Rugby League News: Cas halfback chase, ex-Saint reveals police trouble and drug abuse, chairman slams RFL & Leeds coaching shock?

Rugby League News – keeping you up to date with the latest news from the world of rugby league.

Here are some of the headline-grabbing stories from the last 24 hours.

Ex-Leeds and Wakefield winger in surprise move

Serious About Rugby League has reported on the surprise move made by a former Leeds and Wakefield winger to their new club, that was first reported on that club’s website. He has signed a one-year deal.

Thompson shock admission

Joel Thompson has told the Physio Spill about drug abuse, violence and police trouble as a child growing up. Thompson retired from rugby league at the end of the 2021 Super League season after just one year at St Helens.

Wire star’s NRL ambition

One Warrington Wolves star has opened up on his NRL ambition after, first heard on the Through The Wire podcast. It follows his decision to sign a new contract at the club instead.

Chairman slams RFL

Serious About Rugby League revealed a few week ago that a chairman has slammed the RFL’s ‘contempt’ against his club. It comes in the wake of the expansionist plans as well as the reduction in central funding. The chairman, when approached by Serious About Rugby League last night recently revealed that there has been no further correspondence since meeting with the governing body.

Shock Mason role

Serious About Rugby League has revealed how Willie Mason has been appointed to a shock new coaching role, first reported in the Sydney Morning Herald. The rampaging forward had two stints in Super League.

Taylor admission

Scott Taylor has told the Hull Daily Mail just how difficult it has been injury-wise heading into the new 2022 season. He spent a lot of 2021 on the sideline.

Graham reveals

James Graham has spoken on the Physio Spill podcast about how he joined St Helens because of an off-field incident. Graham retired at the end of the 2020 Super League season having helped Saints to yet another title.

Napa latest

The Hull Daily Mail has given the latest on Dylan Napa’s reported link to Hull KR. The rampaging forward has also been linked to Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons.

Burgess slammed as stunning return looms

Serious About Rugby League has reported on Sam Burgess being slammed by his ex-wife in the wake of a possible stunning return to rugby league, first revealed by Perth Now.

Ratchford future

Stefan Ratchford has given an update on his future to Serious About Rugby League. It will be his tenth season as a Warrington Wolves player in 2022.

Folau new career

Serious About Rugby League has revealed that Israel Folau could be set for a sensational new career, first reported by Fox Sports. Folau was famously sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for homophobic comments, but Catalans Dragons took a chance on him for the 2020 Super League season.

Sezer injury 

Serious About Rugby League has reported on why Aidan Sezer moved to Leeds and his current injury status that was first revealed on Rhinos TV. Sezer will link up with former teammate at the Canberra Raiders, Blake Austin.

Peats wants this move

Nathan Peats has told Serious About Rugby League that he wanted to move to this club following spells at Leigh Centurions and Huddersfield Giants. Instead, he ended up rejecting another Super League side.

Barba return nears

Serious About Rugby League has revealed that Ben Barba’s remarkable return to rugby league is getting ever closer. The former St Helens man – who won the Man of Steel in 2018 – has had a string of off-field incidents to deal with.

Wigan in double signing

Serious About Rugby League has reported on Wigan Warriors making a double signing that was first reported on the Wigan club website. It makes the club’s total amount of new recruits six.

Huddersfield in fullback signing

Serious About Rugby League has reported that Huddersfield Giants look to have signed a new fullback after sifting through training photos at the club.

Saints duo arrive

St Helens have announced the arrival of two new signings that have come from abroad, Serious About Rugby League has reported.

Lam in shock coaching job

Serious About Rugby League has reported on former Wigan Warriors head coach Adrian Lam taking a shock new coaching role, first revealed on his new club’s website.

Hodgson in stunning u-turn

Josh Hodgson is set to make a stunning u-turn on his future, according to Serious About Rugby League. Wests Tigers have been chasing him throughout the off-season, but the Canberra Times has revealed that Hodgson’s future is no longer clear cut.

Smith to Leeds?

Serious About Rugby League has reported on a rumour that former Leeds Rhinos head coach Tony Smith could be heading back to Headingley which first circulated from The Full Eighty Minutes podcast.

Faraimo aims at Hodgson

The Sun has revealed that new Castleford Tigers signing Bureta Faraimo slammed Hull FC head coach Brett Hodgson for the way in which he handled dropping the winger.

Austin on difficulties

Serious About Rugby League has reported on a difficult update given by new Leeds Rhinos signing Blake Austin.

RFL statement

Serious About Rugby League has reported on a statement given by the RFL in relation to recent concussion issues plaguing the sport. Just yesterday, a former Salford Red Devils retired because of brain injury.

Cook on Powell

Serious About Rugby League has revealed just what Matt Cook had to say about former boss Daryl Powell in his time at Castleford. The interview can be heard at the Rugby League Review podcast.

Fifita unsure

Serious About Rugby League has given an update on David Fifita’s future. The Wakefield Trinity man has been at the club since 2016 but has spoken on his career with BBC Radio Leeds.

Dark horses for SL

Serious About Rugby League has revealed their dark horses to create havoc for the rest of Super League in 2022.

