Australian journalist claims St Helens star has told club he wants NRL move

Since St Helens stunned Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge, there has been talk down under that plenty of Saints star will head to the NRL.

Top of that list was Jack Welsby but not far behind him has been star halfback Lewis Dodd whose drop goal won the World Championship that night.

Now top Australian journalist Phil Rothfield has claimed that Dodd has told Mike Rush at St Helens that after the 2024 Super League season he wants to go to the NRL.

“Lewis Dodd, he’s a 21-year-old St Helens halfback who played opposite Nathan Cleary in the World Club Challenge, he not only matched Nathan Cleary but kicked the winning field goal,” Phil Rothfield said on Big Sports Breakfast.

“He’s told Mike Rush the St Helens boss that at the end of next season he wants to leave the Super League and get a job in the NRL like a lot of great English halfbacks have done over a long period of time, it’s really exciting that he’s coming out here.”

However, Rush has told Dodd to avoid one club in particular:

“Mike Rush is a real student of the game and the NRL and he has told the kid that he has to be choosy about his destination in the NRL and quite bluntly has said ‘Look Wests Tigers is not the club for you’. He thinks he should join one of the stronger clubs.

“The Wests Tigers were able to pick up Api Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’i and players of that nature, but I think with their position on the ladder and no wins from six games.

“It really illustrates the problem that Benji Marshall and Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah are going to have rebuilding this club because why they might be able to play overs for footballers because their salary cap is in good shape.

“But this young fella from England knows it helps your to play in the strong teams, the Trent Robinsons, the Wayne Bennetts, the Craig Bellamys etc helps you play rep football and finals.

“I thought it was a really good indication of the struggles the Wests Tigers are facing.”