Every year a large contingent of NRL players, both established stars and wannabees, leave the NRL for the English Super League seeking either the opportunity to play first grade on a more regular basis or to prolong their playing careers for another year or two and earn a few more dollars.
Some even discover a distant English relative and end up playing for England, Scotland, etc. The ESL is awash with former NRL players these days , and for most, moving to England marks the end of their NRL careers, with only the very few returning to play in Australia again.
Just for fun, here’s a team made up of the best of the NRL players who are heading to England in 2025.
1. David Armstrong (23, Newcastle Knights to Leigh Leopards)
After scoring an impressive 31 tries in 35 games for the Knights’ NSW Cup team across the 2022 to 2024 seasons, Armstrong finally got his opportunity in first grade and proceeded to score five tries in as many starts, including a treble. How some NRL team didn’t snap him up instead of letting him head to England is a mystery.
I suspect he’ll be back in the NRL within a couple of years.
2. Maika Sivo (31, Parramatta Eels to Leeds Rhinos)
If the human battering ram can score 104 tries for the Eels in 115 games, heaven knows how many he’ll rack up for Leeds Rhinos over the next few years, where I suspect their new coach Brad Arthur’s game plan in the opposition 20 will be to “give it to Sivo”.
Maika Sivo (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
3. Tesi Niu (23, Dolphins to Leigh Leopards)
There’s no doubting Niu has both the talent and physical attributes to be a success in the game but there have always been questions about his application. Let’s hope that Leigh coach Adrian Lam can bring out the best in him.
4. Daejarn Asi (24, Parramatta Eels to Castleford Tigers)
Having played for three clubs since making his debut five years ago, Asi has failed to cement a position in the top grade, being used to fill in almost anywhere in the backline. Perhaps he’ll blossom at Castleford if given the opportunity to play the same position each week.
5. Kyle Feldt (32, NQ Cowboys to St Helens Saints)
After spending his whole career destroying the opposition in the sweltering heat of North Queensland, Feldt better be sure to pack his gloves, long johns and collection of Mark Hughes’ beanies for life on the wing at St Helens.
6. Luke Keary (32, Sydney Roosters to Catalans Dragons)
If the ESL is the elephant’s graveyard for NRL players, then Catalans is surely the elephant’s graveyard for the ESL. Based near the Mediterranean in the south of France it’s a great place for a holiday, and no player goes there to raise either raise a sweat at training or to put their bodies on the line come match day. Enjoy your vacation, Luke.
7. Aidan Sezer (33, Wests Tigers to Hull FC)
It’s a case of back to the future for Sezer who will turn out for his third Super League team in 2025, after previously having stints at both Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos before being enticed back to the Tigers in 2024 to help them secure their third wooden spoon on the trot.
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (35, Sydney Roosters to Hull Kingston Rovers)
After spending a lifetime establishing his reputation as the competition’s “big dog”, JWH just might need to start again when he gets to sunny Hull. I wonder if the Super League judiciary will make his acquaintance anytime soon.
9. Zac Woolford (28, Canberra Raiders to Huddersfield Giants)
Woolford finally looked like he was getting somewhere at the Raiders in 2023, seemingly locking down the No.9 jersey, but he was the biggest loser in the three-way tussle for the shirt in 2024 and will find the competition for a starting spot less intense at the Giants.
10. Thomas Burgess (32, South Sydney Rabbitohs to Huddersfield Giants)
After 12 seasons, a premiership and nearly 250 games, Burgess leaves Souths with his head held high, and it’s fitting that the big man finishes his career in England.
11. Elliott Whitehead (35, Canberra Raiders to Catalans Dragons)
There’s been few better English imports than Elliott Whitehead in the NRL era and I suspect that the Raiders will really miss him in 2025, but who can begrudge him playing his final season in the south of France after spending the last nine years in chilly Canberra.
12. Jed Cartwright (28, Newcastle Knights to Hull FC)
Cartwright always looked a better player than his 30-odd first grade games across six seasons would suggest. I’m tipping he’ll do well in England.
13. Isaac Liu (33, Gold Coast Titans to Leigh Leopards)
The big Kiwi won two premierships with the Roosters, has represented both NZ and Samoa with distinction and will find the step down in class from the NRL to the ESL to his satisfaction.
14. Tristan Sailor (26, Brisbane Broncos to St Helens Saints)
One wonders where Sailor’s career would have gone but for those lost years when he was charged, and later found not guilty, in a criminal matter. At 26 he could be in prime position to emulate the ESL deeds of the likes of Bevan French, Jai Field and Matt Dufty.
Tristan Sailor is tackled. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
15. Jordan Rapana (35, Canberra Raiders to Hull FC)
Hull FC have struggled in recent years and haven’t won anything in a very long time, but you can expect Rapana to show the black and whites the way with his professionalism, work ethic and commitment.
16. Tevita Pangai Junior (28, Dolphins to Catalans Dragons)
Every time I see TPJ’s name the words “wasted career” spring to mind and wonder what he could have achieved with a little more application and a little less d–khead. I can’t see a season at the Catalans changing anything for him.
17. Keenan Palasia (27, Gold Coast Titans to Leeds Rhinos)
With the signing of Reagan Campbell-Gillard and the expected return from injury of captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in 2025, it looked like Palasai might struggle for a first grade berth at the Titans. I’m surprised that the big Samoan wasn’t snapped up by another NRL club.
I wonder what sort of impact they will they have in the Super League, and whether we’ll see any of them playing in the NRL again?
Tonyhttps://https://ift.tt/hBiKlpe warrior and record try-scorers: The NRL players heading to Super League in 2025
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