Wakefield Trinity’s Josh Rourke makes ‘obvious’ London Broncos claim as he welcomes revival plan

Wakefield Trinity full-back Josh Rourke has mounted a passionate defence of his former side London Broncos, insisting the sport needs a strong club in the capital.

Rourke scored eight tries in 12 games for Broncos last year and joined Wakefield following their relegation – on points difference behind Hull FC – at the end of the campaign.

He has welcomed plans to revive rugby league in the capital, led by Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington and former Australia Test forward Matt Adamson.

Though details are yet to be confirmed, it is understood the NRL are planning to invest in Broncos, funding marketing and setting up centres of excellence to be run by the London club and Brisbane-based Dolphins.

“I’ve seen on social media it looks like there’s plans for a couple of the Australian clubs to get involved and be affiliates,” Rourke said.

“I think it is brilliant; they are a great club and I think if we want to grow the game, we need a good rugby league team in London. I think that’s obvious to anyone.”

The new IMG grading system, which determines places in the top division, meant London Broncos were effectively doomed to relegation before a ball was kicked in 2024. Rourke described that as “a bit crazy”.

He said: “Looking at Super League, we need to grow and to be able to grow, we need a strong team in the capital. It is as simple as that.

“It is really good to see people are getting involved and investment is coming back in. [Former owner] David Hughes has put a lot of money in over the years and I think sort of the reason he maybe stepped back was because the new IMG system has come in.

“It was disappointing for the players and the club last year, but it’s good to see people are interested and hopefully they can get back into Super League from next year.”

Rourke reckons sports fans in the capital will back a well-run London club. “It is a big rugby union place down south, but if you look at some of our attendances last year, we had over 5,000 people down and the fans were great, they loved it,” he said.

“It’s just trying to get as many eyes as possible on our game. Most people play union in schools down there and they probably don’t know too much about rugby league, but when they come down and experience it – how fierce and tough and fast the game is in comparison to union – I think people will enjoy it. It is key we have a strong London team in the competition.”

Rourke was one of London Broncos’ most impressive players last year and has featured twice for Trinity so far this term, ahead of tonight’s (Friday) game at Leigh Leopards.

The 25-year-old had a meteoric rise to Super League, having been playing open-age rugby for the Leigh Miners community club just four years ago.

“I played my first year of open-age rugby for my local team, which was Chorley Panthers, in 2019,” he recalled.

“Off the back of that, I ended up going for a trial at Salford’s reserves. Then Covid happened and we only got four games in of the reserves season.

“I ended up going and playing at Leigh Miners in 2021 and off the back of that I went back to Salford’s reserves.

“It’s only four years ago I was playing amateur rugby league. I am still quite inexperienced and I am just trying to learn and try to get better every year.”

It has been an unusual route to the top level and Rourke admitted: “It was always an ambition, but when you start getting to the age I was at – 20, 21 – then it starts becoming less realistic.

“But I have always believed in myself and wanted to keep going. I think it’s easy for lads when they get to that age to just knock it on the head, but I have always had that drive, I kept working hard and learning my craft and luckily I managed to get the opportunity.”