Rating every Super League club’s transfers so far ahead of 2023
We take a look at how every Super League club has recruited so far for the 2023 campaign and review their ins and outs.
Castleford Tigers – 7/10
Lee Radford will have two new halves looking to lead the side into the play-offs in 2023 in Jacob Miller and Gareth Widdop. The pair join from Wakefield and Warrington respectively, and are the two stand-out signings for the club during the off-season.
Muizz Mustapha and Albert Vete have been added to the pack, with several names having also departed the club including Jake Trueman, Gareth O’Brien and Derrell Olpherts.
IN – Jacob Miller (Wakefield), Muizz Mustapha (Leeds), Albert Vete (Hull KR), Gareth Widdop (Warrington)
OUT – Derrell Olpherts (Leeds), Jake Trueman (Hull FC), Gareth O’Brien (Leigh), Cheyse Blair, James Clare, Sosaia Feki, Ryan Hampshire (all released)
One to watch – Jacob Miller
Catalans Dragons – 7/10
Tonga co-captain Siosiua Taukeiaho is arguably one of the highlight signings of the Super League competition ahead of the 2023 season. The goal-kicking forward joins on a two-year deal, having made 168 appearances in the NRL for New Zealand Warriors and Sydney Roosters. The 30-year-old also represented Tonga at the recent World Cup tournament in England.
Winger Tom Johnstone has also joined from Wakefield, but will have tough competition from Tom Davies and Fouad Yaha for a spot on the wing.
The club confirmed nine departures following the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.
IN – Tom Johnstone (Wakefield), Manu Ma’u (Hull FC), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters), Romain Navarette (Toulouse)
OUT – Sam Kasiano, Gil Dudson (Both Warrington), Joe Chan (Melbourne), Dean Whare, Benjamin Jullien (both Baroudeurs de Pia), Mathieu Cozza (Featherstone), Samisoni Langi, Corentin La Cam, Romain Franco (all released)
One to watch – Siosiua Taukeiaho
Huddersfield Giants – 8/10
Ian Watson has been a busy coach during the off-season, adding plenty of new – and old – faces to his squad for 2023. The side reached the final of the Challenge Cup in 2022, and were knocked out of the play-offs by Salford.
Jake Connor returns from Hull, while Fiji captain Kevin Naiqama was another surprise signing from the Sydney Roosters on a two-year deal.
Harry Rushton will be one to watch, having returned to England following a stint in the NRL with Canberra Raiders. Meanwhile, Ricky Leutele and Jake Wardle headline the outgoings at the John Smith’s Stadium.
IN – Jake Connor (Hull FC), Harvey Livett (Salford), Esan Marsters (Gold Coast), Kevin Naiqama (Sydney Roosters), Nathan Peats (Toulouse), Harry Rushton (Canberra), Jack Bibby, Jake Bibby, Sam Halsall (all Wigan)
OUT – Ricky Leutele (Leigh), Jake Wardle (Wigan), Louis Senior (Hull KR), Jack Cogger (Penrith Panthers), Danny Levi (released), Michael Lawrence (Bradford)
One to watch – Harry Rushton
Hull FC – 8/10
Newcastle Knights duo Jake Clifford and Tex Hoy will be hoping to bring a spark to their new side as Tony Smith leads Hull for the first time following his appointment in September.
After a few disappointing seasons, the MKM Stadium outfit will be looking to return to the play-offs in 2023 with some eye-catching signings, including Jake Trueman. Brad Dwyer will also bring a spark to dummy-half after an impressive 2022 season.
Jake Connor headlines the departures as he returns to Huddersfield.
IN – Jake Clifford, Tex Hoy (both Newcastle Knights), Brad Dwyer, Liam Sutcliffe (both Leeds), Jake Trueman (Castleford)
OUT – Jake Connor (Huddersfield), Manu Ma’u (Catalans), Will Smith (Wests Tigers), Jordan Johnstone (Widnes), Luke Gale, Marcus Walker, Aidan Burrell (all released)
One to watch – Tex Hoy
Hull KR – 7/10
Hull KR have enjoyed a rise in recent years, and have become one of the most entertaining teams to watch in Super League. The side reached the play-offs in 2021, and only just missed out in 2022.
