Exclusive: Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils failed to sign former Castleford Tigers star

The world of rugby league is often full of rumour and speculation – some of which is correct and some of which should be taken with a pinch of salt.

But, sometimes players are the subject of transfer bids that very nearly come off, and, just before the move is done and dusted, something happens – or someone gets in the way – to stop it from occurring.

That was the case for Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e who debuted in Super League at the age of 34 for the Castleford Tigers.

Had two other moves previously come off, though, it could have been a wholly different story.

“It was exciting and I was relieved to make my top-flight debut, it was something I’d been chasing for a long time,” QLT told Serious About Rugby League.

“I wanted to play NRL and Super League my whole life, I’d had a few chances before.

“I almost signed for South Sydney and when I came to the UK I was really close to signing for Warrington.

“I had an interview with Tony Smith and I was going to move there, it was just I had a complication with my visa so it didn’t happen.

“So, if I had gone to Warrington and didn’t play in the 17, I wasn’t allowed to play Championship or reserve grade.”

QLT also revealed that his move to Castleford midway through 2018 after only being at Halifax for four games nearly didn’t happen, because he was so close to signing for another Super League side at the time.

“After Toronto I went to Halifax in 2018 and at the Summer Bash I impressed Salford and I was originally going to sign for them after Niall Evalds had a bad injury.

“Castleford came in late and I thought it was better for me to go to Castleford, which I think was the right decision after only four games at Halifax.”

QLT went on to play nine games for the Tigers in 2018, scoring six tries before departing at the end of that season, but now he is still playing in the lower leagues at the age of 37.