Salford win fight to bring Sio back to Super League
SALFORD have won the race to bring Ken Sio back to the Betfred Super League, tying him to a three-year-deal at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Primarily a winger, Sio spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons with Hull Kingston Rovers, scoring 26 tries during his stay.
He then returned to his native Australia with NRL side Newcastle Knights, where he crossed 17 times in 41 appearances.
“We are delighted to add Ken to our team and would like to welcome his wife and children to Salford,” said Red Devils boss Ian Watson.
“This signing is an outstanding capture for the club as Ken is a player who can play full-back, winger and centre, and comes with great experience. Ken is a fantastic person with an excellent work ethic, which is essential in our environment here at Salford Red Devils.
“His all-round ability and track record as a proven finisher in both the Super League and NRL will only add to our back line and help us build momentum as we head into the 2019 season.”
Sio, who celebrated his 28th birthday just last week, initially made his name with Parramatta Eels prior to his spell with KR, where he was the club’s top metre-maker in each of his two seasons.
And Salford’s director of rugby operations, Ian Bleases, revealed there was plenty of interest from rival clubs in securing Sio’s signature.
He said: “A lot of hard work has gone in behind the scenes to get this deal over the line and I know we again beat off strong competition for Ken from other Super League clubs.
“I’m confident that this will be the first of a number of signings which will SCRUM-HALF Richie Myler has been recalled to the England team to and forward Joe Greenwood is set make his debut in Sunday’s third Test against New Zealand. The Leeds half-back takes the place of Sam Tomkins, who is out with a broken hand sustained in the opening stages of last Sunday’s 20-14 win over the Kiwis. With hooker Daryl Clark ruled out with a rib injury, and prop George Burgess suspended, coach Wayne Bennett is forced to make three changes, with Greenwood and Stefan Ratchford on the bench. help year.”
Elsewhere, Oldham have added two former Red Devils in the shape of young hooker Matty Wilkinson and second-rower Ben Calland. The pair were part of the Salford academy side that bolster our squad for next Roughyeds forward Liam Bent captained. “Ben can play centre or second-row, but I see him as a second-row and I’ll be looking to him to fill the gap left by Danny Langtree’s departure,” said coach Scott Naylor.
The club have also secured the signing of Richie Hawkyard – some 18 years after the former Swinton Lions back first trained with Roughyeds as a 14-year-old. He is also the nephew of Oldham great Colin Hawkyard.
Naylor said: “I’ve always admired Richie and I’ve tried to sign him a couple of times before. I like the way he plays. He will definitely improve us as a team and as a back division. He is vastly experienced. I’ve always seen him as a full-back but I’ve no doubt he can play other positions too. He’ll give us options, but his main position is fullback.”