Gareth Widdop’s expected return to Australia has hit a major roadblock in a setback for the Canberra Raiders.
Meanwhile, two Sydney clubs have received a big boost in their pursuits for wantaway Bronco Tevita Pangai Jnr, and Rooster Isaac Liu appears to be on the move.
Gareth Widdop’s mooted return to the NRL has gone up in smoke with the playmaker reportedly opting to stay in England.
The 32-year-old had been eyeing a move to Australia — where his family is based — after a stint with Warrington Wolves since leaving the NRL in 2019.
But The Australian’s Brent Read said on Triple M that Widdop has backflipped and is set to stay abroad.
It looks like he’s now going to stay in England,” Read said. “Canberra were the club that were moving for Gareth Widdop but they’ve basically been told Gareth looks like he will stay in England now.
“It’s a bit of a backflip on Gareth’s behalf because he had been shopped around the NRL for a long time now — basically all season he’s been shopped around the NRL and didn’t really get any bites.
“It was only the past few weeks he started to get any interest and Canberra was one of those clubs, but it sounds like now he’s decided to stay in England. So you can put a line through him among those playmakers that were on the open market.”
Last month, Widdop’s former club St George Illawarra reportedly gave its blessing to the playmaker to return to the NRL with another team.
He was released from the final two years of his Dragons contract under the stipulation that he would not return to Australia to play for a rival.
The Raiders were then said to be the front runners for his signature after the departure of George Williams mid-season.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 38528daed2
WIDDOP’S SHOCK NRL BACKFLIP
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josie andrews
- Posts: 38427
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
- Location: Wigan
- Contact:
WIDDOP’S SHOCK NRL BACKFLIP
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
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fozzieskem
- Posts: 6494
- Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 10:54 am
Re: WIDDOP’S SHOCK NRL BACKFLIP
Me too I think he’s a fine player,I even said to my wife on Wednesday it was a shame he wasn’t playing,mind you I’d changed my tune by the end of the night.
I’d be very happy to have him at Wigan
Re: WIDDOP’S SHOCK NRL BACKFLIP
I've never been convinced by Widdop. He can be very good, and he's certainly experienced; he has played with the best. But there are still too many errors and lapses of judgement in his game, that a man of his experience should know better than.
But having said all that, would he improve Wigan right now? It's a no-brainer!
But having said all that, would he improve Wigan right now? It's a no-brainer!
Re: WIDDOP’S SHOCK NRL BACKFLIP
Re: WIDDOP’S SHOCK NRL BACKFLIP
I rate him more than Williams personallyfozzieskem wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 7:15 pmMe too I think he’s a fine player,I even said to my wife on Wednesday it was a shame he wasn’t playing,mind you I’d changed my tune by the end of the night.
I’d be very happy to have him at Wigan
Re: WIDDOP’S SHOCK NRL BACKFLIP
Difference being Williams has years ahead of him, Widdop has 1 to 2Dan2266 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:47 amI rate him more than Williams personallyfozzieskem wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 7:15 pmMe too I think he’s a fine player,I even said to my wife on Wednesday it was a shame he wasn’t playing,mind you I’d changed my tune by the end of the night.
I’d be very happy to have him at Wigan
These are two reasons not to trust people.
1. We don't know them.
2. We do know them.
1. We don't know them.
2. We do know them.
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widdenoldboy
- Posts: 2290
- Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:25 pm
Re: WIDDOP’S SHOCK NRL BACKFLIP
Widdop for a couple of years would give Smith more time.