Off the Record: Rugby League Transfer Gossip #12
Irish Rover
Hull KR are in the market for a new front rower, with Jordan Cox having departed for Warrington this week. With new man Jamie Peacock driving the recruitment process, standards are bound to be high. Ireland international Rob Mulhern has been touted in East Yorkshire as a potential recruit, with Peacock’s links to Mulhern’s club Leeds adding some spice to the rumour. A loan deal to help Mulhern’s development could be one option. Word is that Rovers will take their time with the recruitment process, with Peacock keen to add good people as well as good players to the group.
Centre of excellence
Which talented centre from a top Championship club wants out of his contract? We can’t tell you his name, but he has another year on his deal with his Championship side. This centre, who has played in Super Leaugue before, is desperate to get back to the top flight as soon as possible.
Financial faux pas
We hear one lower league club has been in the spotlight surrounding a change of ownership and financial issues. We won’t name the club, but the development has caused some concern from its rivals who are not happy. The club in question is confident it has done nothing wrong and believes it is smooth sailing ahead for the 2016 season.
Owens in frame
Word comes that new St Helens signing Jack Owens is on track to get the first crack at Saints’ fullback position. Owens is only 21 but already has 63 Super League games under his belt. Jonny Lomax is still recovering from a knee injury and the speculation is that he may not even be right for the start of the new season. Shannon McDonnell snapped his Achilles tendon in June, with an expected recovery time of between four and seven months. This could see Owens in the box seat as St Helens’ number one.
Player power
The Player’s Association League 13 went under a few weeks back due to financial problems and a lack of proper recognition. It was sad to see it killed off, as a proper independent body charged with the interests and welfare of players is one sign of a healthy and professional sporting code. But there is talk that a new body could be set to replace it soon and represent the interests of players in the UK.
King Meninga
Mal Meninga is being strongly linked with the Kangaroo coaching job in Australia, but it seems he is reluctant to let go of his role with Queensland too. Quite how this would work is causing some confusion Down Under, with Laurie Daley already saying that if Meninga was national coach he would not be sharing any information with him. New South Wales coach Daley is understandably annoyed by how Meninga as national coach could compromise State of Origin as a competition. This could run and run.