Ex-St Helens star Luke Thompson to have to wait on Cameron Ciraldo Canterbury Bulldogs decision as new coach weighs up captaincy options
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - 22/10/2022 - Rugby League - Rugby League World Cup 2021 - England v France - University of Bolton Stadium, Bolton, England - Luke Thompson, RLWC, branding.
There are few better forwards in world rugby right now than Luke Thompson.
The former St Helens forward was a Grand Final and League Leaders’ Shield winner in 2019 as he also claimed the Harry Sunderland Award as Man of the Match in the Grand Final win over Salford Red Devils.
In 2020, he made the move to the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL and has impressed ever since attracting interest from Australian powerhouses Melbourne Storm at one stage.
The prop is presently impressing in the World Cup for England. Although many English fans want to see him return to Super League, at this stage this is unlikely with the prop confirming to Serious About Rugby League that he has “unfinished business” in Australia.
He could also be set for a huge honour when he returns to the Bulldogs. In the wake of Josh Jackson’s retirement, new Canterbury Bulldogs boss Cameron Ciraldo will have to appoint a new skipper and Thompson is in the running alongside star Australian winger Josh Addo-Carr who is one of the World Cup’s leading try scorer after England star Dom Young.
However, to find out if he is to captain the side in 2023, Thompson is going to have to wait with notorious Australian journalist The Mole revealing that Ciraldo is set to hold off on the decision until February to properly weigh up his options.