Salford Red Devils secure Championship man on loan ahead of Hull FC clash

Salford Red Devils have taken Kobe Rugless on loan from Championship side Hunslet ahead of this weekend’s fixture against Hull FC. Rugless has joined the Red Devils on a two-week loan deal, with the Australian stepping up to Super League for the first time.

He becomes the third player to join the Reds on loan this week, following in the footsteps of Dan Russell and Tom Whitehead, who both joined from Warrington Wolves on Tuesday as part of the deal that took Sam Stone to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Rugless has only been with Hunslet since the start of the season and he has made seven appearances for the club so far. Unfortunately, with Hunslet rooted to the foot of the Championship table, he has tasted victory just once in that time, last month against Sheffield Eagles.

The loan means he will miss Championship games against Barrow Raiders and London Broncos, but he will have the chance to step up to the top tier this week to take on the Black and Whites. He’ll also be around for Salford’s next game against St Helens in a week’s time.

Rugless is versatile and can offer depth in a number of positions across the Salford line including second-row and loose-forward. However, it seems he will likely be used as a hooker for the Red Devils, with Kai Morgan ruled out and Joe Mellor struggling for fitness at present, too.

This will be the first time Rugless has played at the top level, with his time down under being spent in the New South Wales Cup with Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles, North Sydney Bears and the second string of Newcastle Knights.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity that this club and the coaches are giving me to come to such a prestigious club over here in the UK,” Rugless told Salford Red Devils after penning the short-term loan deal with the club.

“I am super excited to get into training and meet all the squad and staff.”