deal done. The Red Devils have plenty of wingers on their books, like Justin Carney and Daniel Vidot, but it is a shame for the Salford faithful as the former London flyer has been in red-hot try-scoring form of late.
Super GM close
Word comes to us that the process for the next Super League general manager is down to two candidates – Mark Foster and Ralph Rimmer. The names won’t surprise many, with Foster the marketing director and interim GM since Blake Solly left, and Rimmer chief operating officer of the RFL. But this news has upset at least five Super League clubs, we’re told, who aren’t pleased with the net for candidates not being cast much wider outside the game. They see either Foster or Rimmer as a safe, in-house appointment that ensures the RFL and Super League are completely in sync, and that’s not good for Super League.
Kahu going home?
Brisbane outside back Jordan Kahu may be turning out for the New Zealand Warriors next season. Rumour has that the Warriors want to bring the versatile Kiwi home. Kahu has an up-and-down career at the Broncos since his 2013 debut, but when fit he is a talent and has played for the Kiwi national side on four occasions ,after making his debut last year.
Ford an Eagle?
One whisper that has caught our attention of late is that James Ford could be joining Sheffield in 2017. The York City Knights coach has done a great job in troubled times at the Championship 1 club, and our operative is confident he will soon be part of the Eagles coaching staff. In what position we are unsure, but Sheffield could do with a fresh injection of news ideas and the 33-year has a link to the Eagles in having played five seasons for the side.