Carney heading back to Super League

CONTROVERSIAL former NRL playmaker Todd Carney is out of rugby league limbo after signing a short-term deal with lowly English Super League side Hull KR.

The 32-year-old Carney, who was released early by Canberra, the Roosters and Cronulla following a series of off-field misdemeanours, first played in Super League for Catalans in 2015 and went to Salford, but he quit at the end of last season. He has since been denied the chance to return to the NRL after a number of playing options for him fell through.

He started the 2018 season playing for the Cairns-based Northern Pride in Queensland’s state league, hoping to use the time as a chance to earn his way back to the big time.

But he left the Pride abruptly in May to return to Sydney when his mother fell with breast cancer.

Then South Sydney shot him down, saying it would provide “no pathway” for Carney despite its feeder club Norths expressing interest in signing him.

Manly was also touted as a possible destination for Carney in the off-season, however, coach Trent Barrett decided against it.

Now he will link up with ill former premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens once he has received a clearance and paperwork after signing a contract to the end of the season.

“I gave Todd his Test debut with Australia in 2010 and everybody knows he’s a talented halfback,” Sheens said.

“It’s an area where we’ve been short all year and we’ve had to use all sorts of people there, which we don’t want to have to continue.” Saturday, July 14 1.10pm: Redcliffe Dolphins v Burleigh Bears (Dolphin Stadium) 5pm: Norths Devils v Central Queensland Capras (Bishop Park) 5pm: Townsville Blackhawks v Ipswich Jets (Jack Manski Oval) 6pm: Mackay Cutters v Easts Tigers (BB Print Stadium Mackay) Sunday, July 15 3pm: PNG Hunters v Northern Pride (Oil Search National Football Stadium) 3pm: Sunshine Coast Falcons v Wynnum Manly Seagulls (Sunshien Coast Stadium) TBA Tweed Heads Seagulls v South Logan Magpies