Jenna Brooks wraps up all the big stories coming out of the NRL, including a possible move to Newcastle for Huddersfield’s Joe Wardle, the latest on the future of Thomas Leuluai plus a Brisbane great retires.
Sky Sources
We understand Scotland international Joe Wardle has signed with Nathan Brown's Newcastle Knights from 2018.
The second-rower has been with Huddersfield since 2011 and played under Brown when he was the Giants' head coach. We believe Wardle would like to make the move sooner rather than later.
Possible Garcia return
Benjamin Garcia could become the fourth player in recent weeks to cut short his stay in the NRL and return to Super League.
The Penrith forward would join Mike Cooper, who returns to Warrington next season, Greg Eden who also revealed last week he had re-signed with Castleford for 2017 and Joe Burgess who, after just one season playing for the Sydney Roosters, will return to Wigan in December.
Catalans Dragons have confirmed they are in talks with their former player, who has struggled to break into the Penrith Panthers first team.
Leuluai latest
A couple of months ago Sky Sports linked Thomas Leuluai with a move back to Super League.
Last week, the Warriors' five-eighth admitted that he does plan on returning to the UK. "Eventually, I'll have to go back there," Leuluai said. "That was part of the plan with the wife before we came over."
So the only questions that remain are when and who will Leuluai sign for in England?
Warriors win streak
Leuluai's hopes of making the finals with the Warriors have been revived after a third win in a row for the first time in almost a year. They beat the Roosters 12-10.
Leuluai was forced from the field less than 10 minutes into the match with a head injury and is a doubt for the Warriors' game against Cronulla on Saturday.
Burgess' disappointment
The Eels also recorded a third straight win. They beat South Sydney 30-12 to dent the Rabbitohs' finals hopes.
Sam Burgess admitted he was disappointed with his side's performance on Friday night. "I thought we started quite well. We just let in a couple of cheap tries which is disappointing and it's not through lack of effort." He said: "Certainly, we're all working hard it's just about putting our energy in the right channel and getting the result."
The Bunnies are without George Burgess, who underwent surgery on his groin a month ago. The England international is expected back for the final six rounds of the regular season and should feature in the Four Nations, which start in the UK in October.
Parker retires
Brisbane Broncos and Maroons player Corey Parker has announced his retirement.
The 34-year old, who has spent his entire 16-year career with Brisbane, will retire at the end of the season. "The game of rugby league has given me so much over the years, memories, friendships, and I've taken off the game for such a long period of time," the Broncos captain said.
"I look forward to moving forward and being able to give back to the game that I love so much."
This week, Parker will play in his 18th State of Origin game for Queensland.