Paper Talk: Carney to head home, Wakefield want Reynolds, Leeds eye Cunningham
We have taken a look through the week’s trade papers.
Carney to return to Australia
Hull KR winger Justin Carney appears set for a return to Australia at the end of this season after six years in Super League, report League Weekly.
Carney’s current deal with the Rovers expires at the end of the campaign and he is set to return to Australia. League Weekly understand the 30-year-old has not made a final decision on his future but is more than likely heading home.
Wakefield keen on Reynolds
Wakefield Trinity are in talks to sign Leigh Centurions half-back Ben Reynolds for next season, report League Express.
Chris Chester wants to add strength in depth in Wakefield’s halves for next season and the club remain in talks with Ryan Hampshire over a new deal. League Express understands Wakefield are keen to get a deal completed as quickly as possible.
Salford interested in Tangata
Salford Red Devils are interested in signing Halifax forward Adam Tangata for next season and beyond, report League Weekly.
The 27-year-old has been with Championship side Halifax since 2015 and has made almost 100 appearances for the club. It has been well-documented in the past that he would like to have a crack at Super League and Salford may well just give him the option to do that.
Wigan did it for Wane
George Williams admitted Wigan had a burning ambition to beat rivals St Helens for their coach Shaun Wane and the players who will leave the club at the end of the season, report League Express.
The 23-year-old helped the Warriors claim a 30-10 victory over old enemies St Helens on Friday and Williams revealed that the team wanted to win for departing personnel. He told League Express: “We spoke about people possibly not getting the chance to play against Saints again, like Batty [John Bateman], Sutty [Ryan Sutton], Sam [Tomkins] and obviously Waney [Shaun Wane]. I hope we made it special for them. I think our performance shows just how highly regarded they are all regarded at the club.”
Barba deal in process
Ben Barba looks set to join North Queensland Cowboys for 2019 – with Lachlan Coote probably heading the other way – though St Helens coach Justin Holbrook insists nothing has been decided yet, report League Weekly.
Scotland international Coote is set to leave the Cowboys at the end of the season, while one Australian newspaper has reported that Barba has already signed a one-year deal with the NRL club from 2019. Holbrook revealed something should be confirmed ‘soon’.
Leeds eye Cunningham
Leeds Rhinos are among the clubs chasing London Broncos playmaker James Cunningham, report League Express.
The 24-year-old is out-of-contract at the end of the season and is attracting strong interest from across Super League. Cunningham has been a standout in the Championship and League Express claim Leeds are interested in the England Knights representative.
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