Jake Connor tops ‘NRL hit list’ of Super League stars including Hull FC and Wigan Warriors men

Man of Steel Jake Connor tops a list of ten Super League stars who NRL clubs should be targeting per one Australian outlet, and it makes for interesting reading.

Fox Sports have compiled a ‘hit list’ of Super League players that NRL clubs ought to consider in the market, especially given the fact the comp will be expanding from 17 to 19 teams over the next few years.

Perth Bears will join the competition from 2027, meaning they can start recruiting from November 1st, whilst the newly-named PNG Chiefs will become the NRL’s 19th side in 2028.

More teams means more players are needed and Super League becomes an obvious pool of talent that the cash-rich NRL can pick from, with their salary cap almost three times as large as England’s top flight.

George Williams will link up with the Dolphins in 2027 but which other Super League stars could NRL teams consider? According to Fox Sports, Man of Steel Jake Connor is one of those men.

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Ten Super League stars named on NRL ‘hit list’

Connor is actually the only Englishman named on the list, somewhat of an irony given his Ashes snub, but he’s not the only Leeds Rhinos man named.

Full-back and former NRL man Lachie Miller is also named with the pair both off-contract at the end of the 2026 season. In fact, Leeds have a host of players without deals beyond 2026 so Ian Blease will have his work cut out if he’s to stave off the NRL and rival Super League clubs in the coming months.

One thing going against Jake Connor would be his age as cracking the NRL as a ‘rookie’ at 30 is some ask but he’s the only man on the list who hasn’t previously played in the comp with the remainder all having joined Super League, from the NRL.

Hull FC powerhouse Herman Ese’ese is the only prop on the list and it’s easy to see why. He’s one of the best props in Super League and has certainly improved during his time in England.

In fact, most of those on the list have taken their game to another level with the most obvious pair being Jai Field and Bevan French who are 28 and 29 respectively.

Matt Dufty is another 29-year-old named and he is off-contract at the end of 2026 with the same being said for St Helens’ Tristan Sailor.

The remaining trio are all contracted until 2027 with Catalans’ Nick Cotric, Leigh’s Lachlan Lam and Huddersfield’s Zac Woolford all named to represent a range of positions, all of whom have NRL experience.