Rugby league rumour mill as Hull FC deal touted, St Helens linked, Leeds Rhinos exit

The Super League season is over halfway done and sides have been able to speak to players about securing their signatures for several weeks now – the rugby league rumour mill is on the cusp of going into overdrive.

With that in mind and to keep you as up-to-date as possible, here’s a round-up of the biggest news from the rugby league Rumour Mill this week.

Super League Quiz: How many of these former players can you name?

Lachlan Lam to Hull Leopards FC?

Hull FC are looking to make the remarkable signing of Lachlan Lam from Leigh Leopards ahead of the 2025 season.

According to Rugby League Live, he has been offered to Super League clubs – with Lam and his representatives activating the clause in this contract with Leigh that would allow him to head elsewhere.

This is despite him being contracted through 2025 – and the Leopards are disputing the legitimacy of the clause, as they say it doesn’t apply to Super League sides, just NRL.

Now, the Hull Daily Mail is reporting that Hull FC are keen to make the signing themselves to bring a Dream Team halfback to the club.

The offer will reportedly be ‘huge’, and they are confident of striking a deal despite Lam having another year on his contract – because a clause in his contract is alleged to have already been activated, which would allow him to move at the end of the current Super League campaign.

Even after their plethora of signings already made, Hull FC are looking to make yet another signing from under the nose of Derek Beaumont, further to John Asiata, Zak Hardaker and more.

Catalans Dragons are reportedly another side interested – after already signing halfback Luke Keary from NRL side Sydney Roosters for 2025.

Salford Red Devils secure Jayden Nikorima

After reports from Love Rugby League linking half-back Jayden Nikorima with a Super League move to Hull FC or Salford Red Devils, it now seems that a deal has been made.

Nikorima signed for Catalans Dragons on a huge deal from NRL side Melbourne Storm ahead of the current season, making 13 appearances for them.

However, last week, he was sacked – alongside Siua Taukeiaho and Damel Diakhate – reportedly for skipping training to go to a concert.

Hull FC had been keen to secure his signing, especially soon after Ben Reynolds’ loan deal was cut short – while Nu Brown, Tex Hoy, Franklin Pele and Jayden Okunbor’s departures mean they have three quota spots available that would have made an immediate move possible.

Love Rugby League’s Aaron Bower is now reporting that Salford Red Devils have signed him for the rest of the season.

Their quota spots were full but with Hull FC’s move for King Vuniyayawa on a loan deal, there’s now a spot free for the Red Devils to use on Nikorima.

This move would see him line up alongside Marc Sneyd in the halves rather than Cade Cust or Joe Mellor.

Saint Kevin Naiqama

John Davidson has linked St Helens with a move for Huddersfield Giants centre Kevin Naiqama.

The 35-year-old signed for the Giants for the 2023 season from Sydney Roosters but previously spent three seasons at Saints, from 2019 to 2021, when he scored 39 times in 77 appearances.

A three-time Super League winner, he scored a hattrick in the 2020 semi-final against Catalans Dragons as well as two tries in the 2021 Grand Final, which was his final game for the Red Vee – and also a game in which he was awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy.

The outside-back may be seen as a potential reinforcement after the departure of Tommy Makinson and the potential departure of Waqa Blake, as well as Konrad Hurrell’s seemingly imminent end to his time there.

This is an interesting one for the rugby league Rumour Mill this week.

Leopards to pounce for Rhyse Martin

The Warrington Guardian is reporting that Warrington Wolves have dropped out of the race for Rhyse Martin, paving the way for other clubs to negotiate.

It’s understood that The Wire are keen to give Tom Holroyd more gametime, so are not desperate to make the signing of Martin despite it being confirmed that Matty Nicholson is heading to Canberra Raiders.

The Leopards are looking to replace Kai O’Donnell, who will return to NRL for next season, and it seems that they lead the race for Martin.

Leeds Rhinos are also likely to want to extend his stay at Headingley, as he has been one of their standout performers across multiple positions this season.

Brad Arthur or John Cartwright to NRL – in 2027

Hull FC ‘s head coach from 2025, John Cartwright, has commented amidst speculation linking him to the job for a new NRL franchise.

The North Sydney Bears are expected to finally return to NRL, but in Western Australia, as the Perth Bears.

Cartwright has signed a three-year deal with Hull FC, which would mean he stays through 2027 – which may be the new Perth Bears’ first season in NRL.

The Australian Daily Telegraph put Cartwright top of their shortlist of potential candidates for the NRL Bears job, as well as Melbourne Storm’s Craig Bellamy, former NSW coach Laurie Daley and a number of former North Sydney Bears players.

Responding at the time, Cartwright said: “I’m contracted to Hull for next season and am throwing everything I have into that job.”

This doesn’t, however, rule anything out for that 2027 season which could be the final year of his Hull FC contract and the first for Perth Bears – but, of course, that’s a long way off.

Brad Arthur was also named by The Australian Daily Telegraph as someone that may be in contention, and Arthur recently revealed: “I’ve had one meeting with those guys and that was with the Perth government, and that was more just around trying to help them with some questions that they had, some ideas on what they’re looking at, and pathways and stuff like that.

“Until any decision is made whether they’re in the competition or not, and who’s heading up the franchise and what it looks like, that’s as far as it’s gone.

“But does that opportunity excite? Well it would excite any head coach. You’re getting a clean slate but I feel like what I’ve got right here now is a clean slate.”

That’s two big names added to the Rumour Mill this week.