Off the Record: Rugby League Rumour and Gossip #50
Sio to fly the coop
Talk is growing that Hull KR winger Ken Sio won’t be in Super League next, as he prepares to make a return home for family reasons. South Sydney were linked to the outside back a while back, but now we hear that Penrith are interested in him. Sio is expected to be one of a number of departures from the Robins.
Latimore to Super League?
While the Panthers are looking at Sio, they have also told forward Jeremy Latimore he is free to look elsewhere. The 29-year old prop is in good form but Penrith have huge depth in his position and have just spent up big on bringing James Tamou to the club. They need to free up some cap space and Latimore has got the tap on the shoulder. We hear he is considering a switch to Super League in 2017.
Sheffield struggles
The grapevine is in full swing following the Eagles’ announcement last week. We’ve been telling you about the Championship club’s issues for some time, and the rumours are now in overdrive. One well-placed source believes the side needs to get in £400,000 before the end of the year to survive. Another snippet we’ve heard, a conflicting rumour, is that the Eagles’ financial problems aren’t as bad as that, and that the club’s media release was a move to get on the front foot, control the message and encourage further investment. Two differing views that’s for sure, and we’ll find out which is on the money soon enough.
Sky’s not the limit?
Who is the rugby league coach who has fallen out with Sky Sports? We can’t name names, but it seems this Super League coach is in disagreement with the broadcaster and believes they focus on him too much with disparaging shots on him in the coach’s box during matches. This spat is one to watch.
Travelling Travis
Travis Burns is leaving England at the end of this season and heading back to Australia. We have it on good authority the stand-off is apparently close to a deal to join Queensland Cup side Wynnum Manly Seagulls. Burns was linked with Salford after he fell out of favour at St Helens, but now it seems he has linked with the Queensland outfit.
Lucky Luke
Staying on St Helens halves, one rumour doing the rounds is that Luke Walsh won’t be joining Manly in 2017. The halfback is also returning to his homeland and has three other NRL clubs interested in him. Both the Dragons and Eels are after halves, with the departures of Kieran Foran and Benji Marshall respectively. The Cowboys are also after a back-up to Jonathan Thurston and Michael Morgan, with Ray Thompson likely to exit the club at the end of this season.