Off the Record: Rugby League Transfer Gossip #1
The latest gossip from around the rugby league world.
TILSE TO HEAD HOME?
Hull KR’s Aussie prop Dane Tilse has been linked with a surprise move back home at the end of the season.
Tilse joined the Robins in April and signed a two-and-a-half-year deal after a decade with the Canberra Raiders. The six foot-seven big bopper has yet to set Super League alight after suffering an injury early.
Tilse has managed just 18 tackles and 64 metres from eight carries recently in Hull KR’s loss against St Helens. A Hunter region native, the speculation is that the forward will return to his hometown, where his young daughter lives, at the end of 2015.
SALFORD MAY POUNCE ON PANTHER
Salford are believed to be eyeing off Penrith Panthers forward Ben Murdoch-Masilia.
The Kiwi enforcer came into the NRL under the watch of Tim Sheens at the Wests Tigers, the same Sheens who is now the Red Devils’ director of rugby. Twenty-four years of age, Murdoch-Masilia has 58 appearances to his name and four Tests for Tonga.
The prop second-rower was released from the Tigers midway through last year and joined Penrith. But opportunities have been limited for him at the foot of the Mountains, despite the Panthers’ horrific injury toll. He has not played an NRL game in 2015 and has been confined to the NSW Cup competition for the Chocolate Soldiers. A Super League seachange may be to his liking.
WAKEY’S CORNISH PASTY
Wakefield have been tagged with an interest in Canberra’s young half Mitch Cornish.
The Raiders have an abundance of playmakers in their ranks and are looking to offload the 22-year old. Cornish made his NRL debut last year and has so far played 14 games. Parramatta are also after the youngster, but he could see more game-time if he heads to Belle Vue.
Both of Wakefield’s halfbacks Tim Smith and Jacob Miller are off contract at the end of 2015 and Cornish could be a handy replacement if one of them does departs.
GODINET TO GO MARCHING
Another Wakefield player with an uncertain future is hooker Pita Godinet. The Samoan utility has been linked with a move to St Helens for 2016.
The Saints have some space and would surely welcome an experienced player who can play at 9, 6 and 7, after Lance Hohaia retired early this year.
Funnily enough the Samoan international filled Hohaia’s role at the New Zealand Warriors when Hohaia headed off to St Helens. Godinet is believed to be keen to stay in the UK, after arriving from the Warriors in 2014, and may be set on a stint at Langtree Park.
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