Rumour Mill: Warrington’s Tom Burgess link addressed, Mitchell Pearce to retire & PNG duo eyed up by Super League club
It may be late, but here's this week's Rumour Mill with all the best transfer stories.
It’s may be a few days late but here’s all the latest and best transfer stories in this week’s Rumour Mill.
Tom Burgess set to stay in NRL
Tom Burgess’ links with Warrington Wolves have been rubbished by Examiner Live’s Matt Shaw earlier this week.
It was inevitable that some of the game’s biggest names would be linked with the Halliwell Jones Stadium outfit following the appointment of NRL legend Sam Burgess on a two-year deal.
Brother Tom, 31, is contracted with the South Sydney Rabbitohs through until the 2024 season Down Under, but the forward was linked with Warrington to follow older brother Sam in his first head coaching role.
Rugby League Live contacted sources at Warrington, who said there were nothing in the reports.
England international Burgess has however previously spoke of his desire of representing Leeds Rhinos before hanging up the boots with Yorkshire Post.
PNG duo to Super League
Hull FC are reportedly interested in Papua New Guinea internationals Jacob Alick and Keven Appo for 2024.
Tony Smith is rebuilding his forward pack for next season having already signed Herman Ese’ese on a three-year deal from next season.
Both Andre Savelio and Chris Satae have already had their exits confirmed by the club.
According to Hull Live, the Black & Whites are keeping their sights on back-rower Alick, who predominantly features in the Queensland Cup, having made just one appearance for Gold Coast Titans in 2023.
He featured in every game of the Kumuls’ World Cup campaign last year, including a 79 minute stint against Tonga in the group stages.
Meanwhile, broadcaster ‘The Game Caller’ has reported that the Super League outfit are targeting Bradford Bulls forward Keven Appo.
Hull FC are targeting Bradford Bulls utility forward Keven Appo for 2024. I understand the Papua New Guinean connection with Stanley Gene is heavily at play. Keven, who has been impressive in the Championship this season does have an new contract offer on the table from the Bulls pic.twitter.com/FhojYUkAcn
— The Game Caller 🗣🎙📻 (@TheGameCaller) August 10, 2023
Mitchell Pearce to retire
There has been an update on Mitchell Pearce’s future after the veteran half-back was heavily linked with an NRL return for 2024.
Now, the Daily Telegraph has reported that the 34-year-old is set to hang up the boots at the end of the current Super League season.
Pearce had been linked with a return to Sydney Roosters for next year, expected to depart Catalans Dragons after a two-year stint in France.
But he could now be set for a coaching or advisory role at the club in the near-future, having made 238 appearances for the side.
Hull duo set for Huddersfield switch
Back-rower Savelio and winger Adam Swift look set to join Ian Watson’s Huddersfield Giants next season after current club Hull confirmed their departures at the end of the year.
As previously reported by Love Rugby League, the Giants had held talks with out-of-contract Savelio.
And head coach Watson confirmed that interest in Savelio later that week, saying: “He is somebody we’ve looked at. He’s a good player, he’s kind of the right age for us.”
Swift, 30, has made 60 appearances for the MKM Stadium outfit to date over the last four seasons since arriving from hometown club St Helens.
And Hull Live reported back in June that he is set to take up a deal with Huddersfield in 2024 as he makes the move back to his hometown of St Helens for family reasons.
Rowan Milnes to Leeds Rhinos?
Leeds boss Rohan Smith has addressed the speculation linking the Rhinos with Hull KR playmaker Rowan Milnes for next season.
Although not confirmed, Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer are expected to leave the club at the end of the season, forcing Australian coach Smith to look into the market to bolster his options for 2024.
On those rumours surrounding his namesake, the Leeds chief said: “He’s got a good name to start with, I’m not sure on the spelling there!
“I’ve not spoken to Rowan other than saying hello in a pre-season game, and I said congratulations to him too after they beat us the other week.
“He’s a player I’ve known for a long time, he was in the Bradford system when I was there. He’s a good player, and we’re in the market for halves.
“We’re talking to people throughout the world of rugby league.”