LONDON BRONCOS have signed Kobe Rugless from Hunslet, two months after a bizarre transfer saga that started with a loan move to Salford Red Devils.
The halfback or hooker played two Super League games for Salford in June following discussions over a potential permanent transfer which Hunslet claimed had taken place “without our involvement or consent”.
Salford coach Paul Rowley denied any improper behaviour on his club’s part and when the two-week loan was completed, Rugless returned to Hunslet.
The Championship’s bottom side said at the time that they would be open to letting Rugless go if any club wanted “a proper discussion that recognises and respects Hunslet’s role in his development”.
And the 24-year-old Australian, who featured eleven times for Hunslet including four appearances on his return to the club, has now made a permanent move to second-tier rivals London.
Hunslet say that Rugless “formally requested to leave the club” and that a fee has been agreed between the two clubs.
Rugless came through the Sydney Roosters junior set-up and played for North Sydney Bears, Newcastle Knights and Blacktown Workers in the New South Wales Cup.
Blacktown were at the time a feeder for Manly Sea Eagles, and he featured in a first-grade pre-season game against Brisbane Broncos at the start of 2024.
He left the side at the end of last year to move to the UK and has now followed his father, Troy Rugless, in playing for the capital club.
Troy, a halfback, spent the 1993-94 Second Division season with what was then called London Crusaders.