TIGERS HUNT PETER
Cas targeting Leigh star
CASTLEFORD head a queue of clubs looking to land Leigh full-back Peter Mata’utia ahead of Friday’s signing deadline.
The former Newcastle Knights man is one of several players at the Championship Centurions being targeted by top-flight clubs before the mid-season split.
Relegated Leigh assembled a squad full of NRL and Super League players this year in the hope of making an immediate return to the top division.
But they are now outsiders to make the Qualifiers ahead of this weekend’s final round of regular league fixtures – and rival clubs are looking to pounce.
Samoan international Mata’utia is the most coveted, having had extensive experience in Australia’s NRL with both Newcastle and St George Illawarra.
Huddersfield and Hull KR have also been linked with the 27-year-old, but Castleford now look likely to win the race. Mata’utia is unlikely to be the only Centurion to receive offers this week as clubs look to bolster their chances of staying up. The likes of Liam Hood, Bodene Thompson, Greg Richards, Craig Hall, Jordan Thompson and Ben Crooks are also set to attract interest.
Experienced centre Craig Hall is poised to join bottom club Widnes Vikings as they look to end a losing run of 15 Super League matches.
Hull KR have publicly admitted their desire to add to their squad before Friday, particularly in the outside backs, with Wakefield’s Mason Caton-brown interesting both them and Salford.
Leeds, who face a second Qualifiers campaign in three years, are actively in the market for new signings.
But a Rhinos return for Papua New Guinean hooker Paul Aiton (above) from Catalans has stalled.
Players are becoming available from the NRL as well, with Canberra prop Charlie Gubb and Canterbury Bulldogs duo Francis Tualau and Asipeli Fine all being shopped around by agents.