Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #115
Ray Mour returns with his latest transfer rumours.
Sandow set for Super League
Hull Kingston Rovers are set to give themselves a huge boost ahead of a likely tilt at the Qualifiers with the signing of Chris Sandow. The controversial Australian quit Warrington at the end of 2016 and hasn’t played a first-grade game since. Hull KR have been on the hunt for a half-back all season and were knocked back in early season raids for Salford’s Robert Lui, Leigh’s Drew Hutchison Rhys Hanbury of Widnes. It is believed that the deal for Sandow is close to being finalised.
Kopczak on way out of Salford
Weller Hauraki won’t be the last player out of the door at Salford it seems. Prop Craig Kopczak appears to be on his way too as the Red Devils look to reduce their wage bill and also add numbers to their paper-thin squad. Kopczak only signed a new deal in March 2017 but has almost continually been linked with a move away from the AJ Bell Stadium and would have no shortage of suitors in Super League.
Caton-Brown to leave Wakefield
Wakefield Trinity winger Mason Caton-Brown is set to leave the West Yorkshire club at the end of the season, it is understood. The 25-year-old is off-contract at the end of the campaign, but it has been reported that he has been offered a new deal by the club. However, he wants more game time than what he is currently getting, having only played three games in Super League this season. Caton-Brown still lives in Salford, so could a return to the Red Devils be on the cards?
Bradford want Hitchcox permanently
It is believed that Bradford Bulls are interested in signing Castleford Tigers winger Jy Hitchcox for the 2019 season. The 28-year-old is off-contract at Castleford at the end of the season and it has been reported that he is unlikely to be offered a new deal by the club. Hitchcox has found chances hard to come by at the Tigers this season, scoring three tries in four games. Hitchcox has spent time on loan at Bradford this year and the Bulls want him for next year.
Wigan favourites to sign Greenwood
Wigan Warriors are the favourites to sign Gold Coast Titans back-rower Joe Greenwood for next year. The 25-year-old has been told by the NRL side that he is allowed to leave the club, with him not making an NRL appearance in 2018. He has been plying his trade for Titans’ feeder team Burleigh Bears, but is believed to be keen on a return to Super League. The former St Helens star is attracting interest from Hull KR and Toronto Wolfpack, but Wigan are the frontrunners to sign him.
St Helens looking at Whitley
Sources have told us that St Helens are looking at signing Widnes Vikings star Matt Whitley for next season and beyond. The 22-year-old has been a consistent performer for the Vikings over the last couple of years now and his impressive displays in the back-row have seen him called up to the England Knights squad. He was once in the Saints scholarship system, before going to Widnes. It is unclear of how much interest there is from Saints, but we are told that Justin Holbrook is a keen admirer of Whitley’s style of play. The England Knights representative recently signed a new deal at the Vikings, so it will require a big transfer fee from Saints.
