York City Knights sign Australian hooker for 2023

York City Knights have announced the signing of Australian hooker Josh Daley for the 2023 Championship season. 

Daley, 26, most recently featured in the New South Wales Cup competition for the Mounties – the feeder club for the NRL’s Canterbury Bulldogs.

He has also played for Wests Devils as a youngster before moving onto Western Suburbs Magpies and North Sydney Bears.

Head coach James Ford said: “I’m pleased to sign Josh. He is a very talented hooker who comes very highly recommended.

“He’s strong defensively and a running threat off the back of ruck wins. I’m confident Josh will have a positive impact on our performances.”

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Josh Daley on York City Knights move

Daley said: “The move came about, basically, through Mounties this year. We had a really good season and they made me captain, sort of giving me the keys to the car, putting a whole heap of faith and opportunity in me.

“I heard through my manager that there was some interest overseas which is something that I’ve looked at in the last few years. The York offer came through and it was the most appealing so I jumped at it.

Since hearing of the interest in York, Daley revealed that he’s been following the Knights’ progress as well as rugby league in the UK. “It’s been really good,” he said. “I’ve always followed Super League and Championship to see what’s going on over there because my old man, brother and I are just tragics, really.

“It’s interesting – I like the promotion and relegation system over there. I’ve been looking in the last few months for what’s going on at York. It’s really cool how the club won the first Championship play-off game against Halifax.

“I watched that game and then the one on Sunday against Leigh, as well, and it’s a really interesting journey the team has been on.

“There’s obviously the idea of getting promoted to Super League at York. I think there are a lot of good building blocks there, not only building into this season but the next few. It sounds like a club that is really on the up, let’s put it that way.”

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