Zak Hardaker signs a four and a half year deal with Casteford, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2021 season (hopefully). https://castlefordtigers.com/mobile/article.php?id=5545

Zak Hardaker signs a four and a half year deal with Casteford, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2021 season (hopefully). https://castlefordtigers.com/mobile/article.php?id=5545

Is Hardaker's salary partly paid for by the RFL, as is the case with Tomkins and Lomax's central contracts ?

No. We are looking a England back-rower Mike McMeeken on a central contract.

Unlikely, Hardaker actually stays fit and plays game.

I bet you would have him back in your team at a heartbeat, he's certainly found his mojo again at Cas.

Problem is his mojo can quickly go with off field stupidity.

Hardaker is a fantastic player but Leeds simply couldnt rely on him. They stuck by him through some pretty unsavoury incidents, supported him when he made some pretty dumb decisions, yet in 2016 when Leeds struggled Hardaker not only failed to stand up but completely disappeared. When Leeds were playing poorly, he was as bad as anyone and then walked out on his team-mates mid-season.

He is now going great guns in a Cas side that have been on the front foot pretty much all season, it remains to be seen if he can step forward or is he hides away again when the going gets tough. And if he has changed and grown and now has the right mentality then great, but it was always over for him at Leeds.

Warrington:

Gidley to Retire
Savielo to Brisbane (rumour)

At least 10 players ooc this year, so should be a busy one.

Have to agree with that assessment, I know that things were going on in his life off the field at the time but for me it conveyed a serious character flaw. I was surprised Powell took a chance with him, he has been playing well again but as you say, will be interesting to see if he stands up when things aren't going to plan.

Can't imagine Castleford has a lot of students so he can concentrate on his Rugby

Regards

King James

I can see a lot of rumours like this going round with central contracts up for grabs.

You have to be an established international player to get one. He's not played for England has he?

Is Jonny Lomax an established international? Or Mike Mcmeeken? Has Ben Currie even played for England? I can't recall any time when he did, if he has I don't believe he's played in a major tournament, hardly an established international.

Jonny Lomax is a consummate professional who doesnt drink (unlike the wigan internationals), doesnt beat up students and eats clean, rescuing cats stuck up trees in his spare time or helping the elderly. Given all the bad press rugby league has had recently from domestic abuse to glassing team mates to drug taking, they want a face they know wont gather any bad press. Thats why he has a central contract.

Regards

King James

Is he the only one from Saints they could find to fit that then? Would've thought Percival or Walmsley would be better picks.