Rumour Mill: Club legend Gil Dudson will return to Warrington as he prepares to leave; Greg Eden’s next destination after announced departure
This week’s Rumour Mill features a new arrival at Warrington Wolves as well as an expected exit, as well as details about an NRL arrival at the John Smith’s Stadium as the Huddersfield Giants aim for a better 2024 season.
More changes at Warrington as a club great prepares to return
Warrington icon Matt King is likely to return to the club next year as part of Sam Burgess’ backroom crew, according to Love Rugby League.
In his four years at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, the former Australian international made 106 appearances and won back-to-back Challenge Cups. In 2009, he scored a hat-trick of tries in the competition’s semi-final to send the club to Wembley for the first time in nearly 20 years.
After returning home and spending time with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, he retired at the end of the 2013 season and joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs coaching team. He played with and coached Burgess during their 2014 NRL Premiership success, and the pair are expected to reunite in 2024.
In other news, sources have told us that out-of-favour prop Gil Dudson is in talks to leave the club after a disappointing season.
The Trowbridge-born ex-Wales international joined the club on a two-year agreement ahead of 2023, but has only started nine games to date, with only three of those coming during Gary Chambers’ interim reign.
Widnes Vikings are the frontrunners to sign the forward for 2024, with the 33-year-old rumored to be looking for a switch to part-time rugby. Dudson has already made 91 Vikings appearances after spending four years at DCBL Stadium earlier in his career.
Greg Eden’s next move revealed as veteran released by Castleford
Greg Eden, 32, is close to signing a deal with promotion aspirants Featherstone Rovers until 2024, as Love Rugby League reported earlier this week.
Castleford Tigers released the 32-year-old winger after seven years with the club, where he is the club’s second-highest try scorer in Super League history and eighth-highest all-time.
Suaia Matagi, another veteran head, was also let go, with Cas’ Director of Rugby Operations Danny Wilson revealing the club is trying to ‘reduce the age profile of the squad’ following this year’s basement struggle.
We’ve also heard that Rovers are in talks with another Tigers veteran, Nathan Massey, who is out of contract at the end of the season. Eden is ready to sign on the dotted line at Post Office Road even though a deal for him is still a long way off.
Clune is being pursued by Super League clubs, with Huddersfield the frontrunner.
Newcastle Knights star Adam Clune is poised to join Huddersfield Giants in 2024, after the Giants beat off Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC for his signature, according to Examiner Live.
When he was put on the market, the 28-year-old drew a lot of interest, but the John Smith’s Stadium now appears to be his most probable destination, with Huddersfield looking to replace outgoing half-back Theo Fages, who will join Catalans Dragons next year.
Clune spent much of 2023 playing in the New South Wales Cup after making 18 senior appearances last season, but was brought into the Knights squad for their crucial play-off match against the New Zealand Warriors earlier this month. They were eliminated from the competition after a 40-10 defeat, and he will now play in the Super League.
Catalans are hoping for a retirement reversal from NRL veteran Wade Graham.
According to The Mole, NRL veteran Wade Graham’s retirement could be one of the shortest in history if Catalans Dragons get their way and convince him to play another year in Super League with them.
Despite interest from clubs such as Catalans, the 32-year-old revealed his retirement from the game at the end of 2023 earlier this month.
He and the Cronulla Sharks were eliminated from the NRL end-of-season playoffs on September 9 with a painful 13-12 loss to the Sydney Roosters, but conversations have continued and it now appears that he will travel to the South of France.
Graham, a former Australia and Origin player, had spent 13 years with Cronulla since joining them from Penrith Panthers in 2011.
As the club confirms departures, a Huddersfield stalwart will continue to play in 2024.
Huddersfield, like many other Super League clubs, released their departures list earlier this week.
Jermaine McGillvary and Chris McQueen, both veterans, will not be on Ian Watson’s roster next season, with the latter retiring from the game entirely.
Eight players will leave the Giants after Friday night’s home game against Warrington, but one veteran who appears likely to stay is Leroy Cudjoe.
He wasn’t on the list of departures, but he is now unsigned, implying that a new contract is on the way for the 35-year-old who made his debut in 2008.
