A Championship rugby league club have offered an update that explains an overseas player is currently refusing to play, with the club standing firm that they will not loan him and that he is currently “in breach of contract”.
Lachy Hanneghan of Hunslet Rugby League Football Club is the player with the Australian’s recent absence listed as a ‘refusal to play’ in the club’s latest player update.
The Championship club offered a general update on their playing squad that saw them run through the current injuries and suspensions but under the final and unexpected section of ‘refusal to play’, they explained Hanneghan’s situation.
Hanneghan is an Australian half-back who has previously played for Whitehaven, signing for them ahead of the 2024 season before joining Hunslet a year later.
He’s made 15 appearances so far for the Parksiders in 2025 but that number does not look like increasing anytime soon given the current situation.
Rugby League club confirm player’s ‘refusal to play’ amid firm stance
Scoring eight tries in those 15 appearances, Hanneghan has been crucial to Hunslet who find themselves in a fight to avoid the wooden spoon.
They currently sit at the foot of the table having won just twice all season in the league with Hanneghan’s last appearance coming on June 22nd, meaning he’s missed the last three games.
Explaining that, the club confirmed: “We are disappointed to announce that Lachy Hanneghan has informed us that he no longer wishes to train with, or play for, the Club.
“We have been in regular contact with Lachy and met with him and his agent last Friday, outlining his importance to the team and making it clear that we expect him to honour his contract.
“Unfortunately, Lachy has said he will not change his mind, though we do remain open to discussion for that to happen.”
It’s unclear if Hanneghan is trying to force a move away, however, he will be hard-pushed to do that easily given that Hunslet went on to outline the fact they would expect a transfer fee for him to leave.
They took a similar stance after the Kobe Rugless saga in which they alleged Salford signed the player on loan without contacting themselves first.
Hunslet’s statement continued: “We have already had significant interest from several Clubs, but we have made it clear that he will not be allowed to go out on loan. However, should any Club make an offer that is deemed acceptable to us in terms of a permanent transfer, then we would give that due consideration.
“In the meantime Lachy remains in breach of contract.”
🔢 | The Club would like to provide the following squad update.
Click below 👇 #swsahttps://t.co/4o8fnPsH0j
— Hunslet RLFC (@HunsletRLFC) July 14, 2025
