Whilst the 2023 season is still to play out with plenty to still be decided including which of Wigan Warriors, St Helens or Catalans Dragons lift the League Leaders Shield and perhaps more importantly who stays up, there’s lots to be spoken about in terms of recruitment for 2024.
The best teams sometimes get their work done early and that can certainly pay dividends, as seen for Leigh last season in which they built a Super League ready squad to not only ensure promotion and Super League survival, but so they had the basis for the excellent season they’re currently having.
There’s already been plenty of key players signed for 2024 with a number coming from the NRL such as Lachlan Fitzgibbon to Warrington and Lachlan Miller to Leeds.
Kruise Leeming also makes a return from down under with the former Leeds Rhinos captain linking up with Wigan Warriors.
One side that have gone heavy on recruitment and maxed out their quote spots for 2024 already is Hull Kingston Rovers.
Rovers are keeping on their overseas forwards of Jesse Sue, Rhys Kennedy and Kane Linnett, whilst veteran hooker Matt Parcell will still work in a tandem with Jez Litten.
With Shaun Kenny-Dowall moving up to a coaching role it leaves Tom Opacic as the only overseas centre but the two major signings for Rovers include ex Warrington Wolves man Peta Hiku, who whilst recruited as full back can certainly play centre, with Tyrone May joining from Catalans as well.
The Robins have also recruited Oliver Gildart, Niall Evalds and AJ Wallace from Bradford putting them in a strong position for next season.
There’s now another overseas centre available for Super League sides to make a move for and that is Braidon Burns who is currently with Canterbury Bulldogs.
Burns is 27 but hasn’t forced his way in as an immediate starter, featuring in 14 games throughout the 2022 season before injury hampered his current 2023 season.
The Mole of Wide World of Sports has reported that both Burns and fellow Bulldog Paul Alamoti are on the block to be moved on.
However he reports that Alamoti could find an NRL contract but that Burns “has been talking to English clubs”.
This could mean that we see that 27-year-old in Super League next season with plenty of teams crying out for a solid centre.
