Graham

First Souths’ casualty of the move:

According to TotalRL... Super League clubs have been offered the services of the Gold Coast Titans forward Leilani Latu for 2020. TotalRL has learned that the Gold Coast Titans player is free to leave the NRL following Justin Holbrook’s arrival and is open to a Super League switch. Read the whole story here https://www.totalrl.com/gold-coast-titans-forward-offered-to-super-league-clubs/

Cameron Murray would be a good acquisition for Titans but I can’t see that happening. Souths will probably be wanting to move on some backs, but Titans needn’t do anything unless Souths offer them a top class player in a position they want to fill.

It’s well known Souths want Arrow for the 2020 season and don’t want to wait until the 2021 date currently agreed. Titans have so far said no to the early move. Now however they seem to have budged with certain provisos:

Seen here at his first training session he's somewhat chunkier than your average full back. Hopefully he'll get down to work honing his skills and body in readiness for a consistent season with Souths.

Wests Tigers have signed Eels teenager Stefano Utoikamanu on a three-year deal from 2021. And according to a report by The Daily Telegraph, they are keen to bring the prop over for this season. Parramatta rejected the Tigers’ release to request the 19-year old in November, believing that he will boost their chances of success in 2020. It is understood that Utoikamanu wants to depart the Eels immediately and the Tigers will continue to negotiate in the hope of securing a release.

I'm trying hard to guess which team you follow. Can I have three guesses?

Definitely not... maybe I think I dreamed this ... Did Tigers miss out or dodge a bullet? Apparently he was never a centre... so we dreamed that as well.

Give a special rugby league thought and prayer the world over today to Rob Burrow who with his family and friends faces the biggest challenge of his life. The game has a big heart. Rob is small in stature but is a towering giant in terms of attitude, application and bravery. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12211/11907225/tearful-rob-burrow-treated-to-standing-ovation-in-headingley-swansong

Well done to everyone who has contributed to this very special event today.

“The last nine months have been extremely difficult,” Martin said. “I’d like to reassure everyone that I’m doing well and I have recovered to the point where my day to day life isn’t affected, but I can’t get past the contact stage of training, which means I can’t play footy anymore. “I’d like to thank the Cowboys for their unwavering support – they could not have done any more for me, particularly the medical staff – as well as the club’s members and fans for their well wishes.”

Te Maire Martin via the North Queensland Cowboys has announced his retirement from rugby league, effectively immediately. Martin has not played since April last year after he experienced a bleed on the brain. A sensible decision.

Then there’s... ”To the fans, thanks you” He has a way with words!

Squabbling over money with bookies? Again?

Today I tried to read about Corey Oates being hospitalised due to a serious infection... but the story was behind a paywall. I seem to remember he was similarly hospitalised a couple of years ago so had to miss a game v Storm.