Hull FC set to lose out on NRL target, club boss confirms interest in utility: ‘I thought he was too good to be going to the UK at this time’
Connor Watson in action for Newcastle Knights in 2021 alongside then-team-mates Brodie Jones and David Klemmer. Photo by AAP Image/Darren Pateman.
Hull FC are set to lose out on reported target Connor Watson, with several NRL clubs now said to be interested in the Sydney Roosters utility player.
As previously reported by Hull Live, the Black & Whites had tabled an offer for the out-of-contract 27-year-old, who has made 125 appearances in the NRL to date.
Watson has been out of action all year due to a knee injury sustained in pre-season, making 21 appearances in his return season with the Roosters in 2022.
He made his professional debut with the club back in 2016 against the Penrith Panthers, and later enjoyed a four-year spell at Newcastle Knights between 2018 and 2021.
Daniel Tomlinson had reported that the Canterbury Bulldogs were also keeping an eye on the utility player, with general manager Phil Gould now confirming his interest.
Connor Watson NRL interest confirmed
“He is a very good player, and we have spoken to him,” Gould said on World Wide of Sports’ 1005 Footy, via Fox Sports.
“He is off-contract at the end of the year with the Roosters and it was my mail that he was considering a UK offer. I thought he was too good to be going to the UK at this time.
“I’ve had some conversations with him, I’ve discussed his injury. That’s in the hands of the Roosters at the moment. He is under contract (with) them and they are rehabbing the injury.
“Naturally, if we went forward with some sort of contract talks, we would want some sort of protection that the rehab was done properly and he was right to play next year.
“But our own medical advice is that he will be right to play next year and should get through it pretty comfortably.”
Current club Sydney Roosters are also reportedly keen on retaining the New South Wales-born player, while NRL strugglers Wests Tigers are also interested in bringing in the experienced player.
Gould is currently rebuilding his Canterbury side, who sit outside the top eight in 15th position with five wins to date in 2023.
The likes of Kyle Flanagan, Ryan Sutton, Luke Thompson and Raymond Faitala-Mariner are expected to depart at the end of the current campaign, with Stephen Crichton and Blake Taaffe signed up on long-term deals.
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