Off the Record: Rugby League Rumour and Gossip #60
Lui to Leigh?
Leigh are interested in signing the Salford halfback Robert Lui for their first season back in Super League. Lui was a hit with the Red Devils this year, his first in the UK. The Centurions want to make the step up seamlessly and are after depth in every position.
Tax dodgers
Bradford have been in the news this week after going to court to pay an outstanding tax debt. But who are the other clubs headed for dates with the taxman? We hear they are far from the only ones. Apparently there’s a Super League club and three others in the Championship that owe cash to HM Revenue & Customs. We’ve got interesting times ahead.
Manchester charge
The future of York City remains unsolved and there is no guarantee that the club will take part in League 1 in 2017. But if York failed to make the cut, who will take their spot in the third tier? We’re told that Manchester Rangers are likely to step up if York is unable to. Rangers are an ambitious club that play their home games at a great venue, Manchester City’s academy ground that hold 6,500 people and is located next to Etihad Stadium.
Registration dilemma
Who is the player that is stuck in limbo with his Yorkshire club refusing to let him go? This player was allowed to depart on compassionate grounds, but the club has held on to his registration so he cannot join another outfit. The messy dispute is now set to go to a tribunal to sort it all out.
Growing Wolfpack
Quentin Laulu-Togagae is set to become the next signing the Toronto Wolfpack will announce. ‘QLT’ has been a fans favourite at Sheffield, since arriving in 2011, but is time in the Eagles is over. While it appears now that Sheffield will survive, their roster has been decimated in the past few months. Just who will be turning out for the part-time Eagles in 2017 is anyone’s guess. Already 11 players have departed with no signings made.
Many manoeuvres
Our operatives tell is that the loan move for Jordan Abdull from Hull FC to Hull KR is not a done deal, not yet anyway. We also hear that Wigan are trying to offload some more players as they look to balance their salary cap. And could Kevin Locke be a Manly player next year? The ex-Wakey and Salford fullback has been traiing with the Sea Eagles.