RL Today: Oledzki’s huge future, do it for Brodie & Bradford land half-back

Bradford land half-back

Bradford have signed half-back or hooker Tom Holmes from Championship rivals Featherstone on a two-year deal from next season.

The 26-year-old has made more than 120 career appearances for Castleford, Huddersfield, Featherstone and Sheffield. He will link up with his new Bradford team-mates when the Bulls commence pre-season training later this year.

Bradford coach Mark Dunning said: “He is a really creative player. The thing I like about him, when I met him with his agent, he talked about having a burning desire to play Super League. He did so with Huddersfield. He has a burning desire to go back and challenge himself in the upper echelons of the game.”

Do it for Brodie

Salford coach Paul Rowley wants his Salford side to ‘do it for Brodie’ against St Helens in Saturday’s semi-final so star half-back Brodie Croft gets to play his final game of the season in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

The Australian playmaker has been ruled out of Saturday’s semi-final after failing a HIA in their play-off win at Huddersfield.

Rowley said: “The job for the rest of the group is to ensure Brodie gets another outing and a fantastic season hasn’t ended today.”

RED DEVILS: Salford boss Paul Rowley on Huddersfield win, Brodie Croft blow & facing St Helens

Overseas duo leave Whitehaven

Championship side Whitehaven have confirmed that overseas duo Ryan King and Nikau Williams have accepted deals elsewhere for 2023.

Italy World Cup hopeful King scored 17 tries in 37 appearances for Haven. Kiwi half-back Williams scored 12 tries and kicking 47 goals in 55 games for the Cumbrian club.

KING: How Italy could line-up at the World Cup

Pearson on Smith

Hull FC chairman Adam Pearson is confident new head coach Tony Smith will be a huge success at the club.

He said: We are pleased to welcome Tony, a coach of undoubted calibre and experience with proven success in Super League.

“We have identified areas we feel we need to improve within our first-team environment; and we believe Tony is well suited for that challenge.”

AIRLIE BIRDS: Hull appoint Tony Smith as new head coach

Oledzki’s huge future

Leeds Rhinos legend Barrie McDermott believes Mikolaj Oledzki can dominate Super League for the next decade if he resists the lure of the NRL.

The Poland-born prop was named in the Super League Dream Team for the first time in an impressive season that is expected to end with England honours at the World Cup.

And McDermott, a Headingley cult hero because of his aggressive and confrontational front-row play in the nineties and noughties, believes Olędzki is one of the finest forwards in the British game.

“I would have loved to have played in the same team as Mik as I know he’s a fantastic team-mate and can be the cornerstone of the Rhinos pack for the next 10 years,” McDermott told Love Rugby League.

“I love watching him because he uses his size and raw power to outstanding effect.

“He has a defence-scattering running game and is a ferocious tackler. He is fit, fast, agile and I see his game and skillset evolving each year he plays.”

Dream Team special podcast

The latest Love Rugby League Podcast was released on Wednesday, and it is a Super League Dream Team special!

Give it a listen to hear exclusive interviews with Jai Field (Wigan), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds), Chris McQueen (Huddersfield), Jack Welsby (St Helens) and Ken Sio (Salford).

Birthdays

Great Britain, England and Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield turns 42 today (September 12).

Also celebrating; Hunslet’s Jason Mossop (37), ex-Leigh centre Tom Armstrong (33), former Warrington winger Gene Ormsby (30) and Whitehaven winger David Eccleston (26).

NRL Premiership-winning coach Paul Green would’ve turned 50 today. Always in our hearts.

Trivia

Kevin Sinfield is the highest points scorer in Super League history. He scored 3,443 points for Leeds between 1997-2015.

PODCAST: Super League Dream Team special including Field, Welsby, Oledzki & more

FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app and podcast