Problems caused by ex-Wigan Warriors and St Helens men solved by signing of Super League target

Sydney Roosters lost two centres Super League fans know well going into 2023.

The Roosters signed 2021 Harry Sunderland Award winner Kevin Naiqama for 2022 after he had won three consecutive Grand Finals with St Helens as well as a League Leaders’ Shield and a Challenge Cup Final.

He was soon joined by former Wigan Warriors centre Oliver Gildart who, instead of joining Leeds Rhinos, joined the Roosters on loan for the end of 2022.

He was widely expected to remain at the Roosters especially with Naiqama returning to Super League to join Huddersfield Giants as Ian Watson continues to develop an exciting side in West Yorkshire.

However, that is not the case with Gildart instead joining former England boss Wayne Bennett and ex-St Helens coach Kristian Woolf at the NRL’s new club The Dolphins for 2023.

This only compounded the selection headache facing former Catalans Dragons boss Trent Robinson going into 2023 as he considers who will join Golden Boot winner Joey Manu in the centres if indeed Manu plays in the centres himself with talk of a potential move to the halves also being discussed.

As the Australian press contemplated how this problem could be solved, it even lead peculation that it could see them moving star youngster Joseph Suaali’i, a fullback by trade and a winger last year, to the centres in 2023 in a big shake up.

However, the answer to their centre headache has now seemingly come.

Canterbury Bulldogs released Corey Allan today leading to speculation that he could make the move to Super League after being linked with a move back in May with several clubs chasing him.

However, despite the fact he would be an ideal signing for Leigh Leopards and others, any Super League hoping t sign him have been beaten by the Roosters who could have just solved their centre problems by signing Allan on a one year deal according to the Daily Telegraph.