There have been a lot of transfer stories and rumours circling Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC and many others lately whether about immediate moves or moves for 2024.
The truth is that the transfer deadline for deals that will come into force for 2023 is August 4th.
Thus, any business done beyond that day will come into effect next year rather than the immediate season.
The season is at a pivotal juncture and the Challenge Cup semi-finals this weekend have given clarity to that notion.
Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity have been entangled in a battle to survive hence their recent business.
Meanwhile, Warrington, Leeds, Hull KR, Hull FC and Salford Red Devils are fighting for play-off spots which is why it is no surprise to see transfer business from Warrington and Hull KR lately.
At the top, Wigan, Leigh Leopards and Champions St Helens are chasing Catalans Dragons.
Saints are pursuing a fifth consecutive title but there has certainly been a twist in this story with reports from down under about Parramatta Eels chasing Joey Lussick to ease their injury crisis.
At a vital stage of the year and Lussick’s importance emphasised by James Roby’s injury ahead of the Challenge Cup semi-final surely Saints would not allow him to leave?
But then came the chance to sign an immediate replacement in Moses Mbye from St George Illawarra Dragons and their stance pivoted.
As such the reigning Super League champions have now confirmed that Lussick has been allowed to leave early and is set to head down under to the NRL.
That announcement came via their Twitter confirming that an undisclosed transfer fee had been paid.
📰 St.Helens R.F.C. can confirm that an agreement has been reached with an NRL club for an undisclosed transfer fee which will see Joey Lussick leave Saints immediately.
The Club thanks Joey for his efforts in the Red V, and we wish him well for the future.#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 22, 2023
The attached statement read as follows:
“St. Helens R.F.C. can confirm that an agreement has been reached with an NRL club for an undisclosed transfer fee which will see Joey Lussick return home to Australia and leave Saints immediately.
“As revealed by Head Coach Paul Wellens following the Saints’ Challenge Cup Semi-Final defeat to Leigh Leopards, the hooker has played his final game for St. Helens, and he leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the Club.
“The Saints have been working on a suitable replacement for Lussick to join the squad immediately, and details on this player will be confirmed in due course.
“In his time at the Totally Wicked Stadium, Lussick helped the Red V secure the League Leaders’ Shield and the Super League title at Old Trafford in his first season, and earlier this year was part of the team that made history by beating Penrith Panthers to win the World Club Challenge.
“Despite having the rest of this and next season to run on his contract, Lussick now returns home to Australia to join an NRL club.
“Lussick leaves the Club having made 52 match appearances, scoring 11 tries and kicking 7 goals.
“The Saints would like to thank Joey for his efforts as a St. Helens player, and we wish him the very best for the future.”
The announcement came just over an hour after their crushing semi-final defeat to Leigh in the Challenge Cup.
It had looked like the Saints had once again found a way to grind out a result thanks to Jonny Lomax’s last minute try but the conversion was missed, meaning Leigh head to Wembley following a 12-10 win – their second win over St Helens this season.
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