This from the SMH today...
Super League giants Leeds are making a play for St George Illawarra star Gareth Widdop as a replacement for rugby-bound veteran Kevin Sinfield.
Widdop is contracted to the Dragons until the end of 2017 but there has been speculation the England international wants out of the club. Widdop, poised to play his 100th NRL game against Canterbury on Sunday, is arguably the most valuable player at the Red V. The 26-year-old has taken his game to the next level since switching from Melbourne and his form has been a big reason behind the Dragons' three-game winning streak.
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Widdop moved to Australia at the age of 15 but Leeds are hoping he and his young family are open to a move back to England. Widdop, who was recently in England as part of the Dragons' team for the World Club Series, is originally from Halifax, about 20 kilometres from the home of the Rhinos.
It is understood Leeds boss Gary Hetherington, who was in Australia recently to visit his daughter, has made contact with Widdop about the prospect of returning home. Given the strength of the pound, the Super League outfit would be able to table an offer that would dwarf the money he is currently on at the Dragons.
Hetherington said the Rhinos were often linked to star players and that it was the club's policy not to discuss contractual matters.
"We certainly don't talk about what we may or may not be doing," Hetherington said. "We only announce it when it's done."
Leeds will have cash to splash after Sinfield announced he will leave to join sister club Yorkshire Carnegie for an 18-month stint before retiring. The 34-year-old veteran is the only player to be involved in every Super League season since the competition's inception in 1996.
Salary cap pressures have forced St George Illawarra to reluctantly release a host of quality players, including Brett Morris, Jack Bird and Trent Merrin, the latter set to join Penrith at the end of the season. They can ill-afford to lose Widdop, who has struck up a good combination with halves partner Benji Marshall in recent weeks.
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Super League giants Leeds are making a play for St George Illawarra star Gareth Widdop as a replacement for rugby-bound veteran Kevin Sinfield.
Widdop is contracted to the Dragons until the end of 2017 but there has been speculation the England international wants out of the club. Widdop, poised to play his 100th NRL game against Canterbury on Sunday, is arguably the most valuable player at the Red V. The 26-year-old has taken his game to the next level since switching from Melbourne and his form has been a big reason behind the Dragons' three-game winning streak.
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Widdop moved to Australia at the age of 15 but Leeds are hoping he and his young family are open to a move back to England. Widdop, who was recently in England as part of the Dragons' team for the World Club Series, is originally from Halifax, about 20 kilometres from the home of the Rhinos.
It is understood Leeds boss Gary Hetherington, who was in Australia recently to visit his daughter, has made contact with Widdop about the prospect of returning home. Given the strength of the pound, the Super League outfit would be able to table an offer that would dwarf the money he is currently on at the Dragons.
Hetherington said the Rhinos were often linked to star players and that it was the club's policy not to discuss contractual matters.
"We certainly don't talk about what we may or may not be doing," Hetherington said. "We only announce it when it's done."
Leeds will have cash to splash after Sinfield announced he will leave to join sister club Yorkshire Carnegie for an 18-month stint before retiring. The 34-year-old veteran is the only player to be involved in every Super League season since the competition's inception in 1996.
Salary cap pressures have forced St George Illawarra to reluctantly release a host of quality players, including Brett Morris, Jack Bird and Trent Merrin, the latter set to join Penrith at the end of the season. They can ill-afford to lose Widdop, who has struck up a good combination with halves partner Benji Marshall in recent weeks.
LINK: http://ift.tt/1aENGi1
Widdop courted by Leeds
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