One off-contract player every Super League club must retain
With the recruitment window now open, we take a look at one player every Super League club must re-sign for the 2023 season and beyond.
May 1 marked the first day of the transfer window in Super League. This means clubs can now speak to players who are off-contract for the 2023 campaign for a potential move.
Here’s a player each club should be looking to re-sign…
Jake Trueman – Castleford
Lee Radford has quite a long list of off-contract players for the 2023 campaign, including key half-back Jake Trueman. The 23-year-old joined Castleford from Bradford in 2017, and has since played close to 100 games for the Tigers. He represented England at the World Cup Nines in 2019, and has been linked with a move away from the club in recent times. So far this Super League season, he has scored fives tries and assisted 10 more.
Sam Tomkins – Catalans
Sam Tomkins’ future is yet to be announced for next season. The England international made the switch to France for the 2019 season from Wigan. Despite yet confirming his future, Tomkins has openly discussed how he would like to finish his career with Catalans. Samisoni Langi, Tyrone May, Matt Whitley and Fouad Yaha are all also off-contract for 2023.
Chris McQueen – Huddersfield
Chris McQueen has had an impressive season with Huddersfield so far in 2022. The former NRL man has scored seven tries so far this season – the joint-top of any forward so far this campaign.
READ MORE: Chris McQueen weighing up options following 2022
Joe Lovodua – Hull FC
Joe Lovodua joined Hull for the 2022 campaign originally on a one-year deal. However, it has been reported that the club have a clause that could see them extend his contract. He has made 11 Super League appearances so far this season, scoring four tries and has impressed in his time in England so far. The 24-year-old could also represent Fiji at this year’s Rugby League World Cup. Luke Gale, Josh Reynolds and Danny Houghton are all still without a contract for 2023.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall – Hull KR
At 34, Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been impressive in 2022. He would turn 35 in January 2023, but that might not stop the centre from going around again at Craven Park. A one-year extension might make sense before hanging up the boots for the Hull KR captain.
Rhyse Martin – Leeds
Leeds fans will be hoping to retain their goal-kicker for the 2023 season and beyond. The Papua New Guinea international made the switch to Super League in 2020 with the Rhinos. He made his professional debut in the NRL at the age of 25 for Canterbury Bulldogs in 2018. Martin has made 52 Super League appearances for the Headingley Stadium side, kicking 176 goals.
Elijah Taylor – Salford
The Salford captain will turn 33 in February 2023, so may well have some gas left in the tank to go for another season. Salford have recently announced the re-signings of Deon Cross, Andy Ackers and Kallum Watkins. Will Elijah Taylor be handed a new deal by head coach Paul Rowley?
Podcast: Kallum Watkins on playing in the pack, time in NRL and World Cup ambitions
Sione Mata’utia – St Helens
Before his injury, Sione Mata’utia was arguably the in-form back-rower of the competition. St Helens do have the option to extend his contract by another year, and you’d suspect that’s exactly what they’ll be hoping to do with the powerful forward.
Guy Armitage – Toulouse
Guy Armitage has been one of the most impressive players for Toulouse during a difficult season. The Super League newcomers have won just one game in 11 so far. The former rugby union player earned himself a deal with Toulouse in 2021 following a successful trial. He has scored five tries in eight appearances.
Jacob Miller – Wakefield
There are a couple of crucial members of the Wakefield side off-contract for 2023. Winger Tom Johnstone, forward David Fifita and half-back Jacob Miller amongst the list. Miller, 29, signed a four-and-a-half deal back in 2018 with the club. He is therefore off-contact in 2023, and has previously been linked with a move to Wigan.
Riley Dean – Warrington
20-year-old Riley Dean is one of many players off-contract at Warrington in 2023. Stefan Ratchford, Josh Charnley and skipper Jack Hughes are also on the list. However, success in Super League has always come where clubs promote youth from within. Dean made his first team debut in 2019 against St Helens, and could well be the starting future half-back at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Liam Farrell – Wigan
It would seem likely that Liam Farrell will end his career as a one-man club – having previously spoken to Love Rugby League about his future. Farrell, 31, is one of the in-form back-rowers of the competition and is enjoying a fine season for the DW Stadium side. He has scored seven tries so far this season, the most out of all forwards in Super League alongside Huddersfield’s McQueen.
READ MORE: Full list of every Super League player out of contract at end of 2022