RL Today: Croft future latest & Penrith’s World Club Challenge blow

Croft future latest

NRL side St George Illawarra Dragons have reportedly pulled out of their chase for Salford star Brodie Croft. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The Red Devils have reportedly rejected a bid in the region of £150,000 for Croft, who is Super League’s reigning Man of Steel.

Penrith’s World Club Challenge blow

World Cup winning forward Liam Martin could miss Penrith’s World Club Challenge against St Helens through injury. (The Daily Telegraph)

The Australia international has reportedly suffered AC joint injury and could miss their World Club clash against the Saints on February 18, according to The Daily Telegraph.

WCC: We are confident in our ability: St Helens up for Penrith challenge

Former team-mate backs Murphy

Castleford half-back Jacob Miller has backed his former Wakefield team-mate Lewis Murphy, who has been strongly linked with NRL side Sydney Roosters for 2024. (Mirror)

Miller told the Mirror: “It’s hard. You can’t blame young players for wanting to challenge themselves. And another thing it comes down to is that the NRL minimum wage is $120,000 – that’s about £70,000. A young kid here getting the opportunity to go be in that top squad might only be on £20,000. But the chance to go and learn and challenge themselves they have nothing to lose.”

Welsh legends statue

Plans to erect a statue of Welsh rugby league legends in Cardiff Bay have been approved. (Wales Online)

Billy Boston, Clive Sullivan and Gus Risman will form a new monument celebrating the city’s rugby “codebreakers”, according to Wales Online.

Wigan raise more than £25k for Cancer Research UK

Wigan have announced that more than £25,000 was raised in partnership with Cancer Research UK in 2022.

The Warriors revealed on Cancer Awareness day in 2022 that their charity partner for the season would be Cancer Research UK.

In partnership, the club released a pink alternate shirt with £5 from each sale being donated, as well as a Wigan Warriors X CRUK Charity pin badge. Other fundraising efforts included a charity auction and numerous bucket collections throughout the year at their Super League home games.

O’Brien joins Warrington

Warrington have welcomed Ryan O’Brien to the club’s coaching set-up of the youth development system.

The 29-year-old joins the Wolves from his hometown club Widnes. He has begun work as head coach of the club’s reserves and scholarship sides. He will also be the assistant coach of Warrington’s academy team.

Tyrone McCarthy has moved into a new coaching role with the club. He forms part of their Community Development pathway programme, led by foundation rugby league manager Lee Mitchell.

Birthdays

New Zealand and Bradford legend Robbie Hunter-Paul turns 47 today (February 3).

Also celebrating; former Australia international Brad Thorn (48), England international Vicky Molyneux (35), Samoa powerhouse Martin Taupau (33), Lezignan half-back Corey Norman (32), Ireland international Luke Keary (31), Poland international Harry Siejka (31), Papua New Guinea international Liam Horne (26), France centre Matthieu Laguerre (24) and Rochdale winger Cian Tyrer (22).

Trivia

Brodie Croft became only the second Salford player to win the Steve Prescott Man of Steel, following in the footsteps of Jackson Hastings who won it in 2019.

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