Halifax sign Douglas as Moore joins Rams
LEEDS RHINOS’ Brian McDermott has not ruled out makeshift stand-off Joel Moon becoming his regular half-back – even if sometimes the head coach doesn’t know what the Australian’s doing.
The club bought Moon from Salford Red Devils for an undisclosed fee in November 2012 and he quickly established himself as one of Super League’s top centres.
However, the ex-New Zealand Warriors star has unexpectedly slotted in at stand-off for much of this season and proved just as influential there as in-form Rhinos mount their latest title assault.
Moon will line-up alongside captain Danny McGuire again as they attempt to defeat Super League leaders Castleford Tigers at Magic Weekend in Newcastle on Sunday.
With Kevin Sinfield having long retired and McGuire approaching his 35th birthday, it begs the question whether McDermott sees the former Exiles centre as the longterm answer to any creative conundrums.
“I wouldn’t say he’s a longterm half-back yet, but I’ve got no plans to move him from that position right now,” said the head coach, about the gifted 28-yearold who started out his NRL career as a stand-off and is one of the game’s silkiest runners.
“I don’t think he’s doing anything different by the way – he’s just doing it in the middle third of the field instead of over on that left side.
“If you can work out what that is then let me know; that’s the strength of him – his ability.
“Sometimes you think ‘what the hell is he doing? Is he falling over or tripping up?’
“And then ’Oh no, he’s made a break.’ And that’s how he looks.”
McDermott will welcome Kallum Watkins back on Sunday after the England centre was rested in the Challenge Cup win over Barrow Raiders.
He also sees Australian second-row Brett Delaney return but has – perhaps crucially against Castleford’s formidable pack – lost two of his main props to injury in Mitch Garbutt (concussion) and Keith Galloway (knee surgery).
McDermott explained: “Unfortunately he got something caught in his knee yesterday (Wednesday) at training so it looks like he’ll be having a bit of a clean-out there.” HALIFAX have signed Castleford Tigers’ teenage prop Brandon Douglas on loan until the end of the season.
The 19-year-old was promoted to Castleford’s first team last October, shortly after making his Super League debut against St Helens, and handed a two-year contract.
However, he has yet to add to that solitary appearance and will now look to build his experience in the Championship.
Douglas, who has spent most of the season on loan at Dewsbury Rams, will help Halifax offset the recent departure of experienced front-row Luke Ambler.
Halifax coach Richard Marshall said: “Brandon played very well in both matches against us this season. He will add more strike to our already strong pack.”
Tigers coach Daryl Powell added: “Halifax presents Brandon with a great opportunity to further his experience in the Championship.
“I know Richard Marshall and he is a quality and proven coach who will help Brandon to develop his all-round skill set.”
Meanwhile, Halifax have allowed Scotland half-back Gareth Moore to join Dewsbury on a deal until the end of the season.
The ex-Batley Bullodogs scrum-half has only made four appearances for them this season, having been a regular in the side in 2016.
A former Leeds Rhinos academy player, Moore has also featured with Featherstone Rovers and, in Super League, at Wakefield Trinity.
Coach Neil Kelly hopes he is the sort of organiser who could help struggling Dewsbury in their fight against relegation.
Widnes prop forwards Jay and Ted Chapelhow have signed new contracts that will keep them with the Vikings until the end of the 2019 season.
The 21-year-old twins are graduates of the Vikings Academy.