RL Rumours: Half-back talk at Headingley, NRL forwards on Super League radar and Leeming’s shock move explained

Below is a round-up of all the biggest rumours and gossip from the world of rugby league over the past week.

Smith slams Rhinos rumours

Leeds Rhinos have a clear issue in their halves, perhaps not on the field given their most recent performance, but certainly when it’s a case that neither Blake Austin or Aiden Sezer are contracted to the club beyond this season. Rohan Smith has since addressed rumours that one of the pair is headed home, whilst there’s also been talk that rival Super League sides are interested in the other man. It was a busy press conference for Smith who rubbished another rumour stating “there is absolutely no truth to it”. It came days after he spoke in regard to another rumour regarding an Australian half-back that the Rhinos have been linked with in the shape of Chad Townsend.

Two teams to fight it our for “X-Factor” NRL full-back 

There’s already confirmation that one full-back from the NRL will switch to Super League with North Queensland’s Peta Hiku set to join Hull KR for the 2024 season. Another full-back though that has been described as having the “X-Factor” is Daine Laurie, and two huge Super League clubs are now reportedly fighting for his signature.

NRL forwards on Super League radar

With the success of Paul Vaughan it’s no wonder that Super League clubs are looking to the NRL for their next forward signing, but buyer beware because for every Paul Vaughan there is a Josh McGuire. Interestingly Warrington are one of the sides interested in one NRL forward and per reports they’ve beaten another Super League side to his signature. They’d previously been linked with Matt Lodge who is still attracting attracting Super League attention. Another NRL forward who is more familiar to Super League fans is Luke Thompson and Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks revealed one club’s stance on the Englishman.

Leeming’s shock move explained

Kruise Leeming shocked most of Super League when he left Leeds Rhinos earlier this season, even more so when he landed in the NRL with Gold Coast Titans. The news on Sunday that he’d signed for Wigan might have just topped both of those bombshells though, and he’s since explained why he’s made the switch back to Super League and why the Warriors.

Underrated Englishman to join rivals

Matt Whitley has been having a standout season in Perpignan for Catalans Dragons and his best performance of the year came at Magic Weekend, on the biggest stage for all to see. That’s clearly caught the eyes of other Super League sides and the off contract second-rower has reportedly agreed a deal to sign elsewhere for 2024.

Title challenging halves NRL bound

Catalans Dragons are having an exceptional season, particularly given the injury crisis they had to address at the start of the season. That said they’re now shining and one man who has been key to that is Mitchell Pearce, with reports he could return to his former club down under. One of the players who has been more afflicted with injury though is also set to move down under with French publication L’Independant claiming he’s agreed a deal.

Former Super League man shown NRL door

Jack Cogger was a key player at Huddersfield but departed for the NRL and it now seems that he’s surplus to requirements at current club Penrith. The Panthers are pushing for three titles in a a row and so are stacked in the halves with Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary, prompting Penrith to allow him to look elsewhere.

English youngster set for Super League return

Hodgson is a name that carries weight in the world of rugby league, particularly in Hull, and even in the NRL somewhat with Josh Hodgson having shone there for the past few years. He’s not the only Hodgson down under though as his nephew, Bailey, is also playing in the NRL. It seems though that the talented full-back could be set for a Super League return with his contract set to expire.

Super League star chased by three NRL sides

Lachlan Lam has lit up Super League this season and so it’s no surprise to hear that there’s plenty of interested parties down under. Initially it was reported Canberra wanted the PNG international to replace the departing Jack Wighton, but more recent reports suggest two other clubs have joined the race.