Rugby League Live Q&A: Recruitment, broadcast deal and deadline day
Hello and welcome to our latest question and answer session on all things rugby league. Editor Matt Shaw is in the hotseat answering all of your questions, and it's set to be a busy one.
Recruitment is on the agenda, with questions relating to a number of players and Super League clubs. We'll answer as best we can throughout the session. There's plenty more to go at too in what is a very busy and very important time of the year. Yes, we hear you ask about the broadcast deal.
There's all that, plus plenty, plenty more, to come. We'll try and bring you all the answers right here. So without further ado, let's get this show on the road!
That's all
Really sorry that I have missed a few questions, the Leeds Rhinos press conference starts in a minute so I must dash! Thanks for all your questions, really appreciate it.
Leeds trio
As covered earlier, expect Austin to re-sign, eventually. Tetevano, I was told months back he wouldn't stay on so can't see that changing now.
Bentley is a really interesting one. The fact they went for Fitzgibbon suggests they planned on moving him on. The fact they aren't now looking for a back-rower to fill that quota spot? Interesting, isn't it.
Apparently he is representing himself, no agent, which is interesting too!
Surprise deal
Probably James McDonnell to Leeds. Arrived as a relative unknown but has arguably been Leeds' best player over the course of the season.
World Cup
Do I have to pick out of those two options/ The Giants ground is two miles from my house so that would be handy.
In all seriousness, I thought the USA/Canada idea would have been awesome but not sure now.
Lam & O'Donnell
From what I can gather, nothing done and dusted on either. However, I have heard rumblings that Leigh are growing increasingly confident Lam will commit to the club and not go to the NRL. I must stress, not done, but there seems to be an increasing likelihood that will happen. Cue all the in the know sites jumping on the bandwagon and saying he's resigned, it will be like clockwork.
O'Donnell, no movement. Pretty clear now he's holding out for an NRL move. WIll have to see if one comes up.
Halfback shortage
I think people with a lot more knowledge than me want the answer to that. I can only really talk about this country and my take would be that there isn't enough specialist training at all levels.
Widnes runners and riders
Genuinely, I've not heard a great deal. I know Anthony Murray was in the running last time, but he's a good job outside of rugby. If it was part-time I'm sure he would be a contedner.
Widnes head coach
What a blooming good question that is. They need a long-term plan and to rebuild a squad. To do that they need someone who knows the area well and has an eye for young talent, that's what they need to build the club around.
I'm not sure if this is realistic or not, it might be. But I think Richard Marshall would be a superb appointment.
English talent overseas
Not at this stage. I think Hull FC's Kye Armstrong had interest from the NRL but seems to have gone quiet. It's the younger lads they're looking at but not heard of any firm interest currently.
2023 Grand Final winners
St Helens. Said it at the start of the year, kept faith in them when they had a wobble, still fancy them now.
Leigh
Good enough to make a Grand Final or Challenge Cup Final. To win it? Not sure, not seen them in a BIG match yet.
Castleford takeover
Not heard a peep.
Hull KR
They've another signing up their sleeve. When I say that, not done, far from it, but they aren't finished yet.
The Tyson Frizell stuff... I think there was a bit in that, by the way, but realistically, they never really got close to a deal. I think they were in the conversations though, that's fair to say.
Featherstone
Afriad not. I expect to see Greg Minikin there next year though.
Salford recruitment
I can honestly tell you that since Ethan Ryan and Brad Singleton - both of them are done deals by the way - I've heard nothing on the recruitment front from Salford.
Blake Austin
We broke the initial story about him being offered to clubs and we reported that the reason he'd gone to open market is because he wants a two-year deal, and Leeds only want to offer him one. Austin has implied that he's had no talks with Leeds, and, in fairness, that might technically be true. But his agent certainly has. So there have been conversations.
Personally, I think a solution will be found, whether that's Austin getting more money on a 12-month contract or less money on two. Time will tell on that I suppose. I know other clubs have enquired about him in Super League but there doesn't seem to be huge interest given the package that comes with it.
Castleford Tigers
I'm aware that Castleford have been contacting agents desperately looking for an outside back. As the August 4th deadline looms they might have to change their battle strategy but they'd like to use their quota spot on a threequarter, is my understanding. I think the next seven days will be interesting on that front.
Leeds Rhinos recruitment
We broke the story that Danny Levi was a player of interest and I believe that deal will be completed. From what I can gather everything is tied up Leeds' end, he just needs to sort out his release from Canberra, where he is contracted next year.
Beyond that, my understanding is Leeds' plans have changed slightly due to the halfback drain across the gain at the minute. I believe their focus now is on signing a fullback. After that, they'll see what's going with the halves again. For now, I think Richie Myler is seen as the number 7 next year at Headingley. Aidan Sezer hasn't been offered a deal and will be moving on.
Wakefield recruitment
Yes, I reckon they will do more business before the August 4th deadline. I'm being honest when I say I haven't had a firm name at this stage.
Dan Norman
Yes, I believe so. As well as Louis Brogan, Lewis Baxter and Owen Trout. Ava Seumanufagai will leave at the end of the year and the message has always been that Leigh want to use that quota spot on a spine player. I think you can see that's the direction of travel by the fact they've signed four young, British forwards.
TV deal
There's a meeting tomorrow where a lot will be discussed. I think in terms of timeline, you're looking at end of July now. What do I think will happen? This is simply a prediction rather than based on any knowledge but I think it stays with Sky. If that happens, we could see C4 take a few more games but nothing significant, it could rise to 15/16 games.
By the way, the idea that a deal could be done that will have Sky and DAZN have a split is utter nonsense.
Player ratings - an explanation
On gameday, most of the games I go to our Leeds Rhinos for Leeds Live. So we do the Rhinos Ratings. Same applies to Hull FC & KR. Simple as that. I'd kove to do more but when we're doing a minute-by-minute blog, ratings, post-match on both teams, it's a lot to do for one person!
Hull FC
Had a heap of Hull FC related messages, understandably so.
What we know for fact is that Jack Ashworth and Liam Tindall are done deals. Beyond that, there are players I know FC have enquired about but we're talking good earners who can probably get other deals down under. But going off those players, I think it's a safe bet to say Tony Smith is looking for a prop, a halfback and a hooker as a priority and a back-rower will be chased too. Who they end up with, and this is the perils of overseas recruitment, you sometimes have to wait. I think FC will have to do that a bit here.
