Rumour Mill: Josh McGuire release leaves father furious; Papua New Guinea star heading to Super League; Veteran hooker quietly announces retirement
Here are six of the best rugby league transfer rumours and stories over the past few days, including the father of Josh McGuire taking to social media following his son’s release, plus updates on the future of Warrington, St Helens and Wigan players.
Josh McGuire release leaves father furious
The father of Josh McGuire has taken to social media to take aim at Warrington following his son’s release from his two-year Super League deal.
The 33-year-old ex-Queensland representative was released by the Halliwell Jones Stadium side earlier this week by mutual consent following his second ban for a Grade F unacceptable language charge.
First sharing on social media, before being picked up by Australian journalist ‘Moley’, McGuire’s dad, Adam, wrote: “What was said is ‘you [Charnley] are a rat’ because of the first time it happened.
“At no stage did he say anything derogatory about his family members.
“In the end it came down to the RL panel believing one person’s word over another.
“How could he win when he had two supporting statements that weren’t considered to be worthy from two of the players that were in the tackle where Josh ‘The Rat’ Charnley heard nasty words said and nobody else in the entire stadium heard it.
“All anyone seen or heard was The Rat running to the touchie whinging about some harsh truths.
“As for Josh McGuire he is already on a plane back to Australia as his coach or club didn’t want him anymore. He has played with head knocks and he was told not to report it. He cannot feel his hand due to a shoulder injury.
“The club wouldn’t scan it in case they found out it was damaged. Quite frankly the local A grade competitions are better supported and treated.
“I’m glad my son and family are coming home.”
A Warrington club spokesman told World Wide of Sports: “It is fanciful and most of it is untrue.”
Josh McGuire’s Dad says he’s on a plane out of ‘Manchester tonight. pic.twitter.com/5ndxNJzPHk
— Wire Casuals 🇬🇧💛💙🏉 (@wirecasuals) June 16, 2023
Veteran hooker calls time on career
NRL hooker Mitch Rein has quietly announced his retirement from the sport on social media at the age of 33.
Rein has made more than 200 professional appearances in the NRL, starting his career at St George Illawarra Dragons and also featuring for Penrith Panthers, Gold Coast Titans and most recently Parramatta Eels, where he had a deal until the end of 2023.
He wrote on Instagram: “Hey everyone, I played my last game earlier on this year and I have just been taking some time to chill out and recharge.
“It’s been cool to reflect on what has been such an awesome and huge part of my life for pretty much half of it…playing footy – especially the last 13 seasons playing professionally.
“I have met so many true legends and got to do things I never thought would be possible and am so grateful to have been able to do so.
“Thank you for letting this kid live out his childhood dream for so long, it’s been a blast!
“To all my teammates, coaches and people I have met along the way but more importantly my friends and family who have supported me over all these years, it means the world. Love you all.”
Deal confirmed by international star
Papua New Guinea international and star forward Nixon Putt has confirmed that he will play in Super League next season with Castleford Tigers.
The 27-year-old impressed during last year’s World Cup with the Kumuls, and confirmed a two-year deal with Andy Last’s side from 2024.
Castleford are yet to confirm the signing of Putt, who has made more than 100 appearances in the Queensland Cup and has won 11 caps for Papua New Guinea to date.
Speaking with The National, he said: “I’ve been playing in the Hostplus Cup for seven years and it has always been my dream to play in the NRL or Super League and to finally achieve that is just a great feeling.”
Warrington forward heading for the exit?
Ellis Longstaff appears likely to be leaving Warrington at the end of the current Super League campaign.
The England Knights representative is currently on a season-long loan at Salford under Paul Rowley, and remains off contract for next year.
Longstaff, 20, has featured 15 times for Warrington since his debut in 2020, before enjoying a successful loan spell at Hull last year, scoring six tries in 10 games.
Speaking on Longstaff’s future, Warrington head coach Daryl Powell told Love Rugby League: “There’s some of the rules around compensation and things like that that have been discussed.
“I’m not 100% sure where Ellis Longstaff will end up.
“I’ll leave that for down the track.
“He’s obviously working through his future where he is at the moment. Obviously, we’ll have a say in that and that’s a discussion for the future, I think.”
Jake Wingfield future
Much like Konrad Hurrell, St Helens boss Paul Wellens says he is keen to retain rising youngster Jake Wingfield beyond the current season.
The 21-year-old forward is set to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing a shoulder surgery, and is off contract at the end of the year.
Wellens told Love Rugby League: “Talks have been ongoing with Jake prior to us even knowing that he was going to need surgery about our interest and our intent on keeping him around beyond this year.
“I think he shares those same thoughts, so hopefully we can come to a really simple resolution there.
“He’s an important member of the team and hopefully he can continue to be that for a number of years.”
Cade Cust keen to remain a Warrior
Off-contract Wigan overseas playmaker Cade Cust says he wants to extend his current contract at the DW Stadium, with an option in the club’s favour for the 2024 season.
The 24-year-old has made 30 Super League appearances since making the move from Manly Sea Eagles ahead of 2022, and has recently shifted to hooker under head coach Matt Peet.
On the potential of staying at Wigan with a new contract, Cust responded: “Yeah, definitely.
“I’m in constant talks with my manager and Matty. At the moment it’s just about me playing some consistent footy and getting time under my belt, that’s what I want to do.
“We’ve had pretty open discussions at the moment so the focus for me is getting a good amount of games under my belt and playing good footy and hopefully playing good footy at nine and showing what I can do there.”
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