NRL trio Sauaso Sue, Rhys Kennedy and Tom Opacic will be the ones to watch as Willie Peters takes charge of his first year.
Not too many big name players have departed, with the likes of Ben Crooks, Albert Vete and Korbin Sims. Captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall has re-signed for the upcoming season on a new one-year deal.
IN – Yusuf Aydin, James Batchelor (both Wakefield), Rhys Kennedy (Brisbane), Louis Senior (Huddersfield), Tom Opacic (Parramatta), Sauaso Sue (Newcastle Knights)
OUT – Ben Crooks (Keighley), Albert Vete (Castleford), Will Maher (Halifax), Nathan Cullen, Adam Rusling (both Cornwall), Tom Wilkinson (Dewsbury), Korbin Sims (retired), Tom Garratt, Charlie Cavanaugh, Bailey Dawson, Brad Takairangi (all released)
One to watch – Sauaso Sue
Leeds – 6/10
Instead of signing big names from Down Under as the club has done in the past, head coach Rohan Smith has looked closer to home, promoting several youngsters from the Championship and League 1 to his Super League squad for 2023.
Impressive full-back Luke Hooley has been given the chance, joining from Batley. Luis Roberts and Leon Ruan also make the step up.
Sam Lisone is the only player so far making the switch from the NRL, with more than 100 appearances across stints with New Zealand Warriors and Gold Coast Titans.
The Headingley Stadium side have however lost several stand-out players following the conclusion of the 2022 campaign, including Zak Hardaker, Brad Dwyer and Liam Sutcliffe.
IN – Justin Sangare (Toulouse), Derrell Olpherts (Castleford), Sam Lisone (Gold Coast), James McDonnell (Wigan), Luis Roberts (Leigh), Leon Ruan (Doncaster) Luke Hooley (Batley)
OUT – Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe (Both Leigh), Brad Dwyer, Liam Sutcliffe (both Hull FC), Jack Walker, Bodene Thompson (both Bradford), Muizz Mustapha (Castleford), Matt Prior (retired), Jack Broadbent (released)
One to watch – Justin Sangare
Leigh – 9/10
Adrian Lam has added plenty of quality and experience to his squad as Leigh return to Super League following their promotion-winning year from the Championship.
Zak Hardaker joins from Leeds, while Ricky Leutele is an impressive signing after a strong 2022 season at the John Smith’s Stadium, scoring 12 tries.
Gareth O’Brien provides depth in both the halves and at full-back. Matt Davis, Jacob Gannon, Oliver Holmes, Rob Mulhern and Jack Hughes all join from Warrington.
IN – Tom Briscoe, Zak Hardaker (both Leeds), Matt Davis, Jacob Gannon, Oliver Holmes, Rob Mulhern, Jack Hughes (all Warrington), Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield), Gareth O’Brien (Castleford), Nathan Wilde (Newcastle Thunder)
OUT – Adam Sidlow, Sam Stone (both Salford), Mark Ioane (Keighley), Ata Hingano (York), Luis Roberts (Leeds), Kieran Dixon (Widnes) Jy Hitchcox, Krisnan Inu (both retired), Caleb Aekins (released)
One to watch – Zak Hardaker
Salford – 5/10
Paul Rowley’s Salford made the semi-finals in 2022. Brodie Croft impressed in his debut season in the Super League competition, winning the Man of Steel award.
Signings include Sam Stone, Ellis Longstaff (loan) and Andrew Dixon. Oliver Partington makes the move from Wigan and looks to replace Elijah Taylor at loose forward, who has joined Featherstone in the Championship.
Not many starting players have left the AJ Bell Stadium, excluding captain Taylor, but their signings are not as eye-catching as others.
