WITH Luke Gale’s big transfer from Keighley Cougars to Wakefield Trinity confirmed, it got us thinking about other massive mid-season signings.
Of course, with some mid-season recruits, controversy sometimes follows too in terms of how the transfer went through or the two clubs involved.
Here are five of the biggest and most controversial mid-season Super League signings.
Paul Cooke – Hull FC to Hull KR
A Challenge Cup winner in 2005 with Hull FC, things went awry for Paul Cooke in April 2007 when he walked out on the club to join bitter rivals Hull KR. Cooke signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Rovers immediately, but the RFL had other ideas and initially blocked the transfer, stating that his registration remained with Hull FC. Despite this, the move went through before an RFL tribunal found Cooke guilty of misconduct for approaching Rovers whilst still contracted with Hull FC in November 2007. The rangy playmaker was handed a six-game ban for the 2008 Super League season.
Adrian Morley – Sydney Roosters to Bradford Bulls
A move that came well out of left field saw Sydney Roosters prop Adrian Morley move to Bradford Bulls as the 2005 Super League season entered into its final stages. Morley made just six appearances in a Bulls shirt but helped the West Yorkshire side triumph at Old Trafford before returning to the Roosters under a fanfare. The hulking forward eventually returned to Super League full-time in 2007, signing a deal with the Warrington Wolves.
Andrew Johns – Newcastle Knights to Warrington Wolves
The move, to this day, still seems scarcely believable. But, it did indeed happen with Andrew Johns making two regular Super League appearances as well as a play-off game in 2005 for the Wolves. Johns ended those three games with a one-try haul as well as 12 conversions before returning to Newcastle for 2006 and beyond. Arguably the greatest coup in Super League history, Warrington signed one of the greatest players in the world for their play-off push.
Stuart Fielden – Bradford Bulls to Wigan Warriors
What a story this created at the time with Stuart Fielden swapping World Club Challenge winners Bradford for relegation-threatened Wigan for a gargantuan £450,000 fee. Debuting in June 2006, Fielden went on to be instrumental in helping the Warriors survive in Super League, striking up another fruitful relationship with former Bradford boss Brian Noble. The hulking forward would later win the Grand Final with Wigan in 2010.
Ali Lauitiiti – New Zealand Warriors to Leeds Rhinos
Following the end of Ali Lauitiiti’s contract at the New Zealand Warriors in 2003, Leeds won the race for his signature. That being said, Lauitiiti didn’t actually arrive in West Yorkshire until May 2004, signing a two-and-a-half year deal. The wrecking ball forward’s impact was immediately felt as he helped the Rhinos to Grand Final victory that year and went on to win another three Old Trafford classics whilst a part of the Headingley side. 200 appearances later and Lauitiiti made the short move to Wakefield.
