NRL playmaker and former Grand Final winner, Chad Townsend, has spoken out this week about just how close he came to moving to the Super League competition.
Townsend has announced that he will retire from playing at the end of the season, after a 14-year stint in the game’s top competition, but a switch to England could have been his next destination.
He started his career with the Cronulla Sharks in 2011 and stayed there until the end of 2013 where he moved to NZ Warriors.
He returned to the Sharks in 2016, where he won the NRL Grand Final alongside former Super League stars Ben Barba, Ricky Leutele and Matt Prior.
Remaining with the Sharks until 2021, where he joined NZ Warriors again on loan before a move to North Queensland in 2022.
Upon his contract expiring with the Cowboys at the end of 2024, Townsend admitted that he could have potentially moved to over to the northern hemisphere, and a stint in Super League was an option he seriously considered.
What Chad Townsend said about a possible Super League move
Speaking to NRL news outlet, Zero Tackle, the 34-year-old said: “Last year we had a really good look over in England and spoke to multiple teams. [But] my number one preference was to get my family back to Sydney,”
Townsend was thought to be a key target of the Catalans Dragons, after holding talks with them over a move, but after he decided to remain in Australia, the Perpignan outfit moved for Luke Keary.
Signing a one-year contract with Sydney Roosters for 2025, he has made just six appearances for the Chooks. He started the season as their number seven, but poor performances and the return of Sam Walker has limited his game time.
There was a situation where Townsend would continue on in 2026, with a move to Super League still in his mind. However, he has now clarified his future with the announcement that he will hang up his boots at the end of the current season with the Roosters.
He admitted that it was a move that had a chance of happening, but knows he has ultimately made the right decision.
“This year, we had a slight look over in England [for 2026]. I knew if I wanted to play next year – you know, I’m not stupid – I know it would have been overseas.”
He continued: “At the start of the year I was definitely open to that. My manager went over to England and had some very premature decisions about myself. Ultimately, the decision was in my hands and if I was pushing to play, I feel like I could have found somewhere to play, but like I said, I’m very comfortable with my decision to not play anymore.”