IN – Oliver Partington (Wigan), Adam Sidlow, Sam Stone (both Leigh), Andrew Dixon (Toulouse), Ben Hellewell (Featherstone), Ellis Longstaff (Warrington, loan)
OUT – Sam Luckley (Hull KR), Harvey Livett (Huddersfield Giants), Morgan Escare (AS Carcassonne), Jack Wells, Greg Burke (both Barrow), Elijah Taylor (Featherstone), Sitaleki Akauola (Toulouse)
One to watch – Sam Stone
St Helens – 6/10
St Helens have added just two players to their squad for 2023, with Paul Wellens taking charge of his first season following the departure of Kristian Woolf.
Regan Grace headlines the outgoings, but the Super League side still managed to claim their fourth successive Super League title without the Wales international – who has joined Racing 92 in France.
James Roby will play his 20th season with St Helens in 2023 following his new one-year deal, while winger Tee Ritson will be hoping to earn his chance following the move from Barrow on loan. Youngster Wesley Bruines also joins, having enjoyed a stint Down Under.
Not many changes needed at the Totally Wicked Stadium side, who look to have one of the strongest squads once again in 2023.
IN – Tee Ritson (Barrow), Wesley Bruines (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
OUT – Regan Grace (Racing 92), Josh Simm (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Aaron Smith (Leigh), Kyle Amor (Widnes), Rio Osayomwanbo-Corkill, Tom Nisbett (both released)
One to watch – Tee Ritson
READ: Shrewd Tee Ritson move is best Championship club can hope for
Wakefield – 4/10
Wakefield are well behind the rest of the pack in terms of transfers for the 2023 season. With their future having only been secured towards the end of the season, avoiding relegation competing with Toulouse, it leaves them in a tricky situation.
New head coach Mark Applegarth has plenty of work to do, with only Morgan Smith and Kevin Proctor his only additions so far.
Captain Jacob Miller has left the side for Castleford, while David Fifita and Tom Johnstone also headline the departures.
IN – Morgan Smith (Featherstone Rovers), Kevin Proctor (Unattached)
OUT – Yusuf Aydin, James Batchelor (both Hull KR), Tom Johnstone (Catalans), Jacob Miller (Castleford), Sadiq Adebiyi, Brad Walker (both Keighley), Thomas Minns, David Fifita, Tinirau Arona (all released)
One to watch – Kevin Proctor
Warrington – 7/10
Daryl Powell has clearly addressed the issues raised against his pack in 2022, adding a handful of experienced forwards for 2023. Josh McGuire and Paul Vaughan make the move from the NRL, while both Gil Dudson and Sam Kasiano join from Catalans.
However, the side still appear short in the outside-backs, with Stefan Ratchford being shifted to the centres with the number four jersey for next season. Gareth Widdop, Toby King and former captain Jack Hughes headline the departures list.
Josh Drinkwater was also confirmed last week, and will wear shirt number seven at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2023.
IN – Sam Kasiano, Gil Dudson, Josh Drinkwater (all Catalans), Josh McGuire (St George Illawarra), Paul Vaughan (Canterbury), Matty Russell (Toulouse)
OUT – Gareth Widdop (Castleford), Toby King (Wigan), Jason Clark (Limoux Grizzlies), Matt Davis, Jacob Gannon, Oliver Holmes, Rob Mulhern, Jack Hughes (all Leigh), Ellis Longstaff (Salford, loan)
One to watch – Josh McGuire
Wigan – 6/10
Like St Helens, Wigan haven’t been forced into too many changes to their squad for 2023. Head coach Matt Peet managed to convince star man Bevan French to a new extended deal, despite interest from the NRL.
His only signings come in centres Jake Wardle and Toby King from Huddersfield and Warrington respectively.
Captain Thomas Leuluai has officially hung up the boots, joining the club’s coaching staff. Harry Smith looks set for a deserved starting number on his shirt in 2023.
IN – Jake Wardle (Huddersfield), Toby King (Warrington)
OUT – Jack Bibby, Jake Bibby, Sam Halsall (all Huddersfield), Oliver Partington (Salford), Thomas Leuluai (retired)
One to watch – Jake Wardle
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