Halfback under Watson

Serious About Rugby League has reported on a halfback giving his honest assessment of working under Huddersfield Giants head coach Ian Watson. Watson finished ninth in Super League in his first season at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Charnley on future

Serious About Rugby League has reported on Josh Charnley giving an honest update on his future.

Williams frustrated

League Express has revealed that George Williams will be glad to put 2021 behind him after the star halfback joined the Warrington Wolves midway through the year from the Canberra Raiders. He couldn’t steer the Wolves to a Grand Final, but is hoping for more in 2022.

Connor injury

The Hull Daily Mail has given the latest on Jake Connor’s injury. The fullback returned to pre-season with Hull FC this week, but he hasn’t been able to get involved just yet as he recovers from surgery after a knee problem plagued his 2021.

Johnstone future

Tom Johnstone has opened up on his future to Serious About Rugby League – the Wakefield Trinity winger was the subject of intense rumours linking him with a move to the Warrington Wolves at the start of the season.

FC stadium update

The Hull Daily Mail has given an update on the Hull FC stadium situation. Hull City are reportedly close to changing owners, with the incoming boss ready to enter into communication with the rugby league side.

Controversial Fev exit

Former Featherstone Rovers prop Darrell Griffin has opened up on his messy Featherstone exit to Serious About Rugby League.

Man of Steel

Serious About Rugby League has reported on the odds that have been revealed for the 2022 Man of Steel with Bevan French no longer at the top of the pile – but a Wigan teammate is!

Leeds in union

Leeds Rhinos have invited England international fly-half Marcus Smith to train at Headingley, according to the Yorkshire Post – Smith knows Rhinos assistant Sean Long from the latter’s time as attack coach at Harlequins RU. Eddie Jones will also be coming to Headingley later in the year.

Wakefield sign Bradford coach

Serious About Rugby League has reported that Wakefield Trinity have poached Bradford Bulls coach Jon Kelly the Trinity that was confirmed on the club’s website – Kelly will be Wakefield’s new Head of Strength & Conditioning under Willie Poching.

Hull KR recruitment

Tony Smith has told the Hull Daily Mail about possible Hull KR signings. The club has already signed the likes of Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e and Lachlan Coote, but the Australian veteran isn’t ruling anything out.

Fifita opens up

Serious About Rugby League has reported on why David Fifita hasn’t left Wakefield yet, first heard on the Rugby League Review podcast – it makes good listening for Trinity fans who are told that he ‘loves’ the club.

Ulberg in Championship move

Serious About Rugby League has reported that Paul Ulberg has made a move to the Championship, despite interest from other clubs. He is an international winger for the Cook Islands who has also played 9s, the London Broncos website confirmed.

Lussick jets off

Joey Lussick has taken off from Sydney as he prepares for his move to St Helens, Serious About Rugby League has reported. Saints’ new hooker will wear the number 14 and will be understudy to James Roby in what will be the latter’s final year.

Reynolds’ message

Serious About Rugby League has reported on the message sent by Hull FC halfback Josh Reynolds to a new Super League recruit from the NRL. The two played against each other many times back in the NRL.

Wallace unpaid

Blake Wallace has told Serious About Rugby League that he is still owed money by former Toronto Wolfpack owner David Argyle. The Wolfpack were famously denied re-entry to Super League after withdrawing in 2020.

Championship clubs in major signings

Serious About Rugby League has revealed that Championship clubs are set to make major signings which was first heard on The Full Eighty Minutes podcast.

SL clubs make offer

Serious About Rugby League has revealed how some Super League clubs have made an offer for an unwanted NRL forward, which was first reported in the Australian Daily Telegraph.

Trueman’s agent speaks up

Serious About Rugby League has reported on Jake Trueman’s agent speaking up about rumours linking the mercurial halfback away from the Castleford Tigers. It was first heard on The Full Eighty Minutes podcast.

Peats dismisses offer

Nathan Peats has told Serious About Rugby League about how he has rejected a move to another Super League club and has now found a different side to play for.

Giants in lucrative deal

Serious About Rugby League has reported on Huddersfield Giants signing off on the most lucrative deal in the history of the club, reported first on the club’s website.

Saints new halfback partnership

Serious About Rugby League has reported on St Helens releasing their squad numbers with the club delivering a new halfback partnership for 2022 – only one new signing has a first-team number also as the club website first explained. Konrad Hurrell, meanwhile, will wear number 23.

Warrington trio speak out

Three of Warrington Wolves’ signings speak out about their experiences at the club, Serious About Rugby League has revealed.

Charnley exit killed off

Serious About Rugby League has revealed just why the rumours circulating about Josh Charnley’s future now have no basis.

Brain injury for former star

Serious About Rugby League has revealed how one former Super League forward has had to retire due to a brain injury and is now heading into the realm of coaching.

Thompson twist

Serious About Rugby League has reported on the latest twist in Luke Thompson’s future after Canterbury hand him a vaccine ultimatum, first reported in the Australian Daily Telegraph.

Austin and Leeds future

Blake Austin has opened up on where he wants to play past his one-year deal with the Leeds Rhinos, according to Serious About Rugby League. He has recently moved house from Warrington to West Yorkshire, too.

Hodgson’s transfer

Serious About Rugby League has revealed the latest on Josh Hodgson’s sensational transfer from Canberra Raiders, first reported in the Sydney Morning Herald.