Why there has been less re-signings this pre-season

The vast majority of transfer business has already been done for the 2023 Super League season.

Leigh Leopards Head Coach Adrian Lam said that the club could still make two to three signings before they brought in ex-Leeds Rhinos prop Ava Seumanufagai.

Salford Red Devils have a quota spot open for the 2023 Super League season after the departure of ex-Warrington Wolves prop Sitaleki Akauola to Toulouse Olympique.

Meanwhile, Catalans Dragons have two quota spots open for the new season and are keen to sign a centre and a prop for the new campaign after the departures of Dylan Napa and Samisoni Langi the latter of which has joined Wakefield Trinity.

So, transfer news has been somewhat lacking but there has been something else absent: re-signings.

Last season, to take Leeds Rhinos for example, they announced a number of re-signings.

Cameron Smith, Mikolaj Oledzki, Richie Myler and others signed new deals ahead of the new campaign and they weren’t the only club to do so.

Salford Red Devils have done some of this business, but they are the only side to do so going into 2023.

But why is this case?

This is perhaps because Super League is in a bit of transition. There are plenty of players in the final 12 months of their current contracts and many teams are in something of a transition.

Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers, Hull FC, Hull KR, Leigh Leopards, Salford Red Devils, St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors are all within the first 12 months of their new coaches all of whom may be wanting to put their own stamp on their squads.

Thus, many clubs seem to be assessing the calibre of their players to determine what recruitment and what retention is needed.