RL Today: NRL star linked with Hull KR & McIlorum’s plan for future

Steven Hughes 15 Jun 2022 7:20 AM

Hull KR planning ambitious move for Tom Opacic

According to Hull Live, Hull KR have shown interest in Parramatta centre Tom Opacic.

The 27-year-old is off contract at the end of the season, and is widely regarded as a solid defensive centre in the NRL.

Joe Batchelor says England call “hasn’t sunk in yet”

St Helens forward Joe Batchelor says his England call-up hasn’t sunk in yet. (Daily Mirror).

He told Daily Mirror: “I got the phone call Sunday when he invited me in and I was obviously shocked. I didn’t really have my wits about me to even have a full conversation! I’m sure I will and I’ll be doing everything possible to do what he wants me to do. I’m over the moon – delighted – but it’s still not all sunk in yet.”

Jermaine McGillvary hoping to prolong club career

Huddersfield winger Jermaine McGillvary hopes retiring from the international game will help prolong his club career. (Rugby League Live).

McGillvary told Rugby League Live: “With a mid-season Test and then a World Cup and being thrown back into pre-season without much of a break, I’ve played well this year and I think it’s because I had a proper break. I think it will prolong my club career and help me get an extra year at least with Huddersfield.”

Family of Bryn Hargreaves fear possible abduction

The family of Bryn Hargreaves have revealed one of the lines they are pursuing is a possible abduction. This is due to the fact that his shower was still running when police searched his house.

His older brother Gareth told Wigan Today: “It’s almost like he was abducted from his shower. It’s certainly a fear of mine.

“I think the police thought he’d done something to himself and that certainly is a possibility that we also fear. But if something has happened and we didn’t try to help or find him I could never forgive myself.”

Kyle Amor says Warrington need to get back to basics

Warrington forward Kyle Amor has said his side need to get back to basics if they are to break their losing run. (Sky Sports).

Amor told Sky Sports: “We’ve almost forgotten how to win in many ways. I just think as a group we have forgotten how to do the fundamental parts, competing parts of the game.

“If we had won on Sunday, perhaps we would have looked at things differently, but I do believe it would have papered over a couple of cracks. But there are signs we are heading in the right direction.”

Michael McIlorum planning to stay in France

Catalans hooker Michael McIlorum has his sights set on retiring in France with the potential of moving into coaching.

I’ll finish in France, 100 per cent,” McIlorum said.

“There’s no amount of money that would make me come back over here now. I’m settled there. I want to retire out there and hopefully spend the rest of my life out there in France. “

Birthdays

Former London Head Coach Danny Ward turns 42 today. (15th June).

Also celebrating; former Catalans half-back James Maloney (36), Catalans’ Josh Drinkwater (31), Hull KR winger Ben Crooks (29), Castleford forward Tyla Hepi (29), Warrington forward James Harrison (26) and Hull forward Joe Cator (24).