Super League hooker ‘rejects’ NRL approach for 2026

A Super League hooker has reportedly rejected the approach of an NRL club ahead of a move for 2026.

That is per The Daily Telegraph which has reported in their weekly Saint, Sinner, Shoosh column that a Super League hooker has “rejected an approach to sign with an NRL club for 2026”.

Instead, that player is “now likely to stay with his club” according to the Australian outlet.

It has sparked some questions about which Super League hooker it could be given the huge amount of talent in the position including a number of English stars and some of the competition’s overseas players.

Warrington Wolves’ Danny Walker had been subject to interest from Canberra Raiders with Wire reportedly putting a big price stage on the former Widnes man. That saw further reports in October that the Green Machine had officially ended their interest in the England international.

With that said, which other hookers could be the man referenced in this most recent report?

Super League hooker ‘rejects’ NRL approach

Whilst the report from The Telegraph doesn’t explicitly state that the player in question was off contract at the end of the 2025 season and therefore free to move Down Under for 2026, there are a number of players who fit that profile.

Super League players can now be contacted by rival clubs from December 1st, almost a year in advance of their contract expiring, rather than just May 1st so the reported NRL interest could have been for a player with an expiring deal.

Serious About Rugby League recently looked at every Super League club’s priority player to tie down as we listed all of the players without a deal beyond 2025.

Hookers on that list include Catalans’ Alrix Da Costa, Huddersfield’s recent NRL signing Zac Woolford and their young Englishman Thomas Deakin, Hull FC’s Denive Balmforth, Hull KR’s Micky McIlorum, Leigh’s Edwin Ipape, Saints’ Moses Mbye and Wire’s Sam Powell.

Former NRL man Moses Mbye has had recent NRL interest with Penrith Panthers named as a club to have ‘enquired’ about the Saints star.

Moreover, players such as Edwin Ipape understandably draw NRL interest given his game-breaking ability. He could be one of the players that the Papua New Guinea franchise, launching in 2028, look towards.

As referenced, Canberra had chased Danny Walker who was contracted so there is a chance that the mystery Super League hooker could have been a contracted player. Just recently Wigan’s Brad O’Neill, who was tied down until 2027 anyway, has signed a new deal locking him to the club until 2029.