Four Super League transfers to look out for as the new season begins
- Featured image credit: Martin Rickett, PA Wire.
With the Super League back in full flow, we wanted to take a look at some of the moves that have happened ahead of the new season. There’s always an excitement around stars pulling on a new shirt and it’s one of the reasons why we all love the opening rounds.
Clubs make a lot of moves, whether that’s signing foreign talent or raiding rivals, every transfer gives us an excuse to look at the business of some of the clubs and see who to look out for with every new season.
The four we’ve selected are in no particular order, and despite two of them being among the oldest players in the league, they still remain the moves we’re most excited about.
Tristan Sailor
Brisbane Broncos -> St Helens
The Super Saints will be hoping to make a return to grand final joy this year, though Wellens will certainly be hoping to keep his key men fit going forward with a squad hit hard by injuries last season.
We could’ve gone with the addition of Kyle Feldt as Tommy Makinson’s replacement, but we’re more intrigued by Sailor, a talented player who will bring more quality onto an already βstackedβ squad. He will be hoping to grow and prove his worth as Saints try to unlock his potential.
Saints have had some great foreign backs in the past with the likes of his countryman Lachlan Coote and Sailor has the potential to join the list alongside him. There’s inevitably going to be pressure as he’s pulling on the red V, but there’s no doubting his ability.
We’ll just have to wait to see how he adapts to the Super League and the Super Saints.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Brisbane Broncos -> Hull K.R
The Australian big man joins Hull K.R off the back of one of their best seasons in the league so far and will be hoping to go one step further this season to lift the trophy at Old Trafford.
JWH bring a plethora of experience as he boasts three National Rugby League grand final victories to his name, an experience that could play a major part in helping the Robins take that next step.
The 35 year old may now be in the twilight of his career but still offers a lot on the field: his physical prowess often sees him land in hot water, but thereβs no doubting his ability as a ball carrier.
He’s exactly what KR needed. Someone who knows how to get over the line and win the big trophies is hard to come by, and, as the old sporting saying goes, success breeds success.
David Armstrong
Newcastle Knights -> Leigh Leopards
At just 23, Armstrong is a rising talent. The transfer is a positive move from the Leopards and will certainly give them a fresh direction going forward. The Leopards can afford to put him at the centre of a bit of a rebuild as their other new signings gel into the team.
With some of the big players departing at the end of last season, Armstrong is now one of nine new signings.
He reportedly had offers from other NRL sides but ended up choosing the move to Leigh in a bid to gain regular game time.
It’s important the Leopards maintain a positive direction and grow the squad and they now have the chance to take full advantage of his talent and make him one of the key men in the league.
They may be facing the prospect of the big NRL teams knocking at the door in a few seasons’ time, but not before Armstrong has the chance to take the leopards to the summit – and become a top class player along the way.
Ryan Hall
Hull K.R -> Leeds Rhinos
This is the only inter-league move NQ has highlighted and it is not just because of the fairy-tale nature of the return. What he could offer the squad is undeniable – everyone remembers him as a part of the dominant Leeds side that won the Super League six times with Hall in the side.
From that first try against St Helens in the 2008 Grand Final over to his many other memorable moments, Hall will no doubt be hoping to bring the winning culture back to the club he once helped be the best around.
He is one of the greatest wingers we’ve seen so far, and he’s proved he’s still able to put up good numbers, scoring 16 tries last season with Hull KR. Despite losing at Old Trafford, he still produced one of the moments of the match with that try-saving tackle.
He may be ageing, but he is still full of quality. Leeds have done well to bring him home.