Off the Record: Rugby League Transfer Gossip #5
Riley on the run?
OTR is hearing is that Chris Riley will be departing from the Wakefield Wildcats at the end of the year. The 27-year old winger, who started his Super League career with Warrington, has been with Wakey on loan and then permanently since 2014. Off contract at the end of this season, Riley will head elsewhere with Bradford a possible new home.
Packing down
Beau Falloon and Glen Buttriss are the latest NRL hookers linked to the Leeds Rhinos. The League Leaders Shield winners need to replace Catalans-bound rake Paul Aiton for 2016. With Robbie Farah not wanting to leave Australia, and Matt Ballin keen to fight for his place at Manly, the Rhinos have activated their interest in Fallon and Buttris. Gold Coast Titan Falloon is 28 and has 82 NRL appearances to his name while Canberra Raider Buttriss is 30 and has played 119 NRL matches.
Salford swoop
With Rangi Chase, Scott Taylor, Reni Maitua, Lama Tasi, Harrison Hansen, Cory Paterson and Theo Fages all jumping ship, with Adrian Morley retiring and Logan Tomkins returning to Wigan, Salford have a lot of recruiting to do. They are expected to announce the captures of Robert Lui, Joel Monaghan, Craig Kopczak, Gareth O’Brien and Ben Murdoch-Masila soon. More players are on the way, with some more NRL signings expected. It is understood that Hull KR were interested in Murdoch-Masilia, as a possible replacement for departing Tyrone McCarthy, but Salford and his former Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has won the race for his signature
Nielsen turned down NRL offer for Bulls
The former Queensland Origin centre was thrown a lifeline by Bradford in July after he was sacked from St George Illawarra for allegedly biting a woman in a Sydney pub. Nielsen signed for the Bulls for the remainder of the 2015 campaign and 2016. It also seems that he was offered a lifeline in the NRL with Melbourne Storm, but turned it down in favour of pastures new.
Chisholm mulling over Super League future
Dane Chisholm has deeparted from Hull KR stating how much he has enjoyed his short spell in Super League, before he heads back to Australia to join the Canterbury Bulldogs. He has also stated that he is open to a return to Europe in fure, as his French passport means that he does not count towards an overseas quota. Could we see ‘Le Chisholm’ back in red and white in 2017?
Yeaman under pressure
On the other side of the River Hull, FC coach Lee Radford has ladled some extra pressure on Kirk Yeaman’s shoulders for 2016. The centre, who Radford expects to convert to the back row, needs to play more games next season according to his coach, and cannot rest on his laurels. Radford has also stated that Yeaman will find it hard to get into the team next year, with no guarantees. While this might be a touch of psychology from Radford, it will be interesting to see how long Yeaman will put up with being a squad player, even though has recently signed a one-year deal at the KC Stadium. Not playing regularly at the age of 32 will surely see him looking elsewhere.